Hearing Device Configuration Method Reducing Maladjustment Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices are challenging for lay users to adjust effectively to various auditory situations due to complex parameter settings, leading to a risk of maladjustments and inefficient use of features, especially when users cannot perceive the effects of parameter changes.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies and disables adjustment options that a hearing device wearer cannot use effectively, replacing variable parameters with fixed reference values to reduce the number of settings and prevent maladjustments, allowing only adjustments that result in minimal deviations within a predetermined tolerance range to be enabled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple variable parameters and complex signal processing algorithms are provided for adjustment, then the adaptability of the hearing device to different auditory situations is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment options into two categories: those that can be effectively used by the user and those that cannot. The configuration method tests each adjustment option to determine if the user can perceive and evaluate its effect, then disables options that fail the test. This segmentation reduces the number of active setting options while preserving adaptability through the remaining effective options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration process where adjustment options are enabled or disabled based on the user's demonstrated ability to perceive and evaluate their effects. The system adaptively determines which parameters should be available for user adjustment, creating a personalized configuration that balances complexity with user capability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple variable parameters are provided for user adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of proper adjustment decreases due to high risk of maladjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary testing of each adjustment option before enabling user access. The configuration method tests whether the user can perceive and evaluate the effect of each parameter adjustment in advance. Only options that pass this preliminary evaluation are enabled for independent user adjustment, ensuring reliability before ease of operation is provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system evaluates the user's ability to perceive and correctly adjust parameters based on their responses during configuration. This feedback determines which adjustment options are enabled or disabled, creating a reliable system that adapts to the user's perceptual capabilities while minimizing maladjustment risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex signal processing algorithms with multiple variable parameters are implemented, then the functionality is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring adjustment effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively enabling only those adjustment options that the user can effectively perceive and evaluate. Rather than providing access to all parameters of complex signal processing algorithms, the system identifies and enables a subset of parameters that have perceptible effects for the specific user, reducing the difficulty of detecting adjustment effects while maintaining necessary functionality.
4Reliability
If fixed reference values replace variable parameters, then the reliability is improved by reducing maladjustment risk, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different parameters differently based on the user's ability to perceive and evaluate their effects. Some parameters are set to fixed reference values where the user cannot effectively perceive changes, while other parameters remain variable where the user can successfully adjust them. This localized approach to parameter configuration maintains reliability for critical parameters while preserving adaptability for perceptible ones.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the configuration of at least one adjustment option on a hearing device, with the hearing device wearer having the task of setting the hearing device by ear with the aid of the adjustment option to be configured such that a predetermined characteristic on the hearing device is adjusted, with the adjustment option being enabled if the characteristics set by the hearing device wearer equate to the predetermined characteristics or has deviations herefrom, which lie within a predetermined tolerance range.