Hearing Device Selective Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with active noise cancellation consume significant energy, which conflicts with the requirements of compact size and mobility, necessitating a method to minimize energy usage while maintaining effective noise suppression.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hearing device that selectively suppresses only audible frequency components of noise, determined by a user-specific audiogram, thereby reducing energy consumption by avoiding the active suppression of inaudible frequency components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation is used to suppress all frequency components of ambient noise, then the listening environment becomes quieter and more comfortable, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the noise cancellation effect frequency-dependent. Instead of uniformly suppressing all frequency components, the system selectively applies cancellation only to frequency ranges where the user has normal hearing sensitivity (below the hearing threshold). Frequency components above the threshold are left unsuppressed, creating a non-uniform noise control strategy that matches the user's specific hearing characteristics and reduces unnecessary energy consumption.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the energy storage capacity is increased to support continuous active noise cancellation, then uninterrupted usage time extends, but the device size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by applying noise cancellation selectively rather than comprehensively. The system performs noise suppression only for frequency components below the user's hearing threshold, leaving higher frequency components unaffected. This partial application of the noise cancellation function reduces the overall energy demand, allowing the device to achieve extended usage duration with a smaller, more portable energy storage system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation suppresses all ambient noise frequencies, then the listening environment becomes calmer, but the energy strain on the battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the noise cancellation operation based on the user's hearing threshold parameters. The system modifies its behavior by comparing ambient noise frequencies against the user-specific hearing threshold, enabling cancellation only when the noise frequency falls below the threshold. This parameter-driven selective operation reduces energy strain on the battery while maintaining effective noise suppression for perceptible frequencies.
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 approach reduces energy strain on the hearing device's battery by only actively suppressing noise that is perceivable to the user, leading to extended uninterrupted usage while maintaining a calm listening environment.
Implementation Method 1
The noise cancellation suppresses noises in such a way as to create a calm listening environment for the user. 'Active' specifically means that the noise cancellation generates counter-noise, for example, in the form of anti-noise, to at least partially and preferably completely eliminate some or all noises. The counter-noise is generated in such a way that it is superimposed on the noise and phase-shifted to it, effectively suppressing the noise.
Implementation Method 2
The counter-noise is generated in such a way that it is superimposed on the noise and phase-shifted to it, effectively suppressing the noise.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for operating a hearing aid (2) is described, wherein the hearing aid (2) has active noise suppression (6) for suppressing noises having one or more frequency components (f1 - f8), wherein an audiogram (4) is provided which indicates a frequency-dependent hearing threshold (22) of a user of the hearing aid (2), wherein the audiogram (4) is used to determine which frequency components (f1 - f8) of the noises are audible to the user and which are inaudible, wherein the noise suppression (6) is operated selectively by suppressing audible frequency components (f1 - f8) of the noises and not suppressing inaudible frequency components (f1 - f8) of the noises. A corresponding hearing aid (2) is further described.