Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080205660 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR HEARING DAMAGE NOTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of monitoring hearing health comprising: measuring a first acoustic sound pressure level due to an ambient audio signal; measuring a second acoustic sound pressure level due to an emitted audio signal from a speaker; calculating a total sound pressure level dosage, where the total sound pressure level dosage is calculated using the first acoustic sound pressure level and a first time span, and the second acoustic sound pressure level and a second time span associated, where the first time span is the time associated with the measured first acoustic sound pressure level and second time span is the time associated with the measured second acoustic sound pressure level; and sending a notification signal when total sound pressure level dosage is greater than a threshold value. | 08-28-2008 |
20080212789 | At-Home Hearing Aid Training System and Method - The present invention is a system for and method of training an individual on the use of a hearing aid. The training is conducted based on the individuals hearing profile such that specific words that are troublesome to the user are played to the user after changing the frequency and amplitude of the words, i.e. the user is trained on how the words will sound after wearing a hearing aid. The user can further fine-tune the frequency and amplitude of the words, and the modifications can be saved and used while ordering and fitting a hearing aid. | 09-04-2008 |
20080226089 | DYNAMIC TECHNIQUE FOR CUSTOM-FIT HEARING DEVICES - A method for providing optimal dynamic techniques for custom-fit ear hearing devices, includes mounting pressure and motion sensors in a ear-enclosing hearing device, transmitting data produced by the sensors during actual operation of the ear-enclosing hearing device worn by a specific individual, receiving the sensor signals for subsequent analysis by a computer, creating a stress-and-motion map based on the sensor-based data, and creating a virtual hearing device model for optimal support and comfort based on the stress-and-motion map. | 09-18-2008 |
20080240453 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SURVEILLANCE OF A WIRELESS CONNECTION IN A HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM - A method is presented of evaluating a wireless connection while fitting a hearing aid. The method comprises the steps of sending a signal via the wireless connection from a computer system ( | 10-02-2008 |
20080253579 | At-Home Hearing Aid Testing and Clearing System - The present invention is an apparatus for and method of remotely, automatically, and routinely conducting diagnostic testing on a programmable hearing aid to ensure that it is functioning as intended when optimized for an individual's needs and preferences. Because hearing aids deteriorate with time and buildup of earwax, individuals can be uncertain whether their hearing is worsening or the hearing aid is malfunctioning. The net effect is diminished hearing aid performance and thus diminished quality of life. The present invention tests the hearing aid for proper function as frequently as daily. Additionally, the present invention includes elements ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080253580 | EQUIPMENT FOR PROGRAMMING A HEARING AID AND AHEARING AID - A programming equipment ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080260171 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FITTING A HEARING AID - In a method and system for fitting the gain of a hearing aid ( | 10-23-2008 |
20080298600 | AUTOMATED REAL SPEECH HEARING INSTRUMENT ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises placing the hearing instrument in situ includes receiving an audiogram of the user, determining a target gain for the hearing instrument as a function of the audiogram, exposing a reference sensor located adjacent the hearing instrument to an external speech signal, measuring an external sound pressure level (SPL) via the reference sensor, exposing a probe sensor coupled to the inside of the ear to the output of the hearing instrument while the hearing instrument is in situ, measuring an internal sound pressure level (“SPL”) inside the ear of the user via the probe sensor, determining an offset gain as a function of the external SPL, the target gain and the internal SPL, and automatically adjusting a gain of the hearing instrument according to the offset gain. A system for automatically fitting a hearing impaired person with a digital hearing aid in situ includes a digital hearing aid, a reference volume sensor, a probe sensor, a sound mapping module and a parameter control module. | 12-04-2008 |
20080304674 | Hearing device test adapter - A hearing device test adapter is provided in order to connect a hearing device output to a test microphone in a soundproof manner. The hearing device test adapter has an expandable first section for enclosing one section of a hearing device shell or an earmold piece in a soundproof manner such that the sound output of the hearing device shell or of the earmold piece points to the tip of the first section. In addition, the hearing device test adapter has an expandable second section for enclosing a section of the test microphone in a soundproof manner, with the tip of the first section directly connecting to the second section and both being connected to one another via a sound transmission. | 12-11-2008 |
20090028351 | METHOD FOR THE FITTING OF A HEARING AID, A SYSTEM FOR FITTING A HEARING AID AND A HEARING AID - A method for use in the fitting of a hearing aid comprises the steps of providing a sound recording of a user environment, feeding the sound recording to the hearing aid as a sound input signal ( | 01-29-2009 |
20090060214 | Hearing Aid Fitting Procedure and Processing Based on Subjective Space Representation - A system for hearing assistance devices to assist hearing aid fitting applied to individual differences in hearing impairment. The system is also usable for assisting fitting and use of hearing assistance devices for listeners of music. The method uses a subjective space approach to reduce the dimensionality of the fitting problem and a non-linear regression technology to interpolate among hearing aid parameter settings. This listener-driven method provides not only a technique for preferred aid fitting, but also information on individual differences and the effects of gain compensation on different musical styles. | 03-05-2009 |
20090074197 | Frequency transposition applications for improving spatial hearing abilities of subjects with high-frequency hearing losses - A method of configuring a frequency transposition scheme for transposing a set of received frequencies of an audio signal received by a hearing aid worn by a subject to a transposed set of frequencies, wherein the method comprises determining at least one subject-dependent parameter indicative of the subject's ability to detect audio frequencies, and at least one subject-dependent parameter indicative of the location in frequency of one or more spectral cues, configuring a subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme based on the determined subject-dependent parameters, the subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme being configured so as to improve the subject's spatial hearing capabilities, and adapting the hearing aid to perform the configured subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme. | 03-19-2009 |
20090103742 | Hearing Aid Apparatus - There is described a hearing aid comprising input transducer means for converting input acoustic signals into electrical input signals, signal processor means and output transducer means. The signal processor means is operable to divide said electrical input signals into a plurality of frequency bands and to perform a contrast enhancement operation in each said frequency band, to increase the difference between the amplitudes of those frequency components of the input electrical signals having a relatively high amplitude and those frequency components thereof having a relatively low amplitude to produce output electrical signals in each said respective frequency bands. The output transducer means is operable to produce an output acoustic signal corresponding to a combination of said output electrical signals. | 04-23-2009 |
20090116657 | SIMULATED SURROUND SOUND HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM - This application relates to a system for fitting a hearing aid by testing the hearing aid patient with a three-dimensional sound field having one or more localized sound sources. In one embodiment, a signal processing system employing head-related transfer functions is used to produce audio signals that simulate a three-dimensional sound field when a sound source driven by such audio signals is coupled directly to one or both ears. By transmitting the audio signals produced by the signal processing system to the hearing aid by means of a wired or wireless connection, the hearing aid itself may be used as the sound source. | 05-07-2009 |
20090123001 | Method for three-dimensional presentation of a hearing apparatus on a head and corresponding graphics facility - A method and a graphics facility are provided to allow a choice of hearing apparatus to be made easier for a user via a three-dimensional presentation of a hearing apparatus on a head of a user. A 3D model of the hearing apparatus is provided as a virtual hearing apparatus and a 3D model of the head of the user or of a part thereof is obtained as a virtual head. The virtual hearing apparatus is subsequently aligned to the virtual head so that the virtual head can be presented graphically in three dimensions along with the fitted virtual hearing apparatus. This especially allows different types and colors of hearing apparatus to be represented in an animation on the user's head. | 05-14-2009 |
20090136050 | FITTING AND VERIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR DIRECT BONE CONDUCTION HEARING DEVICES - The present invention relates to a method for fitting and verification of direct bone conduction hearing devices to a patient, wherein
| 05-28-2009 |
20090202084 | Method and Apparatus for Monitoring a Hearing Aid - A hearing aid contains a microphone detecting an acoustic input signal and converts it to an electrical output signal, a receiver producing an acoustic output signal being dependent on an electrical output signal of the microphone, and a transmitter transmitting a monitoring signal, which is dependent on the electrical output signal. A transceiver contains a receiver for receiving the monitoring signal, and a signal processing device for processing the monitoring signal. The signal processing device processes the monitoring signal to produce an indication signal which is acoustically restricted with respect to the monitoring signal such that it simulates a restricted hearing capability of a person, or which indicates an operating/signal state of the hearing aid. The transmission of the monitoring signal to the transceiver and the processing to form the indication signal provides information about the state of the hearing aid for monitoring of the hearing aid. | 08-13-2009 |
20090245525 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAL-EAR MEASUREMENTS FOR RECEIVER-IN-CANAL DEVICES - The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for real ear measurement using a hearing assistance device fitted with a cover to provide real ear sounds to a microphone of the device. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device cover for use in measuring coupler response and real ear coupler difference for improved real ear measurement and fitting. | 10-01-2009 |
20090262948 | HEARING AID AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING AID - The invention relates to a hearing aid comprising at least one signal processing device, at least one counter for detecting discreet events or operating processes, and at least one memory for storing the values or states of the counter, and the threshold values associated with each counter. The hearing aid is also provided with a signal transmitter that is actively connected to the signal processing device in such a way that the signal transmitter is activated when a threshold value of a counter is reached or exceeded. In this way, advantageously, any countable pre-defined events or operating processes can be used to establish and maintain the operating state of the hearing aid. An operating process can be, for example, the variation of a defined operating state of the hearing aid. If a predetermined threshold value is reached, i.e. the number of events reaches this threshold value, a corresponding signal can be triggered and produced by the signal transmitter. | 10-22-2009 |
20090274314 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A DEGREE OF CLOSURE IN HEARING DEVICES - A method for determining a degree of closure in a hearing device with at least one auditory canal microphone, at least one receiver and an associated hearing device apparatus is disclosed. The method is characterized by an in-situ measurement of a transmission function between the receiver and the auditory canal microphone, by a comparison of the measured transmission function with previously determined reference values and/or curves, and by a determination of an effective vent diameter from the comparison, the effective vent diameter specifying the degree of closure. | 11-05-2009 |
20090285406 | METHOD OF FITTING A PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO A HEARING IMPAIRED USER - The present invention relates to a method of adapting signal processing characteristics of a portable communication device to a hearing impaired user, comprising the steps of determining a perceptual reference level (PRL) of a first stimuli signal (FSS) in a reference frequency band (RFB) by presenting said first stimuli signal (FSS) to said hearing impaired user, and obtaining perceptual judgements of a loudness of said first stimuli signal (FSS) from said hearing impaired user, and determining said perceptual reference level (PRL) of a second stimuli signal (SSS) in a further frequency band (FFB) by presenting said second stimuli signal (SSS) to said hearing impaired user, and requesting said hearing impaired user to compare a loudness of said second stimuli signal (SSS) with said loudness of said first stimuli signal (FSS). | 11-19-2009 |
20090316921 | Apparatus and Method for Connecting a Hearing Aid to Hearing Aid Test Equipment - The invention includes an apparatus for connecting a hearing aid tester to a sound emitting portion of a hearing aid that fits into the concha or ear canal of a user, the apparatus including a body having a front end and a rear end, a passage within the body for receiving the sound emitting portion and extending from an opening near the front end to an opening near the rear end, the opening near the front end for connecting the passage to the hearing aid tester, and a resilient surface within the passage that resiliently deforms when the sound emitting portion is received in the passage for retaining the sound emitting portion in the passage. The invention also includes a method of forming the apparatus and a method of testing a hearing aid having a sound emitting portion that fits into the concha or ear canal of a user. | 12-24-2009 |
20090316922 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING MAXIMUM STABLE GAIN IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - This disclosure relates to measurement of maximum stable gain of a hearing assistance device, including but not limited to hearing aids, as a function of frequency. In various approaches an adaptive filter with a variable step size is used to determine maximum stable gain as a function of frequency. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device and by a host computer. | 12-24-2009 |
20100020979 | ADAPTIVE LONG-TERM PREDICTION FILTER FOR ADAPTIVE WHITENING - The invention relates to a hearing instrument for processing an input sound to an output sound according to a user's needs. The invention further relates to a method of estimating acoustic feedback in a hearing instrument. The object of the present invention is to reduce the impact of tonal components in the target input signal on the quality of the estimate of acoustic feedback. The problem is solved in that hearing instrument comprises an input transducer for converting an input sound to an electric input signal and an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an output sound, a forward path being defined between the input transducer and the output transducer and comprising a signal processing unit defining an input side and an output side of the forward path, a feedback loop from the output side to the input side comprising a feedback cancellation system for estimating the effect of acoustic feedback from the output transducer to the input transducer, the feedback cancellation system comprising a feedback path estimation unit receiving first and second estimation input signals from the input and output side of the forward path, respectively, wherein the first and second estimation input signal paths comprise first and second long term prediction filters P(z) each having an input and an output, the feedback cancellation system being adapted to provide that the variable parameters of at least one of the long term prediction filters are estimated based on the input signal to the filter in question. Embodiments of the invention have the advantage of leading to better feedback cancellation, even for tonal input signals. The invention may e.g. be used for the hearing instruments or headsets. | 01-28-2010 |
20100027800 | Automatic Performance Optimization for Perceptual Devices - Systems and methods may be used to modify a controllable stimulus generated by a digital audio device in communication with a human user. An input signal is provided to the digital audio device. In turn, the digital audio device sends a stimulus based on that input signal to the human user, who takes an action, usually in the form of an output signal, to characterize the stimulus that the user receives, based on the user's perception. An algorithm, lookup table, or other procedure then determines a difference between the input signal and the output signal, and a perceptual model is constructed based at least in part on the difference. Thereafter, a new value for the parameter of the digital audio device is suggested based at least in part on the perceptual model. This process continues iteratively until the user's optimal device parameters are determined. | 02-04-2010 |
20100040239 | SWITCH FOR A HEARING AID - A method of changing at least two parameter settings of a device includes detecting an abnormal change in an external feedback path and an input signal generated by an abnormal pressure wave, and activating a pressure wave detection switch and an abnormal feedback path detection switch for changing the at least one parameter setting in the device. A device includes a digital signal processor configured to implement a detection algorithm to detect an abnormal change in an external feedback path, an adaptive internal feedback cancellation system for continually monitoring and responsively adapting to changes occurring in an external feedback path, a pattern recognition algorithm for detecting input signals generated when an abnormal pressure wave is generated, at least two parameter settings for adjusting the characteristics of the device, and an abnormal feedback path detection switch for switching the device to a next available parameter setting. | 02-18-2010 |
20100054488 | Apparatus for Testing Hearing Aid Batteries - A caddy for testing hearing aid batteries, including a battery test unit having a battery receiver, a battery test mechanism, and an indicator mechanism displaying the capacity of the battery tested. The caddy further includes a storage compartment for storing hearing aid batteries, and an optional flashlight for assisting with battery replacement. | 03-04-2010 |
20100067711 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A HEARING DEVICE WITH A CUSTOMIZED FEATURE SET - The method for manufacturing a hearing device, which hearing device includes at least one programmable processor, includes the steps of a) providing a set of software members, b) selecting a subset of said set, and c) creating an image of said subset, which is executable in said at least one processor. This allows to select from a large set of software members only those, which are suitable for a specific user. The system for manufacturing a hearing device in dependence of individual preferences of a user of said hearing device, which hearing device includes at least one programmable processor, includes a selecting tool allowing to select a subset of software members from a set of software members, and a build tool for creating an image of said subset of software members, wherein said image is executable in said at least one processor. | 03-18-2010 |
20100086143 | METHOD FOR USER INDVIDUALIZED FITTING OF A HEARING AID - A method for user individualized fitting of a hearing aid comprises: Performing an initial fitting ( | 04-08-2010 |
20100092001 | COUPLER FOR OPEN FITTING HEARING AID MEASUREMENTS - In a system and method for open fitting hearing aid frequency response sound measurements, a test space is provided having located therein a sound source, a hearing aid with a microphone, and an open fit receiver. An acoustic shield is provided and within the acoustic shield an ear simulator coupler is provided having an ear extension attached thereto, the ear extension having mounted thereto at least a portion of the open fit receiver. A measurement unit receives sound signals from the ear simulator coupler. | 04-15-2010 |
20100098262 | METHOD AND HEARING DEVICE FOR PARAMETER ADAPTATION BY DETERMINING A SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY THRESHOLD - A method and a hearing device are proposed to adapt at least one hearing device parameter. A first speech intelligibility threshold is determined. The determined first speech intelligibility threshold is compared with a predefinable reference value and is adapted the at least one hearing device parameter on the basis of the comparison. This is advantageous in that hearing device parameters, which could previously not be individually set as a result of objective measuring data, can be adjusted by an objective measurement. | 04-22-2010 |
20100111315 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A RECEIVER IN A HEARING AID - A method for identifying a receiver in a hearing aid of the RITE (Receiver In The Ear) type ( | 05-06-2010 |
20100111316 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF IN-EAR DEVICE ACOUSTICAL PERFORMANCE - A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests. | 05-06-2010 |
20100150362 | ACOUSTIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an acoustic apparatus comprises a measuring signal generator, a transducer configured to convert a measuring signal to a measuring sound and to convert a characteristic vibration of the transducer due to the measuring sound, to a characteristic vibration signal, an analysis module configured to analyze the characteristic vibration signal in order to output a physical quality of a characteristic vibration of the transducer, a controller configured to set a first state in which the transducer converts an electric signal to an acoustic signal or a second state in which the transducer converts an acoustic signal to an electric signal. The measuring signal generator is connected to the transducer in the first state and the analysis module is connected to the transducer in the second state. | 06-17-2010 |
20100158262 | PREPROGRAMMED HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH AUDIOMETRIC TESTING CAPABILITY - A hearing aid which is operable in an audiometric testing mode includes an audio output section, a volume control, a switching device, and a processor. The audio output section sequentially generates a number of testing sounds at a corresponding number of testing frequencies and provides each testing sound to the person who will be using the hearing aid. The volume control is used to adjust the amplitude of each testing sound to a level of audibility just above the person's threshold of hearing at the corresponding testing frequency. When the appropriate threshold volume level is set, the switching device is operated to generate a control signal. Based on operation of the volume control and the switching device for each of the testing sounds at each of the testing frequencies, the processor sets a plurality of threshold hearing levels associated with the corresponding testing frequencies. The threshold hearing levels collectively define an amplitude-versus-frequency profile which the processor applies in processing digital audio signals during normal use of the hearing aid. | 06-24-2010 |
20100166198 | Hearing Instrument with Improved Initialisation of Parameters of Digital Feedback Suppression Circuitry - A method of modelling a feedback path from a receiver to a microphone in a hearing instrument, includes applying an electronic probe signal with an increasing level as a function of time to the receiver for conversion of the electronic probe signal into an acoustic probe signal output by the receiver, monitoring values of a first quality parameter calculated based at least in part on recorded microphone output signal, and after the first quality parameter reaches a predetermined first threshold value, determining at least one parameter of the feedback path based at least in part on the recorded microphone output signal values. | 07-01-2010 |
20100172507 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF GAIN MARGIN OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Method and apparatus for determination of gain margin of a hearing assistance device under test. In varying examples, the impulse response for multiple levels can be taken and used to arrive at a gain margin. The method and apparatus, in various examples, process critical portions of the resulting data for efficient processing and to increase accuracy of measurements. The method and apparatus performing a plurality of measurements to determine impulse responses and to derive gain margin as a function of frequency therefrom. The present subject matter includes principles which may are adapted for use within a hearing assistance device using a single white noise stimulus, according to one example. The principles set forth herein can be applied to occluding and non-occluding hearing device embodiments. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 07-08-2010 |
20100183161 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR TRAINING HEARING SYSTEM USERS - The inventor has found that a considerable portion of hearing system users have a considerable lack of understanding the effect of adjusting adjustable audio processing parameters of the hearing system. Therefore, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of
| 07-22-2010 |
20100195839 | METHOD AND HEARING DEVICE FOR TUNING A HEARING AID FROM RECORDED DATA - A hearing device and an associated method for tuning a hearing aid include at least one hearing aid and at least one external unit. The device includes the following: a memory unit in the hearing aid which stores the times and the listening situations for which at least one predefinable algorithm for signal processing is activated; an output unit in the hearing aid and/or in the external unit which outputs and/or displays the stored times, listening situations and the activated algorithm; an input unit in the hearing aid or in the external unit for inputting an assessment rating which expresses the hearing aid wearer's satisfaction with the algorithm activated, and a change unit in the hearing aid for changing at least one parameter of the algorithm as a function of the assessment rating. Even algorithms of very short duration, such as an MPO, for example, are trainable. | 08-05-2010 |
20100202625 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING DEVICE WITH FREQUENCY TRANSPOSITION AND CORRESPONDING ARRANGEMENT - A method for adjusting a hearing system to the hearing preferences of a user of said hearing system is disclosed, wherein said hearing system is capable of carrying out frequency transposition of audio signals, which frequency transposition depends on at least one parameter. The method comprises the steps of
| 08-12-2010 |
20100208906 | RESISTANCE IDENTIFICATION OF A PERIPHERAL UNIT ON A HEARING AID - In order to identify peripheral units ( | 08-19-2010 |
20100226502 | Method For Fabricating A Hearing Device | 09-09-2010 |
20100232612 | On-Site, Custom Fitted Hearing Equalizer - A modular, cost effective customizable sound processing unit can provide enhanced audio from a displaced source to a user. The source can be wirelessly coupled to the unit via a short range transceiver. The processing unit can include circuitry and software to process incoming audio and to compensate for the loss of hearing due to the device been coupled to the user ear canal, making it acoustically transparent for sound sources picked by the on the unit microphone(s) and provide an enhanced audio experience for the user. | 09-16-2010 |
20100232613 | Systems and Methods for Remotely Tuning Hearing Devices - A method of tuning a hearing device includes sending a test signal to a model of a hearing device that may be remote from the actual hearing device being tuned. The test signal is encoded by the model and sent to the hearing device being tuned. The user of that hearing device sends a response signal based at least in part on the encoded test signal. This response is received and compared to the original test signal. Thereafter, an operational parameter is sent to the hearing device based on the comparison. | 09-16-2010 |
20100239100 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A DIRECTIONAL CHARACTERISTIC AND A HEARING APPARATUS - The aim is to improve the adjustment of the directional characteristic of a hearing apparatus, and in particular of a hearing aid. A method is therefore provided in which a microphone signal having a plurality of frequency bands is derived from an input sound being obtained by a microphone system containing at least two microphones. A characteristic of the microphone signal is then determined, for example the level. The directional characteristic of the microphone system is adjusted in dependence on the determined characteristic of the microphone signal. In order to adjust the directional characteristic, two or more frequency bands are combined in dependence on the determined characteristic of the microphone signal. Alternatively, one of the microphones can also be attenuated, thus deliberately reducing the directionality of the directional microphone. | 09-23-2010 |
20100246841 | SOUNDBRIDGE TEST SYSTEM - The present invention relates to the field of devices and methods for improving testing of hearing devices, including soundbridges and direct drive middle ear implants. In particular, the present invention provides a microphone system utilizing reverse transfer function to assess the operability of implanted hearing improvement devices, including but not limited to soundbridges and direct drive middle ear implants. | 09-30-2010 |
20100254540 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, DIGITAL HEARING AID, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE DIGITAL HEARING AID USING THE MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - A mobile communication terminal interacts with a digital hearing aid and a wireless hearing aid uses the mobile communication terminal. When a user having the mobile communication terminal interworking with the digital hearing aid operates the hearing aid, an amplification function suitable for auditory characteristics of the user is performed. That is, when auditory information of the user is sent to the terminal, the terminal adjusts an amplification gain to prevent the acoustic shock by measuring an environmental signal. The terminal computes an environment profile by analyzing the measured environmental signal and auditory information of the user sent from the hearing aid and automatically adjusts a non-linear amplification level according to a user environment by sending the environment profile to the hearing aid. | 10-07-2010 |
20100272272 | HEARING INSTRUMENT USING RECEIVERS WITH DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS - The invention regards a hearing aid comprising a receiver and a signal processing device, wherein the signal processing device is electrically coupled to a connection socket operable to detachably connect the receiver to the socket and whereby the signal processing device further comprise a detector operable to detect a characteristics of the receiver which is connected to the signal processing device through the connection socket. The present invention addresses the problem of identification of individual receiver properties as well as of identifying different types of receivers. | 10-28-2010 |
20100272273 | DEVICE FOR ACOUSTICALLY ANALYZING A HEARING DEVICE AND ANALYSIS METHOD - A device for acoustic analysis has a first hearing device with a first sound input and a first sound output and a second hearing device with a second sound input and a second sound output. The first hearing device is in acoustic communication with the second hearing device. The first hearing device can analyze the acoustic communication and output a corresponding result. Consequently, two hearing aids, for example, can test each other, and permit a user to check hearing devices and, in particular, hearing aids in a simple fashion without the hearing aid wearer having to visit an audiologist for the test. | 10-28-2010 |
20100296661 | OPTIMIZING OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF A HEARING PROSTHESIS - A method for operating a hearing prosthesis is provided. A plurality of settings are provided, each setting providing a different operating functionality for the hearing prosthesis suitable for different situations. A signal analysis is executed on input signals to the hearing prosthesis. The signal analysis monitors characteristics of a current situation to detect any change and, in the case of detecting change, classifies the current situation into one of a plurality of predefined states. The suitability of the settings is compared with the determined state. One or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is identified for the current situation. The one or more optimal choice(s) of setting(s) is presented to a user. The user is then allowed to make a selection from the presented choice(s) of setting(s). If a selection is received from the user, the selected setting is executed. A hearing prosthesis is also provided. | 11-25-2010 |
20100316227 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A FREQUENCY RESPONSE OF A HEARING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED HEARING APPARATUS - A method determines a frequency response of a hearing apparatus in any acoustic environment situation as well as an associated hearing apparatus. Here the frequency response of the hearing apparatus is determined in dependence on at least one preset, user-independent frequency response and at least one user-dependent frequency response. As a result, a frequency response is advantageously prespecified to the user of the hearing apparatus in any acoustic environment situation, said frequency response being individually matched to said wearer. | 12-16-2010 |
20110019830 | Antenna Arrangement for a Hearing Instrument - The present invention relates to a hearing instrument which comprises: (a) a housing; (b) an RF receiver; (c) plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element has the form of a plate, is positioned on said housing so it provides coupling with the device wearer's skin while the instrument is in use, thereby forming an antenna element together with the wearer's body; (d) a switch for each conductive element, for connecting or disconnecting the respective antenna element from the receiver; (e) a controller for periodically initiating a testing cycle wherein during said cycle: (e. | 01-27-2011 |
20110051942 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING HEARING ENHANCEMENT FITTINGS FOR A HEARING AID DEVICE - A computer-implemented method for obtaining hearing enhancement fittings for a hearing aid device is described. A plurality of audiograms is collected. The plurality of audiograms is divided into one or more sets of audiograms. A representative audiogram is created for each set of audiograms. A hearing enhancement fitting is computed from each representative audiogram. A hearing aid device is programmed with one or more hearing enhancement fittings computed from each representative audiogram. | 03-03-2011 |
20110051943 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING AID AND HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT INSTRUMENT - Optimized hearing aid parameter settings are automatically determined from a multiplicity of data obtained by applying different test methods for testing the auditory perception of a person. Data pertaining to the auditory perception (audiological data) of the user are first obtained by different test methods. The data from the individual tests can be incomplete, inconsistent or untypical, or even erroneous. However, the subsequent combination of where possible all available data in a computational unit affords the possibility of automatically obtaining hearing aid parameter settings by way of which a hearing aid operated thereby compensates the present loss of hearing of the relevant user in an optimized fashion. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058681 | Method for improving the fitting of hearing aids and device for implementing the method - The invention relates to a method for fitting a hearing aid to the needs of a hearing aid user, the method comprising collecting statistical data characterizing physical or psychological properties of environments in which use of the hearing aid is desired and utilizing the statistical values for the adjustment of the signal processing in the hearing aid, such statistical data having influence even though they may have been collected prior to the wearer's first or current period of listening via the hearing aid. The invention further relates to a device for implementing the method. | 03-10-2011 |
20110075853 | METHOD OF DERIVING INDIVIDUALIZED GAIN COMPENSATION CURVES FOR HEARING AID FITTING - A method of deriving individual gain compensation curves for hearing aid fitting includes providing a system that detects, measures and records head azimuth for sound direction affirmation by a patient and provides a plurality of audio signals through a plurality of test sequences to the ears of the patient, including establishing a comfortable listening level of the patient, establishing binaural balance for right and left ars, establishing loudness discomfort levels of the patient, establishing thresholds-of-hearing levels of the patient and generating a binaurally balanced measurement array of measured equal-loudness levels and measured thresholds-of-hearing levels for both left and right ears. | 03-31-2011 |
20110150231 | ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK EVENT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure relates to tracking of acoustic feedback events of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Information about the acoustic feedback events is stored for analysis. Such information is useful for programming acoustic feedback cancellers and other parameters of a hearing assistance device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150232 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING BINAURAL HEARING AID FUNCTION - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for identifying one or more defective hearing aids. The present system provides a dichotic sound to the wearer that can be used to sense whether the aids are properly operating. Different types of dichotic sounds can be presented within the scope of the present subject matter. In various applications a Huggins pitch, a binaural edge pitch, a binaural coherence edge pitch, a Fourcin pitch or a dichotic repetition pitch is used for the dichotic sound. The pitch may be a pure-tone or complex-tone pitch. Various pure-tone frequencies and complex-tone fundamental frequencies may be used and may be customized for a particular application. In various applications, a dichotic sound is formed using left and right sounds each of which includes a noise and a desired signal component. The present system can be realized in a variety of implementations. | 06-23-2011 |
20110176686 | Remote Programming System for Programmable Hearing Aids - Bluetooth-enabled programmable digital hearing aids can be adjusted remotely and in real time. The hearing aid patient at home or a location convenient to the patient logs on to a hearing clinic web site to connect with a clinician, e.g. audiologist or hearing aid technician, at a central clinic location. The patient computer is provided with software for this and the patient is provided with a wireless hearing aid adjustment device. The clinician downloads the patient's hearing aid program and other data, and then makes adjustments and reprograms the hearing aids in real time. | 07-21-2011 |
20110188664 | DEVICE, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR ADJUSTMENT OF HEARING AID - An adjustment device for a hearing aid includes: an audio extraction section for, through an acoustic process of a collected audio signal, utilizing information of a phoneme or syllable contained in the audio signal to output time information, the time information identifying a point of uttering the phoneme or syllable; an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal of a user; a determination section for determining a difficulty of hearing of the phoneme or syllable by relying on an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal based on the identified point of uttering the phoneme or syllable as a starting point; a phoneme identification section for, when a plurality of phonemes or syllables are determined as difficult to hear, identifying a chronologically preceding phoneme or syllable among them to be difficult to hear; and a gain adjustment section for, with respect to the phoneme or syllable identified by the phoneme identification section, determining a gain adjustment method based on a type of the phoneme or syllable, and adjusting a gain for the phoneme or syllable in accordance with the determined gain adjustment method. | 08-04-2011 |
20110194706 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY FITTING HEARING AID - Provided is a method of automatically fitting a hearing aid. The method includes entering the audiogram of a test subject, defining criterion gains and SSPLs based on installed criterion gains and SSPLs according to the test subject's audiogram, generating sounds from automatic fitting device, measuring the sounds using probe microphone inserted in external earcanal, adjusting the criterion gain and SSPLs of the hearing aids based on differences between output sound amplitude and measured sound amplitude, and saving the changed values to the hearing aids automatically, in a state in which the hearing aid is worn by a test subject. | 08-11-2011 |
20110235814 | USER CONTROL FOR HEARING PROSTHESES - A method of operating a hearing prosthesis. The hearing prosthesis includes memory and a clock and is configured to deliver stimuli to a user. The method includes determining the stimuli, with the hearing prosthesis, in response to a sound signal and at least in part by using one or more adjustable parameters stored in the memory. The method further includes receiving, from the user, a request to adjust at least one of the parameters, and determining whether to make the requested adjustment by reference to an amount of time, as determined by said clock, or a function based around an amount of time since a predefined event. | 09-29-2011 |
20110280409 | Personalized Hearing Profile Generation with Real-Time Feedback - A personalized hearing profile is generated for an ear-level device comprising a memory, microphone, speaker and processor. Communication is established between the ear-level device and a companion device, having a user interface. A frame of reference in the user interface is provided, where positions in the frame of reference are associated with sound profile data. A position on the frame of reference is determined in response to user interaction with the user interface, and certain sound profile data associated with the position. Certain data is transmitted to the ear level device. Sound can be generated through the speaker based upon the audio stream data to provide real-time feedback to the user. The determining and transmitting steps are repeated until detection of an end event. | 11-17-2011 |
20110299692 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND HEARING AIDS FOR IN SITU OCCLUSION EFFECT MEASUREMENT - A hearing aid ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110299693 | METHOD FOR TESTING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN CONNECTION WITH A FITTING DEVICE AND A HEARING DEVICE AS WELL AS A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method for testing a wireless communication system is disclosed comprising a fitting device ( | 12-08-2011 |
20120008792 | Hearing Aid Apparatus - There is described a hearing aid comprising input transducer means for converting input acoustic signals into electrical input signals, signal processor means and output transducer means. The signal processor means is operable to divide said electrical input signals into a plurality of frequency bands and to perform a contrast enhancement operation in each said frequency band, to increase the difference between the amplitudes of those frequency components of the input signals having a relatively high amplitude and those frequency components thereof having a relatively low amplitude to produce output electrical signals in each said respective frequency bands. The output transducer means is operable to produce an output acoustic signal corresponding to a combination of said output electrical signals. | 01-12-2012 |
20120076313 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING DEVICE WITH IN-SITU AUDIOMETRY AND HEARING DEVICE - The adjustment of a hearing device is to be improved and configured in a more user-friendly fashion. To this end, a method is proposed whereby the hearing device is set individually to the user and is inserted at least partially into the auditory canal of the user. Finally an in-situ measurement of the acoustic impedance of the auditory system of the user including at least part of the auditory canal of the user is implemented with a tympanometric method. An automatic correction of the individual setting of the hearing device can take place on the basis of the results of the in-situ measurement. | 03-29-2012 |
20120093329 | Localisation in a Bilateral Hearing Device System - Disclosed is a method and system for allowing a recipient of a hearing aid device, and in one aspect, a bilateral hearing aid system, to locate the source of a sound signal about the recipient. The method uses localisation cues in the sound signal and modifies these to provide useable localisation cues to generate a stimulating signal for application to the recipient. In one example, a detected localisation cue such as an interaural level difference (ILD) is transposed to a lower frequency. | 04-19-2012 |
20120121099 | AID TEST SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for diagnosing operation errors in hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to hearing aids. The hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a receiver. In various approaches, a housing is configured to hold the hearing assistance device and to provide a controlled acoustic environment between the microphone and receiver. A lid is configured to cover an opening in the housing to seal the housing from external sounds, in various approaches. In some examples, the hearing assistance device is configured to detect placement of the lid on the housing from within the housing and, once placement is detected, output acoustic signals through the receiver and compare resulting microphone input to baseline parameters to diagnose calibration errors. | 05-17-2012 |
20120140937 | Automated real speech hearing instrument adjustment system - A method for adjusting a hearing instrument to reduce feedback by placing a hearing instrument having an adjustable frequency response in a wearer's ear, providing a probe microphone for measuring the sound pressure level inside the ear and a reference microphone for measuring the sound pressure level outside the ear, exposing the ear to a stimulus and a dynamic event, determining the gain as a function of frequency from the difference in sound pressure level measured by the probe microphone and the reference microphone, identifying a feedback peak where the frequency is in the center of a range of frequencies and corresponds to the maximum gain in that range of frequencies and adjusting the hearing instrument to reduce the gain at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the feedback peak. | 06-07-2012 |
20120155664 | SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SETTINGS USING DETECTED SOUND ENVIRONMENT - The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to a system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment. Various examples of a hearing assistance device and method using actual use and hypothetical use logs are provided. Such logs provide a dispenser or audiologist the ability to see how a device is operating with actual settings and how the device would have operated had hypothetical settings been used instead. In various examples, the system allows for collection of statistical information about actual and hypothetical use which can assist in parameter setting determinations for a specific user. The settings may be tailored to that user's commonly experienced sound environment. Wireless communications of usage logs is discussed. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 06-21-2012 |
20120177212 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IN-SITU TESTING, FITTING AND VERIFICATION OF HEARING AND HEARING AIDS - An improved multi-function hearing aid having in-situ testing, fitting and verification functions is disclosed which solves problems long standing in the art of hearing aid fitting dealing with individual size differences in the size of the pina and ear canal of the user, individual preference to sound level and frequency variation, and verification procedures. | 07-12-2012 |
20120189130 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELF-MANAGED SOUND ENHANCEMENT - A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests or from professionally administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels as at different sound frequencies, as an individualized audiological profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The system includes the ability for capturing an environment profile. The user's hearing is protected against harm in the enhanced audio setting while being provided with the option of a “enhanced hearing” experience. The invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired. Thus the system is useful as a hearing aid. | 07-26-2012 |
20120195437 | STAND-ALONE MICROPHONE TEST HOUSING FOR A HEARING DEVICE - A stand-alone microphone test housing includes a housing adapted to receive a hearing device and a sound source, wherein the housing includes a sound channel to operatively direct sound from the sound source to at least one microphone such that the sound passes directly from the sound source to the at least one microphone via the sound channel, and wherein the housing is further adapted to do at least one of disposing the sound source at a repeatable distance from the hearing device and disposing the sound source in a repeatable orientation relative to the hearing device. | 08-02-2012 |
20120219159 | REVISION CONTROL WITHIN HEARING-AID FITTING SOFTWARE - A method for revision control within hearing-aid fitting software may nclude storing session fitting data for a plurality of fitting sessions of a hearing assistance device; displaying a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a list of the plurality of fitting sessions of the hearing assistance device, the graphical user interface allowing for selection of two or more fitting sessions for display; receiving a selection of a fitting session from the list; and in response to receiving the selection, updating the graphical user interface to include a response curve related to the selected fitting session. | 08-30-2012 |
20120230502 | HEARING AID FITTING DEVICE - A hearing aid fitting device has a display section and a monitoring section. The display section is able to display information for fitting a hearing aid. The monitoring section displays operating mode information, which indicates whether or not an operating mode in which hearing aid processing in the standard mode and additional hearing aid processing are executed is operating actively in the hearing aid, and hearing aid processing sound that has undergone hearing aid processing, on the display section. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230503 | ENTRAINMENT AVOIDANCE WITH POLE STABILIZATION - A system of signal processing an input signal in a hearing assistance device to avoid entrainment wherein the hearing assistance device including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to estimate an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone, generating one or more estimated future pole positions of a transfer function of the adaptive filter, analyzing stability of the one or more estimated pole positions for an indication of entrainment and adjusting the adaptation of the adaptive filter based on the stability. | 09-13-2012 |
20120288108 | ASSESSMENT SYSTEM OF SPEECH SOUND LISTENING, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF - In an exemplary assessment system of speech sound listening, an output section presents a speech sound to a user as an auditory stimulation; a positive component determination section determines whether a positive component appears in an event-related potential of an electroencephalogram signal of the user in a range from 600-900 ms from a starting point, the starting point being a point in time at which the speech sound is presented, and outputs an assessment result as to whether the user is listening to the speech sound with strife or not; and a negative component determination section determines whether a negative component appears in the event-related potential in a range from 100-300 ms from a starting point, the starting point being the point in time at which the speech sound is presented, and outputs an assessment result as to whether the user is annoyed by the speech sound or not. | 11-15-2012 |
20120294451 | HEARING DETERMINATION SYSTEM, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - The determination system includes a presented-speech sound control section for determining a speech sound to be presented to a user; auditory/visual stimulation presentation sections for presenting the determined speech sound as an audio/a character; a group-wise summation section for taking a summation of an event-related potential of an electroencephalogram signal of the user for each group of speech sounds; a first determination section for, from the event-related potential having been subjected to summation for each group, making a group-by-group determination of comfortableness as to whether the user is comfortably hearing to the speech sound, to at least determine whether the user is listening to the speech sound with strife, or to determine whether the user is annoyed by the speech sound; and a second determination section for, from the event-related potential, making a speech sound-by-speech sound determination of intelligibility as to whether the user is clearly hearing the speech sound. | 11-22-2012 |
20120300953 | INTEGRITY EVALUATION SYSTEM IN AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING PROSTHESIS - An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising an integrated integrity system. The integrity system is configured to measure one or more electrical characteristics of at least one component of the prosthesis, to evaluate the integrity of the prosthesis based on the measurements, and to perform at least one diagnostic operation based on the evaluation. | 11-29-2012 |
20120308020 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND VALIDATING THE OCCLUSION EFFECT OF A HEARING AID USER - A system for estimating the occlusion effect comprises a hearing aid adapted for being set up for operation in an occlusion measurement mode. The hearing aid comprises a first transducer ( | 12-06-2012 |
20130044889 | CONTROL OF OUTPUT MODULATION IN A HEARING INSTRUMENT - The present invention relates to a listening device for a hearing impaired person. The present invention furthermore relates to a corresponding operating method of operating a listening device and to a corresponding computer program. In particular, the present invention relates to a listening device that comprises a signal processing unit that is controlled by a controller configured to implement a combined feed-forward and feed-back control in order to ensure that both an electric input signal and a processed electric output signal have at least almost identical modulation index values. Thereby, speech intelligibility is increased, in particular for a hearing impaired person being capable of perceiving sound pressure levels in a substantially decreased dynamic range. | 02-21-2013 |
20130051573 | METHOD FOR FITTING A HEARING AID, AND HEARING AID - This method for fitting a hearing aid involves displaying the coordinate positions of parameters produced on the basis of a plurality of fitting theories, and the evaluation results for these parameters, on a display section | 02-28-2013 |
20130101128 | AUTOMATIC REAL-TIME HEARING AID FITTING BASED ON AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS - A hearing aid includes at least one electrode located at a surface of a housing of the hearing aid to allow the electrodes to contact the skin of a user during use of the hearing aid, at least one electrode being adapted to pick up a low voltage signal from the user's brain, an amplifier unit operationally connected to the electrode(s) and adapted for amplifying the low voltage signal(s) to provide amplified brain signal(s), and a signal processing unit adapted to process the amplified brain signal(s) to provide a processed brain signal as well as to apply a time and frequency dependent gain to an input audio signal and to provide a processed audio output signal. Also a method of operating a hearing aid and a hearing aid system. | 04-25-2013 |
20130121496 | VISUALLY-BASED FITTING OF HEARING DEVICES - A method for adapting a hearing device ( | 05-16-2013 |
20130136268 | AUTOMATIC PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION FOR PERCEPTUAL DEVICES - Systems and methods may be used to modify a controllable stimulus generated by a digital audio device in communication with a human user. An input signal is provided to the digital audio device. In turn, the digital audio device sends a stimulus based on that input signal to the human user, who takes an action, usually in the form of an output signal, to characterize the stimulus that the user receives, based on the user's perception. An algorithm then determines a difference between the input signal and the output signal, and a perceptual model is constructed based at least in part on the difference. Thereafter, a new value for the parameter of the digital audio device is suggested based at least in part on the perceptual model. This process continues iteratively until the algorithm finds the user's optimal device parameters. While this process is highly complex and time consuming, the algorithm successfully reaches at least a near optimal settings, if not the optimal, in a short time. | 05-30-2013 |
20130156208 | HEARING AID AND METHOD OF DETECTING VIBRATION - The present invention provides a hearing aid capable of detecting contact vibration noise from a collected sound signal. A hearing aid ( | 06-20-2013 |
20130170660 | LISTENING DEVICE AND A METHOD OF MONITORING THE FITTING OF AN EAR MOULD OF A LISTENING DEVICE - A method detects whether an ear mould of a listening device is correctly mounted in the ear of a user. An indication of whether or not a mould of a listening device is correctly mounted in an ear canal of a user is provided. The method comprises a) providing a long term estimate of the feedback path; b) providing an estimate of the current feedback path; c) comparing the long term feedback path estimate with the current feedback path estimate, and providing a measure of their difference, termed the feedback difference measure FBDM; and optionally d) providing an alarm indication, if the feedback difference measure exceeds a predefined threshold. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170661 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING DEVICE AS WELL AS AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING DEVICE - A method for adjusting a hearing device ( | 07-04-2013 |
20130182860 | UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE DETERMINATION SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF, HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM, AND UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE DETERMINATION APPARATUS - An exemplary uncomfortable sound pressure determination system including: a sound data generator configured to generate sound data concerning sounds consecutively ascending or descending in sound pressure from first to n | 07-18-2013 |
20130188796 | METHOD OF IMPROVING A LONG TERM FEEDBACK PATH ESTIMATE IN A LISTENING DEVICE - A method provides a long term feedback path estimate of a listening device. The method comprises a) providing an estimate of the current feedback path; b) providing a number of detectors of parameters or properties of the acoustic environment of the listening device and/or of a signal of the listening device, each detector providing one or more detector signals; c) providing a criterion for deciding whether an estimate of the current feedback path is reliable based on said detector signals; d) storing said estimate of the current feedback path, if said criterion IS fulfilled and neglecting said estimate of the current feedback path, if said criterion is NOT fulfilled; e) providing a long term estimate of the feedback path based on said stored estimate(s) of the current feedback path. | 07-25-2013 |
20130195281 | ASSISTING LISTENING DEVICE HAVING AUDIOMETRY FUNCTION - An assisting listening device having audiometry function includes an earphone, a testing signal generator, a feedback generator and a control box. The testing signal generator is controlled by a digital signal processor of the control box to provide a testing signal to a speaker of the earphone. The feedback generator will generate a feedback signal to the digital signal processor of the control box subject to the testing signal, enabling the digital signal processor to evaluate the user's hearing threshold level so that the user can adjust the functioning of the assisting listening device optimally subject to the evaluation result. | 08-01-2013 |
20130202123 | HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT DEVICE, HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT - A hearing aid adjustment device ( | 08-08-2013 |
20130202124 | METHOD FOR TESTING HEARING AIDS - A method for testing hearing aids, particularly in respect of the effect thereof on speech comprehension, is improved. The method has the following steps: a) a test system is provided, b) an audible voice signal in the form of at least one meaningless syllable is selected and presented c) the meaningless syllable and a number of further meaningless syllables are displayed on a graphical user interface in the test system, d) a heard meaningless syllable is selected from the displayed meaningless syllables by the user, e) the selection made is evaluated, and f) method steps c) to e) are repeated until a termination criterion is encountered. The audible voice signal is selected in each case on the basis of at least one selection made by the person in response to a previously presented voice signal. The method allows particularly fast and informative hearing aid tests. | 08-08-2013 |
20130223638 | DETECTION OF WHISTLING IN AN AUDIO SYSTEM - A method for detecting whistling in an audio system includes determining an average frequency of an input signal of the audio system, sampling the input signal in consecutive blocks of at least one sample, wherein the average frequency is determined blockwise, and determining whether feedback related whistling is present in the input signal of the audio system by evaluating a stability of the average frequency, wherein the evaluation of the stability of the average frequency comprises: determining a difference of two values of the determined average frequency for two blocks, and comparing the determined difference to a first threshold value. | 08-29-2013 |
20130230182 | METHOD OF ADJUSTING A HEARING APPARATUS WITH THE AID OF THE SENSORY MEMORY - Individual adjustment of a hearing apparatus, and in particular a hearing aid, is improved by testing the auditory sensory memory of a user of the hearing apparatus. At least one test result is obtained and the hearing apparatus is adjusted in dependence on the at least one test result. The test person must detect, perceive and be able to reproduce changes in a signal. | 09-05-2013 |
20130243209 | Method for Fitting a Hearing Aid Device With Active Occlusion Control to a User - Methods and apparatus for fitting a hearing aid device ( | 09-19-2013 |
20130243210 | METHOD FOR TESTING A HEARING DEVICE AS WELL AS AN ARRANGEMENT FOR TESTING A HEARING DEVICE - A method for testing a hearing device ( | 09-19-2013 |
20130251166 | REAL EAR MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING THIN TUBE - An embodiment of a hearing assistance apparatus for performing a Real Ear Measurement (REM), comprises a hearing assistance device housing, a microphone within the housing, an earhook connected to the housing, and a flexible tube. The house has a first opening for guiding sound into the housing to the microphone. The housing and the connected earhook form an interface, where the earhook has a shape to provide a slot near the interface of the housing and the earhook. The tube guides sound, and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible tube and the slot of the earhook cooperate to retain the first end of the flexible tube in the slot of the earhook and flush with the housing to provide a sound-tight connection with the first opening. | 09-26-2013 |
20130272531 | FEEDBACK SCAN FOR HEARING AID - A hearing aid is disclosed, having the ability to generate its own open-loop feedback scan of amplitude (as gain or attenuation) and phase, as a function of frequency. The hearing aid has a sensor that receives ambient sound from near a patient, and a driver that stimulates the anatomy of the patient. The hearing aid has an operational mode in which the driver stimulates the anatomy of the patient in response to the sound received at the sensor. The hearing aid has a test mode in which a test frequency is stepped through a predetermined range of frequencies. At each test frequency, the driver is driven with a sinusoidal driver signal at the test frequency, the sensor detects a sinusoidal sensor signal at the test frequency, and a comparison of the sensor signal to the driver signal produces an amplitude (gain or attenuation) and a phase for the test frequency. | 10-17-2013 |
20130272532 | TRANSDUCER IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT FOR HEARING AID - A hearing aid is disclosed, which, in a test mode, can determine the impedance of the transducer that stimulates the anatomy of the patient. Impedance may be determined by simultaneous determination of the current flowing through the transducer and the voltage across the transducer. In some cases, the output amplifier of the hearing aid includes two outputs, with one being a scaled and/or summed replica of the other. The amplifier is driven with a periodic signal with a particular frequency and a known peak voltage. The periodic signal may be sinusoidal. The primary output of the amplifier is electrically connected to the transducer, with a known voltage given by the peak input voltage and a known gain of the amplifier. The current from the secondary output of the amplifier is measured. In an example measurement scheme, the secondary output is sent through a rectifier and then through a low-pass filter. | 10-17-2013 |
20130294610 | METHOD OF FITTING A HEARING DEVICE - The invention relates to a method for determining an estimated transfer function of an acoustic feedback path during fitting of a hearing device, which receives acoustic signals from an individual's surroundings, modifies the acoustic signals electronically and transmits the modified acoustic signals into the individual's ear or ear canal. In order to save resources in the hearing device, the hearing device reuses a start-up jingle for determining an estimated transfer function during a fitting session upon reception of a predefined message from a fitting apparatus. | 11-07-2013 |
20130336492 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-SITU EVALUATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING INSTRUMENT ACTUATOR - There is provided a system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in the middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea, comprising: a hydrophone for being inserted into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the hydrophone in order to evaluate the actuator performance. | 12-19-2013 |
20130343554 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING HEARING ENHANCEMENT FITTINGS FOR A HEARING AID DEVICE - A computer-implemented method for obtaining hearing enhancement fittings for a hearing aid device is described. A plurality of audiograms is collected. The plurality of audiograms is divided into one or more sets of audiograms. A representative audiogram is created for each set of audiograms. A hearing enhancement fitting is computed from each representative audiogram. A hearing aid device is programmed with one or more hearing enhancement fittings computed from each representative audiogram. | 12-26-2013 |
20140037098 | DETERMINING STIMULATION SIGNAL STRENGTH IN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS - A method for determining the level of stimulation signals generated by an auditory prosthesis as a result of processing an electrical audio signal representative of sound is disclosed, the method comprising: converting the audio signal into a plurality of frequency-based signal components; analyzing one or more of the signal components to determine a quantity associated with the presence of a target signal in the analyzed signal component; and calculating the signal level based on the determined quantity when the determined quantity indicates a target signal is sufficiently present in the audio signal. | 02-06-2014 |
20140037099 | HEARING AID WITH MEANS FOR ESTIMATING THE EAR PLUG FITTING - A hearing aid ( | 02-06-2014 |
20140044272 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF AUDIO SOUND - In one embodiment, a method and system includes: synchronizing the timing of the change of a clock frequency based on the state of an output subsystem for driving an output transducer. | 02-13-2014 |
20140050328 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AN AMPLIFICATION FACTOR OF A HEARING AID DEVICE - An amplification factor for a hearing aid device is generated by way of the following steps: forming a numerator, wherein the numerator includes a total with a first total component which is formed by means of multiplication of a strength of an approximately undisturbed signal with a first weighting and a second total component, which is formed by multiplication of a strength of a disturbed signal with a second weighting; forming a denominator, which includes the numerator as a first summand and a strength of an interference signal as a second summand. The amplification factor is finally determined by forming a quotient from the numerator divided by the denominator. An apparatus is configured to implement and carry out the novel method. | 02-20-2014 |
20140050329 | ASSISTING LISTENING DEVICE HAVING AUDIOMETRY FUNCTION - An assisting listening device having audiometry function includes an earphone, a testing signal generator, a feedback generator and a control box. The testing signal generator is controlled by a digital signal processor of the control box to provide a testing signal to a speaker of the earphone. The feedback generator will generate a feedback signal to the digital signal processor of the control box subject to the testing signal, enabling the digital signal processor to evaluate the user's hearing threshold level so that the user can adjust the functioning of the assisting listening device optimally subject to the evaluation result. | 02-20-2014 |
20140072130 | UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION SYSTEM, UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION APPARATUS, UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM THEREOF - An exemplary uncomfortable sound pressure estimation system includes: a sound stimulation scheduling section configured to determine points in time of outputting a group of sound stimulations so that times of measurement for event-related potentials in response to the second sound and third sound arrive after a predetermined noise-lingering time has elapsed since a next point of occurrence of periodic noise; an event-related potential characteristic amount extraction section configured to receive the points in time of outputting the sound stimulation group, and extract a characteristic amount of an event-related potential of the electroencephalogram signal based on each point of outputting the group of sound stimulations as a starting point; and an uncomfortable sound pressure determination section configured to determine an uncomfortable sound pressure for the frequency of the sound stimulation group. | 03-13-2014 |
20140086424 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-SITU EVALUATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE HEARING INSTRUMENT ACTUATOR - A system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in a middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea includes: a reference output transducer assembly for generating sound waves in the middle ear cavity, means for providing test audio signals as input to the actuator and to the reference transducer assembly, a microphone assembly for being inserted at least in part into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and by the reference output transducer assembly according to the test audio signals and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the microphone assembly in order to evaluate the actuator performance. | 03-27-2014 |
20140105408 | Systems, Methods, and Articles of Manufacture for Configuring Hearing Prostheses - The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for fitting a hearing prosthesis to a hearing prosthesis recipient. Some embodiments include generating a first set of two or more stimulation signals via a corresponding set of two or more channels of a hearing prosthesis, reducing the corresponding stimulation levels of the stimulation signals of the first set of two or more stimulation signals in response to receiving an indication that a sound sensation corresponding to the first set of two or more stimulation signals is uncomfortably loud, and generating a second set of one or more stimulation signals at the reduced stimulation levels via a first subset of one or more channels. | 04-17-2014 |
20140126731 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOGGING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AN OPERATION OF A SOUND PROCESSOR BY AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS - An exemplary method includes 1) detecting, by an auditory prosthesis configured to be implanted in a patient, a communicative coupling of a sound processor to the auditory prosthesis, the sound processor configured to be located external to the patient, and 2) logging, by the auditory prosthesis, data associated with an operation of the sound processor while the sound processor is communicatively coupled to the auditory prosthesis. Corresponding auditory prostheses and systems are also disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20140140523 | Fitting Bilateral Hearing Prostheses - Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computing devices for fitting bilateral hearing prostheses. An example method includes sending a signal to a first hearing prosthesis and a second hearing prosthesis. The signal causes the first hearing prosthesis to deliver a first stimulus to a body part in a left auditory pathway of a user. The signal also causes the second hearing prosthesis to deliver a second stimulus to a body part in a right auditory pathway of the user. The first stimulus and the second stimulus cause the user to perceive a sound and are delivered simultaneously. The method also includes receiving an indication of a perception of the sound by the user. The method further includes determining an adjustment to at least one of the first stimulus or the second stimulus based on the perception of the sound by the user. | 05-22-2014 |
20140146974 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING A HEARING DEVICE FROM A REMOTE LOCATION - A method is proposed for testing a hearing device ( | 05-29-2014 |
20140153729 | SPEECH-SOUND DISTINGUISHING ABILITY DETERMINATION APPARATUS, SPEECH-SOUND DISTINGUISHING ABILITY DETERMINATION SYSTEM, HEARING AID GAIN DETERMINATION APPARATUS, SPEECH-SOUND DISTINGUISHING ABILITY DETERMINATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - In a speech discrimination ability determination system, an MMN determination section acquires, with respect to each of the first and second speech sounds, difference information between the event-related potential acquired during its output with the first occurrence frequency and the event-related potential acquired during its output with the second occurrence frequency, and determines whether a negative component exists in the difference information in predetermined time ranges after the first and second speech sounds are output. When the determination result indicates that the negative component exists, a discrimination ability determination section determines that the user discriminates the first and second speech sounds. | 06-05-2014 |
20140161267 | Method for Determining the Sound Pressure Level at the Eardrum of an Occluded Ear - The sound pressure level at the eardrum may be determined by constructing an optimized model of the ear canal and then calculating the simulated sound pressure level at the eardrum. The model is obtained by comparing real-ear-to-coupler differences between the sound pressure level measured at a fixed distance from a hearing instrument and a simulation of the measurement, optimizing the model by varying the length and/or diameter of the canal model, repeating the simulation and determination of simulated real-ear-to-coupler difference until the differences between the measured and simulated values are minimized. The optimized real-ear-to-coupler difference at the eardrum may then be determined and in turn the sound pressure level at the eardrum may be calculated. The sound pressure level at the eardrum may then be used to acoustically fit the hearing instrument to the person. | 06-12-2014 |
20140169574 | HEARING DEVICE CONSIDERING EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF USER AND CONTROL METHOD OF HEARING DEVICE - A hearing device and a method of the hearing aid are provided considering an external environment surrounding a user. The hearing device includes an external environment determination unit, an inquiry unit, and a parameter set unit. The external environment determination unit is configured to determine an external environment surrounding a user wearing the hearing device. The inquiry unit is configured to select a question corresponding to the external environment and inquire the question to the user. The parameter set unit is configured to set a parameter of the hearing device based on a response to the question and hearing loss information of the user. | 06-19-2014 |
20140177855 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL RECEPTION USING DYNAMICALLY SELECTABLE MODES - A communication system reduces power consumption of a radio receiver and/or ensures quality of signal transmission by using various modes of receiver operation. In one embodiment, the communication system is part of a hearing assistance system with a hearing aid including the radio receiver. In one embodiment, a mode of reception is selected during signal transmission based on a detected parameter indicative of quality of the signal transmission. In one embodiment, a hearing aid includes a radio receiver using independent sidebands to receive signals transmitted using each of an upper-sideband and a lower-sideband. | 06-26-2014 |
20140192992 | System for Fitting Audio Signals for In-Use Ear - A system and method are provided for automatic fitting of all audio signals according to the ear in which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device. The device may comprise an inquirer configured to query a host device for an in-use audio producing transducer; an electronic mechanism configured to identify an ear which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device, based on the in-use audio producing transducer; and a notifier configured to instruct the host device, based on the identified ear, to output a channel of audio signals to the in-use audio producing transducer. The ear in use may be deduced from inertial data. The instructions may specify a particular channel of audio signals, or enhancement thereof, based on characteristics of the identified ear and/or a detected or typical signal pathway used to transmit a signal to the identified ear. | 07-10-2014 |
20140198922 | Systems and Methods for Altering the Input Dynamic Range of an Auditory Device - An auditory device according to one embodiment includes a processing unit configurable to determine a noise estimate and a measure for one of a plurality of samples of an audio signal. The measure relates to an upper volume bounds. The processing unit is configured to apply at least one rule using the noise estimate and/or the measure to identify an input dynamic range for mapping the audio signal to a corresponding stimulation signal. | 07-17-2014 |
20140233743 | MEDICAL DEVICE DIAGNOSTICS USING A PORTABLE DEVICE - Systems, methods, and apparatuses may be used to test devices using a portable device. A portable device is a tablet computer, a smart phone, or other type of device. In embodiments, the different components of the portable device are utilized to perform tests on a medical device such as a hearing prosthesis or other type of medical device. For example, portable device components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, microphones, speakers, etc. are used to provide testing stimuli and/or record the responses from the hearing prosthesis to the testing stimuli. The portable device is used to generate testing stimulus and record the response from the device being tested using the various components of the portable device. Analysis of the output of the medical device can be performed to determine a remedy to improve operation of the device. | 08-21-2014 |
20140241537 | Hearing device adjustment based on categorical perception - Hearing device configuration and hearing treatment using categorical perception; systems and methods for categorical perception based configuration of hearing devices and hearing treatment. | 08-28-2014 |
20140270210 | System and Method for Hearing Prosthesis Fitting - A hearing prosthesis fitting system includes a first interface configured for applying a stimulation signal to a recipient of the hearing prosthesis. Generally, the stimulation signal is associated with a prior probability that the recipient will perceive the stimulation signal as an audible sound. The fitting system also includes a second interface configured for receiving response data relating to whether the recipient perceived the stimulation signal as an audible sound. Further, the fitting system includes a processor configured to determine an updated probability that the recipient perceived the stimulation signal as an audible sound. More particularly, the processor is configured to utilize the received response data and the prior probability to determine the updated probability. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270211 | HEARING AID USING WIRELESS TEST MODES AS DIAGNOSTIC TOOL - Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices configured to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing aid configured to communicate with another device using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication technology. A BLE tester is configured to test the hearing aid for the performance of BLE wireless communication via a wireless link. One embodiment uses a wireless test mode as a diagnostic tool for analyzing the wireless communication environment, such as when the communication with the hearing aid is interfered in a noisy environment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270212 | Audio Monitoring of a Hearing Prosthesis - The present application discloses systems and methods for engaging in monitoring of audio signals received and processed by a hearing prosthesis. In accordance with one embodiment, a method includes a monitoring device detecting a trigger event, in response to the detecting, the monitoring device transmitting to a hearing prosthesis an instruction to switch transmission modes, and in response to the transmitting, the monitoring device receiving from the hearing prosthesis an audio stream. In accordance with another embodiment, another method includes a hearing prosthesis operating in a first mode, where it receives audio signals, generates stimulation commands based on the received audio signals, and transmits to an implanted device the generated stimulation commands, receiving from an external device an instruction to switch operation modes, and in response to the receiving, switching to operate in a second mode, where it receives audio signals, generates a modulated audio stream based on the received audio signals, and transmits to the external device the modulated audio stream. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270213 | WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT INTERFERENCE DIAGNOSTIC HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SYSTEM - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless interference diagnostic hearing assistance device systems. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for assessing and mitigating wireless interference for hearing assistance device programmers. The method includes measuring wireless interference over wireless communication channels using a wireless programmer configured to communicate with a hearing assistance device. A graphical display in communication with the wireless programmer is used to assist or direct a user to physically move the wireless programmer or the hearing assistance device to minimize the measured wireless interference. In various embodiments, the measured wireless interference is used to identify a source of the wireless interference, and an identity of the source of the wireless interference is displayed on the graphical display. | 09-18-2014 |
20140294186 | MEASUREMENT APPARATUS FOR TESTING AND CALIBRATING BONE-CONDUCTION VIBRATORS - A skull simulator tests and calibrates bone-conduction vibrators under realistic operating conditions. In known skull simulators, the front wall of the casing—and/or exposed parts of the suspension—have one or more planar surfaces on the front, and these planar surfaces are thus oriented towards the bone-conduction vibrator when it is mounted on the skull simulator. Such planar surfaces may reflect airborne sound from the vibrator housing or may emit sounds themselves when vibrating, and the reflected or emitted sound contributes to resonances are not present when the bone-conduction vibrator is mounted on a human head. In the current design all exposed parts on the front located outside a coupling surface for connecting the bone-conduction vibrator do not have planar surfaces perpendicular to the main oscillation axis or that otherwise, such planar surfaces comprising an acoustic foam having an acoustic dampening effect on sound waves impinging thereon. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294187 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PARAMETER USING AUDITORY MODEL OF HEARING LOSS PATIENT - An apparatus and method are provided to determine a parameter using an auditory model of a hearing loss patient. The parameter determination apparatus determines a similarity between a neurogram of a normal subject and a neurogram of a hearing loss patient, and determines an optimal frequency band for the hearing loss patient based on the similarity. | 10-02-2014 |
20140294188 | Evaluation of Sound Quality and Speech Intelligibility from Neurograms - An approach is described for evaluating a selected hearing stimulation strategy in a hearing impaired patient. A healthy neurogram represents a normal auditory neural response to a selected sound input by a healthy auditory system. An impaired neurogram represents an impaired auditory neural response to the selected sound input by a hearing impaired patient auditory system using the hearing stimulation strategy. The impaired neurogram is compared to the healthy neurogram based on: i. partitioning the neurograms into corresponding temporal and frequency domain tiles, ii. determining local variability between corresponding individual tiles by comparison of selected tile features, iii. determining global variability between the neurograms by weighted averaging of the individual tile comparisons, and iv. developing from the local and global variabilities a perception estimate representing effectiveness of the selected hearing stimulation strategy in approaching normal healthy hearing for the implanted patient. | 10-02-2014 |
20140321657 | METHOD OF PROCESSING A SIGNAL IN A HEARING INSTRUMENT, AND HEARING INSTRUMENT - A method of estimating an acoustic transfer quantity representative of a sound pressure transfer to the eardrum includes the steps of measuring, by an ear canal microphone of the hearing instrument, an acoustic signal in the ear canal when a sound signal is emitted into the ear canal by a receiver of the hearing instrument, the ear canal microphone being in acoustic communication with the ear canal, determining, from the acoustic signal and from a frequency dependent reference characteristics of the hearing instrument, an ear canal impedance, and, calculating, from the ear canal impedance, an estimate of the acoustic transfer quantity. | 10-30-2014 |
20140334629 | HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF FITTING A HEARING AID SYSTEM - A hearing aid fitting system ( | 11-13-2014 |
20140341382 | METHOD FOR MONITORING USAGE OF A HEARING DEVICE - Monitoring usage of a hearing device includes: c) checking whether a message has been received within a time period (dt) shorter than a pre-defined time period (Dt) via a long-distance communication network in a remote device; and d) generating usage status data dependent on the result of the checking addressed in step c). The usage status data are indicative of the usage of the hearing device, indicating “use” if the time period (dt) is smaller than or equal to the pre-defined time period (Dt) and indicating “non-use” if the time period (dt) is larger than the pre-defined time period (Dt). The message includes identification data for identifying the hearing device or a user of said hearing device. The remote device is located remote from the hearing device and connected to the long-distance communication network. The time period (dt) starts from a start event. | 11-20-2014 |
20140363006 | HEARING DEVICE WITH A MEANS FOR RECEIVER CURRENT ESTIMATION AND A METHOD OF ESTIMATING A RECEIVER CURRENT FOR A HEARING DEVICE - A hearing device with a unit for estimating the current consumed by the receiver of the hearing device. The hearing device includes a signal input unit for converting an input signal picked up by the signal input unit into a digital audio signal, a signal processing unit for processing the digital audio signal, a digital-to-analog converter for converting a processed audio signal from the signal processing unit, a power amplifier for amplifying a converted audio signal from the digital-to-analog converter, a receiver for generating sound according to an amplified audio signal from the power amplifier, and a battery for powering the hearing device. A receiver current estimation unit has a filter for filtering a receiver current indicative signal derived from the processed audio signal, the filter having a frequency response dependent on an impedance of the receiver. A method is provided for estimating a receiver current for a hearing device. | 12-11-2014 |
20140363007 | WEARABLE DEVICE FOR RELIEVING TINNITUS, HYPERACUSIS AND/OR HEARING LOSS - A wearable device and computerized system and method for configuring a wearable device for use in the treatment of tinnitus, hyperacusis, and/or hearing loss is disclosed. A software application for use by an audiologist facilitates the diagnosis and assessment of a patient's needs and programming of the wearable device with customized settings and/or audio signals specific to the patient's needs. The customized settings and audio signals may form a part of a tinnitus retraining therapy treatment regime for a patient. The wearable device may further comprise customized settings and sounds for treating hyperacusis and/or hearing loss in a patient. The customized settings can be modified by the audiologist during the fitting process to ensure the patient is fitted with a device that provides appropriate relief for the patient's specific needs. | 12-11-2014 |
20150010159 | DYNAMIC NEGOTIATION AND DISCOVERY OF HEARING AID FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES BY FITTING SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY - A method to determine if a feature of a hearing assistance device may include transmitting, from a hearing assistance device application to a hearing assistance device, a request to determine if a feature is supported by the hearing assistance device; receiving, from the hearing assistance device, a response message identifying the feature as supported by the hearing assistance device; determining that the feature of the hearing assistance device is supported by the hearing assistance device application; and based on the determination, configuring the hearing assistance device application to control the feature of the hearing assistance device. | 01-08-2015 |
20150010160 | DETERMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL HRTFs - A method of determining a set of individual HRTFs for a specific human includes: obtaining a set of approximate HRTFs; obtaining at least one measured HRTF of the specific human; determining a deviation of one of the at least one measured HRTF with relation to a corresponding one of the set of approximate HRTFs; and forming the set of individual HRTFs by modification of the set of approximate HRTFs based at least in part on the determined deviation. | 01-08-2015 |
20150010161 | ADAPTER FOR REAL EAR MEASUREMENTS - An adapter configured to connect to a probe tube for calibrating a hearing aid device is disclosed. The adapter comprises a tubular pipe member and an opening through which the adapter is adapted to receive the probe tube. The adapter comprises an input member configured to connect to a connection member for providing fluid communication between the probe tube and the connection member through the adapter. An outer diameter of the probe tube is 5-20%, preferably 8-15% smaller than an inner diameter of the cylindrical space of the pipe member and that length of the cylindrical space of the pipe member is at least five times, preferably at least ten times larger than the outer diameter of the probe tube. Hereby it is achieved that a long narrow gab can be provided between probe tube and the pipe member of the adapter so that a sufficient acoustic seal can be accomplished. | 01-08-2015 |
20150016621 | HEARING AID TUNING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for hearing aid tuning. | 01-15-2015 |
20150023512 | ONLINE HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR NON-EXPERT USER - Methods and systems of interactive online fitting of a hearing aid by a non-expert consumer without requiring a clinical setup are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an audio generator for delivering test audio signals at predetermined levels to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing aid in-situ, and a programming interface for delivering programming signals to the hearing aid. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the hearing device in-situ and to interactively adjust fitting parameters according to a subjective assessment of audible output representative of the test audio signal. In one embodiment, the online-based fitting system comprises a personal computer, a handheld device connected to the personal computer, and a fitting application hosted by a server. In one embodiment, remote customer support personnel may communicate with a hearing aid worn by the consumer and interactively control fitting parameters. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023513 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS - A system collects information on performance of short-range wireless communication in local hearing aid systems. The information is analyzed, for example, to inform local users to adjust the local hearing aid systems, to adjust operational parameters for improving wireless communication in the local hearing aid systems, and/or to improve wireless connectivity and reliability in future products. | 01-22-2015 |
20150030170 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE USING PERCEPTUAL MODEL - A hearing assistance system for delivering sounds to a listener provides for subjective, listener-driven programming of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, using a perceptual model. The system produces a distribution of presets using a perceptual model selected for the listener and allows the listener to navigate through the distribution to adjust parameters of a signal processing algorithm for processing the sounds. The use of the perceptual model increases the potential of fine tuning of the hearing assistance device available to the listener. | 01-29-2015 |
20150049876 | HEARING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FITTING HEARING DEVICE - A hearing device and a method for fitting the hearing device are provided. The method for fitting a monaural hearing device involve obtaining audiograms of both ears, and adjusting an amplification gain based on the audiograms of both ears, in which the audiograms comprise an audiogram of a first ear for wearing the monaural hearing device and an audiogram of a second ear not wearing the monaural hearing device. | 02-19-2015 |
20150078561 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING AND VISUALIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF FREQUENCY LOWERING HEARING AIDS - A method of analyzing performance of frequency lowering hearing aids. The method includes generating a sequentially of noise signals and transmitting acoustical sounds from a sound output device in response to the sequence of noise signals. A sound input device records the acoustical sounds and saves as a first device data. The sound input device with a frequency lowering hearing aid records the acoustical sounds and save as a second device data. The second device data is compared to the first device data and, in response to the comparison, at least one function of the frequency lowering hearing aid is optionally adjusted. | 03-19-2015 |
20150092949 | UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION SYSTEM, UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION PROCESSOR, UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND PRESSURE ESTIMATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM THEREOF - An exemplary uncomfortable sound pressure estimation system includes an HTL section for receiving information of hearing threshold levels respectively for a plurality of frequencies; a UCL measurement determination section for determining at least two measurement points at which to measure uncomfortable sound pressures, the at least two measurement points defining a first and a second frequency concerning a first and a second hearing threshold level; a UCL measurement section for measuring uncomfortable sound pressures with respect to the at least two measurement points; a calculation section for calculating a criterion concerning auditory characteristics by using the respective hearing threshold levels and uncomfortable sound pressures for the at least two points; and a UCL estimation section for estimating an uncomfortable sound pressure at a frequency corresponding to a given acquired hearing threshold level, according to the predetermined criterion. | 04-02-2015 |
20150124984 | HEARING DEVICE AND EXTERNAL DEVICE BASED ON LIFE PATTERN - Disclosed is a hearing device that may classify sound environment based on a life pattern, and categorize sound information using a sound environment category set based on the life pattern, and control an output of the sound information based on the classified sound environment. | 05-07-2015 |
20150124985 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CHANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS OF HEARING AID - The present invention relates to a device and a method for detecting a change in characteristics of a hearing aid and informing a user of the change. In one embodiment, a first input audio signal and an second amplified audio signal transmitted from the a hearing aid are received via a communication unit. Simulation is conducted of amplifying of the first input audio signal according to pre-stored auditory information stored in advance, and the processed simulated amplified first input audio signal is compared with the amplified audio signal. An alarm signal is output when a difference between the processed simulated amplified first input audio signal and the second amplified audio signal is greater than a predetermined threshold. | 05-07-2015 |
20150146876 | HEARING AID FITTING DEVICE, HEARING AID, AND HEARING AID FITTING METHOD - The present invention relates to a hearing aid fitting device, and an objective thereof is to improve usability thereof. To achieve this object, the fitting device ( | 05-28-2015 |
20150358745 | SELF ADMINISTERED CALIBRATED HEARING KIT, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TESTING - An earpiece for use in conducting a hearing test, a hearing test kit and a method of conducting a hearing test. The earpiece includes a speaker which generates stimuli and a microphone which detects ambient noise. The stimuli generated by the speaker compensates for the ambient noise detected by the microphone. The method including: detecting ambient noise using a microphone housed in an earpiece; analyzing the ambient noise; and generating stimuli which have been adjusted to compensate for the ambient noise through a speaker housed in the earpiece. | 12-10-2015 |
20150373462 | APPARATUS FOR TESTING DIRECTIONALITY IN HEARING INSTRUMENTS - An apparatus for testing a directional hearing instrument includes: a first microphone for coupling with an output of the hearing instrument, wherein the first microphone is configured to receive an audio output signal from the hearing instrument; a first speaker for transmission of a first signal having a first frequency component at a first frequency; a second speaker for transmission of a second signal having a second frequency component at a second frequency; and a processing unit configured to determine one or more hearing instrument parameters based on cross spectrum analysis of the first signal and the audio output signal. | 12-24-2015 |
20150373463 | SOUND PROCESSOR APPARATUSES THAT FACILITATE BATTERY TYPE DETECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH A PROGRAMMING SYSTEM - An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, and 3) a control module that detects a connection of a battery module to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, enables the first switchable current source while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, detects a logic level of the first data line while the first switchable current source is enabled and while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and identifies, based on the detected logic level of the first data line, a battery type associated with the battery module. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described. | 12-24-2015 |
20160007128 | FITTING SYSTEM FOR A BIMODAL HEARING SYSTEM, CORRESPONDING METHOD AND HEARING SYSTEM - The present invention is related to a fitting system for a bimodal hearing system, a method for fitting such a hearing system and a corresponding bimodal hearing system. The fitting system is operationally connectable to a hearing instrument (HI) and to an implantable device (CI) and comprises a first fitting software module (FSWHI) for fitting the hearing instrument (HI). Thereby the fitting system further comprises a second fitting software module (FSWCI) for fitting the implantable device (CI) by considering data of the hearing instrument (HI) received from the first fitting software module (FSWHI) via a data interface (DI) and/or vice versa. | 01-07-2016 |
20160014532 | HEARING DEVICE WITH EAR MONITORING FUNCTION | 01-14-2016 |
20160100259 | FEEDBACK ESTIMATION BASED ON DETERMINISTIC SEQUENCES - The application relates to a hearing system comprising a hearing device the hearing device comprising an input transducer for converting an input sound from the environment of the hearing device to an electric input signal, and an output transducer for converting an electric output signal to an output sound, and the input transducer—in a first mode of operation—being operationally coupled to the output transducer via a forward path, the hearing device further comprising a configurable output combination unit in said forward path, said output combination unit having first and second signal inputs and a signal output, the first signal input being a signal of the forward path and the second signal input being an output probe signal, and the output signal being electrically connected to said output transducer and configurable to consist of either of the first or second signal inputs, or a mixture or the first and second signal inputs, the hearing system further comprising a configurable probe signal generator for generating said output probe signal, an adaptive feedback estimation unit for generating an estimate of an unintended feedback path comprising an external feedback path from said output transducer to said input transducer, said feedback estimation unit comprising a feedback estimation filter using an adaptive feedback estimation algorithm, the adaptive feedback estimation unit being operationally coupled to the forward path, and a control unit for generating a control signal for controlling said configurable probe signal generator based on one or more control input signals, wherein said configurable probe signal generator is adapted to generate or select said output probe signal from a multitude of different probe signals, wherein said multitude of different probe signals comprises a perfect or almost perfect sequence and/or a an almost perfect sweep sequence. This has the advantages that the adaptation rate of the adaptive algorithm for estimating the feedback path and/or the precision of the feedback path estimate can be optimized. | 04-07-2016 |
20160112814 | METHOD OF FITTING A HEARING INSTRUMENT, AND IMPRESSION TOOL - In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of fitting a hearing instrument to a user's ear is provided. The method comprises taking an impression of the user's ear canal and manufacturing, based on geometrical data of the impression, an earmold. In accordance with the aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of performing an acoustical measurement while the impression is being taken. | 04-21-2016 |
20160119728 | HEARING SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING A FEEDBACK PATH OF A HEARING DEVICE - The application relates to a hearing system comprising a hearing device (HD), and a programming device (PD), and a feedback path analyzer (FPA) for providing an estimate of a feedback path from an output transducer to an input transducer of the hearing device. The hearing device (HD) and the programming device (PD) each comprises a programming interface (PI, PD-PI) allowing the exchange of data between the devices. The feedback path analyzer (FPA) is located in the programming device (PD), and the hearing device (HD) comprises respective input (IBUF) and output (OBUF) buffers for storing corresponding input and output time segments of the electric input signal or a signal derived therefrom and of the processed output signal or a signal derived therefrom, respectively. The hearing device (HD)—in a specific feedback measurement mode—is configured to transmit said stored input and output time segments of the respective signals to the feedback path analyzer (FPA) of the programming device (PD) via said programming interface (PI, PD-PI), and the feedback path analyzer (FPA) is configured to determine said estimate of the feedback path based on said (stored) input and output time segments. Thereby a more accurate estimation and/or a shorter measurement time can be achieved. The invention may e.g. be used for the fitting of hearing devices, e.g. hearing aids, to a particular use or user. | 04-28-2016 |
20160134977 | ACOUSTIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - The disclosed acoustic device and method of using the same allow perception of a bright, clear sound. In an acoustic device ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160150328 | MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A measurement device ( | 05-26-2016 |
20160157026 | HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD | 06-02-2016 |
20160165359 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A measurement system includes an ear model including an artificial auricle ( | 06-09-2016 |
20160165360 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING DEGRADATION OF A MICROPHONE INCLUDED IN AN AUDITORY PROSTHESIS SYSTEM - An exemplary system includes a sound processor associated with a patient, a first microphone communicatively coupled to the sound processor and configured to detect an audio signal presented to the patient and output a first output signal representative of the audio signal, and a second microphone communicatively coupled to the sound processor and configured to detect the audio signal presented to the patient and output a second output signal representative of the audio signal. The sound processor is configured to 1) receive the first and second output signals, 2) determine that a difference between the first and second output signals meets a threshold condition, and 3) perform, in response to the determination that the difference between the first and second output signals meets the threshold condition, a predetermined action associated with the quality level of the first microphone. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 06-09-2016 |
20160192093 | Automated Fitting of Hearing Devices - Systems and method for pre-fitting a sound processing device for a user in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In many embodiments, systems and methods can be executed by a computing device and include obtaining a hearing map representing the user's hearing, establishing a virtual signal processing path in the computing device which reflects a signal processing function of the sound processing device, updating parameters of the virtual signal processing path based on said hearing map, and passing an audio signal through the virtual signal processing path and playing back the processed audio signal to the user. | 06-30-2016 |
20160198271 | HEARING DEVICE TEST SYSTEM FOR NON-EXPERT USER AT HOME AND NON-CLINICAL SETTINGS | 07-07-2016 |
20160381467 | HEARING AID COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND HEARING AID COMMUNICATION METHOD THEREOF - A hearing aid communication system and a hearing aid communication method thereof are disclosed. The hearing aid communication method includes the steps of: determining whether a sound-providing apparatus is providing a sound signal; when the sound-providing apparatus is providing a sound signal, establishing a connection with a hearing aid; receiving the sound signal from the sound-providing apparatus for transmission to the hearing aid; and when the sound-providing apparatus stops providing the sound signal, breaking the connection with the hearing aid. | 12-29-2016 |
20180027341 | ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK EVENT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES | 01-25-2018 |