Smartphone Audio Streaming for Hearing Loss Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing loss solutions, such as Live Listen, are limited to single smartphone use, require users to be separated from their devices, and necessitate permission from speakers, while also amplifying background noise, which is inconvenient and inefficient for hearing-impaired individuals in group settings like auditoriums.
Innovation Solution
A system where a designated 'speaker' smartphone captures live sound using a MEMS microphone and streams it to multiple user smartphones via Wi-Fi, applying hearing loss compensation algorithms for real-time audio processing, eliminating the need for separate microphone use and reducing setup complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hearing aids make sound louder, then hearing impaired users can hear better, but background noise is also amplified making it harder to distinguish speech
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by processing different frequency components and audio sources differently. The system identifies speech signals versus background noise and applies selective amplification and processing to enhance speech intelligibility while suppressing or differently treating background noise components, rather than uniform amplification of all sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes audio parameters such as gain, frequency response, and signal processing characteristics based on the detected audio environment. By analyzing the audio stream and adjusting parameters in real-time, the system optimizes speech clarity while managing background noise levels according to the specific listening conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If Live Listen is used on a single smartphone, then one user can access remote audio, but multiple users cannot simultaneously receive processed audio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single smartphone to serve multiple hearing-impaired users simultaneously through wireless connectivity. The system processes audio once and distributes it to multiple clients, allowing one device to fulfill the role of multiple dedicated hearing assistance devices while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the audio processing functionality into a single smartphone device that then shares the processed audio stream with multiple users. Instead of requiring separate processing devices for each user, the patent combines the processing function in one device and uses wireless communication to distribute the result to multiple clients.
3Ease of operation
If users must be separated from their devices to use Live Listen, then audio processing can occur, but users cannot interact with their smartphones during audio capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing the user to keep their smartphone with them during audio capture, rather than requiring separation. The system processes audio from the user's own device microphone or received audio stream, enabling both device accessibility and audio processing to occur simultaneously without the need to physically separate the user from their device.
4Productivity
If permission from speakers is required to use Live Listen, then speaker control is maintained, but setup complexity and time increase for events
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting and connecting to available audio sources without requiring manual permission requests. The smartphone can autonomously identify speakers, establish audio streams, and begin processing hearing assistance audio immediately, eliminating the need for users to seek permission and significantly reducing setup time for events.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for outputting audible sound processed with a hearing loss compensation algorithm for listening by a user of user smart phone. A method includes receiving live digital micro electrical-mechanical system (MEMs) sound data from a speaker phone. The method further includes processing, at a subscribed user smart phone, the live digital MEMS sound data from the speaker smart phone in accordance with a hearing loss compensation algorithm. The subscribed user smart phone generates and outputs audible sound waves for the live digital for listening by the user of the subscribed user smart phone.