Hearing Device Ear Dome Mitigating Occlusion Effect
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear domes in hearing devices often cause an occlusion effect due to blockage of the ear canal, which can be mitigated by vents or active occlusion cancellation, but these solutions come with drawbacks such as reduced directivity and increased battery consumption.
Innovation Solution
An ear dome with a hollow central tubular portion and a first circumferential flange that curves away from the opening to form a concave surface, providing acoustic sealing and mitigating occlusion by creating anti-phase sound pressures with the ear canal walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent is provided in the hearing device to mitigate occlusion effect, then user comfort is improved, but directivity and noise reduction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ear dome is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first circumferential flange for sealing against the ear canal wall, a second circumferential flange with acoustic vents for pressure equalization, and a central tubular portion for sound transmission. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - the first flange mitigates occlusion while the second flange maintains acoustic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ear dome have different acoustic properties. The first circumferential flange is designed for sealing (acoustic isolation), while the second circumferential flange contains acoustic vents for pressure equalization. The hollow central tubular portion allows sound transmission. This local differentiation of acoustic properties enables simultaneous occlusion mitigation and noise reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active occlusion cancellation is used to mitigate occlusion effect, then user comfort is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ear dome passively mitigates occlusion effect through its geometric design and acoustic vent configuration, without requiring active electronic control or battery power. The hollow central tubular portion and acoustic vents work together to equalize pressure automatically, making the system self-regulating and energy-independent.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the active electronic components from the occlusion mitigation function, replacing them with passive acoustic structures. The occlusion effect is addressed through the physical geometry of the ear dome and acoustic vents rather than through powered signal processing.
3Ease of operation
If the ear dome material is made softer to improve wear comfort, then user comfort is improved, but sealing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ear dome is made from elastomeric material that combines softness for comfort with sufficient elasticity for sealing. The material properties are optimized to provide both wearability and acoustic isolation, resolving the contradiction between softness and sealing capability.
4Reliability
If the first circumferential flange forms a convex surface to the tympanic membrane to improve sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but occlusion effect mitigation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming a convex surface that pushes against the tympanic membrane, the first circumferential flange is designed to form a concave surface that curves away from the tympanic membrane. This inverted geometry allows the flange to seal against the ear canal wall while creating a volume that equalizes pressure, thereby mitigating occlusion effect while maintaining sealing capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ear dome effectively mitigates the occlusion effect by providing sound pressure in anti-phase to the ear canal walls, enhancing user comfort without the need for vents or battery-consuming active cancellation.
Implementation Method 1
The occlusion effect is mitigated due to the ear dome providing a first sound pressure being in anti-phase to a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal walls of the user's ear
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system comprising a hearing device and an ear dome, and an ear dome configured for sealing an ear canal of a user, the ear dome configured to be attached to a hearing device worn by the user, the ear dome comprising: a hollow central tubular portion configured for providing a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal; wherein a first opening is provided in the tubular portion, the first opening configured to point towards the hearing device, when the ear dome is worn in the user's ear; a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion, wherein the first circumferential flange extends radially outwards from the tubular portion; wherein the first circumferential flange curves away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the tympanic membrane, when the ear dome is worn in its intended position in the user's ear.