Hearing Device Adaptive Acoustic Valve

Solution Overview

Problem

Audio devices face challenges in providing optimal sound quality and comfort due to the trade-off between closed-fit and open-fit configurations, where closed-fit devices cause occlusion and distorted sound perception, while open-fit devices may not offer optimized frequency performance.

Innovation Solution

A hearing device with adaptively actuated acoustic valves that can switch between open and closed fit configurations based on context detected by sensors, allowing users to experience the benefits of both configurations without removing the device, using sensors and context determination logic to control the valve state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a closed-fit configuration is used, then sound quality and frequency performance are improved, but occlusion effects and distorted sound perception occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency performanceVSAvoidocclusion effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device employs dynamically switchable acoustic valves that can transition between open and closed states based on detected context. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt between closed-fit (for optimized frequency response) and open-fit (for reduced occlusion) modes, resolving the contradiction between frequency performance and occlusion effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the acoustic impedance parameter by actuating valves to alter the coupling between the ear canal and ambient environment. By modifying this physical parameter, the device can switch between providing a sealed closed-fit configuration for frequency optimization and an open-fit configuration to reduce occlusion, thereby addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an open-fit configuration is used, then occlusion effects are reduced, but frequency performance and sound quality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectsVSAvoidfrequency performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device employs dynamically switchable acoustic valves that can transition between open and closed states based on detected context. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt between closed-fit (for optimized frequency response) and open-fit (for reduced occlusion) modes, resolving the contradiction between frequency performance and occlusion effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the acoustic impedance parameter by actuating valves to alter the coupling between the ear canal and ambient environment. By modifying this physical parameter, the device can switch between providing a sealed closed-fit configuration for frequency optimization and an open-fit configuration to reduce occlusion, thereby addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed configuration is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different user needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device employs dynamically switchable acoustic valves that can transition between open and closed states based on detected context. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt between closed-fit (for optimized frequency response) and open-fit (for reduced occlusion) modes, resolving the contradiction between frequency performance and occlusion effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects user context through sensors (microphones, accelerometers, etc.) and autonomously determines when to actuate valves to switch configurations. This self-service approach provides adaptability without requiring manual user intervention, maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10687153B2Hearing device with contextually actuated valve

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 KNOWLES ELECTRONICS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure pertains to hearing devices configurable between open fit and closed fit configurations at different times through actuation of one or more acoustic valves located in one or more corresponding sound passages of the hearing device. The one or more acoustic valves of the hearing device are adaptively controlled based on context detected by one or more sensors. The context may be, but is not limited to, a mode of operation of the hearing devices which may include, for example, an audio content playback mode and a voice communication mode. The actuatable valves may be actuatable in situ without having to remove the hearing device from the user's ear thereby enabling the user to experience the benefit of a closed fit or an open fit depending on the user's desire or other context.