Hearing Device Volume Control Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices face challenges in providing optimal volume control in diverse listening situations due to variations in external and ambient sound levels, particularly when interacting with simple or rich client devices that have limited or complex volume control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented in a hearing device to determine whether a connected client device is using rich or simple volume control, allowing it to adjust either the master volume or the balance between ambient and external sound levels accordingly, using wireless communication and Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) services to manage volume settings and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hearing device adjusts volume for both external sound and ambient sound together, then the overall volume level is controlled, but the user cannot independently control the balance between external sound and ambient sound
Solution Approach 1:
The volume control functionality is segmented into two independent control modes: simple volume control that adjusts only master volume level, and rich volume control that separately adjusts ambient sound level and external sound level. This segmentation allows the system to provide both simple overall volume adjustment and detailed sound balance control according to different user needs and device capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its volume control behavior based on the client device type. When a simple client device is detected, the hearing device provides only master volume adjustment. When a rich client device is detected, the system enables separate control of ambient and external sound levels, allowing dynamic adjustment of sound balance according to the capabilities of the connected device
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device provides separate control for ambient sound and external sound, then sound balance is optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device implements a universal volume control service that can operate in multiple modes. The same volume control service handles both simple master volume adjustment and complex separate ambient/external sound control, depending on the client device capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide advanced features when needed while maintaining simplicity for basic operations, reducing the need for separate control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device detects client device capabilities, then appropriate volume control mode is selected, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device performs capability detection of the client device during the initial connection phase, before actual volume control operations begin. By determining whether the client device supports rich or simple volume control in advance, the system can establish the appropriate control mode upfront, avoiding repeated capability checks and reducing communication overhead during subsequent volume adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to a hearing device that can determine whether a client device is implementing rich and/or simple volume control. Based on if the client device implementing rich and/or simple volume control, the hearing device can locally adjust the volume, levels, or amplification of output signals at the hearing device. In some implementations, the hearing device determines that the client device is implementing a rich volume control, and the hearing device only adjust master volume amplification for output signals of the hearing device. In other implementations, the hearing device determines that the client device is implementing simple volume control and the hearing device adjusts a balance of ambient and external sound levels for the output signal of the hearing device.