Multimodal Hearing System Fitting via Iterative Stimulus Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing loss treatments, particularly for sensorineural hearing loss, often fail to effectively restore high-frequency hearing, and existing hybrid devices require complex adjustments to optimize the transfer function for individual recipients, which can be time-consuming and require specialized knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for fitting a multimodal hearing system that determines a desired perception by applying stimulation signals using multiple modes (acoustic, electrical, and mechanical) and adjusts stimulus mode weightings based on the difference between measured and desired perceptions, allowing for iterative refinement of the transfer function to optimize sound perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid devices use both acoustic and electrical stimulation modes, then hearing coverage across frequency ranges is improved, but device complexity and fitting adjustment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an iterative feedback process where the system presents test signals to the recipient, measures their perception responses, compares these measurements against desired perception targets, and automatically adjusts stimulus mode weightings accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual fitting adjustments while optimizing the hybrid acoustic-electrical stimulation balance for each recipient's specific hearing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting system performs self-adjustment by automatically determining optimal stimulus mode weightings based on measured recipient responses. The system independently optimizes its own parameters through the iterative process, eliminating dependence on specialized clinician knowledge and manual intervention for the complex task of balancing multiple stimulation modes.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of transfer function is performed by clinicians, then individualized fitting can be achieved, but time consumption and requirement for specialized knowledge increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process performed by clinicians with an automated computational system. The computer-based system performs the complex calculations and adjustments that would otherwise require extensive clinician time and specialized knowledge, maintaining individualized fitting precision while dramatically reducing the time and expertise required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically optimizes multiple parameters including stimulus mode weightings, transfer function characteristics, and stimulation levels based on measured recipient responses. This parametric optimization is performed iteratively by the automated system rather than through manual parameter adjustment by clinicians.
3Ease of operation
If statistical assumptions are used for fitting, then fitting process is simplified, but individualized optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements by presenting test signals and recording recipient perception responses before final fitting is established. These preliminary data collection actions provide the foundation for subsequent automated optimization, combining simplicity with individualized accuracy through pre-measurement data gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting process is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The system continuously refines the fitting based on measured responses, allowing the parameters to change and optimize for each individual recipient rather than relying on fixed statistical assumptions. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity while achieving individualized optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for fitting a multimodal hearing system to a recipient. Such fitting may include determining a desired perception for an input signal, receiving a measurement of a perception evoked by applying to the recipient one or more stimulation signals that correspond to the input signal, wherein the one or more stimulation signals applied using two or more stimulation modes, and each stimulation signal is determined using stimulus mode weighting, and adjusting one or more of the stimulus mode weightings based on the difference between the measured evoked perception and the desired perception. A multimodal hearing system is able to stimulate using an acoustic, electrical, mechanical mode and/or photo effect mode.