Hearing Instrument Wireless Parameter Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aid users face inconvenience when replacing a lost or damaged hearing instrument, as they need to visit a dispenser or audiologist for reprogramming, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a pair of hearing instruments can wirelessly transfer programming information, allowing a generic replacement hearing instrument to be used immediately without reprogramming, utilizing wireless transceivers for ear-to-ear communication and synchronization of operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hearing instruments are replaced with generic models from the factory, then device availability and replacement speed are improved, but the hearing instrument cannot be used immediately due to lack of customized programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing programming information for multiple patients in the replacement hearing instrument's memory before it leaves the factory. This allows the device to be immediately usable upon receiving the correct programming data from the original hearing aid, eliminating the need for reprogramming visits and enabling immediate deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by transferring programming information from the original hearing aid to the generic replacement device through wireless communication. The replacement instrument receives and stores copies of the necessary programming data, allowing it to function as if it were originally programmed for that specific patient without requiring manual reprogramming.
2Productivity
If hearing instruments store and transfer customized programming information, then replacement efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional memory and wireless communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the replacement hearing instrument with multi-functional capabilities: it serves both as a generic replacement device and as a storage medium for multiple patients' programming information. The device can store programming data for several different patients in its memory and selectively receive and apply the correct programming through wireless communication, eliminating the need for separate reprogramming equipment or visits.
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 users to receive a generic replacement hearing instrument directly from the factory, eliminating the need for reprogramming visits and ensuring seamless integration with existing hearing aids, maintaining optimal hearing compensation and device pairing.
Implementation Method 1
wireless transceivers for enabling communication with an external device and/or communication between two hearing instruments worn by a user
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for transferring programming information to a hearing instrument. Such programming information may include hearing loss compensation parameters and/or other information pertaining to device operation. In one embodiment, each of a pair of hearing instruments prescribed and configured for a particular hearing loss contains the necessary information for operation on either the left or right ear. The data from one hearing instrument may then be transferred to the other hearing instrument by means of wireless communication. In other embodiments, programming information is transferred wirelessly by an external device connected to a database.