Hearing Instrument Transducer Self-Sensing for Occlusion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices, particularly closed or semi-closed fittings, face challenges with the occlusion effect due to the acoustic coupling between the ear canal and the outside environment, which existing solutions like active noise control or active sound absorbers address with limitations such as requiring ear canal microphones or additional transducer components, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device design that uses the electroacoustic transducer to measure its own response to the applied signal, applying a frequency-dependent shunt impedance to adjust acoustic impedance, effectively reducing occlusion without needing an inner microphone or modified transducers, by utilizing the transducer's bi-directional capabilities for both sound production and sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closed fitting is used to improve sound cleaning and sound reproduction, then sound quality is improved, but occlusion effect increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electroacoustic transducer measures its own response to the applied signal. The system uses the transducer's bi-directional capabilities to detect sound pressure in the ear canal and adjusts the driving signal accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that actively manages the occlusion effect while maintaining sound quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroacoustic transducer serves dual functions: it produces sound and simultaneously measures the acoustic response in the ear canal. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate sensing components, allowing the system to monitor and adjust for occlusion effects using the transducer's own response characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise control with ear canal microphone is used to reduce occlusion effect, then occlusion effect is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electroacoustic transducer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a sound-producing loudspeaker and a sound-sensing microphone. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate ear canal microphone, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to measure and compensate for occlusion effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the electroacoustic transducer, combining the sound production and sound sensing capabilities into a single component. By utilizing the bi-directional capabilities of the transducer, the system integrates both loudspeaker and microphone functions, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If active sound absorber with sensing winding is used to reduce occlusion effect, then occlusion effect is reduced, but manufacturing cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electroacoustic transducer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a sound-producing loudspeaker and a sound-sensing microphone. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate ear canal microphone, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to measure and compensate for occlusion effects.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hearing device comprises an earpiece adapted to fit the ear canal of a user, so as to separate an inner ear canal volume rom an outside. The hearing device comprises an electroacoustic transducer (11) in acoustic communication with the inner ear canal volume, the electroacoustic transducer (11) being capable of transforming an electrical signal between terminals (16, 17) into an acoustic signal. The hearing device is also equipped to process hearing device input into a wanted signal, to use the wanted signal to obtain a transducer input signal, and to apply the transducer input signal to the terminals (16, 17) of the electroacoustic transducer (11). The hearing device is further equipped to measure a physical signal at the terminals (16, 17) and to use the measured physical signal as another input quantity for obtaining the transducer input signal.