Effect on Reliability of Bending Flexible Circuits

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (DPC) ◽  
pp. 002104-002130
Author(s):  
John Dzarnoski ◽  
Kexia Sun
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Electronic Packaging ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Failure Mechanisms ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Bend Angle ◽  
Microelectronic Packaging ◽  
Bend Radius ◽  
Device Applications

There has been enormous worldwide effort to increase the volumetric efficiency of electronic packaging. Much of this effort has been driven by the telecommunications industry that has succeeded in reducing cell phone size while simultaneously increasing functionality. The hearing aid business has always had the need to use extremely small electronic packaging because hearing aids pack electronics into the ear canal. In recent years hearing aid microelectronic packaging has moved from ceramic hybrid based packaging to a flexible circuit based technology. Due to the size and shape of all types of hearing aids, flexible circuits need to be folding and bent to fit inside hearing aid cases. In order to reduce space, bends and folds are pushing conventional wisdom on the limits of mechanical integrity. There is little published information regarding bendability of multilayer flexible circuits for class I medical device applications. This paper will examine bending and folding effects on a Polyimide/Adhesive/Copper/Polyimide/Copper/Adhesive/Polyimide structural stack-up on a test coupon and a HDI flexible circuit. A forming tool that controls every aspect of bend testing will be discussed. A variety of factors were investigated including bend angle, thickness of the circuit, bend radius, foil weight, copper materials, construction, and frequency of flexing. The circuit electrical resistance, microstructure and crack initiation were monitored during the process and will be examined. Failure mechanisms will be discussed as well as their impact on design.

Thick Film Technology For Today's Hearing Products

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 000325-000330
Author(s):  
John Dzarnoski ◽  
Susie Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Thick Film ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Electronic Packaging ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Passive Devices ◽  
3D Packaging ◽  
History Of ◽  
Vertical Interconnect

There has been continuous worldwide effort to increase the volumetric efficiency of electronic packaging. Much of this effort has been driven by the telecommunications industry that has succeeded in reducing cell phone size while simultaneously increasing functionality. The hearing aid business has always had the need to use extremely small electronic packaging because hearing aids pack electronics into the ear canal. The first commercial product using the transistor in 1952 was a hybrid vacuum tube-transistor hearing instrument. Today's hearing aids, such as Starkey's 3-Series product, have significant computing power and run complex hearing algorithms that have enormous impact on a patient's quality of life. The industry trend is to put more memory, more signal processing capability and more wireless capability into hearing aids to increase functionality and to improve performance. In order to achieve this increase in performance, the hearing business has had to develop and execute 3D packaging well ahead of other industries. This paper will examine the history of ceramic hybrid packaging at Starkey. The challenges and drivers for major technology steps will be addressed. The following technical advancements, transitions, considerations and limitations will be examined: changing ASIC technologies, impact of chip metallization, solder interconnect temperature hierarchy, impact of RoHS legislation, overcoming routing design limits, miniaturization realized by flip chip attach, impact of chip stacking on size, migration to stacked thick film ceramic interconnect layers using vertical interconnect channels, advances in thick film materials to support higher interconnect density, and incorporation of integrated passive devices.

Telecoil-Mode Hearing Aid Compatibility Performance Requirements for Wireless and Cordless Handsets: Magnetic Signal Levels

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (08) ◽  
pp. 515-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Julstrom ◽  
Linda Kozma-Spytek ◽  
Scott Isabelle
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Magnetic Signal ◽  
Field Orientation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Magnetic Level

Background: In the development of the requirements for telecoil-compatible magnetic signal sources for wireless and cordless telephones to be specified in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.19 and ANSI/Telecommunications Industry Association–1083 compatibility standards, it became evident that additional data concerning in-the-field telecoil use and subjective preferences were needed. Purpose: Primarily, the magnetic signal levels and, secondarily, the field orientations required for effective and comfortable telecoil use with wireless and cordless handsets needed further characterization. (A companion article addresses user signal-to-noise needs and preferences.) Research Design: Test subjects used their own hearing aids, which were addressed with both a controlled acoustic speech source and a controlled magnetic speech source. Each subject's hearing aid was first measured to find the telecoil's magnetic field orientation for maximum response, and an appropriate large magnetic head-worn coil was selected to apply the magnetic signal. Subjects could control the strength of the magnetic signal, first to match the loudness of a reference acoustic signal and then to find their Most Comfortable Level (MCL). The subjective judgments were compared against objective in-ear probe tube level measurements. Study Sample: The 57 test subjects covered an age range of 22 to 79 yr, with a self-reported hearing loss duration of 12 to 72 yr. All had telecoils that they used for at least some telecommunications needs. The self-reported degree of hearing loss ranged from moderate to profound. A total of 69 hearing aids were surveyed for their telecoil orientation. Data Collection and Analysis: A guided intake questionnaire yielded general background information for each subject. A custom-built test jig enabled hearing aid telecoil orientation within the aid to be determined. By comparing this observation with the in-use hearing aid position, the in-use orientation for each telecoil was determined. A custom-built test control box fed by prepared speech recordings from computer files enabled the tester to switch between acoustic and magnetic speech signals and to read and record the subject's selected magnetic level settings. Results: The overwhelming majority of behind-the-ear aids tested exhibited in-use telecoil orientations that were substantially vertical. An insufficient number of participants used in-the-ear aids to be able to draw general conclusions concerning the telecoil orientations of this style aid. The subjects showed a generally consistent preference for telecoil speech levels that subjectively matched the level that they heard from 65 dB SPL acoustic speech. The magnetic level needed to achieve their MCL, however, varied over a 30 dB range. Conclusions: Producing the necessary magnetic field strengths from a wireless or cordless telephone's handset in an in-use vertical orientation is vital for compatibility with the vast majority of behind-the-ear aids. Due to the very wide range of preferred magnetic signal levels shown, only indirect conclusions can be drawn concerning required signal levels. The strong preference for a 65 dB SPL equivalent level can be combined with established standards addressing hearing aid performance to derive reasonable source level requirements. Greater consistency between in-the-field hearing aid telecoil and microphone sensitivity adjustments could yield improved results for some users.

Embedding Active and Passive Devices in Medical Electronics

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (DPC) ◽  
pp. 000786-000814
Author(s):  
John Dzarnoski ◽  
Susie Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Size Reduction ◽  
Circuit Board ◽  
Vacuum Tube ◽  
Passive Devices ◽  
Hearing Instruments ◽  
Wafer Test

Efforts to increase the packaging efficiency of microelectronic systems have been extensive and continuous over the past few decades. Evidence of this can be seen even before the expansion of the space program by the United States in 1961 and the race to the moon; one of the first settings where size was truly limited and miniaturization of electronics was a necessity. In the 1950's the world saw its first major size reduction of electronic component with the phase out of the vacuum tube in favor of the transistor. The transistor saw its first major commercial use in 1952 via hybrid vacuum tube transistor technology. While many industries benefitted from the shift, in 1954 the hearing aid industry specifically experienced major improvements owing to the implementation of transistors, becoming smaller, requiring less power and having better functionality. The first 4-transistor AM radio product followed shortly thereafter. Much of today's effort since 1978 has been driven by the telecommunications industry that has succeeded in reducing cell phone size while simultaneously increasing functionality. Just as in the 1950's, hearing aid technology continues to be at the forefront when it comes to miniaturization. The hearing aid business has always had the need to use extremely small electronic packaging. The first completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids were produced in 1993 and required all electronic components to be small enough that they fit entirely inside the ear canal. The introduction of wireless systems into hearing aids has sharply increased component count. Due to the size and shape of a multitude of types of hearing aids, flexible circuits need to be folded and bent to fit inside hearing aid cases, with essentially all available space being used. More powerful processors and more memory are enabling sophisticated algorithms that are able to greatly improve sound quality. There is also a strong market desire to add more features to hearing products while at the same time making them smaller and less visible. The latest hearing aids have succeeded in the later demand, constructed so small they are not visible and consequently are called invisible in the canal (IIC). In order to continue meeting the markets want for smaller and more features, a new packaging method needed to be developed. One such option is embedded die packaging. This paper will examine the use of embedded die packaging (or chip-in-flex) to drive significant further size reduction in custom and standard hearing instruments over what can be achieved using chip-on-flex or traditional ceramic hybrid based technologies. The historical drivers, available circuit board technologies, use of integrated passive devices, performance improvement, size reduction, device reliability, changes in supply chain, impact on wafer test, impact on device test, and challenges of working with wafers instead of die will be discussed.

scholarly journals A Study of Korean Hearing Aid Satisfaction Survey Based on MarkeTrak VIII

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57
Author(s):  
Sangik Sim ◽  
Junghak Lee ◽  
Jinsook Kim
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Satisfaction Rate ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
The Status ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey the satisfaction of hearing aid users in Korea. The questionnaire was designed to find out not only the satisfaction of wearing hearing aid but also the various viewpoints about the hearing aid itself of its wearers.Methods: A total of 118 subjects including 72 males and 46 females completed the survey from 28 hearing aids centers. The questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part contained the audiological information reported by the experts and the other part included about the information of hearing aid performance, listening environments and related services reported by the hearing aid users.Results: Overall satisfaction rate of hearing aid was 64.4%. About 84% of the subjects answered that the hearing aid made their quality of life improved. The most satisfied function of the hearing aid was ‘overall comfort,’ the most satisfied sound quality was ‘improved hearing ability,’ the most satisfied listening environments was ‘one-to-one conversation,’ and the most satisfied service quality was ‘kindness of the staffs.’ The most important listening situation they thought was ‘communication with cell phone.’ The proportion of using customized hearing aid was 77.9%, bilateral fitting rate was 62.4% and average purchasing price was 1,820,000 won per a unit.Conclusion: The overall hearing aid satisfaction rate (64.4%) was lower than USA (81%) and Germany (76%) but higher than Japan (38%). In Korea, the comprehensive study for the hearing aid market, specific satisfaction viewpoints of the hearing aid wearers and the status of non-wearers who have hearing loss should be needed for improving the user’s hearing aid satisfaction rate in the future.

Teachers' Stereotypes of Children Who Wear Hearing Aids

1981 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cletus G. Fisher ◽  
Kenneth Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
School Child ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Elementary School Child ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Service Training

Classroom teachers were asked to list the traits they felt were characteristic of the elementary school child who wears a hearing aid. These listings were evaluated according to the desirability of the traits and were studied regarding frequency of occurrence, desirability, and educational, emotional, and social implications. The results of the groupings are discussed in terms of pre-service and in-service training.

The Hearing Aid Effect in African American and Caucasian Males as Perceived by Female Judges of the Same Race

1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Davis ◽  
Rhonda Jackson ◽  
Tina Smith ◽  
William Cooper
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Undergraduate Education ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Semantic Differential ◽  
Semantic Differential Scale ◽  
Education Majors ◽  
Female Undergraduate ◽  
Lay Persons ◽  
Males And Females

Prior studies have proven the existence of the "hearing aid effect" when photographs of Caucasian males and females wearing a body aid, a post-auricular aid (behind-the-ear), or no hearing aid were judged by lay persons and professionals. This study was performed to determine if African American and Caucasian males, judged by female members of their own race, were likely to be judged in a similar manner on the basis of appearance, personality, assertiveness, and achievement. Sixty female undergraduate education majors (30 African American; 30 Caucasian) used a semantic differential scale to rate slides of preteen African American and Caucasian males, with and without hearing aids. The results of this study showed that female African American and Caucasian judges rated males of their respective races differently. The hearing aid effect was predominant among the Caucasian judges across the dimensions of appearance, personality, assertiveness, and achievement. In contrast, the African American judges only exhibited a hearing aid effect on the appearance dimension.

Students as Active Participants in Hearing Aid Maintenance

1992 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha Lipscomb ◽  
Peggy Von Almen ◽  
James C. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
School System ◽  
Regular Education ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Impairments ◽  
City School

Twenty students between the ages of 6 and 19 years who were receiving services for students with hearing impairments in a metropolitan, inner-city school system were trained to monitor their own hearing aids. This study investigated the effect of this training on the percentage of students who wore functional hearing aids. Ten of the students received fewer than 3 hours of instruction per day in the regular education setting and generally had hearing losses in the severe to profound range. The remaining 10 students received greater than 3 hours of instruction per day in the regular education setting and had hearing losses in the moderate to severe range. The findings indicated improved hearing aid function when students were actively involved in hearing aid maintenance programs. Recommendations are made concerning hearing aid maintenance in the schools.

The Relationship Between Hearing Loss Self-Management and Hearing Aid Benefit and Satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Convery ◽  
Gitte Keidser ◽  
Louise Hickson ◽  
Carly Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Hearing loss self-management refers to the knowledge and skills people use to manage the effects of hearing loss on all aspects of their daily lives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Method Thirty-seven adults with hearing loss, all of whom were current users of bilateral hearing aids, participated in this observational study. The participants completed self-report inventories probing their hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between individual domains of hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Results Participants who reported better self-management of the effects of their hearing loss on their emotional well-being and social participation were more likely to report less aided listening difficulty in noisy and reverberant environments and greater satisfaction with the effect of their hearing aids on their self-image. Participants who reported better self-management in the areas of adhering to treatment, participating in shared decision making, accessing services and resources, attending appointments, and monitoring for changes in their hearing and functional status were more likely to report greater satisfaction with the sound quality and performance of their hearing aids. Conclusion Study findings highlight the potential for using information about a patient's hearing loss self-management in different domains as part of clinical decision making and management planning.

Use of a Mild-Gain Hearing Aid by Middle-Age Normal-Hearing Adults Who Do and Do Not Self-Report Trouble Hearing in Background Noise

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-428
Author(s):  
Jasleen Singh ◽  
Karen A. Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Hearing Handicap ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hearing Problems

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Method A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Results After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Conclusions The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.

Meeting the Best Practice for Hearing Aid Verification in Children: Challenges and Future Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-894
Author(s):  
Nur Azyani Amri ◽  
Tian Kar Quar ◽  
Foong Yen Chong
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Fitting Hearing Aids

Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight ( N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23–48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.

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