Hearing Device Signal Processing via Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices only mitigate symptoms of reduced hearing by amplifying or shifting frequencies, failing to account for underlying physiological changes, which limits their performance.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hearing device that selects specific frequency components from an input signal, creates an output signal with alternating time intervals to excite hair cells during constructive interference and suppress excitation during destructive interference, enhancing frequency-selective hearing and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency amplification and shifting methods are used to compensate for hearing loss, then the user's ability to perceive frequencies is improved, but the underlying physiological changes are not addressed, limiting overall performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by creating alternating first and second time intervals in the output signal. During first time intervals, hair cells are excited through constructive interference, while during second time intervals, hair cell excitation is suppressed through destructive interference. This periodic modulation allows the hearing device to account for physiological changes in hair cells, improving overall hearing performance beyond simple frequency amplification.
2Measurement precision
If continuous excitation of hair cells is provided to maintain hearing sensitivity, then frequency perception is maintained, but power consumption and user strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between excitation phases (first time intervals) and suppression phases (second time intervals). This periodic modulation maintains frequency discrimination ability during excitation while reducing overall power consumption and user strain during suppression phases, as the hair cells are not continuously stimulated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically switching between excitation and suppression states of hair cells. The system adaptively modulates the output signal to create time-varying interference patterns, allowing the hearing device to optimize between maintaining sensitivity and conserving energy based on physiological conditions.
3Power
If signal processing is used to amplify specific frequencies, then the amplitude at those frequencies is increased, but the complexity of the signal processing unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a further signal as an intermediary to achieve frequency-specific amplification through interference effects. Instead of directly amplifying the input signal component, the system combines it with a further signal to create constructive interference at the target frequency, thereby achieving amplitude enhancement with simpler processing.
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
This method improves the user's ability to distinguish between frequencies, enhances spectral resolution, and reduces strain on the user and device power consumption, providing a more accurate and comfortable hearing experience.
Implementation Method 1
the further signal is configured to form first time intervals and second time intervals, wherein hair cells of a region of a basilar membrane of a user of the hearing device that is associated with the specific frequency are excited on account of an interference during the first time intervals, while no excitation of the hair cells is effected during the second time intervals
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a hearing device that include a microphone and a receiver that are signal-connected by way of a signal processing unit. A signal component that includes a specific frequency is selected from an input signal. A further signal at a further specific frequency is provided, and an output signal is created on a basis of the signal component and the further signal. The output signal is output by the receiver to create a sound. The further signal is configured such that first time intervals and second time intervals arise, with hair cells associated with a specific frequency assigned region of a basilar membrane of a user being excited on account of an interference during the first time intervals and there being no excitation of the hair cells during the second time intervals. There is also described a corresponding hearing device.