Hearing Device Attenuation for Hidden Hearing Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with normal or near-normal audiograms often experience difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments due to hidden suprathreshold deficits, which current hearing aids may exacerbate by amplifying sound at high input levels.
Innovation Solution
A method for compensating hearing deficiencies using a hearing device that attenuates the output sound pressure level based on the input sound pressure level, specifically above an upper speech recognition kneepoint, to improve speech intelligibility and sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current hearing aids amplify sound at high input levels, then speech intelligibility may be improved for some users, but hidden hearing losses are exacerbated and speech recognition performance deteriorates at high presentation levels
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of amplifying sound at high input levels as conventional hearing aids do, this invention inverts the approach by attenuating (reducing) the output sound pressure level when the input sound pressure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. This inversion resolves the contradiction by preventing the exacerbation of hidden hearing losses while still providing beneficial audio processing for speech intelligibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes the gain parameter of the hearing device based on the input sound pressure level. When the input level is below the threshold, normal amplification is applied. When the input level exceeds the threshold, the gain is reduced or attenuation is applied. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the device behavior to the specific acoustic conditions.
2Reliability
If hearing aids provide high gain amplification, then speech recognition at low to moderate levels is improved, but speech rollover and processing errors increase at high presentation levels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic gain control where the amplification factor is not fixed but varies with the input sound pressure level. The system transitions from high gain at low input levels to reduced gain or attenuation at high input levels. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing speech recognition across different presentation levels without causing speech rollover.
3Reliability
If standard compression ratios and knee points are used, then general hearing loss compensation is achieved, but hidden hearing losses with normal audiograms are not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs feedback mechanisms to monitor the input sound pressure level and adjust the output accordingly. By continuously monitoring and responding to the acoustic input, the system can identify when high sound pressure levels are present and apply appropriate attenuation. This feedback approach resolves the contradiction by providing specialized compensation for hidden hearing losses while maintaining general hearing loss compensation capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method for compensating hearing deficiencies with a hearing device (10) comprises: receiving a sound signal (42); attenuating an output sound pressure level (30) of the sound signal (42) dependent on an input sound pressure level (32) of the sound signal (42); and outputting the attenuated sound signal (44) with a loudspeaker (22) of the hearing device (10). The output sound pressure level (30) is attenuated, when the input sound pressure level (32) is above an upper speech recognition kneepoint (K) of the user, which upper speech recognition kneepoint (K) is stored in the hearing device (10) and which has been selected dependent on a sound pressure level dependent speech recognition ability (36) of the user.