Hybrid Hearing Aid Segmentation for Battery Life and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids, particularly completely-in-the-canal (CIC) devices, face limitations due to small battery lifespan, acoustic feedback from venting, and reduced accessibility, while behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are bulkier and less cosmetically appealing.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid hearing aid design where the in-the-ear part houses the microphone and loudspeaker with an electronic connection to a compact device housing containing the power supply and processing unit, using a primary power supply with a secondary capacitor for extended battery life and eliminating the need for venting, and allowing for modular and customizable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery size is reduced to make the hearing aid smaller and more cosmetically appealing, then the device becomes more compact and less visible, but the battery lifespan is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid is divided into two separate parts: a device housing worn behind the ear and an in-the-ear part received in the auditory canal. The power supply with extended battery lifespan is accommodated in the device housing, while the in-the-ear part contains only the microphone, loudspeaker, and sound-emitting opening. This segmentation allows the power supply to be sized for optimal battery lifespan without compromising the compactness of the in-the-ear portion.
2Ease of operation
If venting is provided in CIC devices to reduce occlusion, then occlusion is reduced, but acoustic feedback occurs due to open airway creating an acoustic channel
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the power supply from the in-the-ear part, the patent eliminates the need for venting in the in-the-ear portion. The in-the-ear part can be designed as an acoustically sealed unit containing only the microphone, loudspeaker, and sound-emitting opening, thereby preventing acoustic feedback while still providing comfort through the separate device housing worn behind the ear.
3Volume of moving object
If the in-the-ear part is made smaller to fit deeper in the ear for better acoustic efficiency and cosmetics, then acoustic efficiency is improved and the device is less noticeable, but accessibility for operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operational controls and power supply are placed in the device housing worn behind the ear, which is easily accessible. The in-the-ear part is minimized to contain only the essential acoustic components (microphone, loudspeaker, sound-emitting opening), allowing it to fit deeply in the auditory canal for optimal acoustic efficiency and cosmetics while maintaining full operational accessibility through the external device housing.
4Duration of action of moving object
If all components are integrated in the device housing for BTE design, then battery lifespan is extended, but the device becomes bulkier and less cosmetically appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hearing aid into a device housing and an in-the-ear part. The device housing contains the power supply and processing device, allowing for extended battery lifespan. The in-the-ear part contains only the microphone, loudspeaker, and sound-emitting opening, making it compact and cosmetically appealing when received in the auditory canal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing components across two parts rather than integrating all components in a single bulky housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid includes a device housing to be worn outside an ear of a user and which co-acts with an in-the-ear part provided with a sound-emitting opening and which is intended and adapted to be received at least substantially in the ear of the user. The in-the-ear part is physically separated from the device housing, wherein at least a microphone and a loudspeaker are accommodated together with the sound-emitting opening in the in-the-ear part. An electronic connection is present between the device housing and the in-the-ear part. A power supply of a hearing aid particularly includes a capacitor (40), more particularly an ultra-capacitor. The functionality of a hearing aid can be expanded with an expansion unit (50). For an accurate fit of the in-the-ear part use is made of a digital representation which has been modified on the basis of fitting data of a fitting body.