Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh

Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.

Sivantos Pte. Ltd.

Matthias Fröhlich

Henning Puder

Andre Steinbuss

Eghart Fischer

Jens Hain

Matthias Latzel

André Steinbuβ

Josef Chalupper

Tobias Wurzbacher

Roland Barthel

Robert Bäuml

Christian Weistenhöfer

Frank Beck

Reinier Kortekaas

Kristin Rohrseitz

Bernd Beimel

Joachim Eggers

Simon Hüttinger

Thomas Hopf

Thomas Hies

Bernd Tessendorf

Gerard Loosschilder

Stefan Aschoff

André Steinbuss

André Steinbuß

Adaptation of hearing devices is rendered more convenient and more accurate with a method for adapting a hearing device to a hearing device support. The hearing device is selected on the basis of initial data of several hearing devices with respect to the data relating to hearing loss of the hearing device support. The selected hearing device is preset using a target reinforcement curve and, optionally, a setting of the preset hearing device is finely adjusted. At least one of the mentioned steps of selecting and presetting as well as, optionally, the step of fine adjustment is carried out by means of a single perceptive model which individualizes the hearing loss data projected by the hearing loss of the hearing device support.

Method for adapting a hearing device using a perceptive model

A hearing device with a plurality of microphones is intended to be able to be continued to be operated sensibly, even if a microphone fails. Therefore, a hearing device, and in particular a hearing aid, is proposed which provides a decision unit for deciding whether one of the microphones is defective, and a signal processing unit for processing the signals from the microphones using a plurality of processing algorithms. The signal processing unit switches from a first one of the processing algorithms to a second one of the processing algorithms if a decision is made in the decision unit that one of the microphones is defective. In particular, if a microphone fails, automatic switching from directional microphone operation into omnidirectional operation is for example made possible.

Hearing device with automatic algorithm switching

The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing aid. A local source operating mode is established by a signal processing section of the hearing aid for tracking and selecting a local acoustic source of an ambient sound. Electrical acoustic signals from which the local acoustic source is determined by the signal processing section are generated by the hearing aid from the detected ambient sound. The local acoustic source is selectively taken into account by the signal processing section in an output sound of the hearing aid such that the local acoustic source is at least acoustically prominent and is therefore better perceived compared to another acoustic source for a hearing aid wearer.

Hearing aid and method for operating a hearing aid

The invention relates to a method for a hearing aid wearer to actively operate a hearing aid. A signal processing section of the hearing aid has a demixing module for separating audio signals and a postprocessor module which sets up a hold mode of operation for the hearing aid. An audio signal, which is preferred by the hearing aid wearer, from an ambient sound, is tracked and selected by virtue of the hearing aid wearer transmitting to the hearing aid a command which sets up the hold mode of operation in the signal processing section of the hearing aid for a certain period. The signal processing section tracks the preferred audio signal and selectively takes account of it in an output sound from the hearing aid such that it is audibly highlighted for the hearing aid wearer in comparison with another audio signal and is thereby perceived better.

Method for processing an input signal in a hearing aid, with the input signal being broken down into a discrete signal for each source relative to an acoustic signal, with the discrete signals being assigned to a spatial position of the source and with the discrete signals being output, or output attenuated, relative to the spatial position.

Processing an input signal in a hearing aid

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.

Method for adapting a hearing aid by a perceptive model

A hearing system is provided that includes a left device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the left ear of the user, and a right device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the right ear of the user. A perceptive model for binaural hearing is implemented at least in one of the two devices or a further device belonging to the hearing system, with which a left setting value for the left device and/or a right setting value for the right device can be determined on the basis of the two sound signals. The left device can then be set with the left setting value and/or the right device with the right setting value. The entire process of the binaural hearing and not only the monaural hearing is thus taken into consideration for the setting of the hearing system.

Method for setting a hearing system with a perceptive model for binaural hearing and corresponding hearing system

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.

Hearing device with a visualized psychoacoustic variable and corresponding method

A method for processing at least one first and one second input signal in a hearing aid, with the input signals being filtered to create intermediate signals, the intermediate signals being added to form output signals, the input signals being assigned to a defined signal situation, and with the signals being filtered as a function of the assigned defined signal situation.

A 'speaker' operating mode is established by a signal processor of a hearing aid for tracking and selecting an acoustic speaker source in an ambient sound. Electric acoustic signals are generated by the hearing aid from the ambient sound that has been picked up, from which signals an electric speaker signal is selected by the signal processor by a database of speech profiles of preferred speakers. The electric speech signal is selectively taken into account in an output sound of the hearing aid in such a way that it will for the hearing-aid wearer acoustically at least be prominent compared with another acoustic source and consequently be better perceived by the hearing-aid wearer.

Method for operating a hearing aid, and hearing aid

A hearing device and method for monitoring the hearing ability of a person with impaired hearing allow changes of the hearing ability specifically of a person wearing a hearing aid are to be better able to be registered and taken into account. For this purpose, the setting of an operating element, this serves for setting an output sound level of a hearing device. Furthermore, the ambient sound level in the vicinity of the hearing device is measured. After that, the current setting is compared with the current, measured ambient sound level and a corresponding control signal is output dependent on the result of the comparison. This control signal serves, for example, for signaling to the wearer of a hearing aid the loss of hearing or the automatic adjustment of the hearing aid.

Hearing device and method for monitoring the hearing ability of a person with impaired hearing

The acoustic properties of so-called instant fit ear tips, which in contrast to otoplastics are not produced individually, should be able to be better taken into consideration when adjusting a hearing aid for an individual wearer. To this end a method is proposed in which an OLG measurement, in other words an open loop gain measurement, is performed on the hearing aid when it is being worn. The OLG measurement curve obtained is compared with an OLG reference curve. A value is ascertained from the comparison which represents the level of closure of the hearing aid or of its otoplastic in the ear of the wearer. On the basis of this value the gain of the hearing aid is finally corrected. Furthermore, a corresponding adjustment device is provided. It is thus possible in a simple manner to take into consideration the individual, current level of closure during the adjustment.

Method and device for determining an effective vent

If a hearing device user has become accustomed to the tone of a hearing device, it is difficult for him to change over to a new hearing device, since this normally possesses a different tone. Therefore, given a treatment with a second or subsequent device, the settings of the old hearing device can be acquired with a computer-controlled event and be considered in a first adjustment given the adaptation of the new hearing device. The new setting then results from the audiometric measurements, the data of the previous device, and if necessary further data. The tone of the new device is thus approximated to the old device.

Device and method to adjust a hearing device

The training of a hearing aid for individual Situations is intended to be simpler and more comprehensive for the hearing aid wearer. The invention therefore provides for the hearing aid wearer just to have to associate a current acoustic Situation with a predetermined hearing Situation identification ('). This association is learnt by a classifier, for example a neural network (). After the training process, the neural network () can then reliably associate the corresponding hearing Situation identification (&#x2032;) with an acoustic input Signal (). A current Parameter Set (&#x2032;) is varied or supplemented appropriately on the basis of this association.

Method for training and operating a hearing aid

For a hearing aid, the information for the hearing aid wearer relating to the state of charge of the power source () or the remaining life of the hearing aid with the relevant power source () is to be improved. To this end means are provided for operating the hearing aid by which the state of charge or remaining life can be interrogated at any time, with the information about the state of charge or remaining life being provided to the hearing aid wearer by emitting an acoustic signal indicating the state of charge or remaining life. The hearing aid wearer can thus be informed conveniently and discretely at any time about the state of charge or the remaining life.

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Erlangen, Germany

Matthias Fröhlich