Two-Part Magnetic Hearing Aid for Discreet Skull Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids face challenges in achieving a balance between being small in size while ensuring versatility in performance, particularly in terms of processing power and battery capacity, and maintaining a discreet placement on the user's head.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid design that utilizes a magnetically attached first part on the external skin surface and a second part anchored to the skull bone, allowing for optimal positioning and reduced visibility, with adjustable magnetic strength and friction elements for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hearing aid is made small in size, then it becomes more discreet and comfortable for the user, but the processing power and battery capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid is divided into two separate parts: a first part positioned on the external skin surface containing some functionality, and a second part anchored to the skull bone containing additional functionality. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, enabling the overall system to be small and discreet while maintaining adequate processing power and battery capacity distributed across both parts.
2Ease of operation
If the hearing aid is placed on the external skin surface, then it is easier to attach and remove, but it becomes more visible to others
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid system is segmented into a first part for external placement on skin and a second part for implantation in the skull bone. The first part can be easily attached and removed from the skin surface, while the second part remains anchored. This segmentation provides a compromise between ease of operation and discreet placement, as the implanted second part is less visible while the external first part remains easy to manipulate.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary between the first part (on skin) and the second part (in skull bone). The magnet in the first part interacts with the ferromagnetic material in the second part to provide secure attachment while allowing easy removal when needed. This intermediary mechanism enables both ease of operation and discreet placement simultaneously.
3Force
If the magnetic strength is increased for secure attachment, then the first part attaches more firmly to the head, but it may cause discomfort or damage to the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into a magnetic component in the first part and a ferromagnetic anchor in the second part. By distributing the attachment mechanism across two parts (one external, one implanted), the magnetic force is applied only at the implant-skin interface rather than directly on the skin surface, reducing the risk of skin discomfort or damage while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferromagnetic material implanted in the skull bone acts as an intermediary that absorbs and distributes the magnetic force. Instead of applying magnetic force directly to the skin, the force is transmitted through the implanted anchor, which is better suited to withstand the magnetic attraction, thereby preventing skin damage while maintaining secure attachment.
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
Enables a compact, versatile hearing aid that maintains optimal signal transmission while being less visible, offering adjustable magnetic strength and secure attachment for user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
said insert element comprising a first magnet adapted to in cooperation with said second part to cause said first part to attach to the head of the user
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a hearing aid for placement on head of a user comprising a first second part. The first part may comprise an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert ambient sound picked up at the ear of the user to an electric signal, a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of user into a processed electric signal, and an output transducer adapted to covert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal, The second part may comprise an anchor adapted to fixate said second part under the skin to skull bone of the user, and a receiver adapted to receive the transmission signal and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user. The first part may comprise an inner recess adapted to receive an insert element, where the insert element may comprise a first magnet adapted to in cooperation with the second part to cause the first part to attach to the head of the user.