Hearing Instrument Feedback Path Estimation During Normal Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining acoustic characteristics of hearing instruments, such as feedback path characteristics, disrupt normal operation and provide biased results due to correlated feedback and external signals, particularly in open-loop identification processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the emission of an acoustic probe signal, filtering to attenuate probe signal components, and analyzing the input audio signal to determine the acoustic characteristic without disrupting normal operation, using a probe-stop filter to selectively attenuate probe signal components, allowing for unbiased feedback path estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If open-loop identification is performed using traditional methods, then measurement precision is improved, but normal operation of the hearing instrument is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback path estimation accuracyVSAvoidnormal operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio signal processing into distinct components: the probe signal path and the normal audio signal path. By applying the probe-stop filter selectively to attenuate only probe signal components while preserving normal audio signals, the system can perform measurements without completely disrupting normal operation. This segmentation allows simultaneous handling of measurement and operational functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal attenuation by introducing a probe-stop filter that selectively attenuates probe signal components. Instead of completely blocking all signals during measurement, the system uses parameter-based filtering to differentiate between probe signals and normal audio signals, allowing measurement to proceed while maintaining normal operation for non-probe frequency components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If probe signal emission is performed at higher levels, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful effects on the user increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacteristic determination accuracyVSAvoiduser exposure to probe signal

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a probe-stop filter to selectively attenuate only the probe signal components while allowing normal audio signals to pass through. This partial filtering approach enables the system to use higher probe signal levels for improved measurement precision while simultaneously reducing the harmful effects on the user by removing only the probe signal portions from the output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If measurement duration is extended, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacteristic determination accuracyVSAvoidfitting session time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing the hearing instrument to continue normal operation during the measurement process. The probe-stop filter allows normal audio signals to pass through while only attenuating probe signal components, meaning the device remains functional throughout the measurement. This continuity eliminates the need to stop normal operation for extended periods, reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision through extended measurement duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables high-quality, unbiased feedback path estimation without disrupting normal hearing instrument operation, reducing the risk of missing important environmental sounds during fitting sessions and allowing for extended, low-level probe signal emission.

Implementation Method 1

emitting an acoustic probe signal by the output transducer... analyzing the received input audio signal to determine the characteristic of the hearing instrument based on an input transducer response to the emitted acoustic probe signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

filtering the received input audio signal to selectively attenuate one or more signal components corresponding to the acoustic probe signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency selective attenuation: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS12543009B2Determining an acoustic characteristic of a hearing instrument

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method for determining a characteristic of a hearing instrument, the hearing instrument including at least one input transducer operable to provide an input audio signal responsive to sensing sound in the environment of the hearing instrument, a signal processing unit and at least one output transducer, the method comprising: emitting an acoustic probe signal by the output transducer, receiving an input audio signal from the microphone, analyzing the received input audio signal to determine the characteristic of the hearing instrument from an input transducer response to the emitted acoustic probe signal, wherein the method further comprises filtering the received input audio signal to selectively attenuate one or more signal components corresponding to the acoustic probe signal and wherein emitting the acoustic probe signal comprises emitting a combined acoustic output signal comprising the acoustic probe signal and an acoustic hearing instrument signal obtained from the filtered input audio signal.