Hearing System Configuration via Loudspeaker Reference Tone Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring hearing systems are complex and difficult for users and hearing aid acousticians, as they require precise identification of amplified signals at the hearing threshold and often result in unsatisfactory frequency-specific amplification outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method that compares adjacent sound events played back to the user, using a control unit to adjust the hearing system's converter unit with conversion factors to ensure equal perceived loudness across different frequencies, eliminating loudness differences through correction values, without the need for audiograms or loudspeaker arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency-specific amplification is configured to reach the user's hearing threshold, then hearing assistance is optimized, but it becomes difficult for the user to precisely identify the occurrence of an amplified signal at the hearing threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses loudspeakers to generate test tones that are played back to the user, creating a reference sound field that copies the acoustic environment. This allows the user to compare the hearing aid output with the reference sound from loudspeakers, making it easier to identify threshold signals without relying solely on subjective perception of amplified sounds through the hearing aid itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces loudspeakers as an intermediary device to deliver test tones directly to the user's ears in a controlled manner. This intermediary system provides a known reference level that mediates between the hearing aid's amplified output and the user's perception, enabling more precise threshold identification by comparing the two sound sources
2Measurement precision
If complex configuration procedures with audiograms and multiple measurements are used, then comprehensive hearing assessment is achieved, but the configuration process becomes overwhelming for users and difficult for acousticians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the test tone generation, sound delivery, and comparison functions into a single integrated system using loudspeakers. Instead of separate audiometry equipment, hearing aid programming software, and manual adjustment tools, the invention merges these functions into one configuration process where the loudspeakers serve as both reference and test signal sources, simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining assessment completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The loudspeakers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate test tones, provide reference sound levels, enable threshold measurement, and facilitate frequency-specific amplification assessment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices and procedures, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining comprehensive hearing assessment capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for configuring a user-specific hearing system (01), which comprises a receiving unit for receiving sound events, a converter unit for frequency-dependent variable adjustment of the received sound events and a playback unit for playback of the adapted sound events to the hearing organ of a user (02).The device comprises a sound generator (03) for generating sound events; at least one loudspeaker spaced away from the user of the hearing system; a control unit (05) which causes the sound generator (03) to generate several sound events with different frequencies in a predetermined sequence, amplifies the generated sound events in a predetermined manner and sends them to the loudspeaker unit (04) for playback as sound events with the same loudness, receives evaluation data via a user interface that represents a loudness difference perceived by the user (02) between adjacent reproduced sound events in the frequency domain, and outputs correction values that can be applied to the hearing system (01) to configure its converter unit so that the perceived loudness difference is reduced or eliminated.