Patents by Inventor Volker Kühnel
Volker Kühnel 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).
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Patent number: 11558702Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing device comprises: receiving an audio signal in the hearing device; providing a user interface for inputting at least one modifier value into the fitting device, the modifier value indicating, how a sound property of the audio signal should be modified by the hearing device; processing the audio signal with a sound processor of the hearing device in dependence of the at least one modifier value, thus providing a processed audio signal; outputting the processed audio signal to a user of the hearing device; determining an modifier effectiveness value based on the audio signal, the modifier effectiveness value indicating how much a change of the at least one modifier value results in a perceptible change of the processed audio signal output to the user; and restricting the inputting of the at least modifier value in dependence of the modifier effectiveness value.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Nicola Hildebrand, Volker Kuehnel, Michael Boretzki
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Patent number: 11240616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Michael Boretzki, Maxi Susanne Moritz, Elmar Fichtl, Volker Kuehnel, Ullrich Sigwanz, Josef Chalupper
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Publication number: 20220021993Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing device comprises: receiving an audio signal in the hearing device; providing a user interface for inputting at least one modifier value into the fitting device, the modifier value indicating, how a sound property of the audio signal should be modified by the hearing device; processing the audio signal with a sound processor of the hearing device in dependence of the at least one modifier value, thus providing a processed audio signal; outputting the processed audio signal to a user of the hearing device; determining an modifier effectiveness value based on the audio signal, the modifier effectiveness value indicating how much a change of the at least one modifier value results in a perceptible change of the processed audio signal output to the user; and restricting the inputting of the at least modifier value in dependence of the modifier effectiveness value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Nicola Hildebrand, Volker Kuehnel, Michael Boretzki
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Publication number: 20200322742Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Michael Boretzki, Maxi Susanne Moritz, Elmar Fichtl, Volker Kuehnel, Ullrich Sigwanz, Josef Chalupper
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Patent number: 10499169Abstract: A method for adjusting a hearing device comprising: providing a user profile (42) of the user comprising actual user information (44) and a fitting history (47) stored in a database (34) of a fitting system (32), wherein the fitting history comprises fitting information (46, 46?, 46?) of at least one previous fitting session, in which previous fitting session the hearing device (10) or a different hearing device was adjusted for the user; determining a user experience value (54) of the user, wherein the user experience value (54) depends on the actual user information (44) and the fitting history (47); determining sound processing parameters (30) for the hearing device (10) based on the user experience value (54); and applying the determined sound processing parameters (30) in the hearing device (10), such that the hearing device (10) is adapted for generating optimized sound signals based on the applied sound processing parameters (30).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Ullrich Sigwanz, Volker Kuehnel, Solange Anderson
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Patent number: 10433082Abstract: There is provided a method for fitting of a binaural hearing system comprising a first hearing device and a second hearing device to a patient suffering from an asymmetric hearing loss for first time use, wherein the difference in hearing loss between the two ears is at least 5 dB on average in a main frequency range between 500 Hz and 4 kHz.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Andi Vonlanthen, Volker Kuehnel
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Publication number: 20190253818Abstract: There is provided a method for fitting of a binaural hearing system comprising a first hearing device and a second hearing device to a patient suffering from an asymmetric hearing loss for first time use, wherein the difference in hearing loss between the two ears is at least 5 dB on average in a main frequency range between 500 Hz and 4 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Andi Vonlanthen, Volker Kuehnel
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Publication number: 20180242090Abstract: A method for adjusting a hearing device comprising: providing a user profile (42) of the user comprising actual user information (44) and a fitting history (47) stored in a database (34) of a fitting system (32), wherein the fitting history comprises fitting information (46, 46?, 46?) of at least one previous fitting session, in which previous fitting session the hearing device (10) or a different hearing device was adjusted for the user; determining a user experience value (54) of the user, wherein the user experience value (54) depends on the actual user information (44) and the fitting history (47); determining sound processing parameters (30) for the hearing device (10) based on the user experience value (54); and applying the determined sound processing parameters (30) in the hearing device (10), such that the hearing device (10) is adapted for generating optimized sound signals based on the applied sound processing parameters (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Sonova AGInventors: Ullrich Sigwanz, Volker Kuehnel, Solange Anderson
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Method for adjusting a hearing device and a hearing device that is operable according to said method
Patent number: 9113272Abstract: The present invention is related to the adjusting of a hearing device (1) to the hearing preferences of a user of said hearing (1). The hearing device (1) comprises an input transducer (20) for providing an electrical signal that corresponds to an acoustical input signal, a processing unit (10) for processing the electrical signal according to a set of process parameters (G1, . . . , Gn) to provide an intermediate signal, and an output transducer (30) for providing an output signal to the user of said hearing device (1), wherein the output signal corresponds to the intermediate signal. The method comprises the step of providing a set of adjustment parameters (A1, . . . , Am), which, at least partly, represents an individual hearing characteristic of the user of said hearing device (1) and the further step of adapting the set of process parameters (G1, . . . , Gn) as a function of an adjustment control signal (ACS) and the set of adjustment parameters (A1, . . . , Am).Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: PHONAK AGInventors: Reto Kurmann, Nicola Schmitt, Volker Kühnel, Andreas Von Buol, Elmar Fichtl -
Patent number: 8798296Abstract: A method for better matching of the needs of mild to very mild hearing losses is obtained than with known hearing devices. The method comprising the steps of determining an acoustic situation by processing an input signal of a hearing device openly coupled to an ear of a user, selecting at least two hearing programs in dependence on the determined acoustic situation, at least one of the hearing programs being suitable for calm acoustic situations, and at least another one of the hearing programs being suitable for noisy acoustic situations, applying a gain only above a predefined frequency limit to the input signal if one of the hearing programs for calm acoustic situations is selected, and reducing noise in the input signal only in a frequency range within audible frequencies if one of the hearing programs for noisy acoustic situations is selected.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Nicola Schmitt, Volker Kühnel, Michael Boretzki
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Publication number: 20130208933Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device (1) that is openly coupled to an ear (4) of a hearing device user is described. The method comprising the steps of determining a momentary acoustic situation by processing an input signal of the hearing device (1), selecting a hearing program out of at least two hearing programs in dependence on the determined momentary acoustic situation, at least one of the at least two hearing programs being suitable for calm acoustic situations, and at least another one of the at least two hearing programs being suitable for noisy acoustic situations, applying a gain only above a predefined frequency limit to the input signal of the hearing device (1) if one of the at least one hearing program for calm acoustic situations is selected, and reducing noise in the input signal only in a frequency range within audible frequencies if one of the at least one hearing program for noisy acoustic situations is selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Nicola Schmitt, Volker Kühnel, Michael Boretzki
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Patent number: 8077889Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bächler, Volker Kühnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Patent number: 7925034Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic surround situation, a method is provided to operate a hearing device as well as a hearing device. Signals, or parameters of a transfer function, are changed smoothly in order to form a smooth transition from a momentary to a desired value. Thereby, the advantage is obtained to eliminate undesired abrupt switching operation when a hearing program switching is necessary.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Volker Kuehnel
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Patent number: 7715571Abstract: A method for individually fitting a hearing instrument to a user, by: starting operation of the hearing instrument; pre-defining a desired target loudness function perceived by the user defined as function of frequency and input sound pressure level at the microphone; measuring for a given measurement parameter set of perceived loudness levels and frequencies or frequency bands the respective transducer input audio signal level to be applied to the transducer input to achieve the respective perceived loudness level at the respective frequency or frequency band, said measurement parameter set having at least a low, intermediate and high loudness levels, and said intermediate loudness level being measured for a larger number of frequencies or frequency bands and with a finer frequency resolution than said low and high loudness levels; calculating an individual gain function to be implemented in the audio signal processing unit to achieve the pre-defined target loudness function by taking into account the measurType: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Michael Boretzki, Volker Kuehnel, Andreas Von Buol, Paul Zbinden
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Publication number: 20100034405Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic surround situation, a method is provided to operate a hearing device as well as a hearing device. Signals, or parameters of a transfer function, are changed smoothly in order to form a smooth transition from a momentary to a desired value. Thereby, the advantage is obtained to eliminate undesired abrupt switching operation when a hearing program switching is necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Phonak AGInventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Volker Kuehnel
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Patent number: 7496205Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting a first hearing device based on adjustments of a second hearing device are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of converting an acoustic test signal into an electric test signal by a microphone of the second hearing device, of converting an acoustic signal generated by a receiver of the second hearing device into an electrical signal, of analyzing the electrical signal in an analyzing unit, and, finally, of adjusting the first hearing device based on results obtained in the analysis performed in the analyzing unit. By the present invention, an especially suitable procedure for performing the initial adjustment of a new hearing device is achieved. The method according to the present invention quickly leads to spontaneous user acceptance of the newly adjusted (i.e. fitted) hearing device, whilst considerably reducing the required fitting effort compared with today's state of the art techniques.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Phonak AGInventor: Volker Kühnel
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Patent number: 7349549Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bächler, Volker Kühnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Publication number: 20070223752Abstract: A method for individually fitting a hearing instrument to a user, comprising at least one microphone for generating an input audio signal from ambient sound, an audio signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal into a processed output audio signal, and a transducer for stimulation of the human auditory system according to the processed output audio signal as input to said transducer is described, the method comprising: providing the user with the hearing instrument and starting operation of the hearing instrument; pre-defining a desired target loudness function, wherein loudness perception of a stimulus by the user when using the hearing instrument is defined as function of frequency and input sound pressure level at the microphone; measuring for a given measurement parameter set of perceived loudness levels and frequencies or frequency bands the respective transducer input audio signal level to be applied to the transducer input in order to achieve the respective perceived loudness level atType: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: Phonak AGInventors: Michael Boretzki, Volker Kuehnel, Andreas Von Buol, Paul Zbinden
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Patent number: 7194100Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the individualized adaptation of a hearing aid to a person. The method consists basically of the measurement and quantification by parameters of the loudness perception of the individual, weighted by a first factor. Also weighted is a standardized normal loudness perception and its parameters by a second factor. Finally, the weighted loudness perceptions and their parameters are used for determining the optimal settings of the hearing aid for the individual concerned. The advantage of the method according to this invention lies in the fact that it permits significantly better adaptation of the hearing aid to the individual person.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Volker Kühnel, Andreas Von Buol
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Publication number: 20030091197Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic surround situation, a method is provided to operate a hearing device as well as a hearing device. Signals, or parameters of a transfer function, are changed smoothly in order to form a smooth transition from a momentary to a desired value. Thereby, the advantage is obtained to eliminate undesired abrupt switching operation when a hearing program switching is necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Volker Kuehnel