Hearing Device Settings Interpolation for Acclimatization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing device settings often cause discomfort for users transitioning to hearing assistance, as initial and target settings may not be well chosen, leading to insufficient benefit or overwhelm, and existing adjustment methods do not adequately balance hearing comfort and clarity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system allowing users to adjust hearing device settings through a user control element, interpolating or weighting between initial and target settings based on personal preferences and usage time, enabling collaborative fitting between users and professionals to optimize acclimatization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hearing device settings are adjusted to provide optimal speech intelligibility, then hearing benefit is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to overwhelmed sensation from amplified sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of hearing device settings over time, transitioning from initial comfortable settings to target optimal settings. The system automatically adapts the degree of amplification and signal processing parameters progressively, allowing users to gradually acclimatize to higher output levels while maintaining comfort during the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining both initial settings optimized for user comfort and target settings optimized for speech intelligibility. The system prepares a predetermined adjustment schedule that gradually transitions between these settings, ensuring users are not suddenly exposed to overwhelming amplification levels while still progressing toward optimal hearing benefit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fitter is overly cautious in preventing discomfort, then user comfort is improved, but hearing benefit deteriorates due to insufficient amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically progresses from conservative initial settings to more aggressive target settings over time. Rather than maintaining static cautious settings, the system automatically increases amplification levels and adjusts signal processing parameters progressively, enabling users to eventually achieve optimal hearing benefit while having been protected from initial discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates user feedback mechanisms where users can report their comfort levels and perceived benefits. The system uses this feedback to adjust the rate and extent of settings transitions, allowing customization of the acclimatization process to match individual user tolerances and progress toward optimal settings at appropriate pace.
3Measurement precision
If hearing device settings are immediately adjusted to target values for optimal hearing benefit, then speech intelligibility is improved, but user comfort deteriorates causing opposition to further use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing initial settings that are optimized for user comfort before transitioning to target settings. The system prepares a gradual transition schedule that introduces optimal settings progressively, preventing sudden exposure to overwhelming amplification that would cause user opposition and discontinuation of device use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by implementing a buffer period with comfortable initial settings before introducing target optimal settings. This cushioning approach protects users from the shock of immediate high-level amplification, reducing anxiety and opposition, while still enabling eventual achievement of optimal speech intelligibility through gradual adaptation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If hearing device settings are gradually adjusted over time, then user comfort is maintained, but time to achieve optimal hearing benefit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic adjustment where the rate of transition between settings can be modified based on user progress and feedback. The system can accelerate or decelerate the acclimatization process dynamically, allowing optimization of both comfort maintenance and time efficiency by adapting the transition speed to individual user needs and tolerance levels.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a method for adjusting a hearing device to personal preferences and needs of a user. The proposed method comprises providing initial settings and target settings for signal processing parameters of the hearing device, the user operating the user control element to provide an input for adjusting the current settings so as to meet the personal preferences and needs of the user, adjusting the current settings based on the initial settings and the target settings in dependence of the input to provide adjusted settings for the signal processing parameters. Thereby the user control element is located at the hearing device and/or a hearing device accessory such as a smartphone or tablet. Moreover, the present invention provides a system structured and configured to carry out the proposed method.