Hearing Prosthesis Setting Selection via Environmental Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of hearing prostheses face difficulties in selecting optimal settings for varying sound environments, as existing automatic scene analysis methods can be subjective and lead to frequent changes in settings, causing user discomfort and disorientation.
Innovation Solution
A hearing prosthesis system that stores candidate settings for different situations, analyzes sound environments, classifies changes, compares suitability, and presents optimal settings to the user for selection, allowing for user-driven updates and preferences to be learned over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic scene analysis is used to select settings, then setting selection is automated, but settings change frequently causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes audio signals to detect environmental changes before automatically triggering setting changes. By analyzing acoustic characteristics in advance and only initiating setting changes when genuine environmental transitions are detected, the system reduces unnecessary or premature setting changes that would cause user discomfort, while still maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user responses to automatic setting changes are monitored and used to adjust future automation behavior. When users demonstrate discomfort or manually override automatic changes, the system learns from this feedback to modify its automation intensity, thereby balancing automated operation with user comfort preferences over time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple candidate settings are provided, then user choice is increased, but decision complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the large set of candidate settings into smaller, context-relevant subsets based on the detected sound environment. Instead of presenting all possible settings to the user, the system divides them into categories or groups appropriate for the current acoustic situation, making the selection process more manageable while preserving access to diverse setting options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by tailoring the presentation of candidate settings to the specific environmental context. Different environments trigger different subsets of settings with varying levels of detail or organization, so users see only the most relevant options for their current situation rather than a uniform comprehensive list, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If manual setting selection is required, then user control is maximized, but operation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically performing preliminary analysis of the sound environment and pre-selecting appropriate candidate settings. This reduces the user's operational burden from having to evaluate all possible settings to simply choosing from a pre-filtered, context-relevant subset, thereby maintaining user control while reducing operation difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the complex set of available settings and the user's selection needs. It mediates by processing environmental information and translating it into a simplified presentation of relevant settings, thus preserving user control over the final selection while shielding users from the full complexity of the parameter space.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a hearing prosthesis is provided. A plurality of settings are provided, each setting providing a different operating functionality for the hearing prosthesis suitable for different situations. A signal analysis is executed on input signals to the hearing prosthesis. The signal analysis monitors characteristics of a current situation to detect any change and, in the case of detecting change, classifies the current situation into one of a plurality of predefined states. The suitability of the settings is compared with the determined state. One or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is identified for the current situation. The one or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is presented to a user . The user is then allowed to make a selection from the presented choice(s) of setting(s). If a selection is received from the user, the selected setting is executed. A hearing prosthesis is also provided.