Search Patents
  • Publication number: 20130216077
    Abstract: A hearing aid with a housing holding a microphone, a battery, a programmable signal processing device capable of delivering an output signal is provided whereby the output signal drives an output transducer of the hearing aid to serve a stimulus on the hearing aid user perceivable as sound. The hearing aid housing further holds a socket adapted for receiving a programming connection in order to connect the programmable signal processing device to an external programming device, and a switch adapted to be operated by the hearing aid user, and a cover arranged above the socket and switch and pivotally linked to the hearing aid. Preferably an intermediate link is provided and adapted to interlink the hearing aid with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Oticon A/S
  • Publication number: 20100124347
    Abstract: A binaural hearing instrument set is described in which algorithms are split into a server part and a thin-client part. The respective server part of the algorithm is located in a first hearing instrument unit, while the thin-client part is located in a second unit in the binaural hearing instrument set. This is advantageous in that it enables optimization of the usage of combined processing resources in the two units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Søren Bredahl Greiner
  • Publication number: 20140169596
    Abstract: A system for operating a hearing instrument is disclosed. The system comprises one or more electrodes for measuring the brain wave signals of a user wearing a hearing instrument. The electrodes are placed on the scalp of the user. Based on the measured brain wave signals, a detecting unit is configured to detect a relaxation state of the hearing instrument. A controller sets the hearing instrument to a relaxation mode setting in response to the detection of the relaxation state of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Thomas LUNNER, Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Patent number: 8270644
    Abstract: A binaural hearing instrument set is described in which algorithms are split into a server part and a thin-client part. The respective server part of the algorithm is located in a first hearing instrument unit, while the thin-client part is located in a second unit in the binaural hearing instrument set. This is advantageous in that it enables optimization of the usage of combined processing resources in the two units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Søren Bredahl Greiner
  • Patent number: 8194899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fitting a hearing aid to the needs of a hearing aid user, the method comprising collecting statistical data characterizing physical or psychological properties of environments in which use of the hearing aid is desired and utilizing the statistical values for the adjustment of the signal processing in the hearing aid, such statistical data having influence even though they may have been collected prior to the wearer's first or current period of listening via the hearing aid. The invention further relates to a device for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Graham Naylor
  • Patent number: 7783066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fitting a hearing aid to the needs of a hearing aid user, the method comprising collecting statistical data characterising physical or psychological properties of environments in which use of the hearing aid is desired and utilising the statistical values for the adjustment of the signal processing in the hearing aid, such statistical data having influence even though they may have been collected prior to the wearer's first or current period of listening via the hearing aid. The invention further relates to a device for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Graham Naylor
  • Publication number: 20090046877
    Abstract: In a control arrangement for hearing aids or for control units coupled to hearing aids, a strain gauge is mechanically coupled to an elastically deformable or displaceable portion of the hearing aid or of the control unit coupled thereto and undergoes an elastic deformation under the influence of an actuating force input by a user, whereby the strain gauge undergoes a variation of one of its electrical values which variation is detected by a controller which provides a control signal which serves for switching between different operation modes of the hearing aid or of the control unit coupled to the hearing aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Per Lundberg, Thomas Bill
  • Patent number: 6975739
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a signal path having an input transducer, a processor and an output transducer, the hearing aid further including a radio frequency receiver, where the receiver includes a single crystal oscillator providing a single oscillator frequency and where means are provided for generating a further number of receiving frequencies by transforming the oscillator frequency to the desired receiving frequencies. The hearing aid and the RF receiver may be separate or integrated. The invention further relates to a separate element comprising a RF receiver, the separate element being adapted for mounting on a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Gudmundur Bogason, Bjarne Klemmensen
  • Patent number: 8107659
    Abstract: In a control arrangement for hearing aids or for control units coupled to hearing aids, a strain gauge is mechanically coupled to an elastically deformable or displaceable portion of the hearing aid or of the control unit coupled thereto and undergoes an elastic deformation under the influence of an actuating force input by a user, whereby the strain gauge undergoes a variation of one of its electrical values which variation is detected by a controller which provides a control signal which serves for switching between different operation modes of the hearing aid or of the control unit coupled to the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Per Lundberg, Thomas Bill
  • Publication number: 20100020992
    Abstract: The invention provides a hearing aid comprising a microphone, a signal processing unit, an output unit which generates an output signal perceivable as sound, whereby the signal processing unit comprises a first memory M1 for receiving and storing programming settings which determines the functionality of an amplifier and analyser within the signal processing unit and a second memory for receiving and storing learned settings from the analyser, which determine further aspects of the functionality of the analyser and amplifier unit whereby a programming interface is provided having a read and write line to the first memory M1 and a read and write line to the second memory M2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Mark Flynn
  • Publication number: 20140146987
    Abstract: A listening device processes an electric input sound signal and provides an output stimulus perceivable to a wearer of the listening device as sound, the listening device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an information signal originating from the electric input sound signal and to provide a processed output signal forming the basis for generating said output stimulus. A perception unit establishes a perception measure indicative of the wearer's present ability to perceive said information signal. A signal interface communicates the perception measure to another person or device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Renskje K. HIETKAMP, Lisbeth Dons JENSEN, Thomas LUNNER, Karsten Bo RASMUSSEN
  • Patent number: 8923537
    Abstract: A hearing aid with a housing holding a microphone, a battery, a programmable signal processing device capable of delivering an output signal is provided whereby the output signal drives an output transducer of the hearing aid to serve a stimulus on the hearing aid user perceivable as sound. The hearing aid housing further holds a socket adapted for receiving a programming connection in order to connect the programmable signal processing device to an external programming device, and a switch adapted to be operated by the hearing aid user, and a cover arranged above the socket and switch and pivotally linked to the hearing aid. Preferably an intermediate link is provided and adapted to interlink the hearing aid with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Claus Tipsmark, Søren Wichmann, Troels Holm Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9866976
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a hearing aid system is disclosed. The system includes a first auditory unit and a second auditory unit, where each unit is configured to be worn by a user. The first auditory unit provides a first auditory perception to the user and utilizes a first working principle. The second auditory unit provides a second auditory perception to the user and utilizes a second working principle. The first auditory unit and/or the second auditory unit are configured to process a related parameter value, received from the user, for a parameter. The processing of the related parameter value results in obtaining an aligned auditory perception between the first auditory perception and the second auditory perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: OTICON MEDICAL A/S
    Inventors: Søren K. Riis, Klaus L. Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9894448
    Abstract: A hearing aid device configured to be inserted into the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The hearing aid includes a receiver, a hearing instrument body, and a connection member extending between the hearing instrument body and the receiver. The connection member is a permanent part of the hearing aid device and the connection member has a stiffness that allows the receiver to be inserted into the ear canal by moving the hearing instrument body towards the eardrum. The connection member achieves a first stiffness sufficiently large to insert the hearing aid device into the ear canal and achieves a second significantly reduced stiffness which makes the hearing aid device comfortable to wear for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Karsten Bo Rasmussen, Povl Koch
  • Patent number: 7596230
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting and minimizing the harmful influence of ultra sound in a listening device having two or more microphones. The energy contents in the microphone signals is determined, and time related changes in energy contents of the microphone signals is analysed to determine whether any of the microphones is subjected to an ultrasound sound-field, and the signal from the microphone with the lowest content of ultrasound is routed through a signal processing device to an output unit. The invention further concerns a listening device having means for choosing the microphone channel with the lowest level of ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Kim Spetzler Petersen
  • Patent number: 8054999
    Abstract: The invention regards a method for processing audio signals whereby an audio signal is captured, digitized and processed in the digital domain by a digital signal processing unit or DSP, and where a processed output signal from the digital signal processing unit is converted to the analog domain and served at a transducer for providing a sensation of sound. The DSP unit is provided with mean for performing at least two different digital algorithms which delivers each their processed signal having each their non identical time delay and further the most rewarding sound signal is chosen and served at the output transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Karsten Bo Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8300862
    Abstract: Provided herein is a device for wirelessly communicating with hearing assistance devices. According to various embodiments, the device includes a first interface for communicating with a programmer and a second interface for wirelessly communicating with a hearing assistance device. The second interface is adapted to receive a plurality of communication modules. Each of the modules is adapted for communication with at least one specific type of hearing assistance device. The device includes a housing for the first interface, the second interface, and electrical connections between the interfaces. The housing adapted to be worn around the neck of a person wearing the hearing assistance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Starkey Kaboratories, Inc, Oticon A/S
    Inventors: James Newton, Mark Seel, Matthias Müllenborn, Per Kokholm Sørensen, Garry Richardson
  • Patent number: 7664279
    Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for fitting a hearing aid to the specific needs of a hearing impaired individual. The equipment comprising a computer or similar device with soft-ware, where the device has display means for visual display of data, data entry means for entering hearing aid programming data into the device, data storing means, and data output means for outputting programming data to the hearing aid. According to the invention means are provided for selecting simultaneous settings relating to two or more different parameters relating to the processing of sound in the hearing aid to be programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Mark Flynn, Jes Olsen
  • Patent number: 9210517
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to communication devices. Such devices may comprise input for receiving sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, and output for outputting the processed signal to a user perceivable as sound. Such processing may be performed by use of a processor for processing the sound signal in dependence of a setting or a set of setting to compensate a hearing loss profile. Further, the communication device may comprise a bio-signal acquisition and amplifier component in communication with a user interface for providing the bio-signals as input to the user interface, the user interface controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan, Thomas Lunner, Michael Syskind Pedersen, Lars Ivar Hauschultz, Povl Koch, Graham Naylor, Eline Borch Petersen
  • Patent number: 10542352
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid unit is disclosed. The unit includes a housing comprising a hollow inner section defined by an enclosed wall surface made of a single inseparable unit, an electronic module, and an ear hook that is permanently or detachably attached to the housing. The housing extends completely along a single curved axis running along the enclosed wall surface from a first end of the housing comprising the ear hook and a second end of the housing opposite to the ear hook. The housing comprises an inlet opening at the second end, wherein the inlet opening is adapted to receive the electronic module in the hollow inner section and the electronic module is adapted to move from the inlet opening along the single curved axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: OTICON MEDICAL A/S
    Inventors: Morten Friis Karlsen, Claus Tipsmark