Wireless Earpiece Audiometry Using Bone Conduction Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audiograms are expensive, time-consuming, and often result in hearing aids that do not adequately address individual needs, requiring specialized equipment and professional time.

Innovation Solution

A wireless earpiece configured with an intelligent control system, transducers, and microphones for audiometric testing, capable of reproducing sounds, receiving user feedback, and communicating test data wirelessly for customized audio settings based on audiometric results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If specialized audiometric equipment and professional services are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity, cost, and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudiometric testing accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The earpiece integrates multiple functions including audio playback, microphone for feedback, bone conduction transducer, and wireless communication into a single consumer device. This allows the earpiece to perform audiometric testing alongside its normal audio functions, eliminating the need for specialized dedicated equipment while maintaining measurement capability through the bone conduction pathway which isolates testing from ambient noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bone conduction transducer acts as an intermediary that delivers audio signals directly through the skull bone to the inner ear, bypassing the external ear canal and eardrum. This intermediary pathway isolates the testing signal from ambient acoustic interference, enabling accurate audiometric measurements using ordinary consumer electronics rather than specialized anechoic chamber equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If specialized audiometric equipment and professional services are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudiometric testing accuracyVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to perform their own audiometric testing at home using the earpiece and smartphone app. The automated workflow guides users through frequency-by-frequency testing, automatically records responses, and generates audiograms without requiring professional audiologist intervention for the actual testing process, reducing time loss while maintaining precision through automated data collection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If conventional audiometric testing is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance (cost) increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudiometric testing accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, specialized audiometric equipment with inexpensive consumer electronics that are already widely owned. The earpiece and smartphone app use readily available components (speaker, microphone, processor) to perform audiometric testing, eliminating the need for costly professional equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy through the bone conduction methodology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Measurement precision

If standard audiometric testing is performed, then hearing loss detection is improved, but adaptability decreases (hearing aids do not adequately address individual needs)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing loss detectionVSAvoidcustomization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the earpiece's microphone to capture the user's verbal responses to each frequency presentation, automatically recording whether the tone was heard. This real-time feedback is processed by the smartphone app to generate an audiogram and provide immediate interpretation, allowing the system to adapt to each user's specific hearing profile and provide personalized recommendations rather than generic results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables self-administered, cost-effective audiometric testing and customized audio reproduction, reducing the need for professional services and ensuring hearing aids meet individual needs.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one transducer may include an air conduction microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir conduction: Sound

Implementation Method 2

The at least one transducer may include a bone conduction transducer which is configured to operate as a bone conduction microphone in a first mode of operation and to generate vibrations in a second mode of operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12574669B2Earpiece for audiograms

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 BRAGI

AI summary

An earpiece is configured for providing audiometric testing. The earpiece includes an earpiece housing, an intelligent control system disposed within the earpiece housing, at least one transducer operatively connected to the intelligent control, and at least one speaker operatively connected to the intelligent control. The earpiece is configured to perform audiometric testing of a user by reproducing sounds at the at least one transducer and receiving user feedback regarding the sounds to provide audiometric test data.