Hearing Device Isolator Reduces Receiver Vibration Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-ear hearing devices with microphones placed on top of receivers require larger custom earbuds, making them difficult to fit various ear canals and suffer from reduced signal-to-noise ratios due to receiver vibrations affecting the microphone signals.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an isolator between the front and rear housings of the hearing device, which reduces vibrations and allows for the placement of microphones within the housings without increasing noise, enabling enhanced signal quality and additional functionalities like active noise cancellation and health monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microphones are placed on top of receivers in in-ear hearing devices, then the device can detect wearer's voice and provide amplified feedback, but the receiver vibrations affect the microphone signals and reduce signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration isolation element is introduced as an intermediary component between the receiver and the microphone. This element acts as a mechanical mediator that blocks the transmission of vibrations from the receiver to the microphone, thereby eliminating the harmful vibration interference while preserving the microphone's ability to detect voice signals accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device housing is divided into separate sections with the vibration isolation element creating distinct vibration zones. The receiver is isolated in one zone while the microphone operates in another zone, allowing each component to function independently without mutual interference. This segmentation enables both components to coexist in the same device without compromising signal quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microphones are placed on top of receivers, then voice detection functionality is achieved, but the device requires larger custom earbuds that are difficult to fit various ear canals
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the microphone in the traditional position on top of the receiver (vertical arrangement), the invention positions the microphone at the distal end of the earbud that extends into the ear canal (longitudinal arrangement). This dimensional change in component layout allows for more efficient space utilization and enables smaller overall earbud dimensions while maintaining both voice detection and comfortable fit across various ear canal sizes.
3Reliability
If receiver vibrations are reduced through isolation, then microphone signal quality improves, but the device structure becomes more complex with additional isolator components
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation element is implemented as a flexible membrane or thin film structure that provides effective vibration blocking while maintaining acoustic permeability. This thin-film approach achieves the desired vibration isolation performance without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the device, allowing the isolator to be seamlessly integrated into the existing earbud housing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration isolation element is constructed using composite materials that combine vibration-damping properties with acoustic transparency. These composite materials provide effective vibration isolation while maintaining the necessary acoustic characteristics for voice detection, thereby achieving superior signal quality without requiring complex multi-component isolation structures.
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 allows for improved microphone signal quality, reduced noise interference, and enhanced device performance with features like active noise cancellation and health monitoring, while also potentially eliminating the need for external microphones and improving earbud fit and durability.
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... the isolator can be 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
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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.