In-situ Hearing Device Self-Fitting via Periodic Test Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing device fitting methods require extensive user interaction, professional assistance, and external devices like personal computers, taking a long time and consuming significant memory space, with many unused parameter settings being stored.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device and method that allows autonomous fitting by the user using audio test signals, a user interface, parameter memory, and a signal processor, eliminating the need for external means by storing and using parameter settings obtained directly from user input, enabling compact design and efficient memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fitting methods using personal computers and genetic algorithms are used, then fitting precision can be achieved, but fitting time becomes excessively long and requires professional assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device enables users to perform self-fitting by presenting test signals through the device itself and processing their responses automatically. The device autonomously adjusts parameters based on user feedback without requiring external computers or professional fitters, thus reducing fitting time while maintaining precision through automated algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential fitting functionality from complex external systems (personal computers, genetic algorithms) and implements a simplified version directly within the hearing device. By removing unnecessary complexity while retaining core adaptive capabilities, the system achieves fast fitting without sacrificing precision.
2Measurement precision
If numerous parameter settings are stored for genetic algorithm processing, then fitting accuracy improves, but memory space consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts a minimal set of key parameters during the fitting process based on user responses to test signals. Instead of storing numerous pre-computed parameter settings, the device modifies parameters in real-time according to user feedback, significantly reducing memory requirements while maintaining fitting accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple test signals are presented for comprehensive fitting, then fitting quality improves, but fitting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device presents test signals in periodic cycles with the user's ear, systematically varying parameters across multiple cycles. This structured periodic approach allows comprehensive fitting evaluation while optimizing the number of presentations to minimize total fitting time, balancing quality and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The hearing device is operable in a fitting mode and in a listening mode and comprises a transducer for receiving, in the fitting mode, audio test signals, and for converting the audio test signals into signals to be perceived by the user in the fitting mode. It comprises a parameter memory means for storing parameter settings, which parameter settings are obtained from user input received through a user interface in response to the signals perceived by the user in the fitting mode. And it comprises a signal processor using the parameter settings for correcting audio signals at least in the listening mode. The user interface is comprised in the hearing device and the hearing device comprises an audio signal source, in which audio signal source the audio test signals are stored or generated.