Abstract: A method for setting power of radio signals transferred by a node and/or of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the node. The node: receives, from at least one neighbouring node, at least one parameter value used by the neighbouring node for setting the power of the radio signals transferred by the neighbouring node and/or of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the neighbouring node, determines, at least from the parameter value, a parameter value to be used by the node, sets the power of the radio signals transferred by the node and/or the power correction of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the node according to the determined parameter value, and transfers at least the determined parameter value to the at least one neighbouring node.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing system includes a hearing device being worn by a hearing device user, at least one communication device being used by a person or by a group of people, and a network. The method includes the steps of establishing a connection between the hearing device and the at least one communication device via the network, identifying the person or the group of people using the at least one communication device, and adjusting settings in the hearing device for adapting its acoustical behavior taking into account acoustic properties of at least one of the person, the group of people, the user, the hearing device and the communication device. Furthermore, a hearing device (2) is described.

Abstract: The invention regards a communication device which is adapted for placement in a users ear. The communication device comprises a shell part enclosing an input transducer for receiving an input signal, a signal processing device and an output N transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound, a battery located at a surface part of the shell which is facing away from the head of the user, a transmission and reception circuit for transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic energy. According to the invention an antenna for radiating and/or receiving electromagnetic energy is provided such that it has a first surface turned towards the surroundings and a second surface located in close proximity of the battery.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is enabled for binaural microphone adjustment by way of the wearer's own voice. The hearing aid system has a first and a second hearing aid having a first and a second acousto-electric converter. The converters have a signal link with a signal processing unit which determines and compensates for signal deviations caused by the first and second acousto-electric converters on the basis of signals from the wearer's own voice. The wearer's own voice is recognized by a special facility.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting, by the electronic device, a control signal for controlling a microphone sensitivity of a hearing aid, to the hearing aid, and transmitting a reception signal from a counterpart electronic device to the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed are a terminal and a method of pairing a terminal with a hearing apparatus. The method of pairing a terminal involves verifying whether a hearing apparatus is in contact with a terminal, and pairing the terminal with the hearing apparatus in response to a determination that the hearing apparatus is in contact with the terminal.

Abstract: In some aspects, a portable electronic device having a slidable upper housing and rear housing movable between an open position and a closed position, and a gain adjustment module. The gain adjustment module reduces the RF energy produced by the portable electronic device when the device is in the open position to ensure that the portable electronic device complies with Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) standards.

Abstract: A method for operating an audio system for transmitting wireless audio streams to a hearing system comprising a hearing device, the audio system comprising a communication unit and a radio system comprising a transmitter unit, the method includes: receiving request data comprising hearing device identification data and a request indicative of an audio track; determining radio system configuration data based on at least a part of the request data; and transmitting an audio stream by the transmitter unit according to the determined radio system configuration data, wherein the audio stream comprises audio stream data and audio identification data for allowing the hearing system to receive the audio stream representative of the requested audio track.

Abstract: A method and electronic device for subscriber identification module (SIM) selection are provided. The method includes determining an ear, from among a user's ears, corresponding to at least one sensor signal, and selecting a SIM, from among a plurality of SIMs, corresponding to the determined ear.

Abstract: A hearing aid fitting system (100, 200, 300) adapted for remote fitting of a hearing aid system (110), wherein a direct communication channel between a hearing aid fitting part and an external device (102, 302), adapted to communicate directly with the hearing aid system (110), is established by a control server (103) based on unique identifications of the hearing aid user and the external device and the hearing aid system. The invention also provides a method of remote fitting of a hearing aid system.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a housing with a microphone, an amplifier, where the hearing aid device comprises an antenna and either: a) a tube configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mold or a dome or electrically to a receiver in an ear mold or a dome or b) a hook configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mold or a dome. The antenna extends along at least a portion of the tube or the hook.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device may include a controller that may be configured to receive an information signal from a detachable device wherein the information signal may be selectively representative of an output signal of the controller according to codes of the detachable device and to receive a sense input that may be representative of the output signal and to determine a code received from the detachable device according to a value of the sense signal and the information signal.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward user profile based audio adjustment techniques. The techniques are used to render various audio and/or audio/video content having different audio output parameter values in accordance with a user profile that characterizes a user's desired value and/or range of one or more of the output parameter levels.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a casing configured to fit behind an ear of a user's head and against a side of the user's head. The hearing aid further includes a first proximity sensor associated with the casing and configured to generate a first signal that is proportional to a proximity of the casing to the ear and includes a processor coupled to the first proximity sensor and configured to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes in response to the first signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal amplification device may be configured to operate as a master and communicate to another personal amplification device that operates as a slave. The master may be configured to send signals to the slave device and control the slave device changing operation according to information sent in the sent signals.

Abstract: A sound detector communicates with a portable terminal by manipulation of the portable terminal by a user and may reproduce data communicated between the sound detector and the portable terminal.

Abstract: A method for use in an implantable hearing instrument, including receiving an output signal from an implanted microphone implanted in a person, identifying a first characteristic of said output signal, based on said first characteristic, amplifying said microphone output signal by at least one of a plurality of gain settings to produce an amplified signal, wherein said plurality of gain setting comprise at least two different gain settings, inputting said amplified signal into a signal processor, processing said amplified signal to generate a transducer drive signal; and using said transducer drive signal to drive implanted auditory stimulation device implanted in a person to stimulate an auditory component.

Abstract: Multimedia playing apparatuses and methods of measuring hearing characteristics of a user and outputting a sound modulated according to the hearing characteristics of the user are provided. A multimedia playing apparatus includes a sound output unit configured to output a sound comprising of one or more phonemes, and a user interface configured to receive a user response to the phonemes. The multimedia playing apparatus further includes a processor configured to acquire hearing characteristics of a user based on the user response, and determine an output level and/or an output time of the sound for each of frequency bands based on the hearing characteristics of the user. The sound output unit is further configured to output the sound according to the output level and/or the output time of the sound for each of the frequency bands.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for facilitating secure pairing of a client device with a remote device using a inductive pickup coil in the client device and an intermediate hearing-aid-compatible (HAC) mobile device. Credentials stored in or accessible to the mobile device may be encoded in an magnetic HAC signal in the audio frequency spectrum and communicated to the client device through inductive coupling with the inductive pickup coil in the client device. The client device may then use the credentials to gain access to the remote device. In some implementations, the mobile device may cease broadcasting the magnetic signal upon receipt of an indication that the client device has gained access to the remote device.

Abstract: A smart phone incorporating a T-coil unit is described. Selection between the output of the induction coil(s) of the unit and the analog output of the radio frequency section of smart phone can made by standard switches for the analog output of the smart phone. Alternatively, with control over the amplification of the induction coil output and the analog output of the radio frequency section, and over a comparator which receives both outputs, different modes of operations for the T-coil output and the analog output can be selected for the audio output of the smart phone. The T-coil unit can also be built as a smart phone dongle which notifies the user of the existence of induction loop signals.

Abstract: An example method includes determining if first media monitoring data provided by a first meter in a first location identifies a same media as second media monitoring data provided by a second meter in a second location. When the first and second media monitoring data identify the same media, the example includes determining whether spillover occurred based on a time difference between a first timestamp associated with the first media monitoring data and a second timestamp associated with the second media monitoring data. Based on an occurrence of the spillover, the first media monitoring data is stored as credited media monitoring data for the first location indicative of a media exposure to an audience at the first location, and the second media monitoring data is not stored as credited media monitoring data for the second location when the first timestamp is earlier than the second timestamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing TDMA noise in a terminal transceiving a wireless signal in a TDMA scheme, includes an interface unit in which an output accessory is mounted, an audio processor including a virtual ground and transceiving an audio signal to and from an output accessory through the interface unit, a switch unit provided between the interface unit and the audio processor and switching such that a ground terminal of the interface unit is connected to one of a real ground or a virtual ground of the audio processor, and a controller controlling the switch unit to connect the ground terminal of the interface unit to the virtual ground when a call function using the output accessory is activated, in which the switch unit is configured by two or more switches which are connected to each other in a parallel connection.

Abstract: A system for enabling a hearing device wireless access to a communication network includes a first transceiver unit in the hearing device communicating according to a first communication protocol. The system also includes a server device including an input/output unit connected to the communication network and configured to communicate according to a second communication protocol. A second transceiver unit is connected wirelessly to the first transceiver unit and configured to communicate according to the first communication protocol. A translator unit interconnects the second transceiver unit and the input/output unit and is configured to translate between the first and second communication protocol. The hearing device is configured to upload and download data to and from the communication network through the server device, and the server device is incorporated in a mobile or cellular telephone.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for improves speech understanding by hearing aid users in crowded environments. In one embodiment, a hearing aid wearer's speech signal is extracted using the microphone or microphones in the hearing aid. The hearing aid is configured to wirelessly transmit the extracted speech signals to a central processing station that enhances the extracted speech signals received from all registered hearing aids. The central processing station processes the received speech signals individually based on provided hearing losses mixes the signals based on the provided preferences, wirelessly transmits the mixed signal to each registered hearing aid for play back.

Abstract: There is provided a control device (220) for an induction loop system configured to: generate a calibration signal (202) having a known amplitude and frequency; feed the calibration signal (202) to an induction loop amplifier (106); detect level of electric current at the output of the induction loop amplifier (106); and determine an adjustment model (400) on the basis of the detected level of electric current and the known amplitude and frequency, wherein the adjustment model (400) is for adjusting the amplitude of a to-be-fed output signal (200) based on the frequency of a to-be-received input electrical audio signal (105) such that the level of the electric current at the output of the induction loop amplifier (106) is within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the wireless stereo reception of first and second audio information by wireless hearing communication devices. One type of device which may employ the present subject matter is a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Various forms and protocols of signal transmission are employed in varying embodiments. The present subject matter includes various communication modes such as eavesdropping modes and relaying modes.

Abstract: Methods and nodes for balancing load on channels available for secondary usage by a secondary network (404). A channel handling node (400) determines channel quality metric values for the available channels, which indicate expected utility when the channels are used for radio communication. The channel handling node then adjusts the channel quality metric value of a superior channel with higher expected utility than the other available channels, to indicate equal or lower expected utility than a channel with the next highest expected utility, when the amount of channel queries (Q) from the secondary network exceeds a limit. The channel handling node then returns the adjusted channel quality metric value of the at least one superior channel, in response to a subsequent channel query (Q).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for enabling a hearing aid user to control the operation of the hearing aid and also select an audio source for streaming audio information such as music directly to the hearing aid. In one embodiment, these functionalities are combined into a single wrist-worn remote device that may also function as a watch.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a hearing aid housing; a microphone coupled to the hearing aid housing for reception of sound and conversion of the received sound into a corresponding first audio signal; a signal processor in the hearing aid housing for processing the first audio signal into a second audio signal compensating a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid; a wireless communication unit connected to the signal processor for wireless data communication; and an attachment member connectable to the hearing aid housing; wherein the wireless communication unit is coupled with an antenna having a first pole element and a second pole element for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field; and wherein at least a part of the first pole element extends in the attachment member, and the second pole element extends in the hearing aid housing.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the adjusting of a binaural hearing system and devices being operable according to said method. The hearing system comprises two hearing devices (10, 20), each comprising a signal processing unit (12, 22) for processing an audio input signal according to at least one hearing program (P) to provide an output signal being forwarded to an output transducer (13, 23) of the respective hearing device (10, 20). The method comprises the steps of: determining device information (ACCorr(P)ipsi, ACCorr(P)contra) being related to the hearing devices (10, 20) and to at least one hearing device specific adjustment having been applied earlier to the at least one hearing program (P); calculating synchronization data (learnt_pref(P)) according to a function that depends on the device information (ACCorr(P)ipsi, ACCorr(P)contra); and; synchronizing the hearing devices (10, 20) by taking into account the synchronization data (learnt_pref(P)).

Abstract: An ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable balloon which, when it is inflated, expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. When it is deflated, it may be withdrawn from the auditory canal. The ear piece may be used in connection with a hearing aid, an MP3 player, a cell phone, or the like. A pump inflates the balloon and a valve controls the selective deflation of the balloon. The air intake to the pump is protected against contamination from inside the auditory canal. For that purpose it is formed inside a housing the air inlet of which is as far outside the ear canal as possible. In the case of a behind-the-ear application, the intake opening is formed in the housing that is to be placed behind the user's ear.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable media which allows for hearing instruments to be in a piconet with each other while being connectable as a slave to another device such as a smart phone when it comes within range. In some examples to accomplish this, one or both of the connected hearing aids may send connectable advertisements while connected with each other in the piconet by time multiplexing the advertisements between connection events.

Abstract: A method of identifies an appropriate wireless communication channel in an audio receiving device, that comprises 1) a wireless receiver receiving an audio signal on a particular transmission channel selected among a predefined number of possible transmission channels, and 2) a microphone for picking up a sound in the environment of the audio receiving device. The method comprises a) selecting a channel as the receiving channel among a predefined number of possible transmission channels; b) analyzing the received signal received and the signal picked up by the microphone; c) determining whether a predefined criterion concerning the degree of similarity of the received signal and the signal picked up by the microphone is fulfilled; d) KEEPING the channel as the receiving channel, if the predefined criterion is fulfilled; and e) CHANGING the receiving channel to another channel if the predefined criterion is NOT fulfilled.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes a primary element connected to the circuit of the hearing aid and one or more secondary elements parasitically coupled to the primary element. This antenna configuration substantially increases radiation efficiency when compared to an antenna with the primary element alone, without substantially increasing the size, power consumption, and complexity of the hearing aid.

Abstract: A smart phone including a computer readable storage medium to store a hearing aid locator application and a processor coupled to the computer readable storage medium to execute the hearing aid locator application to track a last known location of a hearing aid.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for reducing exposure crediting errors due to spillover in a media monitoring system are disclosed. An example method includes determining if first media monitoring data provided from a first meter identifies a same media as second media monitoring data provided from a second meter. If the first media monitoring data identifies the same media as the second media monitoring data, the example method includes detecting if spillover occurred by determining if an absolute value of a difference between a first timestamp associated with the first media monitoring data and a second timestamp associated with the second media monitoring data is less than a threshold. If spillover occurred, the example method includes determining which of the first media monitoring data or the second media monitoring data to credit as a media exposure.

Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject. The internal optical power transmitter includes a power source configured to provide electrical energy and an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source. The electrical-optical converter may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject. The system further includes an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals and at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals. Embodiments of methods, biocompatible electrical-optical converters, and internal optical power transmitters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system provides for wireless communication between hearing assistance devices that are in a Bluetooth connection with a host device. In various embodiments, during a Bluetooth connection interval, one or more time slots are used for communication between the host device and one or more of the hearing assistance devices, while one or more additional time slots are reserved for communication between the hearing assistance devices.

Abstract: A wireless ITE (In-The-Ear) type hearing aid system having a remote control function, is provided, which includes: left and right hearing aids respectively inserted into ears and controls individually built-in features depending on a remote control signal applied in a near field magnetic induction (NFMI) method; a smart device that individually remote controls functions; and a wireless relay module that transmits and receives the audio signals and various information signals in the NFMI method, and that processes individual remote control signals in which the individual remote control signals are transmitted from the smart device via a near field communication (NFC) method. ITE type hearing aids are configured to operate with a smartphone in a wireless communication method, to then enable the smartphone to selectively control inherent functions, and to thereby maximize the ease of operation of a hearing aid wearer.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a wireless transceiver (100) having an inductive antenna (101) and a trimming capacitor (104, 105, 300, 404) with at least two parallel signal paths, wherein at least one of said signal paths comprises a first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312), a second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304) and a switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308) arranged such that the switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308) is coupled in parallel with said first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312) and coupled in series with said second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304), whereby the voltage drop across the switching transistor (305, 306, 307, 308), when the switching transistor is set to off, will be lower than the voltage applied across the trimming capacitor (104, 105, 300, 404) due to voltage division between said first capacitor (309, 310, 311, 312) and said second capacitor (301, 302, 303, 304). The invention also provides a method of fitting a wireless transceiver (100) for a hearing aid.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hearing aid system (100) comprises a hearing aid (102) and an external device (101). The hearing aid (102) has link means for providing a wireless link with the external device (101), memory means for storing a hearing aid variable and signal processing means for initiating the logging in response to a trigger signal received from the external device (101) The external device (102) has link means (107) for providing the wireless link with the hearing aid (102), an input transducer (103) for providing an electrical audio signal, memory means (105) for storing a sample of the electrical audio signal, user input means (106) and signal processing means (104) configured for initiating the recording of the electrical audio signal sample and for initiating the transmission of the trigger signal to the hearing aid (102) in response to an activation of the user input means (106). The invention further provides a method of fitting a hearing aid system (100).

Abstract: The present invention regards a communication system (10; 10a; 10b; 10c) comprising at least one communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) configured to connect to other communication devices (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) via an audio and data link (52). The communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) comprises at least a receiver unit (40), an output transducer (32), a microphone (22, 22?), a transmitter unit (42), and a control unit (38). The receiver unit (40) is adapted to receive audio signals and data signals via the audio and data link (52). The output transducer (32) is adapted to stimulate the hearing of the user (12, 20, 30) according to the audio signals received via the audio and data link (52). The microphone (22, 22?) is adapted to receive input sound (44) and generate an audio signal from the received input sound (44). The transmitter unit (42) is adapted to transmit audio signals and data signals via the audio and data link (52).

Abstract: A system includes: an external input device having a housing accommodating at least two telecoils having different orientations with respect to the housing, and an orientation sensor configured for sensing an orientation of the housing; and a selector configured for controlling connection of one of the at least two telecoils to an input of a hearing aid based on the sensed orientation.

Abstract: The present application provides method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using a monaural audio signal input. The system, in various examples, provides adjustable delay/phase adjustment and sound level adjustment. Different embodiments are provided for receiving the monaural signal and distributing it to a plurality of hearing assistance devices. Different relaying modes are provided. Special functions are supported, such as telecoil functions. The system also has examples that account for a head-related transfer function in providing advanced sound processing for the wearer. Other examples are provided that are described in the detailed description.