Hearing Device Sidetone Gain Adjustment Using Loudness Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing devices lack an effective and user-friendly method to adjust sidetone gain, leading to issues such as speaking too loudly or too softly, which affects communication quality and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A hearing device with a processing unit that adjusts sidetone gain by processing input signals using a model that mimics human auditory system masking and loudness perception, automatically optimizing sidetone levels without user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual sidetone adjustment is provided, then users can control sidetone levels, but users speak too loudly or too softly affecting communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesidetone adjustmentVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device automatically adjusts sidetone gain using a loudness model that processes input signals to determine appropriate sidetone parameters without user intervention. The processing unit continuously monitors the user's voice and automatically optimizes sidetone levels, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while ensuring communication quality is maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the loudness model processing to continuously adjust sidetone gain. The processing unit analyzes the user's voice characteristics and provides real-time feedback control to maintain optimal sidetone levels, preventing the user from speaking too loudly or softly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic loudness model processing is implemented, then sidetone is optimized without user interaction, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesidetone adjustmentVSAvoidprocessing unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit integrates multiple functions including signal processing, loudness model application, and sidetone gain control into a single multi-functional component. This universal approach automates sidetone adjustment while managing device complexity by consolidating processing tasks rather than adding separate dedicated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250301251A1Hearing device and a method of adjusting a sidetone gain in a hearing device

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

Disclosed is a hearing device configured to adjust a sidetone gain. The hearing device comprises an input transducer, a transceiver, a processing unit and an output transducer. The processing unit comprises a first component arranged in connection with the input transducer and the transceiver and configured to process the input signals to obtain processed input signals, a second component configured to receive the processed input signals and to apply a model to the processed input signals to determine a sidetone parameter, and a third component configured to adjust a sidetone gain of the first part of the input signal, based on the sidetone parameter, to obtain the output signal having the adjusted sidetone gain.