Abstract

This paper presents the configuration and digital signal processing details of a tablet-based hearing aid transmitting wirelessly to standard earphones, whereby the tablet performs full sound processing rather than solely providing a means of setting adjustment by streaming to conventional digital hearing aids. The presented device confirms the recognized advantages of this tablet-based approach (e.g., in relation to cost, frequency domain processing, amplification range, versatility of functionality, component battery rechargeability), and flags the future wider-spread availability of such hearing solutions within mainstream healthcare. The use of a relatively high sampling frequency was found to be beneficial for device performance, while the use of optional off-the-shelf add-on components (e.g., data acquisition device, high fidelity microphone, compact wireless transmitter/receiver, wired headphones) are also discussed in relation to performance optimization. The easy-to-follow configuration utilized is well suited to student learning/research instrumentation projects within the health and biomedical sciences. In this latter regard, the presented device was pedagogically integrated into a flipped classroom approach for the teaching of bioinstrumentation within an Allied Health Sciences School, with the subsequent establishment of positive student engagement outcomes.

Highlights

  • Current behind-the-ear (BTE) digital hearing aids employ various forms of digital signal processing (DSP) to provide the following features for many available hearing aid models: self-adjustment capabilities including multiband wide dynamic range compression; acoustic feedback control circuitry and effective noise reduction algorithms; spectral shifting; individualized calibration via multiband gain adjustment for discrete frequency bands throughout the wearer’s auditory spectrum; and wireless capabilities.[1,2,3]

  • Despite the rapid development in hearing aid technology since the introduction of DSP in 1996, the limitations of current devices are still recognized,[1,2,3,4,5,6] with significant numbers of hearing aid wearers continuing to express dissatisfaction in key fields such as clarity, sound naturalism, ability to hear soft sounds, and degree of acoustic feedback/buzzing/whistling experienced.[1,6]

  • A Microsoft Surface Pro 2 256 GB 10.6 inch tablet with 8 GB RAM and high for a physics/instrumentation course undertaken by health sci- Intel(R) Core(TM) i5–4300U CPU (1.90/2.50 GHz) processor, running ence students, with the 33.3% survey response rate, while meaningful, National Instruments (NI) Labview 2013 Full Development system, was reflecting the institution-wide challenge of engaging students with utilized as the primary hearing aid processor

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Summary

Copyright Statement

Ricardo Simeoni School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University Gold Coast, Australia. Multifaceted assessment items for the showcased Bioinstrumentation course at the time of Simeoni’s14 study (assessment has been slightly refined since that study)

Non comm Computer laboratories
Journal article report
End of semester examination
Data acquisition
Results and Discussion
Cost of device
Digital signal processing considerations

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