Phonak Ag

Sonova Ag

Alfred Stirnemann

Hilmar Meier

Herbert Bächler

Hans-Ueli Roeck

Hans Leysieffer

Michael Boretzki

Stefan Launer

Christoph Widmer

Ullrich Sigwanz

Harald Krueger

Daniel Probst

Roland Hug

Markus Leuthold

Thomas Zurbruegg

Christian Frei-Krumme

Stefan Pislak

Martin Kuster

Manfred Duerst

Axel Schlesinger

Martina Schuepbach-Wolf

Martin Roth

Martina Wolf

A method of performing real ear measurements by a measuring system is described herein. The measuring system comprises a probe element adapted to be inserted in the ear canal of an individual; a loudspeaker configured to deliver a sample sound signal to the ear canal; at least one microphone configured to detect a response to the sample sound signal, wherein the probe element is in acoustic communication with the loudspeaker and cooperates with the at least one microphone; and a signal processing unit for performing an acoustic measurement of a response to the sample sound signal, based on an electrical input signal from the microphone.

Method of performing real ear measurements by placing a probe element at an intended position from a tympanic membrane of an individual's ear canal and a measuring system configured to carry out such method

A hearing instrument microphone device incudes at least two microphone sound ports (or sound inlets), a pressure difference microphone in communication with at least two of the sound ports and a pressure microphone in communication with at least one of the sound ports, wherein the acoustic centers of the pressure difference microphone and the pressure microphone essentially coincide.

Hearing instrument

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of fitting a hearing instrument to a user's ear is provided. The method comprises taking an impression of the user's ear canal and manufacturing, based on geometrical data of the impression, an earmold. In accordance with the aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of performing an acoustical measurement while the impression is being taken.

Method of fitting a hearing instrument, and impression tool

Methods and apparatus for fitting a hearing aid device () that includes a part which is arranged in the ear canal () of a user ().

Method for fitting a hearing aid device with active occlusion control to a user

A method of estimating an acoustic transfer quantity representative of a sound pressure transfer to the eardrum includes the steps of measuring, by an ear canal microphone of the hearing instrument, an acoustic signal in the ear canal when a sound signal is emitted into the ear canal by a receiver of the hearing instrument, the ear canal microphone being in acoustic communication with the ear canal, determining, from the acoustic signal and from a frequency dependent reference characteristics of the hearing instrument, an ear canal impedance, and, calculating, from the ear canal impedance, an estimate of the acoustic transfer quantity.

Method of processing a signal in a hearing instrument, and hearing instrument

The present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a microphone () wherein the microphone () comprises a first opening (), a second opening () and at least three compartments (), a first membrane () being arranged between the first and the second compartment () and a second membrane (;) at least partly covering the third compartment (), wherein the second and the third compartments () are connected in communicative manner via a canal ().

Hearing device with a microphone

According to the invention, a real ear acoustic coupling quantity representative of the acoustic coupling of a hearing instrument to the user's ear or an anatomical transfer quantity&#x2014;for example the Real-Ear-to-Coupler-Difference (RECD), the Microphone Location Effect (MLE), the Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG), and/or the Real Ear Open Gain (REOG)&#x2014;is obtained from a transfer function representative of an acoustic transfer from the receiver to the outer microphone such as a signal feedback threshold gain. The obtained quantity may be used for setting a fitting parameter of the hearing instrument, for example a gain correction.

Method of obtaining settings of a hearing instrument, and a hearing instrument

A hearing instrument in accordance with the invention comprises an in-the-ear-canal component to be worn at least partially in the ear of a user. When the hearing instrument is worn, a remaining volume between the in-the-ear-canal component and the user's eardrum is defined. The hearing instrument includes at least one first microphone operable to convert an acoustic input signal incident on the hearing instrument into an electrical input signal, signal processing means operable to convert the electrical input signal into an electrical output signal on a signal path, and an electrical-to-acoustic converter (a receiver or a plurality of receivers with potentially different frequency characteristics). Between the remaining volume and surrounding atmosphere, a duct (such as a vent) is defined. A second receiver is in operative communication with the duct, i.e. an output directly opens out into the duct or to a sound conductor opening out into the duct. The hearing instrument further comprises a second microphone in operative communication with said duct and operable to record an error signal in said duct.

Hearing instrument, and a method of operating a hearing instrument

The present invention provides a method of providing input parameters for the fitting process of individually shaped or customized hearing devices by storing geometry data during the manufacturing process into data storage and selectively reading out data from this data storage during the manufacturing and/or fitting process of the hearing device. To improve the quality and to reduce the time required for the fitting process, all the data available from the manufacturing process, e.g. the geometry data, may be used during the final fitting process at the dispenser's office.

Method of manufacturing an individually shaped hearing device or hearing aid

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

In-situ-fitted hearing device

A hearing device has an acoustical/electrical input converter, and electrical/mechanical output converter, and a digital signal processing unit connected between the input converter and output converter. The device is adapted to a specific ear of a specific individual. The signal processing unit is controllable in at least two operating modes. In a first mode, the device is substantially acoustically transparent. The processing unit is controlled in the first mode by a dedicated program module independent of any further program module for any other operating mode. Alternatively the processing unit is controlled in the first mode by a program operating in the first mode controlled by a dedicated set of parameters independent of any further set of parameters for any other operating mode.

Hearing device system and method for manufacturing such device

A probe located in an area to be measured has an acoustic stimulator, (e.g., a loudspeaker and a microphone). The stimulator sends acoustic signals to the microphone where the signals are transformed into electrical signals and transferred to an analysis unit. Using a defined stimulation followed by a two-port chain transfer matrix connected to an impedance as a model, the voltage ratio between the stimulation and the impedance is described as a dimensionless transfer function of a complex function of the stimulation frequency. A series of acoustic calibration signals are generated by known acoustic impedances covering different calibration scopes using the stimulation. The calibration signals are recorded and the electric values are merged with the respective voltage values of the stimulation for evaluation of the respective transfer functions which are merged together into an over-determined linear system of equations. The impedance is determined by evaluating the transfer functions.

Method and apparatus for the measurement of the acoustic impedance

Acoustic parameters of an ear are recorded by measuring the impedance of the ear canal. A first pressure microphone measures the sonic pressure. A second pressure microphone measures the sonic pressure through a calibrated acoustic resistance. The sound energy flux is determined by the difference between the measured sonic pressures. The impedance is calculated from these results.

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Zollikon, Switzerland

Alfred Stirnemann