Hearing Device Parameter Tuning via Adaptive User Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a simple and effective method to configure hearing device parameters to provide an improved listening experience for users, as existing methods often require complex user interactions and multiple steps.

Innovation Solution

A hearing device system that initializes a model with a parameterized objective function, allows for user input to prefer test settings, and updates parameters based on user preferences, using a specific objective function f X̂ ,Λ (X) = − X − X^T Λ X − p, where X is a D-dimensional vector representing hearing device parameters, and Λ is a positive definite scaling matrix, to optimize hearing settings efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex user interactions and multiple steps are used to configure hearing device parameters, then the precision of parameter configuration can be improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter configuration precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing user responses to test signals and computing optimized hearing device parameters without requiring manual configuration by the user or audiologist, thus eliminating complex interaction steps while achieving precise parameter configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system presents test signals to the user, detects user responses, and uses this feedback to iteratively optimize hearing device parameters through automated computation, replacing manual multi-step configuration with an efficient closed-loop system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple test settings are evaluated to optimize hearing parameters, then the listening experience quality can be improved, but the time required for configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelistening experience qualityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-computes multiple candidate parameter sets based on the objective function before presenting them to the user for evaluation, allowing efficient comparison of different test settings without requiring extensive real-time configuration during the fitting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the configuration process by presenting only the most promising test settings based on real-time user responses, optimizing the balance between evaluating multiple settings and minimizing configuration time through adaptive selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3493555B1Hearing device and method for tuning hearing device parameters
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 GN HEARING AS
  • EP3493555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493555B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for tuning hearing device parameters of a hearing device and hearing device is disclosed. The method comprises initializing a model comprising a parameterized objective function based on a first assumption and a second assumption on the objective function; obtaining an initial test setting defined by one or more initial test hearing device parameters; assigning the initial test setting as a primary test setting; obtaining a secondary test setting based on the model, the secondary test setting defined by one or more secondary test hearing device parameters; outputting a primary test signal according to the primary test setting; outputting a secondary test signal according to the secondary test setting; detecting a user input of a preferred test setting indicative of a preference for either the primary test setting or the secondary test setting; updating the model based on the primary test setting, the secondary test setting, and the preferred test setting; and in accordance with a determination that a tuning criterion is satisfied, updating the hearing device parameters of the hearing device based on hearing device parameters of the preferred test setting.