Self-Fitting Hearing Device with Automated Feedback Risk Assessment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing aid fitting processes require significant time and expertise from hearing care professionals to manage acoustic feedback, which can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when fitting devices with moderate to high gain.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows for self-fitting of hearing devices without a hearing care professional's involvement, using a graphical user interface, sensors to measure user reactions, and artificial intelligence to assess the correct physical fit and feedback risk, automatically adjusting settings to prevent feedback issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual feedback management tests are performed by an HCP, then feedback risk is reduced, but fitting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs acoustic feedback measurements automatically as background processes without requiring HCP intervention. The hearing device itself conducts the measurements and assessments, enabling self-service operation that eliminates time-consuming manual tests while maintaining feedback risk management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where acoustic feedback measurements are continuously performed, assessed, and used to adjust fitting parameters. This automated feedback mechanism replaces manual HCP testing with an autonomous system that manages feedback risk efficiently.
2Productivity
If automated background processes are used for fitting, then fitting speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device integrates multiple functions into a single system: acoustic feedback measurement, physical fit assessment, hearing threshold estimation, and fitting parameter optimization. This multi-functionality enables automated background processes without requiring separate dedicated devices, managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an external device as an intermediary that coordinates the automated fitting process. The external device manages the background processes, assesses measurements, and communicates with the hearing device, distributing system complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in one place.
3Manufacturing precision
If HCP performs detailed feedback tests, then fitting accuracy improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detailed acoustic feedback measurements and hearing threshold estimations automatically without requiring HCP operation. Users simply wear the device while background processes conduct comprehensive assessments, maintaining high fitting accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acoustic feedback measurements and assessments automatically during the fitting process before final parameter optimization. This preliminary action gathers necessary data in the background, allowing accurate fitting without requiring manual intervention at each step.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of fitting of a hearing device having an input transducer and an output transducer, the method includes executing a fitting application on a graphical user interface of an external device in communication with the hearing device, detecting by measuring reactions of the user to picked-up sound, performing acoustic feedback measurements as a background process without a user's involvement, assessing the probability of a correct physical fit based on the position of the inserted hearing device, assessing feedback risk based on the correct physical fit assessment and the acoustic feedback measurements, and fine tuning fitting parameter of the hearing device based on the result of at least one of the detected reactions of the user, acoustic feedback measurements and saved, within the fitting application, personal information of the user.