Hearing Device Tinnitus Masking Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices that use tinnitus masking signals often reduce user sensitivity to environmental sounds, including speech and other cues, by starting to attenuate the masking noise too late, missing important identifying information.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device that quickly detects increases in microphone level to anticipate sound onsets and gradually attenuates the tinnitus masking signal before environmental sounds occur, using a combination of level tracking and classification units to adjust the tinnitus signal based on dynamic timing and frequency properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tinnitus masking signal is continuously provided to relieve tinnitus, then the effectiveness of tinnitus relief is improved, but the sensitivity to environmental sounds and speech is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sound onsets using level tracking before full attenuation is needed. By detecting level increases in advance and anticipating sound onsets, the system can gradually attenuate the masking signal before environmental sounds occur, preserving important identifying information while still providing tinnitus relief during the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of the tinnitus masking signal based on real-time analysis of the acoustic environment. Rather than continuous static masking, the system varies the masking level according to detected sound characteristics, speech presence, and anticipated onsets, optimizing both tinnitus relief and environmental sound sensitivity.
2Loss of information
If the tinnitus masking signal is attenuated only after sound presence is determined, then the sensitivity to environmental sounds is preserved, but the masking of stimulus onset is delayed causing loss of identifying information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sound onsets using level tracking before full attenuation is needed. By detecting level increases in advance and anticipating sound onsets, the system can gradually attenuate the masking signal before environmental sounds occur, preserving important identifying information while still providing tinnitus relief during the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for upcoming sound events by gradually attenuating the masking signal in advance of anticipated onsets. This cushioning approach prevents abrupt changes and ensures that identifying information is not lost while minimizing the time during which both tinnitus relief and environmental sound sensitivity are compromised.
3Loss of information
If the tinnitus masking signal is gradually attenuated before sound onsets, then the loss of identifying information is minimized, but artifacts and distractions may be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of the tinnitus masking signal based on real-time analysis of the acoustic environment. Rather than continuous static masking, the system varies the masking level according to detected sound characteristics, speech presence, and anticipated onsets, optimizing both tinnitus relief and environmental sound sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the acoustic environment to control the masking signal. By continuously monitoring sound levels, speech presence, and sound characteristics, the system adjusts the masking level accordingly, reducing artifacts and distractions while preserving identifying information. The feedback loop ensures that attenuation only occurs when and where appropriate.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1E
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The application relates to: a hearing device adapted to a specific user and comprising a) a forward path for processing an electric signal representing sound, the forward path comprising a1) an input unit for providing an electric input signal representing sound, a2) a signal processing unit for processing the electric input signal and providing a processed electric signal, and a3) an output unit for providing stimuli perceivable by a user as sound based on an electric output signal The signal processing unit is operatively connected to the input and output units. The hearing device further comprises b) a configurable tinnitus signal generator for generating a tinnitus masking signal intended to relieve a tinnitus of the user, and c) a combination unit operationally connected to the configurable tinnitus signal generator and to the forward path. The combination unit is configured to - at least in a specific tinnitus masking mode - provide that said electric output signal comprises the tinnitus masking signal. The application further relates to a binaural hearing system. The object of the present application is provide an alternative solution in a hearing device or system to problems related to tinnitus. The hearing device further comprises d) an analysis path comprising d1) an analysis unit for analyzing a signal of the forward path and for providing a forward path analysis control signal; d2) a control unit for receiving a number of control input signals including the forward path analysis control signal, and for providing a resulting tinnitus control signal based on a predefined criterion involving said number of control input signals, wherein - at least in said specific tinnitus masking mode - the control unit is adapted to control the configurable tinnitus signal generator, depending on the resulting tinnitus control signal, to thereby adaptively control a level of the tinnitus masking signal. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing aids, headsets, ear phones, active ear protection systems, handsfree telephone systems, mobile telephones, etc.