Hearing System BTE ITE Segmentation for Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing systems face challenges in adding components due to space constraints in in-the-ear (ITE) devices, leading to larger sizes, potential falling issues, and sub-optimal microphone placement causing poor beamforming and feedback, along with increased wiring that can cause interference.
Innovation Solution
The configuration includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component with a power source and a wireless communication device, and an ITE component with a microphone facing outside the ear canal, a vent opening, and active noise control circuitry, allowing for improved beamforming and reduced feedback while optimizing space for additional components and minimizing electrical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more components are added to the ITE component to improve functionality, then the functionality is enhanced, but the size of the ITE component increases and it may stick out of the ear
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing system is divided into two separate components: a BTE component containing the power source and wireless communication device, and an ITE component containing the microphone, vent opening, and active noise control circuitry. This segmentation allows the ITE component to remain compact and fit within the ear canal while the BTE component houses additional components that would otherwise increase ITE size.
2Device complexity
If a microphone is positioned on the BTE component, then the device structure is simplified, but the microphone is shielded by the pinna and has poor beamforming capability
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone is extracted from the BTE component and placed in the ITE component, which positions it outside the ear canal where it can capture sound waves directly without being shielded by the pinna. This extraction improves the microphone's beamforming capability and audio pickup properties while maintaining a simplified overall device structure through the BTE-ITE configuration.
3Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed in the concha or canal to improve audio pickup, then beamforming capability is enhanced, but the proximity to the vent reduces available gain before feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening is positioned and configured to allow sound to reach the microphone from the front of the ear canal while blocking sound paths that would cause feedback from the receiver to the microphone. This intermediary vent structure enables the microphone to be placed close to the ear canal opening for improved audio pickup while maintaining feedback control through its specific positioning and configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional wiring is added between BTE and ITE components to connect additional components, then the functionality is expanded, but the cable size increases and electrical interference is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces extensive electrical wiring with wireless communication technology. The BTE component contains a wireless communication device that communicates with the ITE component wirelessly, eliminating the need for additional physical cables and wiring between components. This substitution expands functionality while reducing cable complexity and electrical interference.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary hearing system that is configured to assist a user in hearing includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component that includes a power source and an in-the-ear (ITE) component configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The ITE component may include a microphone arranged so as to face outside of the ear canal of the user while the ITE component is worn by the user, a vent opening configured to ventilate the ear canal of the user to an environment outside of the ear canal, a receiver configured to provide an audio signal to the user based on an input audio signal detected by the microphone, and at least one of active noise control circuitry configured to reduce at least one of environmental noise entering the ear canal through the vent opening and occlusion and an active vent configured to control the vent opening.