Auditory Prosthesis Resonance Peak Detection for Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with conductive hearing loss often do not benefit from conventional hearing aids due to chronic inflammation, malformed ears, or single-sided deafness, and existing devices require two aids or cause discomfort, while bone conduction devices face issues like acoustic feedback and pressure.

Innovation Solution

An auditory prosthesis with an actuator that applies mechanical stimulation, equipped with a measurement circuit to identify resonance peaks, using frequency sweeps or impulse measurements to optimize actuator performance and prevent feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional hearing aids are used for conductive hearing loss, then air conduction amplification is provided, but the device is unsuitable for individuals with chronic inflammation, malformed ears, or single-sided deafness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for conductive hearing loss casesVSAvoidchronic inflammation, malformed ears, single-sided deafness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the acoustic/mechanical hearing aid system with an electrical stimulation system. The auditory prosthesis uses an actuator to generate mechanical vibrations that directly stimulate the cochlea or inner ear structures, bypassing the external and middle ear pathways that are compromised in conductive hearing loss cases. This substitution allows the device to work effectively where traditional acoustic hearing aids fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If cochlear implants are used to provide electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve, then hearing sensation is restored, but residual hair cells may be destroyed leading to loss of hearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing sensation restorationVSAvoidhair cell destruction, residual hearing loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using mechanical vibrations of controlled amplitude and frequency to stimulate only the necessary portions of the inner ear. Rather than the comprehensive electrical stimulation of cochlear implants that activates all auditory nerve fibers, the auditory prosthesis uses targeted mechanical stimulation that can be adjusted to provide adequate hearing sensation while minimizing stress on residual hair cells and avoiding their destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces mechanical vibrations as an intermediary between the electrical signal and the auditory nerve stimulation. The actuator converts electrical signals into mechanical vibrations that physically move the cochlear fluid and stimulate hair cells mechanically, rather than directly electrical stimulating the auditory nerve. This intermediary mechanism reduces the harmful effects of direct electrical stimulation on hair cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If hearing aids are plugged to prevent acoustic feedback, then feedback problems are reduced, but unnecessary pressure, discomfort, or eczema occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic feedback preventionVSAvoidpressure, discomfort, eczema

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the acoustic feedback prevention method (physical plugging of the ear canal) with an electrical-mechanical stimulation approach. The auditory prosthesis uses an actuator to generate controlled mechanical vibrations that stimulate the inner ear directly, eliminating the need to seal or plug the ear canal. This substitution prevents acoustic feedback issues without causing pressure, discomfort, or skin problems associated with traditional hearing aid insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for effective mechanical stimulation by identifying and compensating for resonance peaks, reducing feedback and power consumption, and ensuring safe, comfortable hearing perception.

Implementation Method 1

an auditory prosthesis with an actuator that applies mechanical stimulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

identifying resonance peaks, which helps in generating appropriate drive signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12634646B2Identifying hearing prosthesis actuator resonance peak(s)

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

An auditory prosthesis comprising an actuator for providing mechanical stimulation to a recipient. The auditory prosthesis comprises a measurement circuit for use in determining the resonance peak(s) of the actuator. In an embodiment, the measurement circuit measures the voltage drop across the actuator and/or current through the actuator during a frequency sweep of the operational frequencies of the actuator. These measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed for discontinuities that are indicative of a resonance peak of the actuator. In another embodiment, rather than using a frequency sweep to measure voltages and/or currents across the actuator, the measurement circuit instead applies a voltage impulse to the actuator and then measure the voltage and/or current across the actuator for a period of time after application of the impulse. The measured voltages and/or currents are then analyzed to identify resonance peak(s) of the actuator.