Abstract: In order to locate electromagnetic or acoustic signal sources of a sensor configuration (1 a through 1 c) fitted with at least two electric outputs; where the incidence-dependent transfer functions between the acoustic signals incident on the input(s) of the sensor configuration (1 a through 1 c) and the electric output signals are different, the ratio (7X through 7XX) of the output signal is formed and the result then is correlated with the previously determined ratio function (11).

Abstract: A method and a system for defining a threshold value (Omax, Omin, OTR) serving to limit the output signal of a processing unit which is fed an input signal. An input-signal level is determined and the threshold value (Omax, Omin, OTR) is set as a function of that input-signal level. By virtue of the fact that the threshold value is set as a function of the input-signal level, i.e. in adaptive fashion, it is also possible to limit transient noise whose level is well below the maximum value of the threshold value. As a result, when the method or system is applied in a hearing aid, the hearing comfort of the wearer of the hearing aid can be significantly enhanced.

Abstract: A hearing device is provided that includes at least a signal processing unit and at least a fuel cell to supply the signal processing unit with energy. The fuel tank of the fuel cell includes a membrane or an area with micro openings to let the fluid or gas to be used by the fuel cell pass into the fuel tank and to block other fluids from entering the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.

Abstract: The hearing system comprises at least one request-receiving unit for receiving requests for assistance from a user of said hearing system and an assistance unit operationally connected to said request-receiving unit adapted to carrying out an assistance function providing assistance for said user. Preferably, said assistance unit is adapted to carrying out an analysis of a current status of at least one device of said hearing system. Preferably, said assistance unit is furthermore adapted to attempting to correct said current status if a faulty or inappropriate current status has been detected. Preferably, the hearing system comprises a communication interface, wherein said assistance unit is adapted to attempting to establish a communication link to a remote assistance provider using said communication interface.

Abstract: A binaural hearing device system comprises a reception device (1) for one ear with at least two input acoustical/electrical converters (3a, 3b). Via a communication link (5) a signal (A1) which depends on both input converter's output signals is transmitted to a second device (7) for the other ear which comprises at least an output electrical/mechanical converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.

Abstract: Acoustical signals impinging on an input converter are converted into a first electric signal by a controllably variable transfer characteristic. The transfer characteristic is dependent on the angle at which the acoustical signals impinge on the input converter. The first electric signal is processed and a resulting signal is applied to an output converter. Feedback to be suppressed is compensated by a feedback compensating signal, which is generated in dependency of the resulting signal and is fed back by a feedback signal path upstream of the processing. The electric feedback compensating signal is fed back to and superimposed upon the first electric signal. An adaptation rate of the converting into a first electric signal by a controllably variable transfer characteristic is controlled in dependency of the loop gain along the feedback signal path.

Abstract: So as to put binaural beam-forming into practice selected acoustical situations are dealt with having minimum processing power and power consumption ability at a binaural hearing system. For near-to-ear acoustical sources the contra-lateral (7L) as well as the ipsi-lateral (7R) output electrical-to-mechanical converters of two hearing devices of the binaural hearing system are operated substantially exclusively in dependency from the output signal of the one ipsi-lateral input acoustical-to-electrical converter arrangement (3R).

Abstract: A method of processing an acoustic input signal into an output signal in a hearing instrument includes converting the acoustic input signal into a converted input signal, and applying a gain to the converted input signal to obtain the output signal. According to the invention, the gain is calculated using a room impulse attenuation value being a measure of a maximum negative slope of the a converted input signal power on a logarithmic scale. The calculation of the gain may include evaluating a signal power development value being a measure of the actual converted input signal power attenuation or signal power increase, evaluating a signal-to-reverberation-noise ratio from the signal power development value and the room impulse attenuation value, and calculating, based on a gain rule, said gain from said signal-to-reverberation-noise ratio.

Abstract: In order to locate electromagnetic or acoustic signal sources of a sensor configuration (1 a through 1 c) fitted with at least two electric outputs; where the incidence-dependent transfer functions between the acoustic signals incident on the input(s) of the sensor configuration (1 a through 1 c) and the electric output signals are different, the ratio (7X through 7XX) of the output signal is formed and the result then is correlated with the previously determined ratio function (11).

Abstract: The method for operating a hearing device having an adjustable transfer function comprising M sub-functions, wherein M is an integer with M?1, and wherein said transfer function describes how input audio signals generated by an input transducer unit of said hearing device relate to output audio signals to be fed to an output transducer unit of said hearing device, comprises the steps of: deriving said input audio signals from a current acoustic environment; and for each of said M sub-functions: deriving, on the basis of said input audio signals and for each class of N classes each of which describes a predetermined acoustic environment, a class similarity factor indicative of the similarity of said current acoustic environment with the predetermined acoustic environment described by the respective class, wherein N is an integer with N?2; deriving from N predetermined base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function and in dependence of said class similarity factors an activity parameter set fo

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.

Abstract: A binaural hearing device system comprises a reception device (1) for one ear with at least two input acoustical/electrical converters (3a, 3b). Via a communication link (5) a signal (A1) which depends on both input converter's output signals is transmitted to a second device (7) for the other ear which comprises at least an output electrical/mechanical converter.

Abstract: Acoustical signals from the acoustical surrounding (U) which impinge upon a reception unit 30 are evaluated and direction of arrival (DOA) of such signals is determined. From signals indicative of such direction of arrival (DOA) a histogram is formed in unit 32. The behavior of such histogram is classified under different aspects or criteria and dependent on classification results in a classifying unit 34 the hearing device and thereby especially its signal transfer characteristic from input acoustical signals to output mechanical signals is controlled or adjusted.

Abstract: In order to locate electromagnetic or acoustic signal sources of a sensor configuration (1a through 1c) fitted with at least two electric outputs; where the incidence-dependent transfer functions between the acoustic signals incident on the input(s) of the sensor configuration (1a through 1c) and the electric output signals are different, the ratio (7X through 7XX) of the output signal is formed and the result then is correlated with the previously determined ratio function (11).

Abstract: A method is described to operate a hearing device with an input transducer (1), a signal processing unit (2) and an output transducer (4). The method comprises the steps of converting an acoustic input signal into a converted input signal, processing the converted input signal in a main signal path in order to obtain a main output signal, and supplying the main output signal to an output transducer. By processing the converted input signal in a side signal path to obtain a side path output signal, and by superimposing the side path output signal on the main output signal, wherein a group delay of a signal traveling through the side signal path is smaller than a group delay of a signal traveling through the main signal path, the localization problems are eliminated. At the same time, the hearing device according to the present invention can still have a very high performance. In short terms, a “zero-delay-high-performance” hearing device has been created by the present invention.

Abstract: The hearing device is operable in a fitting mode and in a listening mode and comprises a transducer for receiving, in the fitting mode, audio test signals, and for converting the audio test signals into signals to be perceived by the user in the fitting mode. It comprises a parameter memory means for storing parameter settings, which parameter settings are obtained from user input received through a user interface in response to the signals perceived by the user in the fitting mode. And it comprises a signal processor using the parameter settings for correcting audio signals at least in the listening mode. The user interface is comprised in the hearing device and the hearing device comprises an audio signal source, in which audio signal source the audio test signals are stored or generated.

Abstract: The hearing device system comprising at least one hearing device comprises an input transducer for receiving incoming acoustical sound and converting said incoming acoustical sound into audio-representing signals; an output transducer for converting audio-representing signals obtained from said incoming acoustical sound into signals to be perceived by a user of the hearing device; and a transmitter for transmitting audio-representing signals obtained from said incoming acoustical sound to a long-range communication network. The method for maintaining a hearing device system comprises the steps of receiving in the hearing device an incoming acoustical sound; converting in the hearing device said incoming acoustical sound into audio-representing signals; and transmitting said audio-representing signals from the hearing device to a long-range communication network. Said audio-representing signals may be received by a hearing device support provider.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustical device, especially a hearing device. A device casing is provided with an acoustical/electrical input converter arrangement with an electric output. An audio signal processing unit establishes audio signal processing of the device according to individaul needs and/or purpose of the device. At least one electrical/mechanical output converter is provided. A filter arrangement with adjustable high-pass characteristic has a control input for the characteristic. The following operational connections are established: between the output of the input converter arrangement and the input of the filter arrangement, between the output of the filter arrangement and the control input, between said output of the filter arrangement and the input of the processing unit, between the output of the processing unit and the input of the at least once output converter.