VR Cochlear Implant Training for Faster Sound Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cochlear implant recipients often perceive sound differently from normal hearing individuals, requiring additional time and effort to adapt to electric hearing and distinguish between similar sounds, which traditional rehabilitation methods may not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a virtual reality system to provide synchronized audio and visual cues in conjunction with a cochlear implant, training the recipient to associate specific sounds with corresponding visual and other sensory inputs, thereby improving sound recognition and discrimination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional rehabilitation methods are used for cochlear implant recipients, then the adaptation process is lengthy and difficult, but the patent introduces virtual reality-based training to improve sound recognition and discrimination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation speedVSAvoidtraining time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual reality system as an intermediary between the cochlear implant and the recipient's perception. The VR system provides synchronized visual and auditory cues that bridge the gap between electric hearing signals and natural sound perception, accelerating the adaptation process without extending training time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical rehabilitation methods with a virtual reality-based training system. Instead of conventional therapy approaches, the system uses immersive VR environments with controlled audio-visual correlations to train sound recognition, improving efficiency and reducing adaptation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If cochlear implant provides electric hearing, then hearing perception is achieved, but the perception differs from normal hearing and requires additional adaptation effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing perception accuracyVSAvoidperception ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual cues in the virtual reality system that change in correlation with auditory signals. By presenting visual representations that mirror acoustic characteristics, the system helps recipients map electric hearing perceptions to familiar visual patterns, making perception easier while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a visual dimension to the auditory training process. By incorporating synchronized visual cues alongside electric hearing signals in a virtual reality environment, the system creates a multi-sensory training experience that simplifies perception while improving recognition accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12532134B2Advanced artificial sound hearing training

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

A method, including the actions of obtaining access to a virtual reality system; activating a cochlear implant such that the cochlear implant evokes a hearing percept based on first input; and receiving second input from the virtual reality system in temporal proximity with the evocation of the hearing percept based on the first input, wherein the cochlear implant evokes a hearing percept based on the first input, and the second input is correlated with the first input.