Hearing Device Acoustic Shock Control With Dual-Stage Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices struggle to effectively control acoustic shocks without introducing noticeable latency or distortion, as current methods either react too slowly or cause sound quality issues, and there is a need for adaptive control that maintains natural sound awareness while preventing hearing damage.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with an acoustic shock controller that determines first and second gain factors based on shock detection information, using an input transducer, audio signal processor, output limiter, and attenuators to manage signal levels and maintain shock perception, even in saturated conditions, while ensuring the shock event remains perceivable without causing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If peak-clipping in the time-domain is used to control acoustic shocks, then the response speed is improved, but sound quality deteriorates due to serious distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acoustic shock control into two separate stages: a first attenuator that applies initial attenuation based on shock detection, and a second attenuator that applies additional attenuation based on saturation detection. This segmentation allows each stage to operate within optimal ranges, preventing the severe distortion caused by single-stage peak-clipping while maintaining fast response through the first stage and quality through the coordinated second stage.
2Reliability
If maximum power output (MPO) in the frequency-domain is applied, then overshooting is prevented, but the response speed deteriorates as it is too slow to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using the first attenuator to proactively reduce the signal level immediately upon detecting an acoustic shock event, before the signal can reach saturation levels. This preliminary attenuation prevents the need for slower frequency-domain MPO processing while still avoiding overshooting, as the shock is dampened in advance by the time it reaches the second attenuator stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) is used, then the dynamic range is controlled, but the response speed deteriorates as it reacts too slowly versus the very fast nature of acoustic shock impulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by making the attenuation factors adaptive rather than fixed. The first attenuator's attenuation factor is dynamically adjusted based on real-time shock detection, and the second attenuator's attenuation factor is dynamically adjusted based on saturation detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond instantly to acoustic shocks with appropriate attenuation levels, eliminating the slow response characteristic of traditional WDRC while maintaining effective dynamic range control.
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
The solution effectively reduces shock impact, maintains natural sound awareness, and keeps the shock within a comfortable range for the user, ensuring that acoustic shock events are perceivable without causing hearing damage or distortion, even in extreme situations.
Implementation Method 1
an input transducer structured and configured to receive an audio signal and to convert the received audio signal into an input audio signal
Implementation Method 2
an output transducer structured and configured to convert a signal applied to an input of the output transducer into an output audio signal to be provided to the user
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a hearing device for being worn at or at least partly within an ear of a user and comprising an acoustic shock detector (4) for detecting an acoustic shock event present in an input audio signal from an input transducer (1) and providing shock detection information related to the acoustic shock event. The hearing device further comprises an acoustic shock controller (5) for determining a first gain factor (Gb) and a second gain factor (Gp) in dependence of the shock detection information, a first attenuator (6) for attenuating a processed input audio signal by the first gain factor (Gb) and providing an attenuated audio signal to an output limiter (2) providing a limited audio signal, and a second attenuator (7) for attenuating the limited audio signal by the second gain factor (Gp) and providing a further attenuated audio signal to an output transducer (3). The present invention further relates to a corresponding method for acoustic shock control in a hearing device.