As long as people have been wearing hearing aids, and as long as audiologists have been fitting and tailoring them to individual users, there has always been one intractable problem. That is that hearing aids are standalone devices with (relatively) high IQs and (lamentably) low EQs.
What is the Intelligence of Smart Hearing Devices?
Hearing aids work great in the fitting office and in some/many/most listening environments, due to their technological prowess and depending on the individual and his/her lifestyle. That is their high IQ. For some individuals and some lifestyles, hearing aids don’t work well or at all in some/many/most noise environments, despite their technological prowess. That is their low EQ.
Extending the IQ metaphor, hearing aids aren’t able to “hear” your soft-spoken best friend at the dinner table while the overly-loud guy at the table is talking. IQ knows it and gets irritated, EQ figures out a way around it. What this country needs is a hign IQ/EQ hearing aid.
IBM’s Intelligent Hearing Aid System
IBM believes that and further believes that their patent #10117032 not only understands the Intelligence problem but has the answer to it:
“…none of the conventional techniques considers an assessment of the real-time cognitive state of the user along with an assessment of the real-time context of the user to control audio characteristics. …in view of the above drawbacks of the conventional systems, the inventors have considered a technical solution to the technical problem in conventional techniques by controlling audio characteristics of a hearing aid by a joint assessment including an assessment of the real-time cognitive state of the user along with an assessment of the real-time context of the user.”
The patent’s assessment of the situation isn’t new, it’s simply calling out the problem that’s been with us from the beginning. But, how does IBM plan to solve it? The feature image above gives some inkling. First, note that no hearing aid or hearing aid user appears in the image. Second, note that many “nodes” (label #10) appear in the cloud (#50), their purpose being “…to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software…for which a could consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computer circuit.”
In the IBM vision, hearing aid users are recast as “cloud consumers” wearing ear devices that are just another node in a cloud that is crowded with “personal digital assistants, cell phones, computers, and automobiles which are grouped into Private, Community, Public and Hybrid mini-clouds” (liberally paraphrased from patent). In this cloudy world, all devices/nodes, hearing aids included, in all sizes of clouds “can communicate with any type of computerized circuit over any type of network and/or network addressable connection.”
Again, this idea is not new but it’s the first time IBM has spelled it out in a patent, which it surely plans to license if not build. And just as surely, the high IQ/EQ hearing aid isn’t here yet, but looms ever closer on the horizon.
The October 2018 List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
System and method for performing a hearing screening |
Etymotic Research Inc. (Elk Grove Village IL) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
System and method for determining WHO grading of hearing impairment |
iHear Medical Inc. (San Leandro CA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
System and method for locating a hearing aid |
III Holdings 4 LLC (Wilmington DE) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Hearing and speech impaired electronic device control |
Echostar Ukraine LLC (Kharkov UA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
In-ear monitor |
Campfire Audio LLC (Portland OR) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Removable middle ear implant sensor |
The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore MD) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Sound capture focus adjustment for hearing prosthesis |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid detection |
Apple Inc (Cupertino CA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Electro-acoustic adaption in a hearing prosthesis |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Binaural hearing systems and methods for preserving an interaural level difference to a distinct degree for each ear of a user |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa CH) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device |
Sivantos PTE Ltd (Singapore SG) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Bone conduction magnetic retention system |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Off-head detection of in-ear headset |
Bose Corporation (Framingham MA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Off-head detection of in-ear headset |
Bose Corporation (Framingham MA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Portable terminal, hearing aid, and method of indicating positions of sound sources in the portable terminal |
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (Seoul KR) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Feedthrough connectors |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum DK) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Wing of an ear bud |
Fitbit Inc. (San Francisco CA) |
10/02/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid battery packaging |
Spectrum Brands Inc (Middleton WI) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Determining earpiece presence at a user ear |
Bugatone Ltd (Tel-Aviv IL) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Ear model, artificial head, and measurement device using same, and measurement method |
Kyocera Corporation (Kyoto JP) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Tonality-driven feedback canceler adaptation |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie MN) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Ear to ear communication using wireless low energy transport |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie MN) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Loudspeaker module for a hearing device, and hearing device |
Sivantos PTE Ltd (Singapore SG) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Subscription-controlled charging of a hearing device |
iHear Medical Inc. (San Leandro CA) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Low-power active bone conduction devices |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Method for physically adjusting a hearing device, hearing device and hearing device system |
Sivantos PTE Ltd (Singapore SG) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Methods and systems for loading hearing instrument parameters |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie MN) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Wearable speaker |
Sony Corporation (Tokyo JP) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Wearable and non-wearable electronic stethoscopes and use of the digitized acoustic data for data analytics and healthcare |
International Business Machine Corporation (Armonk NY) |
10/09/2018 |
|
|
Hearing assistance device comprising an implanted part for measuring and processing electrically evoked nerve responses |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum DK) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Methods for automatic segmentation of inner ear anatomy in post-implantation CT and applications of same |
Vanderbilt University (Nashville TN) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Audio control using auditory event detection |
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation (San Francisco CA) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Vehicle with interaction between entertainment systems and wearable devices |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen DE) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Method for operating a hearing device and a hearing device optimized for being powered by a mercury-free battery |
Sonova AG (Staefa CH) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Method and facility for reproducing synthetically generated signals by means of a binaural hearing system |
Sivantos PTE Ltd (Singapore SG) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device with a battery drawer |
Bernafon AG (Berne CH) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Magnet positioning in an external device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
In-ear sensor calibration and detecting system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen DE) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Audio based characterization of a human auditory system for personalized audio reproduction |
Embody VR Inc (San Mateo CA) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device and method of hearing device communication |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup DK) |
10/16/2018 |
|
|
Helmet with externally positionable internal ear cups |
Light Speed Aviation Inc (Lake Oswego OR) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Ear cleaning device |
Applicant: Trombley, Frederick W (Simi Valley CA) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Configuring a stimulation unit of a hearing device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Modulating function of neural structures near the ear |
Nervive Inc (Orinda CA) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Audio device with auditory system display and methods for use therewith |
Applicants: Torrini A & Limoni D (Castiglion Fiorentino IT) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Ear sizing system and method |
Harman International Industries Inc (Stamford CT) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Haptic feedback for head-wearable speaker mount such as headphones or earbuds to indicate ambient sound |
Motorola Mobility LLC (Chicago IL) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Human-ear-wearable apparatus, system, and method of operation |
Applicant: Barry, Christopher Robert (Philadelphia PA) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Method and device for modifying audio signals based on hearing capabilities of the listener |
Even Inc. (San Jose CA) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid system and a method of operating a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge DK) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Multi-source audio amplification and ear protection devices |
Team IP Holdings LLC (Grand Prairie TX) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid with increased acoustic bandwidth |
Widex A/S (Lynge DK) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge DK) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Control techniques based on own voice related phenomena |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Processor-readable medium, apparatus and method for updating hearing aid |
III Holdings 4 LLC (Wilmington DE) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Sound processor module |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa CH) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Ear plug |
Applicant: Rappaport, Benjamin S (Short Hills NJ) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Ear warmer with a substantially continuous surface |
180s Inc (Baltimore MD) |
10/23/2018 |
|
|
Implantable connector cleaning system |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid battery packaging |
Spectrum Brands Inc (Middleton WI) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Wireless ear buds with proximity sensors |
Apple Inc (Cupertino CA) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Earphones optimized for users with small ear anatomy |
Logitech Europe SA (Lausanne CH) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Earphone capable of reducing pressure in ear canal and providing enhanced sound quality and method for making the same |
Applicants: Wang, S-C & Kuo, T-C (Tainan TW) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge DK) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Method and system for wireless communication between a telephone and a hearing aid |
Widex A/S (Lynge DK) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Sound processor apparatus with dual-mode earhook interface assembly |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa CH) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid system, method, and recording medium |
International Business Machine Corporation (Armonk NY) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Hearing prosthesis having an implantable actuator system |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie MN) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Audio listening system |
Apple Inc (Cupertino CA) |
10/30/2018 |
|
|
Ear gel for an earphone |
GN Audio A/S (Ballerup DK) |
10/30/2018 |
Editor’s note: Interested readers can click the following links for patents approved in September 2018, August 2018, July 2018, June 2018, May 2018, April 2018, Q1 2018, Nov/Dec 2017, October 2017, September 2017, August 2017, June/July 2017, May 2017, April 2017, March 2017, February 2017, January 2017, December 2016, November 2016, October 2016, Sept 2016, Jul/Aug 2016, May/Jun 2016, Mar/Apr 2016, Jan/Feb 2016, Nov/Dec 2015, Sept/Oct 2015, Jul/Aug 2015, May/Jun 2015, Mar/Apr 2015, Jan/Feb 2015, Nov/Dec 2014, Sep/Oct 2014, July/Aug 2014, May/Jun 2014, Mar/Apr 2014, Jan/Feb 2014, Nov/Dec 2013, September/October 2013, Jul/Aug 2013, May/Jun 2013, Mar/Apr 2013, Jan/Feb 2013, Nov/Dec 2012
Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017. She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing.
