Hearing Device Ambient Sound Attenuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of hearing devices lack control over ambient sound attenuation during audio streaming sessions, which can affect their ability to perceive audio content effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow users to select and adjust ambient sound attenuation settings for hearing devices during audio streaming sessions, using a processor and memory to provide options for attenuating ambient sound through active vent control or active noise control circuits, enabling user interface control via buttons or sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hearing device automatically controls ambient sound attenuation during audio streaming, then the audio content quality is improved, but the user loses control over ambient sound perception
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual control modes based on user selection. The ambient sound attenuation setting can be automatically adjusted during audio streaming, or the user can manually select from predefined settings (0%, 50%, 100% attenuation), making the system adaptable to different user preferences and situations
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device integrates multiple functions: it can stream audio content, control ambient sound attenuation automatically, and allow manual user control through various interfaces (buttons, touchscreens, remote devices). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both automatic audio optimization and user control capabilities within a single system
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device provides multiple ambient sound attenuation settings, then the adaptability to different situations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides discrete ambient sound attenuation settings (0%, 50%, 100%) that can be selected based on different listening situations. These parameter changes allow the user to adapt the hearing device to various environments without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary control interfaces (buttons, touchscreens, remote devices) that mediate between the user and the hearing device's ambient sound control. This allows complex attenuation settings to be managed through simple, user-friendly interfaces rather than direct device manipulation
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to determine that an audio streaming session is to be initiated in which an audio signal is streamed to a hearing device, provide, based on the determining that the audio streaming session is to be initiated, an option for a user to select an ambient sound attenuation setting for use by the hearing device during the audio streaming session, detect a selection by the user of the option; and direct, based on the user selecting the option, the hearing device to initiate the audio streaming session and attenuate, in accordance with the ambient sound attenuation setting, ambient sound during the audio streaming session.