Hearing Prosthesis Loudness Harmonization Through Independent Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bimodal and hybrid auditory prosthesis systems, such as cochlear implants and acoustic hearing aids, often result in different growth of loudness with level in each ear, leading to decreased wearing comfort and suboptimal perception of interaural loudness differences due to separate adjustments and operation principles.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic system with two sub-systems that independently process ambient sound inputs to harmonize the estimated recipient perception of hearing percept magnitude, using a model based on statistical sampling of a populace, and adjust outputs to correspond to normal hearing levels, even without communication between the sub-systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate adjustment of hearing prostheses is performed for each ear, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but hearing comfort deteriorates and interaural loudness difference perception becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment parameters of multiple hearing prostheses into a unified parameter set. The processing system adjusts parameters across different prostheses (e.g., cochlear implant and hearing aid) in an integrated manner, ensuring consistent loudness growth and interaural balance while maintaining ease of operation through automated coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different principles of operation are used for different ears, then adaptability to individual hearing loss patterns is improved, but perception of interaural loudness differences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on the operational principles of each prosthesis. The system identifies whether a prosthesis uses acoustic, electrical, or bone conduction principles and applies corresponding parameter transformations to ensure consistent loudness perception across ears, while preserving the adaptability benefits of different operational principles.
3Device complexity
If independent processing of each prosthesis is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but harmonization of loudness perception across ears becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the processing system continuously monitors loudness perception across different prostheses and adjusts parameters accordingly. The system uses feedback from loudness estimation models to coordinate parameter adjustments between multiple devices, achieving harmonized perception without requiring complex direct coordination between each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic system, comprising a first sub-system configured to evoke a hearing percept based on a first principle of operation, and a second sub-system configured to evoke a hearing percept based on at least one of the first principle of operation or a second principle of operation different from the first principle of operation, wherein the first and second sub-systems are configured to independently process respective inputs indicative of an ambient sound to harmonize an estimated recipient perception of magnitude of a property of the respective evoked hearing percepts.