Hearing Prosthesis Microphone Degradation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable medical devices, such as hearing prostheses, face challenges in assessing the degradation of their sound capture performance over time, which can affect the recipient's auditory experience, and existing methods are either invasive or inefficient in detecting microphone degradation.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a hearing prosthesis with a microphone and a high-performance microphone system, where data from both microphones is compared to evaluate the sound capture performance, utilizing existing high-quality microphones in the environment to determine the state of the hearing prosthesis's microphone, allowing for timely maintenance or replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing methods are used to assess microphone degradation, then detection can be performed, but the methods are either invasive or inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrophone degradation detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection invasiveness and efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary device (smartphone or computer with microphone) to indirectly assess the hearing prosthesis microphone performance. Instead of directly testing the implanted microphone, the system captures ambient sound with both the prosthesis microphone and the intermediary device, then compares their outputs to detect degradation without invasive procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the sound capture process by having both the hearing prosthesis microphone and the intermediary device (smartphone/computer) simultaneously record the same ambient sound. By comparing these two copies of the acoustic signal, the system can detect microphone degradation non-invasively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If frequent microphone replacement is performed, then optimal sound capture performance is maintained, but unnecessary replacements increase cost and intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound capture performanceVSAvoidunnecessary microphone replacements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously compares sound capture data from the hearing prosthesis microphone against reference data from the intermediary device. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of microphone performance, allowing replacements to occur only when actual degradation is detected rather than following a fixed schedule

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-monitoring of microphone performance by automatically comparing captured sound data and identifying degradation. This self-service approach allows the hearing aid system to track its own health status and trigger maintenance only when necessary, reducing unnecessary replacements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12262178B2Sound capture system degradation identification

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

A method, including an action of receiving first data based on data based on ambient sound captured with a first microphone, and further including an action of receiving second data based on data based on the ambient sound captured with a second microphone, wherein the first microphone is a part of a hearing prosthesis, the second microphone is part of an indoor sound capture system or indoor sound capture sub-system, and the method further comprises comparing the first data to the second data.