Hearing Device Microphone Switching for Feedback Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices face challenges in spatial perception and stability, particularly when microphones and receivers are placed near each other, leading to feedback and instabilities in complex listening environments.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device configuration with a behind-the-ear housing and an in-ear housing, featuring a primary set of microphones and a secondary microphone, along with a mixing module and controller that adjust mixer inputs based on sound events to enhance spatial perception and reduce feedback, using a processor to convert electrical signals to audio outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microphones and receiver are placed near each other in the ear canal, then spatial perception is improved, but feedback and instabilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different microphone configurations based on detected sound events. The system transitions from a first configuration (spatial microphone + receiver) to a second configuration (distal microphone + receiver) when sound events are detected, and vice versa. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the microphone-receiver spatial relationship in real-time based on acoustic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a distal microphone as an intermediary element positioned away from the receiver in the ear canal. This distal microphone serves as a mediator that provides acoustic input without being in direct proximity to the receiver, thereby maintaining spatial perception capabilities while avoiding feedback and instability issues associated with close microphone-receiver placement.
2Device complexity
If microphones are placed close to the receiver, then device complexity is reduced, but feedback occurs in complex listening environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microphone system into multiple independent microphones positioned at different locations: a spatial microphone, a distal microphone, and optionally a proximal microphone. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate microphone combinations based on acoustic conditions, reducing feedback in complex environments while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular microphone placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different microphone configurations based on detected sound events. When sound events are detected, the system transitions from using the spatial microphone to using the distal microphone, thereby adapting to complex listening environments and reducing feedback while maintaining a relatively simple fixed physical structure.
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 solution improves spatial perception and stability, reducing feedback and enhancing speech intelligibility, providing a better user experience by dynamically adjusting microphone inputs in response to sound events.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver for converting the electrical output signal to an audio output signal
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device includes: first and second primary microphones for provision of first and second primary microphone input signals; a secondary microphone for provision of a secondary microphone input signal; a mixing module for provision of a mixer output based on a primary mixer input and/or a secondary mixer input, primary mixer input being based on the first and second primary microphone input signals, the secondary mixer input being based on the secondary microphone input signal; a processing unit configured to provide an electrical output signal; and a receiver for converting the electrical output signal to an audio output signal; wherein the mixing controller is configured to increase an amount of the secondary mixer input in the mixer output for a time period after a presence of a sound event is determined, and reduce the amount of the secondary mixer input in the mixer output after the time period.