Proximity Sensor Feedback Cancellation in Hearing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing aids face challenges in managing feedback due to sudden changes in the feedback path caused by objects such as hats, helmets, or hair, leading to disruptive distortions like chirping or howling, which limit amplification capabilities and degrade sound quality.

Innovation Solution

Integration of proximity sensors in hearing devices to detect objects near the device, allowing for real-time adjustments to the feedback cancellation algorithm, thereby adapting to changes in the feedback path and preventing feedback-related issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feedback cancellation is used to eliminate feedback, then feedback-related distortions are reduced, but sudden changes in feedback path cause the system to become unstable and fail to cancel feedback effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback cancellation stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to feedback path changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor detects objects in advance before they cause feedback path changes. The system performs preliminary detection of potential feedback disruptions and adjusts the feedback canceller parameters proactively, preventing instability before it occurs. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance for feedback path changes rather than reacting after they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor creates a new feedback loop that monitors the acoustic environment and feeds this information back to the feedback canceller. This additional feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions in real-time, maintaining stability while improving adaptability to feedback path changes caused by nearby objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the feedback canceller operates continuously, then feedback is canceled effectively, but sudden feedback path changes cause disruptive distortions and limit amplification capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback cancellation effectivenessVSAvoidfeedback-related distortions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor detects objects that will cause feedback path changes before they actually occur. By performing preliminary detection and adjustment, the system prevents harmful feedback distortions from developing, maintaining continuous effective feedback cancellation without the disruptive effects of sudden path changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary between the physical environment and the feedback cancellation system. It detects environmental changes and translates this information into parameter adjustments for the feedback canceller, mediating between external conditions and the feedback control loop to prevent harmful distortions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If proximity sensor detection is added to detect objects, then adaptability to feedback path changes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of feedback path changesVSAvoidsensor integration and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system by providing direct environmental awareness. Rather than complex processing of multiple sensor types or sophisticated algorithms, the proximity sensor gives a straightforward indication of nearby objects, reducing the complexity burden while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or acoustic sensing mechanisms with an electronic proximity sensor that provides digital proximity information. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity of the system while enabling more sophisticated feedback path change detection and adaptation through electronic signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250211923A1Proximity sensor used for feedback cancellation adjustment in a hearing device

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 STARKEY LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

A hearing device includes a receiver, a microphone, and a proximity sensor operable to detect a proximate object. One or more processors are coupled to the receiver, the microphone, and the proximity sensor. The processors are operable to execute a feedback canceller that cancels feedback transmitted through a feedback path between the receiver and the microphone. The processors are further operable to detect, via the proximity sensor, a relative movement between the object and the hearing device, and in response thereto, adjust a parameter affecting the feedback canceller of the hearing device to compensate for a change caused by the relative movement that affects the feedback canceller, such as a change in the feedback path.