Testing Of Hearing Aids Patents (Class 381/60)
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Patent number: 8280086Abstract: A remote control system for a hearing aid (9) comprises a mobile telephone (1) and a plug-in device (5). The mobile telephone (1) is executing hearing aid remote control software and transmitting commands to the hearing aid (9) via the plug-in device (5). The plug-in device (5) comprises means for transmitting remote control commands or audio to the hearing aid (9) wirelessly. The invention provides a system, a plug-in device and a mobile telephone.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Widex A/SInventor: Julian Topholm
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Patent number: 8280064Abstract: A wireless communications apparatus comprises a monitor component that analyzes transmitter operating parameters of the wireless communications apparatus. A generator component generates an acoustic anti-phase burst based at least in part upon the analyzed transmitter operating parameters, wherein the acoustic anti-phase burst reduces effects of radio frequency interference received at a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Scott D. Prather, Herman Chien, Michael E. Prise
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Patent number: 8270623Abstract: A device for testing the operability of an audio speaker includes a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a display. The underside of the housing comprises a recessed area. The unidirectional microphone is positioned and oriented in the recessed area such that the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing. The display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate an audio speaker with the underside of the housing facing the audio speaker. The display may include at least one visual indicator operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one visual indicator is illuminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Lance E. Hamilton, Andrew I. McGuire, Troy L. Allen
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Publication number: 20120230503Abstract: A system of signal processing an input signal in a hearing assistance device to avoid entrainment wherein the hearing assistance device including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to estimate an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone, generating one or more estimated future pole positions of a transfer function of the adaptive filter, analyzing stability of the one or more estimated pole positions for an indication of entrainment and adjusting the adaptation of the adaptive filter based on the stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Lalin Theverapperuma
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Publication number: 20120230502Abstract: A hearing aid fitting device has a display section and a monitoring section. The display section is able to display information for fitting a hearing aid. The monitoring section displays operating mode information, which indicates whether or not an operating mode in which hearing aid processing in the standard mode and additional hearing aid processing are executed is operating actively in the hearing aid, and hearing aid processing sound that has undergone hearing aid processing, on the display section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Makoto NISHIZAKI, Hiroshi Kondo
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Patent number: 8265288Abstract: The provision of an individually adapted hearing aid for a patient is intended to be effected more quickly. A method is therefore provided by which, firstly, hearing loss data, in particular an audiogram, are generated by a person skilled in the art for example an ENT specialist, and the hearing loss data are transmitted to a manufacturer. Using a perceptive model based on the hearing loss data, the manufacturer selects a hearing aid and matches the hearing aid to the patient by means of the perceptive model. Finally, the manufacturer delivers the adapted hearing aid directly or indirectly to the patient. Due to the simplified workflow during the adaptation, the waiting times for the provision of the hearing aid are reduced for the patient.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Frank Beck, Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
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Patent number: 8265311Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to methods and apparatus for using text messages to distribute ring tones to adjust and fit hearing assistance devices. In an embodiment, a text message is programmed including information regarding a hearing assistance device adjustment for a wearer. The text message identifies a ring tone playback sequence associated with the adjustment, and is sent to a cellular telephone via a text messaging network. When the ring tone playback sequence is played on the cellular telephone, the hearing assistance device senses the sequence and makes the programmed adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Dan Edgar
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Publication number: 20120219159Abstract: A method for revision control within hearing-aid fitting software may nclude storing session fitting data for a plurality of fitting sessions of a hearing assistance device; displaying a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a list of the plurality of fitting sessions of the hearing assistance device, the graphical user interface allowing for selection of two or more fitting sessions for display; receiving a selection of a fitting session from the list; and in response to receiving the selection, updating the graphical user interface to include a response curve related to the selected fitting session.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Burk, Daniel Mark Edgar
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Patent number: 8249262Abstract: A device for acoustic analysis has a first hearing device with a first sound input and a first sound output and a second hearing device with a second sound input and a second sound output. The first hearing device is in acoustic communication with the second hearing device. The first hearing device can analyze the acoustic communication and output a corresponding result. Consequently, two hearing aids, for example, can test each other, and permit a user to check hearing devices and, in particular, hearing aids in a simple fashion without the hearing aid wearer having to visit an audiologist for the test.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Li Nah Chua, Tze Peng Chua, Harald Klemenz, Eng Cheong Lim, Pei Chyi Kristy Lim, Nisha Shakila Ma, Boon Lan Ng, Yong Kiat Ng, Diana Schmidt, Yen Ling Elaine Tham
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Patent number: 8249261Abstract: A method and a graphics facility are provided to allow a choice of hearing apparatus to be made easier for a user via a three-dimensional presentation of a hearing apparatus on a head of a user. A 3D model of the hearing apparatus is provided as a virtual hearing apparatus and a 3D model of the head of the user or of a part thereof is obtained as a virtual head. The virtual hearing apparatus is subsequently aligned to the virtual head so that the virtual head can be presented graphically in three dimensions along with the fitted virtual hearing apparatus. This especially allows different types and colors of hearing apparatus to be represented in an animation on the user's head.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Andreas Kiepfer, Wee Haw Koo
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Patent number: 8243938Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Valentin Chapero-Rueda, Hilmar Meier
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Patent number: 8243939Abstract: A method of modelling a feedback path from a receiver to a microphone in a hearing instrument, includes applying an electronic probe signal with an increasing level as a function of time to the receiver for conversion of the electronic probe signal into an acoustic probe signal output by the receiver, monitoring values of a first quality parameter calculated based at least in part on recorded microphone output signal, and after the first quality parameter reaches a predetermined first threshold value, determining at least one parameter of the feedback path based at least in part on the recorded microphone output signal values.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: GN ReSound A/SInventor: Shawn Perman
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Patent number: 8243972Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the configuration of at least one adjustment option on a hearing device, with the hearing device wearer having the task of setting the hearing device by ear with the aid of the adjustment option to be configured such that a predetermined characteristic on the hearing device is adjusted, with the adjustment option being enabled if the characteristics set by the hearing device wearer equate to the predetermined characteristics or has deviations herefrom, which lie within a predetermined tolerance range.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Lte.Inventor: Matthias Latzel
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Patent number: 8237871Abstract: A handheld electronic apparatus for communicatively coupling a user and a display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handheld electronic apparatus includes a user interface configured to accept an user input, the user interface further includes a first interface configured to accept the user input via a keypad, and a second interface configured to accept the user input via a touchpad. The handheld electronic apparatus also includes a processor configured to generate a signal by processing the user input, and a transmitter adapted to transmit the signal generated by the processor to the display device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Verismo Networks IncInventors: Amol Lad, Huzefa Saifee
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Patent number: 8238591Abstract: A method for adjusting a signal processing facility of a hearing apparatus is provided. An acoustic signal is presented and processing using a signal-processing facility, which has a first-time value to form a first-processed-acoustic signal. The first-processed-acoustic signal is assigned to a first loudness via the user. A renewed presentation of the acoustic signal is processed by the signal-processing facility, which has a second-time value to form a second-processed-acoustic signal as well as an assignment of the second-processed-acoustic signal to form a second loudness by the user. In one aspect the second-time value is less than the first-time value and the steps are repeated until the second loudness equates to the first loudness, with the first-time value being shortened with each repetition.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Matthias Latzel
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Patent number: 8238564Abstract: A sound recording and reproduction system for testing hearing and hearing aids is disclosed. Recordings of sound are made in a real word acoustic environment, for example, which are stored as audio signals. In a testing environment, a plurality of loudspeakers is located about a listening position where a test subject is placed during a testing procedure. The plurality of loudspeakers receive at least a portion of the plurality of the stored audio signals, and convert those audio signals received into a combination of sounds that produce, at the listening position, acoustic elements of the real world acoustic environment where the recordings were made. The system enables, in a clinical or other test setting, the evaluation of hearing and/or hearing aid performance as if in a real world environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventors: Lawrence J. Revit, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8238565Abstract: A system for adapting a hearing aid to a user includes a unit generating an image of the user's ear together with a model of the hearing aid, wherein the model of the hearing aid in-situ includes a physical model of the hearing aid inserted in the user's ear prior to generating the image. The system also generates a mesh based on the image, calculates acoustic response to a simulated acoustic signal in the mesh, calculates a frequency response curve for a fixed position in the mesh, and identifies an optimal position of a microphone of the hearing aid in-situ from the acoustic response. They system also includes a comparator configured to compare the frequency response curve for the fixed position in the mesh with a maximum frequency response curve for the mesh stored by the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Rene Burmand Johannesson
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Publication number: 20120195437Abstract: A stand-alone microphone test housing includes a housing adapted to receive a hearing device and a sound source, wherein the housing includes a sound channel to operatively direct sound from the sound source to at least one microphone such that the sound passes directly from the sound source to the at least one microphone via the sound channel, and wherein the housing is further adapted to do at least one of disposing the sound source at a repeatable distance from the hearing device and disposing the sound source in a repeatable orientation relative to the hearing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Koen Van den Heuvel, Michael Goorevich
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Publication number: 20120189130Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests or from professionally administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels as at different sound frequencies, as an individualized audiological profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The system includes the ability for capturing an environment profile. The user's hearing is protected against harm in the enhanced audio setting while being provided with the option of a “enhanced hearing” experience. The invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired. Thus the system is useful as a hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicants: Hospital Authority, The Chinese University of Hong KongInventors: Pui Tong Paul Lee, Ka Kui Cheng, Ka Keung John Sung, Ka Cheong Terence Wong, Charles Andrew Van Hasselt, Tan Lee, Chi Shan Anna Kam
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Patent number: 8223983Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fitting and verification of direct bone conduction hearing devices to a patient, wherein a. in a first step the hearing threshold and loudness discomfort levels are measured directly on a titanium implant of a patient, b. in a second step these hearing threshold and loudness discomfort levels are converted to equivalent force thresholds (FHT) and loudness discomfort levels (FLDL) on an artificial skull force measuring device, c. in a final step the output force levels of the direct bone conduction hearing device is measured in a free sound field with the device attached to the said artificial skull force measuring device and compared to the FHT and the FLDL as the base for final adjustments of the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Osseofon ABInventors: Bo Hakansson, William Hodgetts
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Patent number: 8223982Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting a change in the performance of an audio signal processing path is disclosed. The method comprises: selecting a characteristic of a received audio signal indicative of its energy content; determining first and second predetermined values of the selected energy characteristic at respective first and second audio signal frequency bands; calculating a ratio of the first and second predetermined values for a reference time period and a test time period; and comparing the ratio at the reference time period with the ratio of the test time period to determine a performance change in the audio path.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Ibrahim Ibrahim
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Publication number: 20120177212Abstract: An improved multi-function hearing aid having in-situ testing, fitting and verification functions is disclosed which solves problems long standing in the art of hearing aid fitting dealing with individual size differences in the size of the pina and ear canal of the user, individual preference to sound level and frequency variation, and verification procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Apherma, LLCInventors: Zezhang Hou, Leon Aleksander Lindsey
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Patent number: 8218779Abstract: A portable communication device is disclosed. The portable communication device comprises a speaker adapted to be held to an ear of a user for conveying sound to the user, at least one sensor for sensing sound emanating from said sound conveyed to the user, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted to estimate, based on an electrical input signal supplied to an input port of the speaker and an electrical output signal received from an output port of the at least one sensor, a transfer characteristic from the input port of the speaker to the output port of the sensor. Furthermore, the control unit is adapted to estimate, based on the estimated transfer characteristic, a degree of sound leakage from the user's ear. A corresponding method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventor: Peter Isberg
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Patent number: 8213627Abstract: A hearing aid contains a microphone detecting an acoustic input signal and converts it to an electrical output signal, a receiver producing an acoustic output signal being dependent on an electrical output signal of the microphone, and a transmitter transmitting a monitoring signal, which is dependent on the electrical output signal. A transceiver contains a receiver for receiving the monitoring signal, and a signal processing device for processing the monitoring signal. The signal processing device processes the monitoring signal to produce an indication signal which is acoustically restricted with respect to the monitoring signal such that it simulates a restricted hearing capability of a person, or which indicates an operating/signal state of the hearing aid. The transmission of the monitoring signal to the transceiver and the processing to form the indication signal provides information about the state of the hearing aid for monitoring of the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Lilyana Joeng, Wee Haw Koo, Meng Kiang Lim, Poh Chye Lim
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Patent number: 8213649Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (300) for evaluating auditory health are provided. Evaluating auditory health includes embedding (302) at least one excitation signal (402) in an audio clip (404) to produce an embedded excitation signal (406), emitting (304) the embedded excitation signal to an ear canal (131) at least partially occluded by the earpiece, analyzing (312) a recorded sound field within the ear canal during a continuous delivery of the embedded excitation signal to assess auditory health, and adjusting (314) the excitation signal within the audio clip during the emitting based on comparative differences with a reference otoacoustic emission (OAE).Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher, Marc Andre Boillot
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Patent number: 8213626Abstract: The size of measuring boxes for hearing apparatuses and in particular for hearing devices is to be reduced, with the efficiency of the measuring box in respect of attenuating interference noises being maintained or improved. A measuring box is thus proposed, which comprises an interference signal recording facility for recording an interference signal. Furthermore, provision is made in the measuring box for a signal generating facility to generate a compensation signal which is phase-opposed to the recorded interference signal, so that the interference signal can be compensated for by the compensation signal. The interference noise attenuation is thus achieved here by an electronic active part, so that the quality demands on the measurement space can be reduced and its size thereby decreased as well.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventor: Tom Weidner
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Patent number: 8213625Abstract: A headset is able to be coupled via a cable to an intercom system, is able to be wirelessly coupled to a wireless device via a wireless transceiver of the headset, and is able to be connected to a wired device via another cable. A controller of the headset separately monitors the microphone conductors and audio conductors by which the headset may be coupled to the intercom system to detect whether or not one or both of a communications microphone and an acoustic driver of the headset are coupled to the intercom system, and monitors the operating state of the wireless transceiver to detect whether or not the wireless transceiver is inactive, on standby or in use; and selectively couples a system ground conductor to one of the microphone conductors, selectively provides a local sidetone, and/or selectively provides a local microphone bias voltage in response to what is observed through such monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Paul G. Yamkovoy, David D. Pape
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Patent number: 8213650Abstract: The setting and/or adjustment of a hearing device for a user is provided. The hearing device includes a signal processing facility for processing an input sound to form an output sound, with a perceptive model being implemented in the signal processing facility or in a processing facility connected in a data link therewith, with which perceptive model a psychoacoustic variable can be provided in respect of the output sound. A visualization facility, for instance integrated in a remote control comprising the processing facility, is preferably wirelessly connected to the signal processing facility. A value of the psychoacoustic variable can thus be visualized accordingly. In this way an assisting person obtains an item of information relating to the perception of the sound supplied by the hearing device by the user, as a result of which the setting is facilitated for the assisting person.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Matthias Fröhlich, Matthias Latzel, Henning Puder, Andre Steinbuss
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Publication number: 20120155664Abstract: The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to a system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment. Various examples of a hearing assistance device and method using actual use and hypothetical use logs are provided. Such logs provide a dispenser or audiologist the ability to see how a device is operating with actual settings and how the device would have operated had hypothetical settings been used instead. In various examples, the system allows for collection of statistical information about actual and hypothetical use which can assist in parameter setting determinations for a specific user. The settings may be tailored to that user's commonly experienced sound environment. Wireless communications of usage logs is discussed. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tao Zhang, Jon S. Kindred
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Patent number: 8196470Abstract: An interface adapted for use with an audiometer, including a digital wireless interface supported by a base unit and a remote unit wherein the base unit receives signals from the audiometer and provides the signals to the remote unit via the digital wireless interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Allan H. Gross, Barak Dar
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Patent number: 8199948Abstract: A system of signal processing an input signal in a hearing assistance device to avoid entrainment wherein the hearing assistance device including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to estimate an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone, generating one or more estimated future pole positions of a transfer function of the adaptive filter, analyzing stability of the one or more estimated pole positions for an indication of entrainment and adjusting the adaptation of the adaptive filter based on the stability.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Lalin Theverapperuma
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Publication number: 20120140937Abstract: A method for adjusting a hearing instrument to reduce feedback by placing a hearing instrument having an adjustable frequency response in a wearer's ear, providing a probe microphone for measuring the sound pressure level inside the ear and a reference microphone for measuring the sound pressure level outside the ear, exposing the ear to a stimulus and a dynamic event, determining the gain as a function of frequency from the difference in sound pressure level measured by the probe microphone and the reference microphone, identifying a feedback peak where the frequency is in the center of a range of frequencies and corresponds to the maximum gain in that range of frequencies and adjusting the hearing instrument to reduce the gain at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the feedback peak.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Magnatone Hearing Aid CorporationInventors: Michael L. Poe, Anthony Quick, Srinivas Chari, Don E.K. Campbell
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Patent number: 8194901Abstract: A method for programming a hearing device is described, in which audio data and programming data is transmitted from a programming device to the hearing device, with the audio data and the programming data being converted into data packets and transmitted via a common channel of a digital radio connection from the programming device to the hearing device.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Daniel Alber, Thomas Lotter, Jürgen Reithinger
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Patent number: 8194870Abstract: In a system and method for open fitting hearing aid frequency response sound measurements, a test space is provided having located therein a sound source, a hearing aid with a microphone, and an open fit receiver. An acoustic shield is provided and within the acoustic shield an ear simulator coupler is provided having an ear extension attached thereto, the ear extension having mounted thereto at least a portion of the open fit receiver. A measurement unit receives sound signals from the ear simulator coupler.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignees: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc., Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Oleg Saltykov, Anton Gebert, Ottmar Ruschig, Marco Lederer
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Patent number: 8189830Abstract: A hearing aid (or other assistive listening device) that is suitable for limited use is disclosed. The hearing aid can be configured to be usable for a predetermined period of time. After the expiration of the predetermined period of time, the hearing aid can cease to operate or operate in a degraded manner. Once the hearing aid has become significantly degraded, it can be either disposed of or reconfigured (or reprogrammed) so as to be usable for an additional period of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Apherma, LLCInventor: Zezheng Hou
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Publication number: 20120121099Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for diagnosing operation errors in hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to hearing aids. The hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a receiver. In various approaches, a housing is configured to hold the hearing assistance device and to provide a controlled acoustic environment between the microphone and receiver. A lid is configured to cover an opening in the housing to seal the housing from external sounds, in various approaches. In some examples, the hearing assistance device is configured to detect placement of the lid on the housing from within the housing and, once placement is detected, output acoustic signals through the receiver and compare resulting microphone input to baseline parameters to diagnose calibration errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: William S. Woods
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Patent number: 8180081Abstract: This invention relates to a system (100) and method for synthesizing an audio input signal of a hearing device. The system (100) comprises a microphone unit (102) for converting the audio input signal to an electric signal, a filter unit (110) for removing a selected frequency band of the electric signal and pass a filtered signal, a synthesizer unit (118) for synthesizing the selected frequency band of the electric signal based on the filtered signal thereby generating a synthesized signal, a combiner unit (120) for combining the filtered signal and the synthesized signal so as to generate a combined signal, and finally an output unit (122, 124, 126) for converting the combined signal to an audio output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Thomas Lunner
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Patent number: 8175305Abstract: A hearing aid with a drop safeguard has an accelerometer, an electrical circuit, and a memory. The accelerometer generates an electrical signal in dependence on an acceleration of the hearing aid. The signal is transmitted to the electrical circuit which uses this to determine a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. The electrical circuit saves the respectively current settings of the hearing aid to the memory in the case of a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. After the hearing aid is dropped, the settings can be reconstructed from the memory so that as a result this prevents the settings of the hearing aid from being changed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Leep Foong Chew, Meng Kiang Lim, Chow Lan Stella Yap
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Patent number: 8161816Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering a hearing test that emits a test sound with changing volume with respect to elapsed time. The volume changes according to a pre-determined relationship between the volume and elapsed time. The hearing test utilizes the elapsed time until a subject signals the test sound is audible, and the pre-determined relationship, to determine the subject sound pressure level threshold for the test sound.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Matthew Beck
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Publication number: 20120093329Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for allowing a recipient of a hearing aid device, and in one aspect, a bilateral hearing aid system, to locate the source of a sound signal about the recipient. The method uses localisation cues in the sound signal and modifies these to provide useable localisation cues to generate a stimulating signal for application to the recipient. In one example, a detected localisation cue such as an interaural level difference (ILD) is transposed to a lower frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Tom Francart, Jan Wouters, Bas Van Dijk
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Patent number: 8150044Abstract: Methods for personalized listening which can be used with an earpiece are provided. A method includes capturing ambient sound from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) of an earpiece partially or fully occluded in an ear canal, monitoring the ambient sound for a target sound, and adjusting by way of an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR) in the earpiece a delivery of audio to an ear canal based on a detected target sound. A volume of audio content can be adjusted upon the detection of a target sound, and an audible notification can be presented to provide a warning.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, Mark A. Clements, Marc A. Boillot
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Patent number: 8150080Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adapting a hearing aid with at least one input converter, a signal processing device and an output converter by using a genetic feature of the wearer to whom the hearing aid is to be adapted. Depending on the genetic feature, at least one adaptable parameter is adapted by the signal processing device. The invention further relates to a hearing device system which can be adapted to the hearing device wearer as a function of a genetic feature.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventor: Kristin Rohrseitz
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Patent number: 8150049Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital hearing aid, which models the structures of external ear canals, sizes and shape characteristics of which differ between respective persons, obtains resonance gains generated due to the structural characteristics of the external ear canals, and performs digitization and signal processing to allow the resonance gains to be used as the gain factors of the digital hearing aid, and thus applies the gain factors to digital signal processing units. Further, the present invention proposes a gain obtainment unit capable of taking both resonance gains, generated due to the structural characteristics, and gains, obtained through a hearing test, into account, thus reducing the time required for gain fitting and possible errors, and optimizing the performance of the digital hearing aid for each individual.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Hoi-Jun Yoo, Sun-Young Kim, Seung-Jin Lee
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Publication number: 20120076313Abstract: The adjustment of a hearing device is to be improved and configured in a more user-friendly fashion. To this end, a method is proposed whereby the hearing device is set individually to the user and is inserted at least partially into the auditory canal of the user. Finally an in-situ measurement of the acoustic impedance of the auditory system of the user including at least part of the auditory canal of the user is implemented with a tympanometric method. An automatic correction of the individual setting of the hearing device can take place on the basis of the results of the in-situ measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Dirk JUNIUS, Johannes LAUER, Matthias MÜLLER-WEHLAU
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Patent number: 8144885Abstract: A sound insulating device used to carry out audio testing of a mobile phone is provided. The sound insulating device includes a sound speaker, a sound receiver, a clamping platform clamping the mobile phone thereon and a sound insulating chamber. The sound insulating chamber receives the sound speaker and the sound receiver and the clamping platform therein. The sound insulating chamber is enclosed by several sound insulating boards. Each sound insulating board includes a sound absorbing layer, a cushion layer and an aluminium-alloy layer combined together. The cushion layer is sandwiched between the absorbing layer and the aluminium-alloy layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Chiang-Fu Pan
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Patent number: 8144884Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device, comprising a hearing device having at least one microphone, a sound source in communication with the hearing device, wherein, when in operation, the sound source receives a signal from the hearing device, and a mold oriented to hold the hearing device and the sound source such that output from the sound source may be directed to the at least one microphone. There is also provided a stand-alone microphone test method for a hearing device, comprising providing a test signal/sequence output to a sound source/receiver, providing a reference signal to a comparator, receiving output from the sound source/receiver in a microphone, transmitting the received signal to the comparator, comparing the received signal with the reference signal, and providing a test result.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Koen Van den Heuvel, Michael Goorevich
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Patent number: 8144904Abstract: Sound quality and speech comprehensibility are to be improved for hearing device wearers when watching television. Provision is made for this purpose to record acoustic signals at a recording site on a data medium. The acoustic signals are recorded simultaneously with a first microphone as a first recording. The data medium is played back on an individual playback device in an individual environment. Here the signal played back from the data medium is re-recorded as a second recording with a second microphone. The two recordings are connected to each other, subtracted in particular, and the result is used to adjust a hearing device program. It is thus possible to take into account individual acoustic environmental conditions in the hearing device program.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Ulrich Giese, Esfandiar Grafenberg
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Method for the time-controlled adjustment of a hearing apparatus and corresponding hearing apparatus
Patent number: 8139778Abstract: The training of a hearing apparatus in respect of an individual adjustment is to be developed in a more user-friendly manner. To this end, provision is firstly made to automatically classify a hearing situation, to adjust a parameter of the signal processing facility of the hearing apparatus and to automatically learn the adjusted parameters for the current hearing situation. A temporal monitoring of the steps “classifying” and “adjusting” is however carried out here and the automatic learning is only triggered if the classified hearing situation and the adjustment of the parameters have not changed over a predetermined time period. This not only simplifies the training, but also enables a more rapid training by means of automatically triggered training events.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Roland Barthel, Robert Bäuml, Eghart Fischer -
Patent number: 8139779Abstract: The aim of the invention is to make using a hearing device and in particular a hearing aid more comfortable and more effective for the user. To this end the setting of a portable hearing device is to be checked. First the acoustic data of a sound from the environment of the hearing device is recorded and/or determined simultaneously with the setting of the hearing device with at least one setting value. The setting of the hearing device is evaluated against the chronologically matching, recorded acoustic data in the hearing device using at least one predeterminable criterion. If necessary, the hearing device outputs an appropriate message. By this means a hearing aid wearer can, for example, be alerted to contact an acoustician, if the settings he made on the hearing aid are not effective.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Roland Barthel, Frank Beck, Robert Bäuml, Eghart Fischer
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Patent number: 8135139Abstract: A method of configuring a frequency transposition scheme for transposing a set of received frequencies of an audio signal received by a hearing aid worn by a subject to a transposed set of frequencies, wherein the method comprises determining at least one subject-dependent parameter indicative of the subject's ability to detect audio frequencies, and at least one subject-dependent parameter indicative of the location in frequency of one or more spectral cues, configuring a subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme based on the determined subject-dependent parameters, the subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme being configured so as to improve the subject's spatial hearing capabilities, and adapting the hearing aid to perform the configured subject-dependent frequency transposition scheme.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Tobias Neher, Thomas Behrens