Tinnitus Masker Speech Intelligibility Adjustment
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tinnitus-masker systems in hearing assistance devices lack an effective mechanism to assess and adjust their impact on speech intelligibility, potentially interfering with the understanding of external sounds like speech.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a speech intelligibility model to compute scores for speech with and without tinnitus masking therapy, allowing for automatic adjustment of tinnitus-masker parameters, such as overall level and spectrum, to minimize disruptions to speech understanding, using a processor and sound generator in the hearing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tinnitus-masker therapy is provided to reduce tinnitus perception, then tinnitus relief is improved, but speech intelligibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a speech intelligibility model that continuously monitors and evaluates the impact of tinnitus-masker therapy on speech understanding. The model processes audio signals and provides feedback information about speech intelligibility degradation, which is then used to automatically adjust masker parameters in real-time to maintain optimal balance between tinnitus relief and speech comprehension
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically modifies masker parameters including overall level, spectral shape, and modulation characteristics based on the speech intelligibility model's assessment. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system reduces speech masking effects while preserving tinnitus masking effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between therapeutic benefit and speech intelligibility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tinnitus-masker parameters are manually adjusted to improve speech intelligibility, then speech understanding is improved, but tinnitus relief effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-adjustment through an embedded speech intelligibility model that continuously evaluates the trade-off between speech intelligibility and tinnitus relief. The processor automatically modifies masker parameters without requiring manual intervention, maintaining optimal therapeutic effect while minimizing speech masking based on real-time environmental and physiological conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static manual parameter settings to dynamic automatic adjustment. The masker parameters are continuously adapted based on real-time analysis of speech signals, ambient noise, and speech intelligibility model predictions, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing listening conditions while preserving tinnitus therapy effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If speech intelligibility model is implemented to assess therapy impact, then speech intelligibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex manual fitting procedures and subjective patient feedback mechanisms with an automated speech intelligibility model based on objective signal processing. The model uses computational algorithms to predict speech masking effects, substituting mechanical/manual adjustment processes with automated digital signal processing and mathematical modeling
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for automated assessment and adjustment of tinnitus-masker impact on speech intelligibility during use of the tinnitus-masker. In various embodiments, a method of fitting a tinnitus-masker device for a patient is provided. The method includes using a speech intelligibility model to predict impact of therapy provided by the tinnitus-maker device on speech understanding of the patient. A parameter of the tinnitus-masker device is automatically adjusted during use to reduce the impact of the therapy provided by the tinnitus-maker device on speech understanding of the patient, according to various embodiments.