Unilateral Hearing Devices With Switchable Audio Transmission Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices for users with unilateral hearing have limited capabilities and high battery consumption due to constant audio signal transmission between hearing devices.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with first and second hearing devices featuring operation modes that enable/disable wireless communication links and mixer configurations to manage audio signal processing based on user preferences, reducing unnecessary transmission and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device at the deaf side constantly transmits audio signals to the contralateral hearing device, then audio signal transmission capability is improved, but battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device implements dynamic operation modes that allow it to switch between constant transmission and disabled transmission states. The system can adapt its transmission behavior based on user needs, transitioning from a static always-on transmission mode to a dynamic mode that can be enabled or disabled, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption while maintaining transmission capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the wireless communication link from a fixed state to a variable state. By introducing operation modes that can enable or disable the transmission link, the system adjusts its energy consumption parameter dynamically, reducing battery drain during periods when constant transmission is not needed while preserving the ability to transmit when necessary.
2Reliability
If the wireless communication link is always enabled for audio signal transmission, then audio transmission reliability is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic control over the wireless communication link state. Instead of maintaining a static reliable connection that consumes energy continuously, the system can dynamically establish or terminate the transmission link based on actual needs, achieving reliability when required while minimizing energy loss during periods when transmission is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device can implement periodic or on-demand transmission rather than continuous transmission. The system maintains the ability to transmit audio signals reliably when needed, but can pause transmission during periods when it is not required, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while preserving transmission reliability for active communication periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device provides multiple operation modes for wireless communication, then user control and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation modes into distinct, manageable states (e.g., transmission enabled, transmission disabled). This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple levels of user control without creating a complex continuous configuration space. Each mode represents a clear, discrete state that is easier to implement and manage, reducing the complexity burden while maintaining user flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing system includes: a first hearing device; and a second hearing device; wherein the first hearing device comprises a first microphone system configured to provide a first microphone signal, a first processing unit, a first communication unit, and a first antenna; wherein the second hearing device comprises a second processing unit, a second communication unit, a second antenna, and a receiver configured to provide an audio output; wherein the first hearing device has first and second operation modes; wherein the first hearing device is configured to transmit the first microphone signal or audio signal based on the first microphone signal to the second hearing device via a wireless communication link when the first hearing device is in the first operation mode; and wherein when the first hearing device is in the second operation mode, the wireless communication link is disabled.