Patent ID: 12239461

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present detailed description will discuss hearing assistance devices using the example of hearing aids. Other hearing assistance devices include, but are not limited to, those in this document. It is understood that their use in the description is intended to demonstrate the present subject matter, but not in a limited or exclusive or exhaustive sense.

When using a hearing assistance device shell to perform biometric sensing, such as heart rate monitoring, it can be difficult to achieve high accuracy due to varying ear geometry of wearers as well as relative movement of the ear during activity of the wearers. When the ear geometry of a wearer is known, a custom shell can be made to exactly fit in the ear canal. For aesthetic reasons the amount of the shell outside of the ear canal should be minimized. However, by minimizing the shell volume external to the ear canal, the shell loses many of the contact points to keep the sensor from moving during activity of the wearer (e.g. walking, jogging, exercise, chewing, talking, etc.). Currently, a standard ear piece configuration is used which provides less accurate signal quality.

Providing a solid skin interface for the sensors provides noise suppression in many biometric signals and makes it possible to measure these signal continuously across many different activities. The present subject matter provides for using a skeleton shell with a hearing assistance device, to which sensors can be added in the ear as the interface to the body is consistent which provides the highest accuracy biometric signals.

To improve sensor contact to the skin, the housing should contact the wearer's inner ear in at least three places, creating a force triangle to stabilize the sensor during movement. This would be aesthetically unfavorable as the shell would be greater than or equal to half the size of the concha area in the ear. However, the “skeleton” housing of the present subject matter can be used to provide a continuous contact with the ear in more than three locations to maximize the stability of the sensor within the ear. This stable platform allows not just heart rate measurement, but any type of sensor that require the relative motion between the sensor and the skin to be minimized.

In various embodiments, biometric sensors that benefit from a stable ear shell with robust skin contact include, but are not limited to: heart rate sensors, such as photoplethysmogram (PPG), heart rate variability (HRV) sensors, heart rate recovery (HRR) sensors, blood oxygenation (SpO2) sensors, blood pressure (BP) sensors, respiratory rate sensors, temperature sensors, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor, bio-impedance sensors, an electrocardiogram (ECG), glucose sensors, microphones, or own-voice sensors. One or more of these sensors can be used with the housing of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, it is beneficial to have an IMU sensor secured to the wearer's head to record actual head motion, to minimize noise. The housing of the present subject matter permits metallization in more areas of the housing without the loss of aesthetics, in various embodiments.

In addition, the housing of the present subject matter makes it possible to do transmissive optical measurement with a behind-the-ear portion of the hearing aid, such as a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the behind-the-ear portion can be molded custom to the ear, or organically shaped to fit many or most ears. A RIC attachment is fit to the user or organically shaped to provide the correct pressure, and a RIC cable with the correct spring force, or magnets is used in various embodiments.

In addition to the stability of the shell, the present subject matter provides for other electronics to be embedded in the shell, because the shell of the present subject matter includes a large structure, such as a loop structure. In various embodiments, an antenna for wireless communication with the hearing device can be included in the housing. The antenna may include a Bluetooth antenna or other type of antenna, in various embodiments. Due to the size of the housing, a larger aperture antenna can be used than with a typical in-the-ear housing. In some embodiments, metals (such as steel, nitinol, tensile controlled material, etc.) can be included in the housing to provide a known contact pressure. The contact pressure can be optimized for the highest signal to noise ratio for the sensor (e.g. optical signal is maximized with a known pressure), in various embodiments. In various embodiments, nitinol, or other thermal memory materials, or electro active polymers, can be used to provide pressure for contact of the housing with the inner ear of the wearer. For example, a material can be used that expands with body temperature, to be easier to insert into the ear, but can still provide the correct pressure after insertion for the given sensor. Such materials can provide for easier insertion and withdrawal of the device for wearers with longer ear canals, in various embodiments. Some embodiments of the housing have a C-shape to provide for easier insertion into an ear of a wearer, while providing the same skin contact benefits.

Various embodiments of the present subject matter include a skim plate on a surface of the housing instead of a traditional thick faceplate. The skim plate is configured to cover and/or seal an opening in the housing after electronics are placed within an inner volume of the housing during manufacture and assembly of the device, in various embodiments. The skim plate provides for recovery of the electronics because the electronics are not completely encased in material from potting, as the skim plate allows for sealing the opening and electronics inside, but still provides for the ability to repair the device if portions of the electronics fail. For example, if the receiver fails the housing can be opened and the working parts can be removed and the non-working parts (in this example, the receiver) can be replaced.

The housing of the present subject matter provides a comfortable fit for a wearer with more continuous points of contact while being aesthetically pleasing to the wearer. In various embodiments, the housing is formed using an impression of a wearer's ear. In some embodiments, the housing is formed using a digital scan of the wearer's ear. The housing is formed by curing a resin with a light source, according to various embodiments. The housing may also be printed using a three-dimensional printing process, in some embodiments. The housing is contained within a conchal bowl or helix portion of the inner ear of the wearer, in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the housing includes a soft tip portion for easier insertion in the ear canal of the wearer. The soft tip portion may include silicone or other pliable material, in various embodiments. The soft tip portion provides for a better acoustic seal when inserted in the ear canal of the wearer.

FIGS.1A-1Billustrate a hearing assistance device housing102for improved biometric sensing, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, the housing102of a hearing assistance device100includes a surface104configured to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear. The housing102further includes a biometric sensor110on the surface, and the housing102is configured to maintain contact of the biometric sensor110with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing, in various embodiments. The housing102may include a portion106for insertion into an ear canal of a wearer, in various embodiments.FIG.1Aillustrates the surface104for contact with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer.FIG.1Billustrates a reverse view of the housing102showing the portion facing away from the inner portion of the ear when worn by the wearer. In various embodiments, the housing of the present subject matter includes a large loop structure. The housing is constructed of a material that is compliant to maintain contact with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer when the inner portion moves due to the activity, according to various embodiments.

In the depicted embodiment, the biometric sensor110is on or within a housing102of the hearing assistance device100. The biometric sensor may protrude through an opening108in the housing102, in an embodiment. The biometric sensor110may also be located on a surface of the housing102, integrated with the housing102or external to the housing102, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the biometric sensor includes one or more of a heart rate sensor, a temperature sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG), a glucose sensor, or a microphone. Other sensors may be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a hearing device500including a housing520for improved biometric sensing. Hearing device500includes a microphone522, a wireless communication circuit530, an antenna510, a processing circuit524, a receiver (speaker)526, a battery534, and a power circuit532. Microphone522receives sounds from the environment of the hearing device wearer. Communication circuit530communicates with another device wirelessly using antenna510, including receiving programming codes, streamed audio signals, and/or other audio signals and transmitting programming codes, audio signals, and/or other signals. Examples of the other device includes the other hearing aid of a pair of hearing aids for the same wearer, a hearing aid host device, an audio streaming device, a telephone, and other devices capable of communicating with hearing devices wirelessly.

Processing circuit524controls the operation of hearing device500using the programming codes and processes the sounds received by microphone522and/or the audio signals received by wireless communication circuit530to produce output sounds. Receiver526transmits output sounds to an ear canal of the hearing aid wearer. Battery534and power circuit532constitute the power source for the operation of processing circuit524. In various embodiments, power circuit532can include a power management circuit. In various embodiments, battery534can include a rechargeable battery, and power circuit532can include a recharging circuit for recharging the rechargeable battery. The hearing device includes a sensor540on or in a surface of the housing520, in various embodiments. The sensor540includes a biometric sensor in various embodiments (as shown inFIG.1). One embodiments of the hearing device500of the present subject matter include only the sensor540on or in the housing520. Other embodiments include one or more of additional electronic components on or within the housing520, including one or more of those depicted inFIG.2. Other electronic components may be included within the housing520without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. An additional housing (such as an above-the-ear housing) may be included as part of the hearing device, in various embodiments.

FIG.3illustrates a flow diagram of a method of forming a hearing assistance device for a wearer, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The method300includes providing a housing customized to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear at step305, the housing configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer. The method further includes providing a biometric sensor on a surface of the housing at step310, according to various embodiments. The method also includes configuring the housing to maintain contact of the biometric sensor with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer at step315, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing, in various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the method further includes providing a skim plate on the housing, the skim plate configured to cover and/or seal an opening in the housing. The housing is configured to provide continuous contact with the inner portion of the ear in at least three locations, in an embodiment. According to various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid, including but not limited to a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, an on-the-ear (OTE) hearing aid, an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid or a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

In some embodiments, an antenna for wireless communication with the hearing assistance device is included in the housing. According to various embodiments, the housing is a custom shell manufactured for the wearer using ear geometry of the wearer. The housing is manufactured using an impression of an ear canal of the wearer, in some embodiments. The housing includes a plastic material, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the housing includes a metal with a spring characteristic to provide a constant force to ensure continuous contact with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer. The housing includes one or more of a thermal memory material or an electroactive polymer, in some embodiments.

FIGS.4A-4Billustrate a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing assistance device housing402for improved biometric sensing, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device400for a wearer includes a housing402customized to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear. The housing402is configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a biometric sensor410is included on a surface of the housing. According to various embodiments, the housing402is configured to maintain contact of the biometric sensor410with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing. Some embodiments include a gap or void in the housing, such that the housing forms a loop structure.

The depicted hearing assistance device is a RIC device having a cable412configured to connect to an above-the-ear or behind-the-ear housing incorporating additional hearing assistance electronics. By using the housing402with a RIC type hearing aid, sensors can readily be added in the ear because the hearing aid electronics are located above or behind the ear.FIG.4Billustrates the surface404for contact with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer.FIG.4Aillustrates a reverse view of the housing402showing the portion facing away from the inner portion of the ear when worn by the wearer.

FIGS.5A-5Dillustrate various views of a hearing assistance device housing for improved biometric sensing, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.FIGS.5A,5B and5Dillustrate various sizes of housing1502for improved biometric sensing, in various embodiments.FIG.5Cillustrates an embodiment of the housing1502in an ear of a wearer.

FIGS.6A-6Billustrate a C-shaped hearing assistance device housing602for improved biometric sensing, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The housing602is configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a biometric sensor610is included on a surface of the housing.FIG.6Billustrates the surface604for contact with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer.FIG.6Aillustrates a reverse view of the housing602showing the portion facing away from the inner portion of the ear when worn by the wearer. Other shapes of the housing602can be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

In the depicted embodiment, the biometric sensor610is on or within a housing602. The biometric sensor610may also be located on a surface of the housing602, integrated with the housing602or external to the housing602, in various embodiments.

Various embodiments of the present subject matter support wireless communications with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments the wireless communications may include standard or nonstandard communications. Some examples of standard wireless communications include link protocols including, but not limited to, Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE), IEEE 802.11 (wireless LANs), 802.15 (WPANs), 802.16 (WiMAX), cellular protocols including, but not limited to CDMA and GSM, ZigBee, and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. Such protocols support radio frequency communications and some support infrared communications. Although the present system is demonstrated as a radio system, it is possible that other forms of wireless communications may be used such as ultrasonic, optical, infrared, and others. It is understood that the standards which may be used include past and present standards. It is also contemplated that future versions of these standards and new future standards may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

The wireless communications support a connection from other devices. Such connections include, but are not limited to, one or more mono or stereo connections or digital connections having link protocols including, but not limited to 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.4, 802.5, USB, SPI, PCM, ATM, Fibre-channel, Firewire or 1394, InfiniBand, or a native streaming interface. In various embodiments, such connections include all past and present link protocols. It is also contemplated that future versions of these protocols and new future standards may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

Hearing assistance devices typically include at least one enclosure or housing, a microphone, hearing assistance device electronics including processing electronics, and a speaker or “receiver.” Hearing assistance devices may include a power source, such as a battery. In various embodiments, the battery is rechargeable. In various embodiments multiple energy sources are employed. It is understood that in various embodiments the microphone is optional. It is understood that in various embodiments the receiver is optional. It is understood that variations in communications protocols, antenna configurations, and combinations of components may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. Antenna configurations may vary and may be included within an enclosure for the electronics or be external to an enclosure for the electronics. Thus, the examples set forth herein are intended to be demonstrative and not a limiting or exhaustive depiction of variations.

It is understood that digital hearing assistance devices include a processor. In digital hearing assistance devices with a processor, programmable gains may be employed to adjust the hearing assistance device output to a wearer's particular hearing impairment. The processor may be a digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor, microcontroller, other digital logic, or combinations thereof. The processing may be done by a single processor, or may be distributed over different devices. The processing of signals referenced in this application may be performed using the processor or over different devices. Processing may be done in the digital domain, the analog domain, or combinations thereof. Processing may be done using subband processing techniques. Processing may be done using frequency domain or time domain approaches. Some processing may involve both frequency and time domain aspects. For brevity, in some examples drawings may omit certain blocks that perform frequency synthesis, frequency analysis, analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, buffering, and certain types of filtering and processing. In various embodiments of the present subject matter the processor is adapted to perform instructions stored in one or more memories, which may or may not be explicitly shown. Various types of memory may be used, including volatile and nonvolatile forms of memory. In various embodiments, the processor or other processing devices execute instructions to perform a number of signal processing tasks. Such embodiments may include analog components in communication with the processor to perform signal processing tasks, such as sound reception by a microphone, or playing of sound using a receiver (i.e., in applications where such transducers are used). In various embodiments of the present subject matter, different realizations of the block diagrams, circuits, and processes set forth herein may be created by one of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

It is further understood that different hearing assistance devices may embody the present subject matter without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The devices depicted in the figures are intended to demonstrate the subject matter, but not necessarily in a limited, exhaustive, or exclusive sense. It is also understood that the present subject matter may be used with a device designed for use in the right ear or the left ear or both ears of the wearer.

The present subject matter is demonstrated for hearing assistance devices, including hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), receiver-in-canal (RIC), invisible-in-canal (IIC) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing assistance devices. It is understood that behind-the-ear type hearing assistance devices may include devices that reside substantially behind the ear or over the ear. Such devices may include hearing assistance devices with receivers associated with the electronics portion of the behind-the-ear device, or hearing assistance devices of the type having receivers in the ear canal of the user, including but not limited to receiver-in-canal (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) designs. The present subject matter may also be used in hearing assistance devices generally, such as cochlear implant type hearing devices. The present subject matter may also be used in deep insertion devices having a transducer, such as a receiver or microphone. The present subject matter may be used in devices whether such devices are standard or custom fit and whether they provide an open or an occlusive design. It is understood that other hearing assistance devices not expressly stated herein may be used in conjunction with the present subject matter.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.