Hearing Device Isolator for Vibration Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-ear hearing devices with microphones positioned planarly over receivers face challenges in fitting various ear canals and suffer from reduced signal-to-noise ratio due to receiver vibrations being picked up by the microphone.
Innovation Solution
The proposed hearing device incorporates an isolator between its front and rear housings to reduce vibrations from the receiver, allowing sensors like microphones to be placed inside the housings without increasing noise in the microphone signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the microphone is positioned planarly over the receiver in current in-ear hearing devices, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the receiver vibrations are picked up by the microphone causing reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
An isolator is introduced as an intermediary component between the receiver and the microphone housing. This isolator absorbs or blocks the mechanical vibrations generated by the receiver, preventing them from being picked up by the microphone. The isolator acts as a mediator that allows the simple planar positioning of components while eliminating the harmful vibration transmission path, thus improving signal-to-noise ratio without increasing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the receiver vibrations are reduced using an isolator, then the microphone signal quality is improved, but the device requires additional components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator is nested within the existing housing structure of the hearing device. Rather than adding a separate external component, the isolator is integrated into the housing that already contains the microphone and receiver. This nesting approach allows the vibration isolation function to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall device complexity or requiring additional external components.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed inside the housing to improve acoustic signal detection, then the signal detection performance is enhanced, but the receiver vibrations interfere with the sensor signals
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator converts the harmful vibration energy generated by the receiver into a beneficial function by absorbing and dissipating these vibrations before they can reach the microphone. The mechanical energy that would otherwise degrade the signal quality is transformed into harmless thermal energy through the isolator's damping materials, thus protecting the acoustic signal detection while maintaining the simple internal housing configuration.
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 configuration enables improved signal quality by minimizing noise interference from receiver vibrations, allowing for enhanced performance in acoustic signal detection and processing.
Implementation Method 1
The isolator can include a body, a first sleeve disposed at a first end of the body, and a second sleeve disposed at a second end of the body... adapted to reduce vibrations caused by the receiver that can affect a signal produced by at least one of the first sensor or second sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system including such device are disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having a front housing and a rear housing. The enclosure further includes an isolator disposed between the front housing and the rear housing. The isolator includes a body, a first sleeve disposed at the first end of the body, and a second sleeve disposed at the second end of the body. A second end of the front housing is connected to the first sleeve of the isolator and a second end of the rear housing is connected to the second sleeve of the isolator. The hearing device further includes a first sensor disposed in the front housing, a second sensor disposed in the rear housing, and a receiver disposed at least partially within the body of the isolator.