Patents by Inventor Andre Steinbuss

Andre Steinbuss has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9549268
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Roland Barthel, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 9247352
    Abstract: A hearing aid and a method for operating a hearing aid to improve the quality of the hearing aid, in particular depending on the situation, include a hearing aid component that can be worn in a human auditory canal and a balloon, the size of which can be changed and which at least partially encloses the hearing aid component. During the operation of the hearing aid, a value specific to the current hearing situation is detected by the hearing aid. The size of the balloon is then set according to the determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8774432
    Abstract: Adaptation of hearing devices is rendered more convenient and more accurate with a method for adapting a hearing device to a hearing device support. The hearing device is selected on the basis of initial data of several hearing devices with respect to the data relating to hearing loss of the hearing device support. The selected hearing device is preset using a target reinforcement curve and, optionally, a setting of the preset hearing device is finely adjusted. At least one of the mentioned steps of selecting and presetting as well as, optionally, the step of fine adjustment is carried out by means of a single perceptive model which individualizes the hearing loss data projected by the hearing loss of the hearing device support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8644535
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid, to an individual user, includes firstly recording data relating to at least one setting of the hearing device together with direct or indirect temporal information. Thereupon, a period of time during which the at least one setting was/is active is automatically determined. Finally, at least one parameter of the hearing device is automatically adapted as a function of the determined period of time and the at least one setting. This affords the possibility of adapting, for example, time constants according to individual usage. A corresponding hearing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8553916
    Abstract: A method, hearing aid, and computer product for changing the sequence of program positions of hearing programs are provided. The program positions of the hearing programs have a predefinable sequence. Time periods, within which hearing programs are selected, are measured. A new sequence of the program positions is calculated taking the measured time periods into account. The sequence of the program positions after a predefinable time span is modified in accordance with the calculated sequence. As a result hearing aids adapt to changed environments and place favorite programs in the front section of the program positions in accordance with the hearing aid wearer's preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20130142368
    Abstract: A hearing aid and a method for operating a hearing aid to improve the quality of the hearing aid, in particular depending on the situation, include a hearing aid component that can be worn in a human auditory canal and a balloon, the size of which can be changed and which at least partially encloses the hearing aid component. During the operation of the hearing aid, a value specific to the current hearing situation is detected by the hearing aid. The size of the balloon is then set according to the determined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8355516
    Abstract: A hearing apparatus and particularly a hearing aid intended to be able to recognize acoustic situations more reliably includes a microphone device for picking-up a sound signal, a reception device for picking-up an electrical or electromagnetic signal and a classification device for determining an acoustic situation from the signals of the microphone device and the reception device. A signal processing device processes the signals of the microphone device and the reception device as a function of an output signal of the classification device. In particular, the signals of the microphone device and the reception device are made available separately to the classification device for recognizing the situation. Thus, the individual input signals, or the correlation thereof, can be used for recognizing the situation. A method for operating a hearing apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8331591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing aid. A local source operating mode is established by a signal processing section of the hearing aid for tracking and selecting a local acoustic source of an ambient sound. Electrical acoustic signals from which the local acoustic source is determined by the signal processing section are generated by the hearing aid from the detected ambient sound. The local acoustic source is selectively taken into account by the signal processing section in an output sound of the hearing aid such that the local acoustic source is at least acoustically prominent and is therefore better perceived compared to another acoustic source for a hearing aid wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Eghart Fischer, Matthias Fröhlich, Jens Hain, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8325957
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a hearing aid wearer to actively operate a hearing aid. A signal processing section of the hearing aid has a demixing module for separating audio signals and a postprocessor module which sets up a hold mode of operation for the hearing aid. An audio signal, which is preferred by the hearing aid wearer, from an ambient sound, is tracked and selected by virtue of the hearing aid wearer transmitting to the hearing aid a command which sets up the hold mode of operation in the signal processing section of the hearing aid for a certain period. The signal processing section tracks the preferred audio signal and selectively takes account of it in an output sound from the hearing aid such that it is audibly highlighted for the hearing aid wearer in comparison with another audio signal and is thereby perceived better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Eghart Fischer, Matthias Fröhlich, Jens Hain, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8265288
    Abstract: The provision of an individually adapted hearing aid for a patient is intended to be effected more quickly. A method is therefore provided by which, firstly, hearing loss data, in particular an audiogram, are generated by a person skilled in the art for example an ENT specialist, and the hearing loss data are transmitted to a manufacturer. Using a perceptive model based on the hearing loss data, the manufacturer selects a hearing aid and matches the hearing aid to the patient by means of the perceptive model. Finally, the manufacturer delivers the adapted hearing aid directly or indirectly to the patient. Due to the simplified workflow during the adaptation, the waiting times for the provision of the hearing aid are reduced for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Beck, Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8218800
    Abstract: A hearing system is provided that includes a left device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the left ear of the user, and a right device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the right ear of the user. A perceptive model for binaural hearing is implemented at least in one of the two devices or a further device belonging to the hearing system, with which a left setting value for the left device and/or a right setting value for the right device can be determined on the basis of the two sound signals. The left device can then be set with the left setting value and/or the right device with the right setting value. The entire process of the binaural hearing and not only the monaural hearing is thus taken into consideration for the setting of the hearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8213650
    Abstract: The setting and/or adjustment of a hearing device for a user is provided. The hearing device includes a signal processing facility for processing an input sound to form an output sound, with a perceptive model being implemented in the signal processing facility or in a processing facility connected in a data link therewith, with which perceptive model a psychoacoustic variable can be provided in respect of the output sound. A visualization facility, for instance integrated in a remote control comprising the processing facility, is preferably wirelessly connected to the signal processing facility. A value of the psychoacoustic variable can thus be visualized accordingly. In this way an assisting person obtains an item of information relating to the perception of the sound supplied by the hearing device by the user, as a result of which the setting is facilitated for the assisting person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8111850
    Abstract: A hearing device wearer is to have improved possibilities of being able to perform a fine adjustment of his/her hearing device according to a basic setting. To this end, each processing value of a multi-channel processing system is standardized, in particular a filter bank, to a respectively associated basic setting value. A fine adjustment of the processing values to the hearing device wearer can now be carried out in relation to the standardized processing values starting from a standardized base line. It is thus possible for the hearing device wearer to implement a standardization of the setting values at any point in time and based hereupon to intuitively perform his/her setting requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Adiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Messmer, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 8081768
    Abstract: To determine target amplification curves in hearing devices, audiometric mismeasurements are to be corrected. To this end, it is proposed first to measure a bone conduction hearing threshold of a patient. Furthermore a database having typical sound conduction components for a number of typical hearing impairments is provided. One of these sound conduction components is selected in order to smooth the measured bone conduction hearing threshold, with a smoothed bone conduction hearing threshold resulting. One or a number of target amplification curves is formed from the smoothed bone conduction hearing threshold, if necessary with further hearing thresholds. Error corrections can be reliably carried out with the aid of the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20100239100
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20100202636
    Abstract: Adaptation of hearing devices is rendered more convenient and more accurate with a method for adapting a hearing device to a hearing device support. The hearing device is selected on the basis of initial data of several hearing devices with respect to the data relating to hearing loss of the hearing device support. The selected hearing device is preset using a target reinforcement curve and, optionally, a setting of the preset hearing device is finely adjusted. At least one of the mentioned steps of selecting and presetting as well as, optionally, the step of fine adjustment is carried out by means of a single perceptive model which individualizes the hearing loss data projected by the hearing loss of the hearing device support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20100195855
    Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio of a measuring signal emitted and detected by a hearing device include a generator unit for generating a measuring signal, a modulation unit for modulating the measuring signal prior to or during emission in such a way that the detected measuring signal is modulated according to the generated measuring signal, and a detection unit for detecting the measuring signal on the basis of the modulation. The result of a measurement, for instance an OLG measurement, is therefore more independent of external disturbances and the signal-to-noise ratio is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Matthias Müller-Wehlau, Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20100195856
    Abstract: A method at least partially determines acoustic feedback of a hearing device worn by a hearing device wearer. The method includes a detection of the geometry of the auditory canal and/or the concha of the ear of the hearing device wearer and a determination of the feedback from the detected geometry. The thus determined feedback can also be used to adjust a hearing device. This is advantageous in that a measurement of the feedback does not have to be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Grafenberg, Andre Steinbuss
  • Publication number: 20100195839
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Roland Barthel, Andre Steinbuss
  • Patent number: 7747031
    Abstract: To reduce the disturbing effect of artifacts created by signal processing when reducing wind noises the microphone signal of a hearing device for the presence or the strength of a predefined wind noise signal and, if appropriate, the wind noise signal is released. A noise signal is generated that is emitted at the hearing aid output component in addition to the reduced wind noise signal. The noise signal is generated dependent on the wind noise signal, so that the wind noise signal is at least partly masked. The resultant signal is perceived by the wearer of the hearing aid to be less disturbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Steinbuss