Hearing Device Heart Rate Monitoring with Placement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with integrated heart rate sensors often face challenges in correct placement, leading to suboptimal heart rate monitoring, especially for elderly users with hearing impairments and heart conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using an electronic device to compare heart rate data from a first physiologic sensor in a hearing device with a second physiologic sensor from an external device to determine correct placement, providing notifications for adjustments if the data mismatch, ensuring accurate heart rate monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heart rate sensor is integrated into a hearing device, then heart rate monitoring capability is improved, but correct placement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system compares heart rate data from two different sensors (first sensor in the hearing device and second sensor in an external device) to provide feedback to the user about placement correctness. When the measurements match within a threshold, the system confirms correct placement; when they diverge, the system notifies the user to adjust the hearing device position.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device acts as an intermediary that receives data from both sensors, processes the comparison, and communicates placement status to the user. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the two measurement sources and provides actionable feedback.
2Measurement precision
If the hearing device is placed deeper in the ear for better heart rate monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback about measurement quality by comparing data from two sensors. This allows the user to achieve accurate measurements without excessive insertion depth, as the feedback guide ensures the first sensor is positioned correctly relative to the ear anatomy for optimal optical contact.
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
Ensures correct placement of the heart rate sensor in the hearing device, allowing for reliable heart rate measurements and timely detection of abnormal heart conditions, combining hearing aid functionality with heart rate monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The first physiologic sensor in the hearing device is configured for monitoring the heart activity, such as heart rate, of the user wearing the hearing device
Implementation Method 2
the external device is configured for detecting the heart rate of the user using the second physiologic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring placement of a first physiologic sensor of a hearing device with respect to an ear of a user, the first physiologic sensor configured to monitor a heart rate of the user of the hearing device, includes: obtaining first physiologic sensor data from the first physiologic sensor at the hearing device; obtaining second physiologic sensor data from a second physiologic sensor at an external device, the second physiologic sensor configured to detect the heart rate of the user; performing a comparison based on the first physiologic sensor data from the first physiologic sensor, and the second physiologic sensor data from the second physiologic sensor; and setting a reference physiologic sensor data based on the first physiologic sensor data and/or the second physiologic sensor data if the comparison results in a match, or providing a notification if the comparison does not result in a match.