Unilateral EAS Fitting for Binaural Hearing Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Electric Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) systems face challenges in optimizing the fitting of both acoustic and electrical components for patients with binaural hearing, leading to suboptimal hearing preservation and benefit, as separate fittings for the hearing aid and cochlear implant do not effectively combine to achieve optimal results.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for unilaterally developing stimulation parameters for EAS systems, taking into account the hearing abilities of the contralateral ear, which involves determining frequency coverage, optimizing interaural level differences and time delays, and adjusting electrode stimulation to ensure comprehensive and coordinated acoustic and electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate fittings are used for hearing aid and cochlear implant, then individual component optimization is achieved, but overall binaural hearing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fitting processes of the hearing aid and cochlear implant into a unified binaural fitting procedure. The system integrates parameters from both devices and uses optimization algorithms to simultaneously adjust settings for both ears, ensuring coordinated acoustic and electrical stimulation that preserves hearing while achieving optimal performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If maximum electrode insertion depth is used, then frequency coverage is improved, but hearing preservation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the stimulation approach for different frequency regions. The system identifies which electrodes should be activated based on the patient's residual hearing profile, allowing maximum insertion depth for high-frequency coverage while preserving low-frequency acoustic hearing by selectively deactivating apical electrodes that would otherwise damage residual hearing.
3Reliability
If coordinated binaural fitting is implemented, then hearing preservation and performance are improved, but fitting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated optimization algorithms that perform the complex binaural fitting calculations. The system automatically processes audiometric data, determines optimal parameter combinations for both devices, and adjusts settings without requiring manual intervention from clinicians, thereby reducing fitting complexity despite the coordinated approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of fitting an Electric Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) system of a patient that has binaural hearing is provided. The patient has an ipsilateral ear and a contralateral ear opposite the ipsilateral ear, with the EAS system associated with the ipsilateral ear of the patient. Stimulation parameters of the EAS system are developed unilaterally while taking into account hearing abilities of the contralateral ear. The EAS system is configured based on the developed stimulation parameters.