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Modern hearing aids and future development trends

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Title: Modern hearing aids and future development trends


1
Modern hearing aids and future development
trends
  • Graham Naylor
  • Co-Director
  • Eriksholm Research Centre
  • Denmark

2
Outline
  • Part 1, The modern hearing aid
  • Mechanical construction
  • Modern features in more advanced models
  • Adjustment flexibility
  • Part 2, Expected developments a few glances into
    the future
  • Fitting procedures
  • Amplification algorithms
  • Hearing aid construction
  • General trends

3
Mechanical construction of a modern hearing aid
4
(No Transcript)
5
Modern features in more advanced models
  • Anti-feedback system
  • Prevents whistling

6
How feedback happens
Result loud whistling
7
What Anti-feedback does
Result NO whistling
8
Modern features in more advanced models
  • Anti-feedback system
  • Prevents whistling
  • Directional microphone (dual microphone)
  • Improves speech performance in some kinds of
    noisy situations

9
Directional microphones
Speech Noise
Traditional Directional
NOISE
10
Modern features in more advanced models
  • Anti-feedback system
  • Prevents whistling
  • Directional microphone (dual microphone)
  • Improves speech performance in some kinds of
    noisy situations
  • Automatic speech/comfort mode switching
  • Reduces listening effort

11
Automatic speech/comfort mode switching
Loudspeaker
Microphone
Amplifier
Yes !
12
Automatic speech/comfort mode switching
Loudspeaker
Microphone
Amplifier
No !
13
Modern features in more advanced models
  • Anti-feedback system
  • Prevents whistling
  • Directional microphone (dual microphone)
  • Improves speech performance in some kinds of
    noisy situations
  • Automatic speech/comfort mode switching
  • Reduces listening fatigue
  • Automatic regulation of amplification
  • No need for Volume Control
  • User can forget about aid
  • Fewer moving parts more reliable.

14
Hearing aid adjustment flexibility
20
Number of trimmers (virtual)
11
3
Year
1996
1980
2001
15
ConsequencesTo benefit from flexibility, we
must have ..
  • Setting of hearing aid by computer
  • Intelligent individualized prescription
  • Based on (for example)
  • Audiogram
  • Listening needs (lifestyle)
  • Age
  • Previous experience of amplification
  • Systematic fine-tuning to solve problems
  • With guidance from software

All these are now available.
16
Expected developments
  • A few glances into the future

17
Future procedures for fitting hearing aids
  • Optimisation driven by the user

18
Optimisation driven by the professional (present)
Stage 1 Prescription
Stage 2 Fine-tuning
19
Optimisation driven by the user (future)
Stage 2 Fine-tuning
Stage 1 Prescription (same as before)
20
Optimisation driven by the user (future)
  • Potential advantages
  • Avoid need for explanation of auditory
    experience
  • Make the patient the owner of the treatment
  • More appropriate final setting achieved
  • Challenges
  • Simple ways of adjustment for patient to use
  • Changes in relationship between patient and
    professional.

21
Future amplification algorithms
  • Adaptive beamforming noise reduction system

22
Adaptive beamforming
NOISE
In the future, no cables needed
Clean speech
Noise1
Beamformer Signal Processing
Noise2
23
Future hearing aid construction
  • Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)

24
Microphone and amplifier etched onto silicon
chip together
  • Compared to present-day microphones
  • Much smaller size
  • Fewer moving parts and connecting cables
  • Cheaper (eventually)

25
Future general trends
  • Hearing aids will NOT
  • give patients normal hearing again
  • Hearing aids will become
  • Smaller, more reliable, easier to use
  • More advanced per dollar for the patient
  • Able to learn how to satisfy the user
  • Hearing aid fitting will become
  • Better at choosing best solution for the
    individual patient
  • More holistic (not just amplification)
  • More satisfying for all involved

26
THE ENDThank you
27
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28
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29
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30
The world of sounds
Low Sound level High
Low Frequency High
31
Normal hearing
Low Sound level High
Low Frequency High
32
Impaired hearing
Normal hearing
Low Sound level High
Lets amplify the sounds!
Low Frequency High
33
Low Sound level High
Low Frequency High
34
Low Sound level High
Threshold of discomfort has not increased
Low Frequency High
35
Linear amplification with output limiting
Low Sound level High
Low Frequency High
36
Compression amplification
Low Sound level High
Low Frequency High
37
Which to choose ?
  • Linear with output limiting
  • Quiet sounds undistorted
  • Loud sounds very distorted
  • User with Volume Control can adjust amplification
    in reaction to changing environments
  • Compression
  • All sounds moderately distorted
  • Relative levels maintained
  • No need for Volume Control
  • Best choice depends on
  • Type of hearing loss
  • Shape of audiogram
  • Lifestyle (variety of listening environments)
  • Cognitive processing capacity

38
Hearing aid adjustment flexibility
10000000
1000000
100000
Number of different settings
10000
1000
100
10
Year
1991
1980
2001
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