Integrated Housing Vibrator for Bone Conduction Hearing Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conductive hearing loss often do not benefit from traditional hearing aids due to chronic inflammation, malformed ears, or single-sided deafness, and existing solutions like cochlear implants can damage residual hair cells, making them unsuitable for conductive hearing loss cases.
Innovation Solution
A bone conduction device with an integrated housing and vibrator mass that converts sound signals into mechanical forces transmitted through the skull, using a coupling system to attach to the skull and deliver these forces, potentially bypassing damaged outer or middle ear structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hearing aids are used for conductive hearing loss, then air conduction amplification is provided, but the device causes discomfort, pressure, or eczema due to ear canal plugging and is ineffective for malformed ears or chronic inflammation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone (skull) as an intermediary transmission path for sound waves. Instead of transmitting sound through the blocked or infected ear canal, the hearing device transduces sound into mechanical vibrations that travel through the skull bone directly to the cochlea, bypassing the problematic ear canal pathway entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic air conduction system with a mechanical vibration system. A transducer converts acoustic signals into mechanical vibrations that are applied to the skull bone, substituting the traditional air-based sound transmission mechanism with a solid-mechanics-based transmission path
2Reliability
If cochlear implants are used for hearing loss, then direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve is provided, but residual hair cells may be damaged or destroyed in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using mechanical bone conduction to stimulate only the portions of the cochlea that remain functional, avoiding the need to insert electrodes that would damage hair cells. This provides sufficient hearing restoration for conductive hearing loss without the excessive intervention of cochlear implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of bone conduction (lower efficiency compared to direct cochlear stimulation) into a benefit by preserving residual hearing. The mechanical vibration path through bone provides adequate stimulation while avoiding the harmful side effect of hair cell destruction, thus turning a potential disadvantage into a protective advantage
3Reliability
If separate mass components are used in bone conduction devices, then vibration generation is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing structure and the vibratory mass into a single integrated component. The housing itself is designed to serve as the mass that vibrates in response to electromagnetic actuation, eliminating the need for separate mass components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective vibration transmission to the skull
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 device effectively transmits sound to the inner ear, preserving residual hearing and avoiding the need for air conduction, which can be uncomfortable or ineffective for individuals with conductive hearing loss, and is suitable for those who cannot use traditional hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the device; a housing mass forming a housing for one or more operational components of the device, wherein the housing mass is attached to the vibrator so as to move in response to the vibration
Implementation Method 2
a coupling configured to attach the device to a recipient so as to deliver mechanical forces generated by the movement of the housing mass to the recipient's skull
Data Source
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AI summary
A bone conduction hearing aid device comprising a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the device. The device further comprises a housing mass forming a housing for one or more operational components of the device, wherein the housing mass is attached to the vibrator so as to move in response to the vibration. The device also comprises a coupling configured to attach the device to a recipient so as to deliver the generated mechanical to the recipient's skull.