Universal Hearing Interface System for Custom Audio Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with advanced functionality face challenges in user acceptance due to increased cost, size, and complexity, making it inconvenient for users with hearing impairments to use non-prosthetic devices and limiting upgradeability, which discourages market expansion.
Innovation Solution
A standalone interface system with multiple industry-standard connections, a Bluetooth module, and a user-operated application that allows independent control of left and right ear equalization, enabling customized sound settings for any hearing device, including wireless headsets, to create a universal hearing enhancement solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If advanced functionality is included in hearing devices, then user hearing enhancement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hearing enhancement functionality into separate modular components: the hearing device (earphones/headphones) remains simple, while the processing and control functions are separated into a computing system with dedicated applications. This segmentation allows the hearing device to stay lightweight and simple while still providing advanced hearing enhancement through external processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface system is designed to be universally compatible with multiple different hearing devices through support for various industry standards (registered jacks, headphone jacks, USB connections). This universality allows a single interface system to work with different hearing devices without requiring device-specific customization, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advanced functionality is included in hearing devices, then user hearing enhancement capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex and expensive processing functionality from the hearing device itself and places it in a separate computing system. The hearing device retains only basic audio playback capabilities, while advanced hearing enhancement, equalization, and profile management are performed externally by the computing system, significantly reducing the cost of the hearing device while maintaining advanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses software-based hearing enhancement profiles that can be copied and applied across different hearing devices. Instead of hardware-specific implementations, the same processing algorithms and equalization profiles can be replicated across multiple devices, reducing development and manufacturing costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom interface controls are created for each hearing device, then device-specific optimization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface system provides a universal control mechanism that works with multiple different hearing devices through standardized connections. Users interact with a single set of interface controls and the same application regardless of which hearing device they are using, eliminating the need to learn device-specific controls while still allowing optimization for each device type through software configuration.
4Ease of manufacture
If upgradeability is limited to minimize costs, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic upgradeability through software updates rather than hardware changes. The computing system and application can be updated to provide new hearing enhancement features, algorithms, and profiles without requiring physical modification or replacement of the hearing device itself, allowing continuous adaptation while maintaining device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving hearing enhancement solutions across a wide range of hearing devices, particularly for a wide-range of disparate user-provided hearing devices.