Inflatable Ear Seal Mitigates Static Pressure Oscillations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-ear listening devices such as headphones and hearing aids cause audio fatigue and potential hearing damage due to the triggering of the stapedius reflex and large oscillating static pressures in the ear canal, leading to excessive tympanic membrane over-excursions and trapped volume insertion gain.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inflatable in-ear bubble seal and covered vents in ear devices to mitigate oscillating static pressures, transforming them into normal acoustic waves and reducing trapped volume insertion gain, thereby alleviating stapedius reflex triggering and audio fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If in-ear listening devices are used to deliver sound directly to the ear canal, then sound transmission efficiency is improved, but oscillating static pressures are generated causing stapedius reflex triggering and audio fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
An inflatable bubble seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the sound source and the ear canal. This bubble seal acts as a mediator that transforms the harmful oscillating static pressures into normal acoustic waves, thereby maintaining sound transmission efficiency while eliminating the harmful pressure effects that trigger the stapedius reflex and cause audio fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and parameters of the air column in the ear canal by using the inflatable bubble seal. This transforms the static pressure oscillations into dynamic acoustic waves, fundamentally altering how sound is transmitted and eliminating the harmful effects associated with in-ear monitors while preserving audio quality
2Reliability
If volume is increased to overcome stapedius reflex, then hearing protection is activated, but tympanic membrane over-excursions increase causing potential hearing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful oscillating static pressures into beneficial normal acoustic waves through the inflatable bubble seal. This transformation eliminates the need to increase volume to overcome the stapedius reflex, thereby maintaining hearing protection while preventing tympanic membrane over-excursions and potential hearing damage
3Power
If sealed ear canal is used to contain sound, then trapped volume insertion gain is achieved, but static pressure oscillations cause audio fatigue and hearing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bubble seal serves as a mediator that maintains the sealed ear canal environment necessary for trapped volume insertion gain while simultaneously transforming the harmful static pressure oscillations into benign acoustic waves, thereby preserving audio quality without causing audio fatigue or hearing loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the amplitude of static pressure oscillations, decreases tympanic membrane over-excursions, and prevents premature stapedius reflex activation, enhancing listening comfort and potentially preventing hearing damage.
Implementation Method 1
The use of an inflatable in-ear bubble seal and covered vents in ear devices to mitigate oscillating static pressures, transforming them into normal acoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
The use of an inflatable in-ear bubble seal and covered vents in ear devices to mitigate oscillating static pressures
Implementation Method 3
The persistent triggering of this reflex by insert headphones, hearing aids, and the like, perpetuates a vicious cycle in which even more volume may be needed to counteract the effects of the stapedius reflex
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for alleviating the effects of alternating or changing pneumatic pressures when sound is transmitted through an audio device into a substantially trapped volume to the tympanic membrane. Alternating or changing pneumatic pressures are partially or fully alleviated and allowed to remain as normal sound waves. The audio device and method could be any number of audio devices including ear buds, over-ear headphones or hearing aids. A passageway from the substantially trapped volume to an unsealed space at ambient pressure is blocked by a flexible compliant member.