Patents Assigned to Sonova
  • Acoustic filter with attenuation control
    Patent number: 11266532
    Abstract: An acoustic filter including a valve system with acoustic valves arranged in a sound passage for controlling the acoustic resistance of respective apertures based on a control signal for selecting an attenuation of a sound pressure level of transmitted sound compared to that of received sound. The acoustic filter is adapted to provide the selection of the attenuation from a sequence of predetermined attenuations based on a selection of the control signal. Each attenuation in the sequence corresponds to acoustic valves providing the apertures with a respective predetermined acoustic resistance, wherein the acoustic resistances of subsequent attenuations in the sequence are adapted to correspond with a linear increase or decrease in the attenuation of the sound in decibels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Pieter Gerard Van 'T Hof, Adrián Lara-Quintanilla, Engbert Wilmink
  • Hearing aid system and a method for operating a hearing aid system
    Patent number: 11259128
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a hearing aid system (HS) comprising a first hearing aid device (2), which is designed for arrangement in an ear canal (1.1), and a second hearing aid device (3), which is designed for arrangement near to the first hearing aid device (2), wherein the first hearing aid device (2) and the second hearing aid device (3) each comprise at least one microphone, one signal processing unit, one loudspeaker and one battery, such that both the first hearing aid device (2) and the second hearing aid device (3) can each function as a hearing aid device independently of the respective other of the hearing aid devices (2, 3). Furthermore, the disclosed technology relates to a method for operating the hearing aid system (HS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Markus Mueller, Leo den Hartog
  • Hearing device comprising a sensor unit and a communication unit, communication system comprising the hearing device, and method for its operation
    Patent number: 11240611
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device configured to be worn at an ear of a user, the hearing device comprising a sensor unit configured to provide sensor data; and a communication unit configured to receive remote data from a remote device. The disclosure further relates to a communication system comprising the hearing device and the remote device and to a method of operating the hearing device and the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Ivo Spieler, Andreas Breitenmoser
  • Method and system for adjusting a hearing device to personal preferences and needs of a user
    Patent number: 11240616
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for adjusting a hearing device to personal preferences and needs of a user. The proposed method comprises providing initial settings and target settings for signal processing parameters of the hearing device, the user operating the user control element to provide an input for adjusting the current settings so as to meet the personal preferences and needs of the user, adjusting the current settings based on the initial settings and the target settings in dependence of the input to provide adjusted settings for the signal processing parameters. Thereby the user control element is located at the hearing device and/or a hearing device accessory such as a smartphone or tablet. Moreover, the present invention provides a system structured and configured to carry out the proposed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Michael Boretzki, Maxi Susanne Moritz, Elmar Fichtl, Volker Kuehnel, Ullrich Sigwanz, Josef Chalupper
  • Method of sealing a module and a hearing device
    Patent number: 11240614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sealing a module (14) in a hearing device housing. The method comprises the steps of preparing the module (14) and the hearing device housing, and applying a sealing material (28) into a space, said space being formed between the module (14) and the hearing device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, André Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer, Fiona Pacifico
  • Hearing device comprising an active vent and method for its operation
    Patent number: 11234087
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a housing surrounding a venting channel comprising a valve member moveable relative to the venting channel between different positions comprising a first valve position and a second valve position, an actuator configured to provide an actuation force with a direction and a magnitude acting on the valve member, and a controller a controller configured to provide a first control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a first direction, and to provide a second control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a second direction. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating such a hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christian Frei, Manuel Weibel, Erwin Kuipers, Maxi Susanne Moritz, Christian Landolt
  • Cerumen protection plug
    Patent number: 11228851
    Abstract: A cerumen protection plug for a hearing device. The cerumen protection plug prevents cerumen from passing along a sound conduit in the hearing device and blocking sound output from a receiver in the hearing device. The cerumen protection plug includes a circular plug containing a cerumen barrier. A positioning handle allows the cerumen barrier to be positioned along the sound conduit, where it prevents cerumen that has entered the sound conduit from traveling along the sound conduit to the receiver or an output port of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erich Dittli, Christoph Bosshard, Marius Ruefenacht, Joseph Muller, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Andreas Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Method and system for fitting a hearing device
    Patent number: 11218821
    Abstract: There is provided a method of fitting a hearing device by using a fitting station, wherein: during pairing a long-term key (LTK) is provided as a shared secret to the fitting station and the hearing device; an identity resolving key (IRK) of the fitting station, which is required for generating and resolving a device address of the fitting station, is generated and provided to the hearing device; an IRK of the hearing device, which is required for generating and resolving a device address of the hearing device, is provided to the fitting station; pairing data including the LTK, the fitting station IRK and the hearing device IRK are stored in a database connected to the first fitting station; the LTK and the fitting station IRK are stored in the hearing device; and a fitting session is conducted via a secure connection between fitting station and hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventor: Andreas Doebeli
  • Hearing device with multiple consistent controllers
    Patent number: 11218820
    Abstract: A hearing system comprising a hearing device and at least two controllers connected to the hearing device for changing a state of the hearing device, wherein the hearing device is configured to maintain a transaction token having a present value associated with at least one present state parameter value of the hearing device. Each controller is configured to acquire, prior to changing the state of the hearing device, the present transaction token value and the present at least one state parameter value of the hearing device, to change the acquired parameter value, and to send back to the hearing device, as a state change request, the new at least one state parameter value together with the acquired transaction token value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventor: Stephan Gehring
  • Audio stream detection
    Patent number: 11206055
    Abstract: There is provided an audio transmission method, comprising: wirelessly connecting an audio receiver device to a first audio streaming device; transmitting a first audio stream from the first audio streaming device using a first protocol to the audio receiver device, wherein at least one audio data packet is transmitted in each frame in at least one audio packet slot; and scanning, by the audio receiver device, while receiving the first audio stream from the first audio streaming device, during at least one scan window (S) for frequency hopping synchronization (FHS) packets (F) transmitted from a second audio streaming device in a second audio stream using a second protocol. The scanning activity enables reception of at least one audio packet per frame of the first audio stream by preventing collision of the at least one scan window with at least one audio packet slot (A) per frame (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Amre El-Hoiydi, Michael Bernhard
  • Activating a mode of a hearing device
    Patent number: 11206497
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to operation modes for hearing devices. In some implementations, the disclosed technology includes a hearing device entering into and operating in airplane mode or a mode of operation that limits communication with a select frequency or select group of frequencies. To enter a mode of operation, a user can use two inputs for the hearing device. For example, one input is a battery closing and another input is the device pushing of a button on the device (e.g., on the hearing device or a mobile device in communication with the hearing device).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Jonas Högberg, Michael von Tessin, Ivo Spieler, Daniel Lucas-Hirtz, Jan Mattmüller
  • Hearing device user communicating with a wireless communication device
    Patent number: 11195518
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to conversation between a wireless communication device with a hearing device user. Based on the context of an initiated conversation, an initiating module within the hearing device can send a listening initiator to a speech recognition module within the hearing device, which can use the listening initiator to determine keywords that are potentially applicable in that a context. The speech recognition module within the hearing device can determine whether keywords associated with the context of a conversation are spoken by the user. Accordingly, the hearing device does not need a large vocabulary speech recognition module or computation resources equivalent to a laptop or desktop, which saves power and resources and makes a hearing device integrated keyword detection useful for different contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ueli Roeck
  • Hearing device with active vent comprising solenoid
    Patent number: 11197109
    Abstract: An illustrative hearing device comprises a controller module and a receiver module including a speaker and an active vent which can be switched between an open state and a closed state, wherein the speaker is electrically connected to the controller module by two differential audio lines, wherein the active vent comprises a solenoid with an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal connected to the controller module via one of the differential audio lines and the second terminal connected to the controller module either via the other one of the differential audio lines or to at least one control output of the controller module via a separate control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Christian Landolt, Christian Frei, Erwin Kuipers, Manuel Weibel
  • Rechargeable battery with non-metallic casing for a hearing device
    Patent number: 11197110
    Abstract: The disclosed technology comprises a non-metallic rechargeable battery casing for a hearing device. For example, the battery casing comprises a polymer or plastic that encapsulates the battery chemistry (e.g., Li-Ion). The battery design has no additional metallic layers or metallic casing; rather, the battery is comprised of non-metallic lid, non-metallic can, and the battery chemistry is inside the non-metallic lid and can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Erich Dittli
  • Cerumen filter applicator
    Patent number: 11190888
    Abstract: A tool for replacing a cerumen filter in a sound conduit of a hearing aid. The tool is designed to position a cerumen filter along the sound conduit and to couple with and remove a cerumen filter that has been positioned along the sound conduit. The tool comprises an insertion tip and an removal tip, both configured to fit inside the sound conduit and to couple or engage with an engagement body extending centrally from the cerumen filter. The tool may be in the form of a stylus with the insertion tip on one and the removing tip on the other end. The tool may also be in the form of a disc dispenser with a plurality of insertion and removal tips attached to the dispenser and accessible for use by rotating plates making up the disc dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Martyn Beedham, Erich Dittli, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Christoph Bosshard, Josef Müller, Marius Ruefenacht, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Magnetic battery cover for a hearing device
    Patent number: 11190886
    Abstract: A hearing device comprises a device body carrying a hearing device processor for processing microphone signals to produce an output acoustic signal for delivery to a respective ear of a user. A battery compartment is provided for containing a battery to power the processor, the battery compartment bearing at least two magnets, or magnetic restraint elements. A battery cover bearing at least two magnets respectively configured to magnetically cooperate with the at least two battery compartment magnets in order to magnetically hold the battery cover against the battery compartment so as to define a battery cavity between the battery cover and the battery compartment. The magnets are positioned about the battery cavity so as to magnetically urge the battery cover to a preferred position relative to the battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventor: Yaniv Eliezer Kaufman
  • Fitting and positioning a component for a hearing device
    Patent number: 11190887
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device positioned partially or completely within an ear canal. In some implementations, the hearing device is an ITE with an oval-shaped or elongated battery, where the battery is positioned at an angle relative to a faceplate of the ITE. The hearing device can be a rechargeable, where the rechargeable battery is positioned (e.g., titled) between at an angle between 10 to 25 degrees relative to the faceplate of the ITE. In some implementations, the faceplate of the ITE is configured to enable the battery to pivot or adjust its angle such that the battery position can be adjusted to use space more efficiently. In some implementations, the battery 220 has a long axis, where the long axis is longer than any other battery axis, and the long axis extends from the faceplate at a non-perpendicular angle (e.g., 10 to 35 degrees).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Thomas Winkler
  • Systems and methods for adjusting a gain limit of a hearing device
    Patent number: 11184713
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to concurrently present, within a graphical user interface displayed by a display device, a gain limit curve and a target gain curve representing a target gain profile for the useable gain by a hearing device across a range of frequencies, the target gain curve corresponding to a first sound input level and initially having an amplitude greater than an amplitude of the gain limit curve within a subset of frequencies included in the range of frequencies. The processor is further configured to detect user input representative of a request to increase the amplitude of the gain limit curve, increase a portion of the gain limit curve, and update the gain limit profile in accordance with the increased portion of the gain limit curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventor: Ullrich Sigwanz
  • Hearing devices and methods for implementing an adaptively adjusted cut-off frequency
    Patent number: 11184715
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing device includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive an input audio signal having a range of input frequencies, adaptively adjust a cut-off frequency for the input audio signal such that a value of the cut-off frequency varies between a predefined minimum cut-off frequency value and a predefined maximum cut-off frequency value as a continuous function of the input audio signal, and generate an output audio signal by mapping the range of input frequencies to a range of output frequencies determined based on the adaptively adjusted cut-off frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Gilles Courtois, Julia Rehmann
  • Side specific behind-the-ear hearing device and binaural hearing system including the same
    Patent number: 11184716
    Abstract: An exemplary behind-the-ear (“BTE”) hearing device has a side specific structure and includes a housing comprising: a proximal portion configured to be positioned towards an upper part of an ear of a recipient, the proximal portion having a curved shape configured to curve within a first reference plane such that the proximal portion is configured to follow a median shape of the ear when the BTE hearing device is worn by the recipient; and a distal portion configured to extend behind the ear when the BTE hearing device is worn by the recipient, the distal portion configured to extend within a second reference plane that intersects the first reference plane at an angle such that the distal portion is bent with respect to the proximal portion and is configured to extend toward a skull of the recipient when the BTE hearing device is worn by the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Marius Rufenacht, Richard Niccolai, Petra Gunde