Patents Assigned to Phonak AG
  • Patent number: 8311252
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a hearing device with a main housing (10) to be worn behind the ear, a secondary housing (20) separated thereof and to be arranged partly or completely within the ear and a speaker, and a connecting element (30) being arranged between the main housing (10). The secondary housing (20), includes at least an electrical and/or an acoustical connection between the speaker and the main housing (10). According to the present invention, at least one damping element (44) is arranged between the main housing (10) and the secondary housing (20). The damping element (44) reduces or prevents the transfer of vibrations between the microphone (15) and the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Erich Dittli, Daniel Mueller, Christoph Leist
  • Patent number: 8295520
    Abstract: A method for determining a maximum gain is disclosed that is applicable in a forward signal path starting at a microphone (1) and ending at a receiver (11) of a hearing device, the maximum gain being a gain value at which just no feedback occurs. The method comprising the steps of estimating a estimated feedback transfer function (F?) characterizing a feedback signal path (15) starting at a receiver (11) and ending at a microphone (1) of the hearing device, while the hearing device is inserted into an ear of a hearing device user, and adapting the estimated feedback transfer function (F?) as a result of a changing feedback signal path (15) by applying an adaptive algorithm. The invention is characterized by determining the maximum gain from the estimated feedback transfer function (F?), in particular by coefficients of the estimated feedback transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Sascha Korl, Lukas Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8295497
    Abstract: A hearing system and a method for operating a binaural hearing system include at least two hearing devices to be at least partly inserted into or to be worn behind the left and right ear of a user. Each hearing device includes at least one microphone to generate an electrical signal corresponding to an acoustic signal. The method includes determining contra-lateral information based on an acoustic signal recorded by a microphone of the contra-lateral hearing device, and determining ipsi-lateral information based on an acoustic signal recorded by a microphone of the ipsi-lateral hearing device. The method includes providing a coordination level, the coordination level being indicative of a degree of synchronization of the two hearing devices, and adjusting processes in the ipsi-lateral hearing device in accordance with the coordination level. The coordination level can be determined from the contra-lateral information and/or from the ipsi-lateral information, or be obtained from an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Manuela Feilner
  • Patent number: 8284973
    Abstract: The hearing device comprises at least one microphone (2) arranged within the housing (3) of the hearing device, with its sound inlet aperture (2?) being connected via a canal (7) to the outside of the housing (3) and a sound permeable cover (10) serving as microphone protection that is arranged in the region of the outlet opening of said canal (7). The canal (7) of the hearing device is provided as a blind hole and the microphone (2) is arranged at the side of said canal (7) and at least one opening or channel (9) is provided connecting said canal (7) with said sound inlet aperture (2?) of said microphone (2). By providing the canal (7) as a blind hole, all dirt eventually intruding the canal (7) will be collected at the bottom (7?) of canal (7) and will therefore not reach directly the microphone (2) or the sound inlet openings of the microphone (2) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Bruno Gabathuler, Andre Lucien Ochsenbein
  • Patent number: 8265313
    Abstract: A method and a hearing device for cancelling or preventing feedback are disclosed. The hearing device comprises a microphone (1), a transfer function (2) and a receiver (3), wherein the transfer function (2) defines relation between an input signal (12) of the hearing device and an output signal (13, 13?) of the hearing device. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps of estimating an external transfer function (21) of an external feedback path (11) defined by sound traveling from the receiver (3) to the microphone (1), estimating the input signal (12?) having no feedback components of the external feedback path (11) using an auxiliary signal (15), which does not comprise feedback components of the external feedback path (11), and using the estimated input signal (14) for estimating the external transfer function (21) of the external feedback path (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Sascha Korl
  • Publication number: 20120224732
    Abstract: A system for providing hearing assistance to at least one user, having: at least one audio signal source (16, 20) for providing audio signals; a transmission unit (10) for wireless transmission of audio signals; at least one receiver unit (12, 14) for wireless reception of audio signals from the transmission unit; a device (42, 82) for stimulating the hearing of the user according to audio signals supplied from the at least one receiver unit. The transmission unit has both an analog transmitter (26) for applying an analog modulation scheme and a digital transmitter (28) for applying a digital modulation scheme in order to transmit the audio signals from the audio signal source (16, 20) simultaneously via an analog audio link (34) and a digital audio link (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Marc Secall, Amre El-Hoiydi, Rainer Platz, Doninique Aparicio, Timothée Jost, Christoph Schmid
  • Publication number: 20120221329
    Abstract: A method of speech enhancement in a room (10) includes the steps of capturing audio signals from a speaker's voice by a microphone (12), estimating an ambient noise level in the room from the captured audio signals, processing the captured audio signals by an audio signal processing unit (20), estimating a reverberation level, determining the gain to be applied to the captured audio signals by the audio signal processing unit according to a comparison between the estimated ambient noise level and the estimated reverberation level, and generating sound according to the processed audio signals by a loudspeaker arrangement (24) located in the room, wherein the reverberation level is the level of reverberant components of the sound generated by the loudspeaker arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Samuel Harsch
  • Publication number: 20120215530
    Abstract: A method of speech enhancement in a room (10), having the steps of: determining acoustic parameters of the room and a loudspeaker arrangement (24) located in the room, capturing audio signals from a speaker's voice with a microphone (12), and processing the captured audio signals with an audio signal processing unit (20). The audio signals are filtered by applying a selected frequency response curve to the audio signals, generating sound according to the processed audio signals by the loudspeaker arrangement, determining a value indicative of the overall gain applied to the captured audio signals, and selecting a frequency response curve to be applied to the captured audio signals according to the overall gain value and the acoustic parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventor: Samuel Harsch
  • Patent number: 8249284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing system comprising an input unit, an output unit and a transmission unit operationally interconnecting said input output units. Said transmission unit implements a transfer function describing, how audio signals generated by said input unit are processed in order to derive audio signals fed to said output unit, and can be adjusted by one or more transfer function parameters. Said method comprises obtaining, by means of said input unit and with a first directional characteristic, first audio signals from incoming acoustic sound; deriving from said first audio signals a first set of sound-characterizing data; and deriving, in dependence of first directional information, which is data comprising information on said first directional characteristic, and of said first set of sound-characterizing data, a value for each of said one or more transfer function parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Stefan Launer, Hilmar Meier, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Herbert Bächler
  • Patent number: 8243938
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a hearing device, by registering characteristics of an individual (I) a personality vector (K(CI)) is established in a fitting machine. The personality vector (K(CI)) of the individual (I) momentarily involved is compared with stored personality vectors (K1(C) to Kn(C)). That stored personality vector which is most similar to that of the individual (I) is selected and therefrom a personality profile (PP) which is assigned to such personality vector. There is assigned to the personality profile which accords to the most similar personality vector, a respective fitting vector which controls subsequent manufacturing of the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Valentin Chapero-Rueda, Hilmar Meier
  • Publication number: 20120201407
    Abstract: A hearing system is described comprising a hearing device with a signal processing unit and at least one analogue control element (5) with a selector (6) with a delimited selecting range for selecting at least one particular setting of the hearing system. Each setting controls one or multiple parameters of the hearing device (1), and the analogue control element (5) is operatively connected to the signal processing unit. Furthermore, the selecting range of the analogue control element (5) is partitioned into discrete segments, each identified by a distinctive identification digit, and at least two successive segments define a section (Pos 1, . . . , Pos 4), each section is identified by a distinctive section digit; wherein each section (Pos 1, . . . , Pos 4) represents a particular setting of the hearing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Ivo Spieler, Lukas Erni, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20120202371
    Abstract: For the connection of a programming device to a hearing device an insertable plate (21) into the casing or frame of the hearing device is provided, comprising on one side contacts (29) to the hearing device electronics and on the other side contact pins (27), provided for the connection of a contact adapter/cable system of the programming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Paul Portmann, Erich Dittli, Bruno Gabathuler, Erdal Karamuk
  • Patent number: 8229150
    Abstract: The present hearing device with at least one microphone (1) arranged within the housing of the hearing device, wherein the microphone (1) is arranged within a mounting plate (4) of the hearing device, an opening (3) for receiving the microphone (1) is inventively provided within said mounting plate (4) and further elastic material (2) is arranged in at least a part area between said microphone (1) and the wall of said opening (3) facing said microphone (1). The elastic material (2) is providing a clamping action or friction fit that reliably fixes the microphone (1) in its built-in position within the mounting plate (4) or the opening (3) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Andi Vonlanthen, Bruno Gabathuler
  • Publication number: 20120183166
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a second hearing device in dependence of a first hearing device is proposed. Therein, the first hearing device has been, by means of a first fitting system, individually adjusted to needs and preferences of a specific hearing device user. The method comprises the steps of a1) providing data (165) related to the first hearing device; a2) providing data (155) related to the first fitting system; d1?) adjusting the second hearing device in dependence of the data (165) related to said first hearing device and of the data (155) related to said first fitting system. The corresponding apparatus is disclosed, too. A fitting can be transferred from the first hearing device to the second hearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Philipp Schneider, Robert Baur
  • Patent number: 8224004
    Abstract: A hearing system includes a hearing device with a signal processing unit. A control input of the signal processing unit is connected to a device communication port. A remote control device has a wireless communication port for single or bi-directional wireless communication with the device communication port. A computer is embedded in the remote control device. An output of the computer is connected to the wireless communication port and to a machine/man interface at the remote control device. An input of the computer is connected to a man/machine interface at the remote control device. A set of application programs is executable by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Herbert Baechler, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki
  • Patent number: 8213653
    Abstract: The hearing device to be worn by a user of the hearing device comprises an input transducer for transducing incoming acoustical sound into audio signals; a signal processor for processing audio signals; an output transducer for transducing audio signals into outgoing acoustical sound. Said signal processor is designed such that there exists an input SPL range of at least a portion of said incoming acoustical sound, in which an increase in input SPL of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound results in a decrease in output SPL of at least a portion of said outgoing acoustical sound, wherein SPL stands for sound pressure level. Through this, at high input SPL the hearing device's power consumption can be reduced by making use of direct sound, which propagate as sound waves from outside the user's ear canal to the user's ear drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Andreas Von Buol, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20120163642
    Abstract: A hearing aid housing comprises a microphone opening protection cover, wherein the protection cover (3) is integrated within the housing and is made out of a woven or non-woven fabric. Within the protection cover a switch or push button knob (9) is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Erich Dittli, Axel Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20120148079
    Abstract: A hearing device with a connecting portion (15) for the connection of a hook or acoustic tube comprises an inside thread (21) or internal thread portion at the connecting portion intended for the attachment of a hook or acoustic tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Bruno Gabathuler, Paul Portmann, Erich Dittli
  • Publication number: 20120140962
    Abstract: The hearing system (1) comprises at least one hearing device which comprises an operability control unit (3) and, operationally connectable thereto, a storage unit (4) in which operability data (5) are stored. The operability control unit (3) is structured and configured to either disable or not disable the hearing device (2) from functioning as a hearing device in dependence of the operability data (5), and the hearing system comprises no means for modifying the operability data (5), more particularly comprises no means for modifying the operability data stored in the storage unit (4). The method for operating a hearing system (1) comprises providing a hearing system (1) comprising at least one hearing device (2) comprising an operability control unit (3) and, operationally connected thereto a storage unit (4) in which operability data (5) are stored, wherein the hearing system comprises no means for modifying the operability data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Marcel Ubezio, Christian Reus, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Ruedi Suter, Pete Jones
  • Patent number: D663847
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Basil Dubs, Christian Harbeke