Modular Hearing Aid Segmentation for Feedback and Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids face issues such as short battery life, low performance, feedback, occlusion effects, and poor acoustic quality due to restricted design, microphone placement, and resonance issues, limiting their effectiveness for individuals with severe hearing impairments.
Innovation Solution
A modular hearing aid design featuring an amplifier module worn behind the ear and an ear module placed in the auditory canal, with a cable conduit module connecting them, where the microphone is positioned on the ear module to pick up sounds and forward signals electronically, avoiding resonance and feedback, and allowing for complex electronics and larger batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hearing aid is worn entirely in the ear, then the construction is compact, but the battery life is short and electronic performance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid is divided into two separate modules: an amplifier module worn behind the ear containing the battery and electronics, and an ear module placed in the auditory canal containing the microphone and speaker. This segmentation allows the battery and electronic components to be positioned in the amplifier module with sufficient space for extended battery life and high-performance electronics, while the ear module remains compact for comfortable in-ear placement.
2Volume of moving object
If the hearing aid is worn entirely in the ear, then the construction is compact, but feedback tendency is strong
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the microphone and speaker into different modules positioned at different locations (microphone in the ear module within the auditory canal, speaker in the amplifier module behind the ear), the acoustic path for feedback is disrupted. The electronic signal transmission between modules eliminates the acoustic feedback loop that plagues completely in-ear designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable conduit module acts as an intermediary connection between the ear module and amplifier module, transmitting electronic signals while maintaining acoustic isolation. This intermediary connection allows the system to function as a unified hearing aid while preventing direct acoustic feedback between microphone and speaker.
3Volume of moving object
If the hearing aid is worn entirely in the ear, then the construction is compact, but occlusion effect occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ear module is designed to be placed in the auditory canal while the amplifier module remains behind the ear, creating an open acoustic system. This segmentation allows air and sound waves to pass freely through the auditory canal, eliminating the occlusion effect that occurs when the canal is completely sealed by in-ear hearing aids.
4Volume of stationary object
If the microphone is arranged behind the ear, then the amplifier can be compact, but acoustic quality is poor due to distortions and frequency shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone is positioned in the ear module within the auditory canal, close to the eardrum, while the amplifier remains behind the ear in the amplifier module. This segmentation allows the microphone to capture sounds at the optimal location for high acoustic quality, and the amplifier to be positioned where it can process signals without introducing distortions or frequency shifts.
5Ease of operation
If a sound channel is used to conduct sound from behind the ear to the ear, then the amplifier can be worn behind the ear, but resonance effects reduce acoustic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sound conduction system (acoustic sound channel) with an electronic signal transmission system. The cable conduit module transmits electronic signals between the ear module and amplifier module, eliminating the resonance effects that occur in acoustic sound channels while maintaining the benefit of wearing the amplifier behind the ear.
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
This design enhances acoustic quality, reduces distortions, and provides a natural sound perception, suitable for severe hearing impairments with improved battery life and reduced resonance effects, making it more acceptable and effective for users.
Implementation Method 1
the cable conduit module is made to forward signals picked up by means of the microphone to the amplifier module, as well as simultaneously to forward amplified signals from the amplifier module to the ear module
Implementation Method 2
at least one microphone is arranged in or on the ear module for picking up sounds
Implementation Method 3
a speaker are arranged in or on the ear module
Data Source
AI summary
A modular hearing aid with an amplifier module that can be worn behind the ear, an ear module for arrangement in the ear, and a cable sleeve module for connecting the amplifier module to the ear module. A microphone for picking up sounds and a speaker are arranged relative to the ear module. The hearing aid is suitable for near-deaf people, has a low feedback tendency and no resonance effects of the amplified signal, and provides a particularly distortion-free, unadulterated, undelayed and high-quality acoustic signal. The cable sleeve module is designed to forward electrical signals picked up the microphone to the amplifier module and to forward amplified electrical signals from the amplifier module to the ear module. The ear module, cable sleeve module and amplifier module are detachably connected to one another and form a modular system in which each of the parts can be exchanged.