Personal Sound Amplification Earring with Decorative Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids, including Personal Sound Amplification Devices (PSADs), face issues such as an old-fashioned appearance, occlusion effect, and visibility, which can deter users due to their design and size, particularly the behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) styles.
Innovation Solution
A Personal Sound Amplification System (PSAS) configured as an earring, featuring a PSAD with a receiving module and external sound tube, allowing for adjustable sound processing and incorporation of decorative jewelry covers to disguise the device, along with a preference wand for wireless adjustments, providing a discreet and customizable solution for sound amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hearing aids (BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC styles) are used to provide sound amplification, then hearing loss compensation is achieved, but the device creates an occlusion effect making the wearer's voice sound trapped in a barrel and gives a plugged up sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hearing aid device from the traditional ear canal placement and relocates it to the temple area behind the ear. The sound delivery system uses a bone conduction transducer that contacts the temporal bone, bypassing the ear canal entirely. This extraction eliminates the occlusion effect by removing the physical blockage from the ear canal while still delivering amplified sound to the inner ear through bone vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the temporal bone as an intermediary medium for sound transmission. Instead of directly placing a device in the ear canal that blocks sound, the system uses the natural bone structure of the skull as a conduit to transmit vibrations from the transducer to the inner ear, allowing air conduction to remain open while providing amplification.
2Reliability
If behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids are used to provide sound amplification, then hearing loss compensation is achieved, but the device appears old fashioned and is more obvious to people who encounter the wearer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hearing aid functionality with a templepiece structure that resembles traditional eyeglass or hat frames. By combining the sound amplification device with a fashion accessory-like templepiece that rests on the temple, the invention creates a hybrid form that is both functional and aesthetically acceptable, reducing the stigma associated with traditional hearing aid appearances.
Solution Approach 2:
The templepiece structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the hearing aid device, acts as a fashion accessory similar to eyeglasses or hats, and distributes the weight and pressure across the temple area. This multi-functionality allows the device to be both a medical device and a style statement, appealing to users who want effectiveness without sacrificing appearance.
3Power
If power BTE style hearing aids with larger electronic enclosure are used to house receiving and processing electronics, then sound amplification capability is improved, but the device becomes relatively large and more obvious to people who encounter the wearer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hearing aid system into multiple distributed components: a templepiece with electronics, a separate earpiece with transducer, and a wireless communication module. This segmentation allows each component to be minimized in size while maintaining overall system power and functionality, preventing the need for a single large enclosure that would be visible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the electronic enclosure from the visible ear or face area to the temple region behind the ear, utilizing the three-dimensional space of the head more effectively. By placing electronics in the less visible temple area and using wireless communication, the system maintains high power capability while reducing visual prominence from the front view.
Data Source
AI summary
A Personal Sound Amplification System is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and includes a Personal Sound Amplification Device (PSAD), a receiving module and an external sound tube, wherein the PSAD includes a power module having a power source. The receiving module includes a receiving module body having a module body top and defining a receiving module body cavity for containing module electronics, wherein the receiving module is configured to removably associate with a decorative jewelry cover. Moreover, the external sound tube may be associated with the module body top of the receiving module.