Wearable Audio Gain Profile for Hearing Loss Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Active noise control systems in wearable devices do not provide adequate hearing assistance for users with mild to moderate hearing loss, as they primarily focus on noise cancellation rather than frequency-dependent sound enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device that receives an audiogram indicating frequency ranges associated with hearing loss, creates an audio gain profile, and adjusts audio output using adjustment modules such as active noise control, hearing assistance control, and transparency control, to provide a more natural listening experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise control is used to cancel ambient noises, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but hearing assistance for users with hearing loss is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously executes active noise control for ambient noise cancellation and hearing assistance processing for users with hearing loss. The processor applies different processing modes (noise cancellation mode, hearing assistance mode, or combined mode) based on user needs, making the system universally applicable to both noise reduction and hearing impairment compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal processing is segmented into distinct functional paths: one path handles noise cancellation by generating anti-phase signals, while another path handles hearing assistance by applying frequency-dependent gain based on audiogram data. These segmented processing paths can be independently controlled and combined, allowing the system to address both noise cancellation and hearing assistance requirements simultaneously
2Device complexity
If standard audio processing is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but personalized hearing assistance cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs hearing assistance processing by receiving audiogram data from a communication device and autonomously applying the appropriate gain profile based on the user's hearing characteristics. The processor self-adjusts the audio output without requiring manual intervention, making personalized hearing assistance accessible while maintaining relative system simplicity through automated configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes audio processing parameters (gain values across different frequency ranges) based on the received audiogram data. By adjusting these parameters according to the user's specific hearing loss profile, the system provides personalized hearing assistance while maintaining a unified processing framework that builds upon standard audio processing
3Measurement precision
If frequency-dependent gain adjustment is applied, then sound perception in hearing loss frequency ranges is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing assistance processing is prepared in advance by receiving and storing audiogram data that defines the user's hearing characteristics. The gain profile is pre-calculated based on this audiogram data, allowing the processor to quickly apply the appropriate frequency-dependent adjustments without performing complex real-time analysis during audio playback
Solution Approach 2:
The audiogram data and gain profile act as an intermediary between the user's hearing characteristics and the audio processing. This intermediary layer translates complex hearing loss information into simplified gain adjustment parameters that can be efficiently applied by the processor, reducing the computational complexity while maintaining precise frequency-dependent control
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and method for adjusting the audio output of a wearable device based on an audio gain profile of a user. The wearable device may receive an audiogram indicating one or more frequency ranges associated with hearing loss. The wearable device may determine the audio gain profile based on the audiogram. The wearable device may use one or more adjustment modules to determine a gain to apply to the audio output based on the audio gain profile. The adjustment modules may include an active noise control module, a hearing assistance module, and a transparency control module. The wearable device may determine the amount of gain to apply using a least mean square algorithm and/or a machine learning model.