Patents by Inventor Volker Kuhnel
Volker Kuhnel 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).
-
Patent number: 11297450Abstract: A method for operating a hearing system worn by a user, the hearing system being a binaural hearing system including first and second hearing aids and being prepared for processing a sound. The processing includes a beamforming which can be adjusted to at least a first beamforming mode and a second beamforming mode. The method includes receiving sound by the hearing system, determining whether the beamforming is to be adjusted to the first beamforming mode or the second beamforming mode and adjusting the beamforming accordingly and generating a processed sound, and presenting the processed sound to the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Tobias Neher, Michael Boretzki, Ralph Peter Derleth, Volker Kuhnel, Ullrich Sigwanz, Matthias Latzel, Olaf Strelcyk, Sascha Liebe
-
Patent number: 9456286Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for operating a binaural hearing system with two hearing devices (1, 1?) operationally interconnected by means of a bidirectional link (8) which improves hearing perception in windy listening situations. The method comprises determining the level of wind noise present at each of the two hearing devices (1, 1?) and sending the audio signal picked-up at the first hearing device (1) to the second hearing device (1?) via the link (8) and then providing an output signal derived from the received signal to the electrical-to-mechanical output converter (3?) of the second hearing device (1?) if the level of wind noise at the second hearing device (1?) exceeds the level of wind noise at the first hearing device (1) by a pre-set threshold value. Furthermore, a binaural hearing system capable of performing such a method is given.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Volker Kuhnel, Ralph Peter Derleth, Raphael Lamon, Alexander Reich
-
Publication number: 20150249892Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for operating a binaural hearing system with two hearing devices (1, 1?) operationally interconnected by means of a bidirectional link (8) which improves hearing perception in windy listening situations. The method comprises determining the level of wind noise present at each of the two hearing devices (1, 1?) and sending the audio signal picked-up at the first hearing device (1) to the second hearing device (1?) via the link (8) and then providing an output signal derived from the received signal to the electrical-to-mechanical output converter (3?) of the second hearing device (1?) if the level of wind noise at the second hearing device (1?) exceeds the level of wind noise at the first hearing device (1) by a pre-set threshold value. Furthermore, a binaural hearing system capable of performing such a method is given.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Volker Kuhnel, Ralph Peter Derleth, Raphael Lamon, Alexander Reich
-
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
-
METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEARING DEVICE AND A HEARING DEVICE THAT IS OPERABLE ACCORDING TO SAID METHOD
Publication number: 20130223662Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Reto Kurmann, Nicola Schmitt, Volker Kuhnel, Andreas Von Buol, Elmar Fichtl -
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
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20080107296Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Herbert Bachler, Volker Kuhnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20050123145Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventor: Volker Kuhnel
-
Publication number: 20040190739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Herbert Bachler, Volker Kuhnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler
-
Publication number: 20040190737Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Volker Kuhnel, Silvia Allegro
-
Publication number: 20020146137Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Applicant: Phonak AGInventors: Volker Kuhnel, Andreas Von Buol