Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160119723 | COMPRESSOR ARCHITECTURE FOR AVOIDANCE OF CROSS-MODULATION IN REMOTE MICROPHONES - The present disclosure relates to the inclusion of amplitude compression inside a hearing aid remote microphone or audio streaming device. Compressor design is improved by using one local and one remote compressor operating in parallel. The subject matter will reference remote microphones as the primary use case. In one embodiment, hearing aid microphone audio and remote microphone audio are treated as two separate streams within the hearing aid, assigning each to a compressor and mixing the audio streams afterward. In another embodiment, a compressor is developed for the remote microphone to offload that portion of the signal processing. | 04-28-2016 |
20160021742 | REFLOW SOLDERABLE FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BOARD-TO-FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR REINFORCEMENT - A system embodiment may include a first flexible substrate with a first number of conductors, the first flexible substrate configured to be mechanically flexed. The system may further include a surface mounted device (SMD) mounted on the first flexible substrate and connected to at least some of the first number of conductors, and a first board-to-board connector element connected to at least some of the first number of conductors on a first side of the substrate. The first board-to-board connector element is configured to mechanically connect to a second board-to-board connector element on a second flexible substrate and to electrically connect at least some of the first number of conductors in the first flexible substrate to at least some conductors in the second flexible substrate. The system may further include a stiffener board connected by solder to a second side of the first flexible substrate opposite the board-to-board connector element. | 01-21-2016 |
20150326274 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH PROBING BANDWITH - A system embodiment includes a first device and a second device configured to communicate over a selected wireless communication channel selected from a band of channels or over a selected set of channels used in an adaptive frequency hopping scheme. The first device is configured to transmit a probe signal that has a plurality of frequencies contained within the band of channels, and the second device is configured to determine a signal strength of the probe signal for each of a plurality of potential communication channels within the band of channels. The first and second devices configured to switch to another wireless communication channel based at least in part on the signal strength of the probe signal for each of a plurality of potential wireless communication channels. | 11-12-2015 |
20150296311 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING HEARING AID ANTENNA EFFICIENCY - A hearing assistance system includes one or more hearing aids capable of wireless communication and an antenna assembly external to the one or more hearing aids for improving performance of the wireless communication. In various embodiments, the antenna assembly includes one or more fabric patches configured to be worn by a hearing aid user to function as an antenna or an antenna reflector. In various embodiments, the one or more fabric patches are integrated with a garment worn by the hearing aid user. | 10-15-2015 |
20150264475 | INTERPOSER STACK INSIDE A SUBSTRATE FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved circuit design for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device configured to compensate for hearing losses of a user. The hearing assistance device includes a substrate and an interposer embedded into the substrate to form a system in package module. According to various embodiments, the interposer includes one or more integrated circuits (ICs) on the interposer, the one or more ICs configured to provide electronics for the hearing assistance device. | 09-17-2015 |
20150163606 | VISUAL INDICATORS FOR A HEARING AID - Described herein are ways of providing a hearing aid wearer visual indications as to the operating status of the hearing aid. Multi-colored LEDs (light emitting diodes) are operated by the hearing aid's processing circuitry to convey light to an indicator light on the hearing aid enclosure using different colors to indicate different operating statuses. The LEDs may also be used to provide information regarding changes made to operating parameters. | 06-11-2015 |
20150146901 | HEARING AID REMOVAL HANDLE - A removal handle design for a hearing aid is described in which the removal handle is attached to the battery door of the hearing aid. By locating the removal handle in the battery door, the removal handle may be added as the last step in the manufacturing process, thus ensuring no damage from cutting/beveling/buffing equipment. The design also eliminates interference with the opening and closing of the battery door. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146899 | SOLDERLESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for solderless assembly for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. According to various embodiments, the method includes providing a molded interconnect device (MID) housing and inserting a flexible circuit module having conductive surface traces into the MID housing. One or more hearing assistance electronic modules are connected to the MID housing using direct compression without the use of wires or solder, according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the MID housing includes a laser-direct structuring (LDS) housing. | 05-28-2015 |
20150110312 | INPUT STAGE HEADROOM EXPANSION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for input stage headroom expansion for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device. According to various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an input stage including a microphone configured with variable sensitivity, and hearing assistance electronics connected to the microphone. The hearing assistance electronics are configured to process a signal received by the microphone for hearing assistance for a wearer of the hearing assistance device, in an embodiment. A receiver is connected to the hearing assistance electronics and configured to output the processed signal to the user, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the hearing assistance electronics are configured to dynamically change the sensitivity of the microphone to change headroom of the input stage. | 04-23-2015 |
20150098599 | HEARING ASSISTANCE COPLANAR WAVEGUIDE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses that provide a manufacturable RF transmission line to go through the bend area of a flexible circuit to be used in a compact design, such as in a compact hearing aid design. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to using multiple inner layers of the flexible circuit to route RF transmission. By not using outer layers, the RF transmission line will be less susceptible to delamination from the polyimide dielectric layer. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to choosing copper transmission line to have dimensions that allow for narrower transmission lines with good RF return loss. The copper transmission line dimensions also allow for manufacturing in a standard process without adding extra cost. | 04-09-2015 |
20150092967 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE HARMONIC ENHANCEMENT FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved noise reduction for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of enhancing speech in an audio signal for a hearing assistance device. An audio signal is received from a hearing assistance device microphone in a user acoustic environment, and speech components are identified and isolated from the audio signal. The speech components are harmonically enhanced in parallel with a primary path of the audio signal, in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the harmonically enhanced speech components are mixed with the audio signal to improve speech intelligibility, clarity or audibility for a user of the hearing assistance device | 04-02-2015 |
20150088501 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL SHARING TO IMPROVE SPEECH UNDERSTANDING - Methods and devices are described for allowing users to use portable computer devices such as smart phones to share microphone signals and/or closed captioning text generated by speech recognition processing of the microphone signals. Under user direction, the portable devices exchange messages to form a signal sharing group to facilitate their conversation. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086051 | HEARING AID ADAPTED FOR EMBEDDED ELECTRONICS - A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing. | 03-26-2015 |
20150071470 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DIE INSIDE A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT SUBSTRATE FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved circuit design for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device configured to compensate for hearing losses of a user. The hearing assistance device includes a flexible circuit substrate and an integrated circuit die embedded within the flexible circuit substrate. The integrated circuit die includes a digital signal processor (DSP) die, in an embodiment. In various embodiments, the DSP die includes a DSP configured to provide processing for the hearing assistance device. | 03-12-2015 |
20150071448 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING BINAURAL BEATS USING HEARING AIDS - A hearing assistance system includes a pair of first and second hearing aids to generate a first acoustic signal having a first frequency and a second acoustic signal having a second frequency. When the first and second acoustic signals are each delivered to one of the ears of a listener being a hearing aid wearer, the listener perceives binaural beats at a third frequency being the difference between the first and second frequency. The effects of the binaural beats may include various health or other benefits to the hearing aid wearer. | 03-12-2015 |
20150049891 | EMBEDDED TUNING CAPACITANCE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FLEX ANTENNA - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for tuning hearing assistance device antennas. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method including providing a flexible antenna for a hearing assistance device. The flexible antenna includes at least one variable distributed tuning element embedded in the flexible antenna, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the tuning element is configured for tuning the flexible antenna for wireless hearing assistance device communication. | 02-19-2015 |
20150036856 | INTEGRATION OF HEARING AIDS WITH SMART GLASSES TO IMPROVE INTELLIGIBILITY IN NOISE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for integration of hearing aids with an MSD to improve intelligibility in noisy environments. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method of providing voice audio to a hearing aid or text in a hearing aid user's field of view, where the voice audio or text corresponds to a speaker of interest within a noisy environment, and where the speaker of interest is identified using smart glasses. An MSD graphical user interface is provided for a hearing aid user to identify a speaker of interest. The lip movement patterns of the speaker of interest are recorded by the smart glasses, and voice activity detection is performed on the lip movement patterns. Noise reduction is performed using the results of the voice activity detection. The noise-reduced voice audio may be transmitted to the hearing aid, or the speech recognition text may be transmitted to and displayed on the MSD. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036854 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH BALANCED FEED-LINE FOR ANTENNA - A hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, includes an antenna connected to a communication circuit through a feed-line for wireless communication. The antenna and the feed-line are configured and placed such that capacitance between their conductors is approximately minimized. In one embodiment, the feed-line includes feed-line conductors each including a major portion approximately perpendicular to an antenna conductor. In another embodiment, the feed-line includes a feed-line conductor crossing the antenna conductor, and at least one of the antenna conductor and the feed-line conductor includes a notch in the crossing area to reduce the crossing area. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036853 | MUSIC PLAYER WATCH WITH HEARING AID REMOTE CONTROL - Described herein are devices and methods for enabling a hearing aid user to control the operation of the hearing aid and also select an audio source for streaming audio information such as music directly to the hearing aid. In one embodiment, these functionalities are combined into a single wrist-worn remote device that may also function as a watch. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036852 | SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMIZING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for customizing a hearing assistance device for a wearer. According to various embodiments, data corresponding to the wearer's acoustic environment is logged using the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is fitted by an adaptive fitting process controlled by the wearer, the adaptive fitting process having access to the data logged by the hearing assistance device to customize settings of the hearing assistance device for the wearer. In an embodiment, data related to fitting the hearing assistance device is sent via a network connection to a location accessible by the wearer's audiologist and/or device manufacturer. The sent data is used to create an interactive database, and the database is used for fitting hearing assistance devices for one or more wearers, in various embodiments. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036851 | AUTOMATIC HEARING AID ADAPTATION OVER TIME VIA MOBILE APPLICATION - A hearing assistance system for delivering sounds to a listener provides for programming of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, using a communication link with a secondary device such as a smartphone. An example hearing assistance system may compensate for a patient's hearing deficit in a gradually progressing fashion over a configured period of absolute time, device operation time, or a combination of absolute and operation time. The hearing assistance device may be programmed by an application operating on the secondary device to successively select a parameter set that defines an operating characteristic of the signal processing circuit from a group of such parameter sets over a period of time or in response to a listener or physician input. The physician input may be received by the secondary device over a network. The defined sequence may end in a parameter set that optimally compensates the patient's hearing. | 02-05-2015 |
20150030192 | MIXING OF IN-THE-EAR MICROPHONE AND OUTSIDE-THE-EAR MICROPHONE SIGNALS TO ENHANCE SPATIAL PERCEPTION - This document provides a hearing assistance device for playing processed sound inside a wearer's ear canal, the hearing assistance device comprising a first housing, signal processing electronics disposed at least partially within the first housing, a first microphone connected to the first housing, the first microphone adapted for reception of sound, a second microphone configured to receive sound from inside the wearer's ear canal when the hearing assistance device is worn and in use and microphone mixing electronics in communication with the signal processing electronics and in communication with the first microphone and the second microphone, the microphone mixing electronics adapted to combine low frequency information from the first microphone and high frequency information from the second microphone to produce a composite audio signal. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030190 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH ANTENNA OPTIMIZED TO REDUCE HEAD LOADING - A hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, includes an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna has one or more conductor dimensions that are approximately optimized for minimizing effects of head loading, which vary among users. In one embodiment, a conductor dimension of the antenna is identified for substantially affecting an effect of head loading on the antenna when the hearing assistance device is worn by a user. Performance of the wireless communication using the antenna is evaluated based on one or more performance criteria. The conductor dimension is approximately minimized while the performance of the wireless communication satisfies the one or more performance criteria. | 01-29-2015 |
20150030170 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE USING PERCEPTUAL MODEL - A hearing assistance system for delivering sounds to a listener provides for subjective, listener-driven programming of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, using a perceptual model. The system produces a distribution of presets using a perceptual model selected for the listener and allows the listener to navigate through the distribution to adjust parameters of a signal processing algorithm for processing the sounds. The use of the perceptual model increases the potential of fine tuning of the hearing assistance device available to the listener. | 01-29-2015 |
20150024348 | SYSTEM TO VISUALLY DISPLAY AND DEMONSTRATE HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FEATURES - A method to playback media of a feature of a hearing aid may include establishing a communication link between a computing device and a hearing assistance device; obtaining, over the communications link, a parameter of a feature of the hearing assistance device; querying from the computing device, using the obtained parameter as an input, a storage device external to the computing device for media associated with the feature; receiving the media associated with the feature from the storage device external to the computing device; and presenting the media received in response to the query to a user of the computing device. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023539 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING CONDUCTIVE TRACES INTO HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE HOUSINGS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for embedding a conductive trace for a hearing assistance device housing. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of forming a hearing assistance device housing. The housing is constructed of plastic including a photo conductive dopant, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the housing is laser printed to activate the photo conductive dopant on the surface of the plastic to provide a conductive trace on a surface of the housing. The housing is plated using an electroless process to increase the conductivity of the conductive trace, in various embodiments. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023537 | WIRELESS BEACON SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - A beacon device adapted to wirelessly communicate with a hearing assistance device, the beacon device comprising a sensor to sense a signal related to determination of an acoustic environment, a memory to store information relating to the signal, a processor in communication with the memory and the sensor, the processor adapted to process the information, a wireless transmitter in communication with the memory and an antenna coupled to the wireless transceiver to transmit information to the hearing assistance device. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023536 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for detection of special environments for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device for a user. A signal is received from a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone, representative of an environmental parameter sensed by the mobile device. In various embodiments, an acoustic environment about the mobile device is identified based on the received signal using a signal processor. An operational mode of the hearing assistance device is adjusted using the signal processor based on the identified acoustic environment, according to various embodiments. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023513 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS - A system collects information on performance of short-range wireless communication in local hearing aid systems. The information is analyzed, for example, to inform local users to adjust the local hearing aid systems, to adjust operational parameters for improving wireless communication in the local hearing aid systems, and/or to improve wireless connectivity and reliability in future products. | 01-22-2015 |
20150016648 | ACOUSTICALLY TRANSPARENT BARRIER LAYER TO SEAL AUDIO TRANSDUCERS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier layer configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials. In various embodiments, the barrier layer includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials. | 01-15-2015 |
20150016646 | PARALLEL ANTENNAS FOR STANDARD FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna. | 01-15-2015 |
20150016645 | HEARING AID WITH INDUCTIVELY COUPLED ELECTROMAGNETIC RESONATOR ANTENNA - A hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes a primary element connected to the circuit of the hearing aid and one or more secondary elements parasitically coupled to the primary element. This antenna configuration substantially increases radiation efficiency when compared to an antenna with the primary element alone, without substantially increasing the size, power consumption, and complexity of the hearing aid. | 01-15-2015 |
20150016644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE IN MULTIPLE-TALKER SETTINGS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for hearing assistance in multiple-talker settings. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device for a user in an environment. A parameter is sensed relating to facing orientation of a talker in communication within the environment. Parameters related to location and talking activity of a talker can also be used. In various embodiments, facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker are estimated based on the sensed parameter. A hearing assistance device parameter is adjusted based on the estimated facing orientation, location, and talking activity of the talker, according to various embodiments. | 01-15-2015 |
20150010179 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES IN A BLUETOOTH NETWORK - A hearing assistance system provides for wireless communication between hearing assistance devices that are in a Bluetooth connection with a host device. In various embodiments, during a Bluetooth connection interval, one or more time slots are used for communication between the host device and one or more of the hearing assistance devices, while one or more additional time slots are reserved for communication between the hearing assistance devices. | 01-08-2015 |
20150010159 | DYNAMIC NEGOTIATION AND DISCOVERY OF HEARING AID FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES BY FITTING SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY - A method to determine if a feature of a hearing assistance device may include transmitting, from a hearing assistance device application to a hearing assistance device, a request to determine if a feature is supported by the hearing assistance device; receiving, from the hearing assistance device, a response message identifying the feature as supported by the hearing assistance device; determining that the feature of the hearing assistance device is supported by the hearing assistance device application; and based on the determination, configuring the hearing assistance device application to control the feature of the hearing assistance device. | 01-08-2015 |
20140369535 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISEMENT SUPPORTED HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for advertisement supported hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device for a user. An advertisement for a product or service is received using the hearing assistance device, and the advertisement is programmably played using a receiver of the hearing assistance device. Various embodiments include logging data using the hearing assistance device, determining optimal parameter settings for the hearing assistance device based on the logged data, and playing an advertisement for the user related to the optimal parameter settings. | 12-18-2014 |
20140355804 | INCREASING ANTENNA PERFORMANCE FOR WIRELESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for increasing antenna performance for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing assistance device for a wearer including an antenna within a device housing, an audio receiver configured to be worn in an ear canal of a wearer, and a cable assembly configured to connect the audio receiver to the device housing. A ferrite element or an inductor is connected to the cable assembly and configured to reduce unwanted coupling between the cable assembly and the antenna by reducing high frequency current through the wires of the cable assembly. According to various embodiments, the ferrite element or the inductor is connected in series to the cable assembly adjacent to the device housing. | 12-04-2014 |
20140355803 | MODULAR CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system. | 12-04-2014 |
20140348365 | AUGMENTED REALITY MULTISENSORY DISPLAY DEVICE INCORPORATED WITH HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FEATURES - The present subject matter includes a reality multisensory display device (MSD) to be used by a wearer having an ear. The device includes a head-mounted display, display circuitry configured to provide signals to the head-mounted display, audio circuitry configured to augment audio delivered to the wearer, and radio circuitry to provide wireless communications to the MSD. According to various embodiments, the audio circuitry is configured to compensate for hearing loss of the wearer. | 11-27-2014 |
20140348364 | AUGMENTED REALITY MULTISENSORY DISPLAY DEVICE INCORPORATED WITH HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FEATURES - The present subject matter includes reality multisensory display device (MSD) to be used by a wearer having an ear. The device includes a head-mounted display, display circuitry configured to provide signals to the head-mounted display, audio circuitry configured to augment audio delivered to the wearer, and a receiver configured to be worn in or on the ear of the wearer and to play audio to the wearer. In various embodiments, a cable assembly is configured to connect the receiver to the audio circuitry. | 11-27-2014 |
20140348363 | AUGMENTED REALITY MULTISENSORY DISPLAY DEVICE INCORPORATED WITH HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FEATURES - The present subject matter includes a reality multisensory display device (MSD) in the form of eyeglasses, where the device is configured to augment information to the wearer of the device, for example to compensate for hearing loss of a wearer of the device by augmenting auditory information. | 11-27-2014 |
20140348362 | THREE DIMENSIONAL SUBSTRATE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - A hearing assistance device for a user comprising a housing, a three dimensional electronic substrate disposed in the housing, the substrate adapted to conform to a battery of the hearing assistance device and hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate. | 11-27-2014 |
20140348361 | ENTRAINMENT AVOIDANCE WITH AN AUTO REGRESSIVE FILTER - A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment, the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone and adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal. | 11-27-2014 |
20140348359 | NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein is a system for binaural noise reduction for hearing assistance devices using information generated at a first hearing assistance device and information received from a second hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the present subject matter provides a gain measurement for noise reduction using information from a second hearing assistance device that is transferred at a lower bit rate or bandwidth by the use of coding for further quantization of the information to reduce the amount of information needed to make a gain calculation at the first hearing assistance device. The present subject matter can be used for hearing aids with wireless or wired connections. | 11-27-2014 |
20140334651 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH IMPROVED MICROPHONE PROTECTION - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device. | 11-13-2014 |
20140331218 | UNOBTRUSIVE FIRMWARE UPDATES FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure includes some examples of methods, systems, and machine readable media which deliver firmware updates to a computing device of a hearing professional while requiring little or no user interaction. For example, the firmware patches may be delivered in a way that does not require administrator access on the computer. In various embodiments, the updates may only require periodic access to a network (e.g., the Internet), the updates may not require the fitting software to be running, and/or the updates may not even require a user to be logged in to the computing device. | 11-06-2014 |
20140321685 | SMALL LOOP ANTENNA WITH SHORTING CONDUCTORS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating antenna interference for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing aid for a wearer including hearing aid electronics and an antenna including a loop segment. According to various embodiments, one or more conductors are connected in parallel with a portion of the loop segment. The conductors electrically short the loop segment to change current distribution in the antenna. The conductors reduce unwanted coupling between the hearing aid electronics and the antenna, according to various embodiments. | 10-30-2014 |
20140307904 | ANTENNAS FOR CUSTOM FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises an enclosure that includes a faceplate and a shell attached to the faceplate, a power source, a flex antenna, a transmission line connected to the flex antenna, and radio circuit connected to the transmission line and electrically connected to the power source. The flex antenna has a shape of at least a substantially complete loop around the power source, and maintains separation from the power source. | 10-16-2014 |
20140270288 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DISPLAY INTERFERENCE FOR A WIRELESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE PROGRAMMER - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for displaying wireless interference for a wireless hearing assistance device programmer. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method including measuring levels of wireless interference over wireless communication channels using fitting software configured for a wireless hearing assistance device programmer. The levels of measured wireless interference over time are displayed on a graphical display in communication with the wireless programmer. In various embodiments, displaying the measured wireless interference levels includes using a moving line graph with multiple lines, with each of the multiple lines representing one of the wireless communication channels. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270213 | WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT INTERFERENCE DIAGNOSTIC HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SYSTEM - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless interference diagnostic hearing assistance device systems. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for assessing and mitigating wireless interference for hearing assistance device programmers. The method includes measuring wireless interference over wireless communication channels using a wireless programmer configured to communicate with a hearing assistance device. A graphical display in communication with the wireless programmer is used to assist or direct a user to physically move the wireless programmer or the hearing assistance device to minimize the measured wireless interference. In various embodiments, the measured wireless interference is used to identify a source of the wireless interference, and an identity of the source of the wireless interference is displayed on the graphical display. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270211 | HEARING AID USING WIRELESS TEST MODES AS DIAGNOSTIC TOOL - Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices configured to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing aid configured to communicate with another device using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication technology. A BLE tester is configured to test the hearing aid for the performance of BLE wireless communication via a wireless link. One embodiment uses a wireless test mode as a diagnostic tool for analyzing the wireless communication environment, such as when the communication with the hearing aid is interfered in a noisy environment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140254841 | HEARING AIDS AND METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUDIO FITTING THEREOF - A field ready, unsupervised-use ready, method and apparatus for audio fitting a hearing aid is described in a hand held configuration having paired comparisons (hearing selections) stored in and derivable from a memory therein. The paired comparisons are presented one at a time to a user and a preferred selection for each paired comparison is made by a select indicator after the user toggles back and forth between the selections for as many times necessary in determining their preferences. A genetic algorithm converges all the preferences upon a single solution. Crossover and mutation genetic algorithm operators operate on a linear range of indexes representative of parametric values of the pairs. A fully integrated hearing aid having all the above described features incorporated therein is also presented. | 09-11-2014 |
20140211973 | LOCATION BASED ASSISTANCE USING HEARING INSTRUMENTS - Disclosed in some examples is a method of authentication, the method comprising monitoring for the presence of a hearing instrument; responsive to detecting the hearing instrument: establishing a short-range wireless communication session with the hearing instrument; determining an identity of the hearing instrument wearer; and responsive to determining the identity of the wearer, setting a value indicating that the hearing instrument wearer is authenticated with and within the wireless range of the presence device. | 07-31-2014 |
20140198937 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING CELLULAR TELEPHONES FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter relates generally to methods and apparatus for detecting cellular telephones using hearing assistance devices. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a processor and a radio frequency transceiver connected to the processor. A detection circuit is connected to the processor, the detection circuit including a band pass filter and where the detection circuit is adapted to monitor a radio frequency signal to detect a cellular telephone in proximity to the hearing assistance device based on the monitored signal. The hearing assistance device includes an acoustic input, a magnetic input, and a switch for selecting between the acoustic input and the magnetic input. The processor is adapted to actuate the switch from the acoustic input to the magnetic input when a cellular telephone is detected in proximity to the hearing assistance device. | 07-17-2014 |
20140198936 | ELECTROOCULOGRAM AS A CONTROL IN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for controlling operation of a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device worn by a wearer. The method includes tracking eye movements of the wearer using a sensor on or in the hearing assistance device to obtain an electrooculogram (EOG). At least one parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted using the EOG, according to various embodiments. | 07-17-2014 |
20140198934 | CUSTOMIZATION OF ADAPTIVE DIRECTIONALITY FOR HEARING AIDS USING A PORTABLE DEVICE - A hearing assistance system provides a hearing-aid wearer with one or more hearing aids and a portable device allowing for a wearer-driven directionality customization of the one or more hearing aids. The wearer indicates the locations of sound(s) of interest and/or noise source(s) using the portable device. The one or more hearing aids adjust the directionality of sound reception based on these wearer-indicated locations. | 07-17-2014 |
20140193007 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING AN AUDIO STREAM BASED ON PROXIMITY AND DIRECTION - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for obtaining an audio stream for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method comprising sensing proximity of a wearer of a hearing assistance device, and sensing direction of movement of the wearer of the hearing assistance device. Audio streaming to the hearing assistance device is activated or deactivated based on the sensed proximity and direction of movement, according to various embodiments. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192988 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE EAVESDROPPING ON A BLUETOOTH DATA STREAM - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for eavesdropping on a data stream for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance system for a wearer including a Bluetooth host device having a transmitter configured to send data including one or more encoded audio streams, and a data channel having an advertisement that includes frequency information, frequency hop sequences, information for decoding audio streams, and security keys for decoding audio stream information. The system also includes one or more Bluetooth slave devices identified by the Bluetooth host device. The Bluetooth slave devices are configured to actively participate in a connection with the host device to aid the host transmitter in deciding which frequencies to use for frequency hopping and in determining which frequencies are being interfered with and should not be included in a channel map, according to various embodiments. | 07-10-2014 |
20140185850 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TONAL ENHANCEMENT IN HEARING AID - An audio processing circuit tracks tonal components in an audio stream and enhances them by synthesizing matching tones, processing the matched tones, and mixing them in with the audio stream. A hearing assistance device, for example a hearing aid, includes such an audio processing circuit for enhancing the pitched or tonal parts of tonal sound such as speech or music. | 07-03-2014 |
20140177894 | SOUND ENVIRONMENT CLASSIFICATION BY COORDINATED SENSING USING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Techniques are disclosed for classifying a sound environment for hearing assistance devices using redundant estimates of an acoustical environment from two hearing assistance devices and accessory devices. In one example, a method for operating a hearing assistance device includes sensing an environmental sound, determining a first classification of the environmental sound, receiving at least one second classification of the environmental sound, comparing the determined first classification and the at least one received second classification, and selecting an operational classification for the hearing assistance device based upon the comparison. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177891 | SEPARATE INNER AND OUTER HAIR CELL LOSS COMPENSATION - A method and device for compensating sensorineural hearing loss in a manner that allows dysfunction of the inner and outer hair cells to be separately compensated is described. The disclosed techniques involve providing separately adjustable compression pathways for the received sound. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177888 | ENVIRONMENT DETECTION AND ADAPTATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177886 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEARING AID LOCATION - A hearing aid includes electronics, a physically manipulable member, and a receiver. The receiver is configured to output sound in a first mode at a first decibel level and in a second mode at a second decibel level higher than the first decibel level. The first mode is based on an input from a microphone. The second mode is based on the physically manipulable member not having been manipulated over a selected period of time. In various examples, wireless approaches are used to perform location identification. Examples using antennas and radio frequency identification (RFID) are provided. Various location approaches are possible using different location tones and methods for generation of such tones. Other apparatus are provided for location identification in a system with one or more hearing aids. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177885 | WIRELESS SYSTEM FOR HEARING COMMUNICATION DEVICES PROVIDING WIRELESS STEREO RECEPTION MODES - The present subject matter relates to the wireless stereo reception of first and second audio information by wireless hearing communication devices. One type of device which may employ the present subject matter is a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Various forms and protocols of signal transmission are employed in varying embodiments. The present subject matter includes various communication modes such as eavesdropping modes and relaying modes. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177855 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL RECEPTION USING DYNAMICALLY SELECTABLE MODES - A communication system reduces power consumption of a radio receiver and/or ensures quality of signal transmission by using various modes of receiver operation. In one embodiment, the communication system is part of a hearing assistance system with a hearing aid including the radio receiver. In one embodiment, a mode of reception is selected during signal transmission based on a detected parameter indicative of quality of the signal transmission. In one embodiment, a hearing aid includes a radio receiver using independent sidebands to receive signals transmitted using each of an upper-sideband and a lower-sideband. | 06-26-2014 |
20140169603 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE VENT VALVE - Techniques are disclosed for actuating a valve of a hearing assistance device. In one example, a hearing assistance device comprises a device housing defining a vent structure, a vent valve positioned within the vent, the vent valve having first and second states. The vent valve comprises a magnet, a disk configured to move about an axis, and a magnetic catch. The hearing assistance device further comprises an actuator, and a processor configured to provide at least one signal to the actuator to cause the disk to move to controllably adjust the vent structure. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169600 | FREQUENCY TRANSLATION BY HIGH-FREQUENCY SPECTRAL ENVELOPE WARPING IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping in hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to improved speech intelligibility in a hearing assistance device using frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping. The system described herein implements an algorithm for performing frequency translation in an audio signal processing device for the purpose of improving perceived sound quality and speech intelligibility in an audio signal when presented using a system having reduced bandwidth relative to the original signal, or when presented to a hearing-impaired listener sensitive to only a reduced range of acoustic frequencies. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169599 | EAR TO EAR COMMUNICATION USING BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY TRANSPORT - Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable media which allows for hearing instruments to be in a piconet with each other while being connectable as a slave to another device such as a smart phone when it comes within range. In some examples to accomplish this, one or both of the connected hearing aids may send connectable advertisements while connected with each other in the piconet by time multiplexing the advertisements between connection events. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169598 | MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER SWITCH FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for micromachined ultrasonic transducer switches for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, hearing assistance electronics within the housing, and a micromachined ultrasonic transducer connected to the hearing assistance electronics. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to switch upon detection of proximity or touch by the wearer. In various embodiments, the micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes one ultrasonic transmitter and one ultrasonic receiver. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments. | 06-19-2014 |
20140161292 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH LOW PROFILE OFFSET SPOUT - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for hearing assistance low profile offset spouts. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance spout consisting of a one-piece spout with a curved path to an off-axis (e.g., offset) port. The spout may be manufactured using metal injection molding to provide for a reflow solder attachment to the hearing assistance microphone. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to placing a full-sized spout off-axis while maintaining an open state that does not restrict the acoustic path, which may allow the offset spout to include a radial seal independent of the microphone body itself. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an offset spout including a sealed acoustic barrier wall to protect the acoustic inlet of the microphone from debris or moisture. | 06-12-2014 |
20140153760 | HEARING AID WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELECTROACTIVE SENSOR - A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid. | 06-05-2014 |
20140143582 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING HEARING INSTRUMENTS VIA WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps. | 05-22-2014 |
20140140553 | METHODS FOR WIDEBAND RECEIVER AND MODULE FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for wideband receiver modules for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for use with a hearing assistance device. The apparatus includes two low frequency spout-less receivers configured to act as a woofer, and a dual receiver attached to the front of the woofer, the receiver configured to act as a tweeter. According to various embodiments, the acoustical load for each of the two low frequency receivers form a channel on each side of the tweeter. The apparatus is adapted to extend bandwidth of the hearing assistance device and to maintain low vibration of the dual receiver, in various embodiments. Various embodiments include sharing back volumes for receivers and improved perforated wax protections guides to further improve device performance. | 05-22-2014 |
20140119583 | THRESHOLD-DERIVED FITTING METHOD FOR FREQUENCY TRANSLATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a threshold-derived fitting rationale using frequency translation for hearing assistance devices. In various method embodiments, a first audiogram is received for a first hearing assistance device for a wearer, and a second audiogram is received for a second hearing assistance device for the wearer. The first audiogram and the second audiogram are compared to audiometric thresholds to determine if frequency translation should be enabled. | 05-01-2014 |
20140098967 | OUTPUT PHASE MODULATION ENTRAINMENT CONTAINMENT FOR DIGITAL FILTERS - Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 04-10-2014 |
20140064528 | GATEWAY FOR A WIRELESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a gateway for a wireless hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for wirelessly communicating with a hearing assistance device. One or more message and alert inputs are received and the message and alert inputs are processed to obtain an output. The output is wirelessly transmitted to a hearing assistance device, and the output is configured to be played via audio to a wearer of the hearing assistance device and to interrupt a current audio stream being played to the wearer, in various embodiments. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064496 | BINAURAL ENHANCEMENT OF TONE LANGUAGE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for binaural enhancement of tone language for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for enhancing pitch in a hearing assistance system having a first and second hearing assistance device. A signal is received using a microphone of the first hearing assistance device. Pitch detection is performed on the signal to obtain a pitch value. The pitch value is wirelessly transmitted from the first hearing assistance device to the second hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the pitch value of the first hearing assistance device is combined with a pitch value of the second hearing assistance device. The gain is adjusted based on the combined pitch value, in various embodiments. | 03-06-2014 |
20140044295 | TELECOIL IN A DETACHABLE DIRECT AUDIO INPUT ACCESSORY - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a hearing assistance device with a detachable telecoil. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a telecoil and a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil. The DAI connector is configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, in various embodiments. | 02-13-2014 |
20140044294 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OWN-VOICE SENSING IN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for own-voice sensing in hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing assistance device adapted to process sounds, including sounds from a wearer's mouth. According to various embodiments, the device includes a hollow plastic housing adapted to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a differential sensor mounted to an interior surface of the housing in an ear canal of the wearer. The differential sensor includes inlets located within the housing and the differential sensor is configured to improve speech intelligibility of sounds from the wearer's mouth, in various embodiments. | 02-13-2014 |
20140044292 | ENVIRONMENTALLY SEALED HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing an environmentally sealed hearing assistance device that is easy to manufacture. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. A hearing assistance device electrical component is placed into a mold and a liquid polymer resin is inserted into the mold. The polymer resin is cured into a solid state to encase the electrical component. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is assembled using the encased electrical component. The polymer resin is adapted to resist moisture ingress and to protect the electrical component from corrosion, shock and vibration, in various embodiments. | 02-13-2014 |
20140044291 | BINAURALLY COORDINATED COMPRESSION SYSTEM - A hearing assistance system includes a pair of hearing aids performing dynamic range compression while preserving spatial cue to provide a hearing aid wearer with satisfactory listening experience in complex listening environments. In various embodiments, the dynamic range compression is binaurally coordinated based on number and distribution of sound source(s). In various embodiments, in addition to preserving spatial cue, the dynamic range compression is controlled to optimize audibility and comfortable loudness of target signals. | 02-13-2014 |
20140029778 | VISUAL SPEECH MAPPING - Described herein are an apparatus and method for displaying the signal processing effects of a hearing upon speech. Such visual speech mapping may include displaying text corresponding to words spoken to a patient wearing a hearing aid as derived from an input signal derived from the hearing aid. The text is displayed with indicia representing the effects of the signal processing function performed by the hearing aid upon individual letters or groups of letters. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029776 | USER INTERFACE CONTROL OF MULTIPLE PARAMETERS FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for a user interface control to allow control of multiple parameters from a single control for a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to hearing assistance device for a wearer, including a housing, hearing assistance electronics housed in the housing, and a tinnitus therapy generator housed in the housing. A user interface control is connected to the electronics and the generator, and the control is configured to sense input from the wearer and provide for selection and adjustment of operational parameters for the electronics and the generator based on the sensed input. Other aspects are provided without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 01-30-2014 |
20140023218 | SYSTEM FOR TRAINING AND IMPROVEMENT OF NOISE REDUCTION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - A system is provided for training and improvement of noise reduction in hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments the system includes a hearing assistance device having a microphone configured to detect sound. A memory is configured to store background noise detected by the microphone and configured to store a previous recording of speech. A processor includes a training module coupled to the memory and configured to perform training on a binary classifier using programmable feature extraction applied to a sum of the speech and the noise. The processor is configured to process the sound using an output of the binary classifier. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023217 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING SPEECH UNDERSTANDING IN A LARGE CROWD - Methods and devices are described for improves speech understanding by hearing aid users in crowded environments. In one embodiment, a hearing aid wearer's speech signal is extracted using the microphone or microphones in the hearing aid. The hearing aid is configured to wirelessly transmit the extracted speech signals to a central processing station that enhances the extracted speech signals received from all registered hearing aids. The central processing station processes the received speech signals individually based on provided hearing losses mixes the signals based on the provided preferences, wirelessly transmits the mixed signal to each registered hearing aid for play back. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023216 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FOR ON- AND OFF- BODY ACCESSORIES - The present disclosure related to hearing assistance devices such as hearing aids, and in particular to a hearing assistance device with wireless communication for on- and off-body accessories. In various embodiments, a hearing aid includes a housing, hearing assistance electronics within the housing, and conductive material incorporated into a portion of the housing. According to various embodiments, the conductive material includes a transmission line portion configured to conduct a signal from the hearing assistance electronics to an antenna portion of the conductive material on an exterior surface of the housing. In various applications, the conductive material includes a first antenna configured for short range communication with other body worn devices or accessories. The hearing aid also includes a second antenna within the housing, the second antenna configured for conducting RF radiation for long range communication, in various embodiments. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023214 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN INPUT DEVICE FOR HEARING AID MODIFICATION - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for an input device for hearing aid fitting or modification. According to various embodiments, a Microsoft Kinect® or other gesture sensing input device senses a plurality of gestured inputs or speech made remotely from the computer for fitting or modifying a hearing aid. The Microsoft Kinect® or other gesture sensing input device communicates with the fitting system to simplify the fitting process, removing the restriction of mouse and keyboard, and allowing patient participation in the fitting or modification process for a hearing assistance device. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023213 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RECEPTION ENHANCEMENT OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Method and apparatus for automatic reception enhancement of hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for automatic reception enhancement in hearing assistance devices. It provides a power estimation scheme that is reliable against both steady and transient input. It provides a TSM estimation scheme that is effective and efficient both in terms of storage size and computational efficiency. The embodiments employing a decision tree provide a weight factor between the omnidirectional and compensated directional signal. The resulting decision logic improves speech intelligibility when talking under noisy conditions. The decision logic also improves listening comfort when exposed to noise. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 01-23-2014 |
20140018698 | METHOD TO ESTIMATE THE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL AT EARDRUM USING MEASUREMENTS AWAY FROM THE EARDRUM - A method for measuring sound pressure at a tympanic membrane of a wearer's ear including a high frequency range with a hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device comprises a processor connected to a sensor in the ear canal. The device provides a measure of the sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane of the wearer using a null frequency and a null Q measured at a distant position away from the tympanic membrane. The method does not require a precise knowledge of the ear canal, nor does it require an elaborate calibration step. In various embodiments, the present approach works at low and high frequencies. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016810 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH PINNA CONTROL - One embodiment of the present subject matter provides an apparatus for disposition between a pinna and a head of a user, the apparatus including a behind-the-ear housing, the housing having a first lateral side located adjacent the user's ear and a second lateral side located adjacent the side of the user's head when the apparatus is worn as directed, hearing assistance electronics disposed in the behind-the-ear housing, and a control disposed on at least one lateral side of the behind-the-ear housing, the control coupled to the hearing assistance electronics. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016807 | ANTENNAS FOR STANDARD FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016806 | ANTENNAS FOR HEARING AIDS - An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit provides a compact design for a hearing aid to communicate wirelessly with a system external to the hearing aid. In an embodiment, an antenna includes metallic traces in a hybrid circuit that is configured for use in a hearing aid. The antenna includes contacts in the hybrid circuit to couple the metallic traces to electronic devices in the hybrid circuit. In an embodiment, the metallic traces form a planar coil design having a number of turns of the coil in a substrate in the hybrid circuit. In another embodiment, the metallic traces are included in a flex circuit on a substrate in the hybrid circuit. An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit allows for use in a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016804 | HEARING INSTRUMENT TRANSDUCTION APPARATUS USING FERROELECTRET POLYMER FOAM - The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to hearing assistance devices using ferroelectret (also referred to as piezoelectret) polymer foam. Various embodiments include ferroelectret polymer foam on or in the hearing instrument as a microphone. Various embodiments include ferroelectret polymer foam on or in the hearing instrument as a momentary switch sensor. | 01-16-2014 |
20140003637 | INFRARED SENSORS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES | 01-02-2014 |
20130329926 | HEARING AID WITH DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING IN EAR PIECE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to behind the ear and receiver in canal hearing aids with distributed processing. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics in a housing configured to be worn above or behind an ear of a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes an ear piece configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a processing component at the ear piece configured to perform functions in the ear piece and to communicate with the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments. | 12-12-2013 |
20130315424 | HEARING AID SYSTEMS - Systems, structures, and methods are provided to fit, program, or upgrade a hearing aid system to a patient. One embodiment includes the use of a mobile device to interact with the hearing aid system through a short-range network. The mobile device is also adapted to communicate with a server through a long-range wireless network. The server may reside on the Internet. | 11-28-2013 |
20130315423 | SWITCHING STRUCTURES FOR HEARING AID - A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually switches at least one of inputs, filters, or programmable parameters in the presence of a magnetic field. | 11-28-2013 |
20130308807 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY IN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - The disclosure relates to the use of a MEMS magnetometer or an array of MEMS magnetometers as energy harvesting sensor(s) in a hearing assistance device. The MEMS magnetometer(s) can be located within the existing geometry of a typical balanced-armature receiver currently used in hearing assistance devices. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308802 | HEARING AID SYSTEMS - Systems, structures, and methods are provided to fit, program, or upgrade a hearing aid system to a patient. One embodiment includes the use of a mobile device to interact with the hearing aid system through a short-range network. The mobile device is also adapted to communicate with a server through a long-range wireless network. The server may reside on the Internet. | 11-21-2013 |
20130294628 | FLEX CONNECTOR FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - The present disclosure relates to improved receiver connectors for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance system including a flex connector. A hearing assistance device housing includes hearing assistance electronics for a hearing assistance device. The system also includes a receiver configured to convert an electrical signal from the hearing assistance electronics to an acoustic signal. The receiver is configured to enable a quick connect and disconnect at various degrees on and off vertical axial alignment with repeatable reliability, according to various embodiments. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294625 | METHOD FOR ACOUSTICAL LOADING OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE RECEIVER - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to improved methods and apparatus for acoustical loading of hearing assistance device receivers. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance method. A hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics is provided. A receiver assembly includes a receiver that is configured to convert an electrical signal from the hearing assistance electronics to an acoustic signal. The receiver is acoustically loaded using air inside the receiver assembly, providing a plurality of acoustical resonators that can be tuned to smooth a frequency response of the receiver to improve audio quality of the receiver. | 11-07-2013 |
20130266164 | SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR FITTING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved fitting and programming of hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a system for fitting a hearing assistance device. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmer and a hearing assistance device configured to receive a transmission including commands and information from the programmer. The programmer is configured to receive voice commands for fitting the hearing assistance device and to initiate transmissions to the hearing assistance device using speech recognition, in various embodiments. The transmissions are used to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing assistance device. In one embodiment the programmer includes a personal computer. The programmer includes a cellular telephone, in one embodiment. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 10-10-2013 |
20130251180 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINKS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a person. The hearing aid device includes a signal processing circuitry connected to a microphone and a receiver. At least one of the plurality of devices includes a link quality management device adapted to assess a link quality for a first wireless communication channel, provide channel metrics indicative of the assessed quality for the first wireless communication channel, and adjust wireless communication over the first wireless communication channel using the channel metrics for the first wireless communication channel. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251166 | REAL EAR MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING THIN TUBE - An embodiment of a hearing assistance apparatus for performing a Real Ear Measurement (REM), comprises a hearing assistance device housing, a microphone within the housing, an earhook connected to the housing, and a flexible tube. The house has a first opening for guiding sound into the housing to the microphone. The housing and the connected earhook form an interface, where the earhook has a shape to provide a slot near the interface of the housing and the earhook. The tube guides sound, and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible tube and the slot of the earhook cooperate to retain the first end of the flexible tube in the slot of the earhook and flush with the housing to provide a sound-tight connection with the first opening. | 09-26-2013 |
20130230197 | SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE INCLUDING RECEIVER IN THE CANAL - The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device connection system for a user having an ear canal comprising a housing, electronics disposed in the housing, a cable electrically connected to the receiver and at least one conductive silicone component to electrically connect the electronics to the receiver. | 09-05-2013 |
20130216075 | SWITCHING STUCTURES FOR HEARING AID - An apparatus is provided that includes an input system, an output system, and a sensor for sensing magnetic fields. In one example, a signal processing circuit electrically connects the input system to the output system, and a magnetic sensor adapted to inhibit the acoustic input and function as a magnetic input in the presence of a magnetic field. In one example, the magnetic sensor includes a giant magneto resistive (GMR) sensor. In another example, the magnetic sensor includes an anisotropic magneto resistive (AMR) sensor. The magnetic field can be generated by, among other things, a magnet in a telephone handset. The hearing aid further is programmed based on time-varying characteristics of the magnetic field. Wireless activation or deactivation of the hearing aid is also described. Other examples and options are provided herein. | 08-22-2013 |
20130202137 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUDIO FEATURE OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - A method of using a remote control application for controlling a hearing assistance device may include displaying a user interface layout on a display of a mobile device, the user interface layout including at least one user input element associated with controlling an audio feature of a hearing assistance device; receiving a selection of the at least one user input element; translating the selection of the at least one user input element into a remote signal for controlling the feature of the hearing assistance device; and transmitting the remote signal to the hearing assistance device via a transmitter attachment coupled to the mobile device. | 08-08-2013 |
20130195298 | HEARING AID WITH INTEGRATED FLEXIBLE DISPLAY AND TOUCH SENSOR - A user interface incorporated onto a hearing aid includes flexible hybrid component integrating a touch sensor into a bendable display. The touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, includes one or more sensor elements allowing a user to control operation of the hearing aid by touching. The bendable display presents information related to the operation of the hearing aid to the user. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195297 | MULTI-DIRECTIONAL AND OMNIDIRECTIONAL HYBRID MICROPHONE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for an directional microphone arrays for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, the present subject matter provides a microphone array system for receiving sounds including a first directional microphone, a second directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone. The first directional microphone has a first directional axis in a first direction, and the second directional microphone has a second directional axis that is collinear with the first direction and pointing in the same direction as the first direction. The omnidirectional microphone has a sound sampling position that is a disposed between the first directional microphone and the second directional microphone, and the omnidirectional microphone sound sampling position is on or about the first directional axis. Weighted outputs of the first directional microphone, second directional microphone, and omnidirectional microphone are processed to provide a second order directional microphone system, according to various embodiments. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195296 | HEARING AIDS WITH ADAPTIVE BEAMFORMER RESPONSIVE TO OFF-AXIS SPEECH - A hearing assistance system includes an adaptive directionality controller to control a target direction for sound reception. The adaptive directionality controller includes a beamformer, a speech detector to detect off-axis speech being speech that is not from the target direction, and a steering module to steer the beamformer in response to a detection of the off-axis speech. | 08-01-2013 |
20130148813 | COMPRESSION OF SPACED SOURCES FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - This application relates to a system for compression and mixing for hearing assistance devices by application of compression to individual sound sources before applying a head-related transfer function (HRTF) to prevent compression and cross modulation of interaural-level-difference (ILD) cues for localization, according to one example. Variations of the present system use coordinated compression to left and right individual source signals after application of HRTFs. | 06-13-2013 |
20130142369 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AMBIENT NOISE BASED ON ANNOYANCE PERCEPTION AND MODELING FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED LISTENERS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for annoyance perception and modeling for hearing-impaired listeners. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for improving noise cancellation for a wearer of a hearing assistance device having an adaptive filter. In various embodiments, the method includes calculating an annoyance measure or other perceptual measure based on a residual signal in an ear of the wearer, the wearer's hearing loss, and the wearer's preference. A spectral weighting function is estimated based on a ratio of the annoyance measure or other perceptual measure and spectral energy. The spectral weighting function is incorporated into a cost function for an update of the adaptive filter. The method includes minimizing the annoyance or other perceptual measure based cost function to achieve perceptually motivated adaptive noise cancellation, in various embodiments. | 06-06-2013 |
20130108096 | ENHANCED DYNAMICS PROCESSING OF STREAMING AUDIO BY SOURCE SEPARATION AND REMIXING | 05-02-2013 |
20130108089 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MICROPHONES SHARING A COMMON ACOUSTIC VOLUME | 05-02-2013 |
20130089228 | AUDIO PROCESSING COMPRESSION SYSTEM USING LEVEL-DEPENDENT CHANNELS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for a level-dependent compression system for hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device having a buffer for receiving time domain input signals and a frequency analysis module to convert time domain input signals into a plurality of subband signals. A power detector is adapted to receive the subband signals and to provide a subband version of the input signals. A nonlinear gain stage applies gain to the plurality of subband versions of the input signals, and a frequency synthesis module processes subband signals from the nonlinear gain stage and to create a processed output signal. The device also includes a filter for filtering the signals, and a level-dependent compression module. The level-dependent compression module is adapted to provide bandwidth control to the plurality of subband signals produced by the frequency analysis stage. | 04-11-2013 |
20130064405 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES WITH ECHO CANCELLATION - According to various embodiment of a method of operating a hearing instrument, an acoustic signal pathway is provided from a microphone through a signal processor to a hearing instrument (HI) receiver in an acoustic mode of operation. An RF transmit signal pathway is provided from the microphone to an RF transmitter, and an RF receive signal pathway is provided from the RF receiver through the signal processor to the HI receiver in an RF mode of operation. An input signal representative of sound detected by the microphone is adaptively filtered. A first adaptation rate is used for the acoustic mode of operation and a second adaptation rate is used for the RF mode of operation. The second adaptation rate is faster than the first adaptation rate. | 03-14-2013 |
20130016862 | HEARING AID WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELECTROACTIVE SENSORAANM Newton; James R.AACI BurnsvilleAAST MNAACO USAAGP Newton; James R. Burnsville MN USAANM Sacha; Michael KarlAACI ChanhassenAAST MNAACO USAAGP Sacha; Michael Karl Chanhassen MN USAANM Lin; Wei LiAACI PlymouthAAST MNAACO USAAGP Lin; Wei Li Plymouth MN US - A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid. | 01-17-2013 |
20130015824 | DETECTING AND SWITCHING BATTERY POLARITY IN A BATTERY CHARGER - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for detecting and switching battery polarity in a battery charger. In various embodiments, a method includes grounding a first terminal of a battery inserted in a charger and sensing a bipolar voltage from a second terminal of the battery. The bipolar voltage is converted to a reduced unipolar voltage for sensing by an input to a microcontroller. A low resistance analog switch connects the battery to a charging circuit. The switch state of the analog switch is controlled using an output of the microcontroller, to present the proper battery polarity to the charging circuit based on the unipolar voltage. The battery is charged using the charging circuit, in various embodiments. | 01-17-2013 |
20130005084 | PLANAR INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE FOR HYBRID CIRCUITS - Described herein is an electronic device in which one or more planar interconnect structure are interposed between two substrates each incorporating a hybrid circuit. The planar interconnect structure has a plurality of conductive traces formed on one of its faces for electrically connecting sets of interconnection points of each of the hybrid circuits. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004002 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES - The present subject matter provides a system for wireless communications between one or more wireless audio devices and other electronics for providing a rich set of streaming audio, control, programming and enhanced hearing functions. | 01-03-2013 |
20120314893 | HEARING AID WITH INTEGRATED TELECOIL AND BATTERY RECHARGE COIL - A hearing aid is powered by a rechargeable battery and senses a sound signal being a magnetic field using a telecoil. The hearing aid includes a battery recharge coil for receiving power from a hearing aid charger via an inductive couple. The telecoil and the inductive coil are integrated into a single device. | 12-13-2012 |
20120308058 | ANTENNAS FOR HEARING AIDS - An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit provides a compact design for a hearing aid to communicate wirelessly with a system external to the hearing aid. In an embodiment, an antenna includes metallic traces in a hybrid circuit that is configured for use in a hearing aid. The antenna includes contacts in the hybrid circuit to couple the metallic traces to electronic devices in the hybrid circuit. In an embodiment, the metallic traces form a planar coil design having a number of turns of the coil in a substrate in the hybrid circuit. In another embodiment, the metallic traces are included in a flex circuit on a substrate in the hybrid circuit. An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit allows for use in a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308057 | MIXING OF IN-THE-EAR MICROPHONE AND OUTSIDE-THE-EAR MICROPHONE SIGNALS TO ENHANCE SPATIAL PERCEPTION - This document provides a hearing assistance device for playing processed sound inside a wearer's ear canal, the hearing assistance device comprising a first housing, signal processing electronics disposed at least partially within the first housing, a first microphone connected to the first housing, the first microphone adapted for reception of sound, a second microphone configured to receive sound from inside the wearer's ear canal when the hearing assistance device is worn and in use and microphone mixing electronics in communication with the signal processing electronics and in communication with the first microphone and the second microphone, the microphone mixing electronics adapted to combine low frequency information from the first microphone and high frequency information from the second microphone to produce a composite audio signal. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308019 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A BINAURAL HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM USING MONAURAL AUDIO SIGNALS - The present application provides method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using a monaural audio signal input. The system, in various examples, provides adjustable delay/phase adjustment and sound level adjustment. Different embodiments are provided for receiving the monaural signal and distributing it to a plurality of hearing assistance devices. Different relaying modes are provided. Special functions are supported, such as telecoil functions. The system also has examples that account for a head-related transfer function in providing advanced sound processing for the wearer. Other examples are provided that are described in the detailed description. | 12-06-2012 |
20120294468 | HEARING AID MAGNETIC SENSOR WITH COUNTER WINDINGS - A hearing aid includes a magnetic sensor to sense a sound signal being a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor includes a telecoil to sensor the sound signal and a counter coil to cancel a noise signal resulting from electromagnetic interference. In one embodiment, a driver circuit for the counter coil allows for automatic adjustment of the hearing aid circuit for an interference null. | 11-22-2012 |
20120288127 | REMOTE CONTROL OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus of communicating instructions to a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. In various embodiments instructions are formed using tones sent to the hearing assistance device. The instructions can be used to control the operation of the hearing assistance device. The signals may include dual tone multifunction signals or other nonstandard signals. Various detection processes are provided which include but are not limited to using a modified complex Goertzel algorithm to detect tones. The remote device can be a standard device or can be modified to provide the proper signals. The following techniques can be applied to hearing assistance devices including, but not limited to completely-in-the-canal devices, in-the-canal devices, behind-the-ear devices, receiver-in-canal devices, and implanted devices, such as cochlear implants. | 11-15-2012 |
20120263328 | COMPACT PROGRAMMING BLOCK CONNECTOR FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter relates to a method and apparatus for a compact programming block for a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. In one embodiment, the compact programming block is formed in a programming block module with another component and the programming block module includes a flexible circuit design. The design incorporates a first flexible circuit disposed in a programming module that receives a second flexible circuit connection. The programming block module includes a plurality of contact springs and is shaped to provide a small profile that is integrated with a microphone housing. The integrated microphone and programming block module can be used in a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the programming block is integrated with a pushbutton, and the integrated pushbutton and programming block can be used in a hearing assistance device. | 10-18-2012 |
20120237065 | BALL AND SOCKET CONNECTION WITH AN ACOUSTIC SEAL AND MOUNTING INTERFACE FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween. | 09-20-2012 |
20120230526 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MICROPHONE MATCHING FOR WEARABLE DIRECTIONAL HEARING DEVICE USING WEARER'S OWN VOICE - Method and apparatus for microphone matching for wearable directional hearing assistance devices are provided. An embodiment includes a method for matching at least a first microphone to a second microphone, using a user's voice from the user's mouth. The user's voice is processed as received by at least one microphone to determine a frequency profile associated with voice of the user. Intervals are detected where the user is speaking using the frequency profile. Variations in microphone reception between the first microphone and the second microphone are adaptively canceled during the intervals and when the first microphone and second microphone are in relatively constant spatial position with respect to the user's mouth. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230503 | ENTRAINMENT AVOIDANCE WITH POLE STABILIZATION - 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. | 09-13-2012 |
20120224704 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING RIGHT AND LEFT CIRCUIT CONFIGURATIONS OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - This disclosure relates to method and apparatus for selecting right and left configurations of hearing assistance device circuits, such as battery polarity. In various applications the present subject matter is applicable to a flexible circuit in hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to hearing aids. In one example, a printed circuit board is configured during manufacture to be used in either a left or a right hearing assistance device. The printed circuit board includes a solder selectable portion to provide for selection of left or right during assembly of the hearing assistance device, according to various embodiments. | 09-06-2012 |
20120219167 | OMNIPHOBIC PERFORATED BARRIER FOR HEARING AID TRANSDUCERS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier device configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials, the barrier device comprising a plug adapted to fit within a receiver opening. In various embodiments, the plug includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, the membrane adapted to include an aperture, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials. Other barriers, such as a plug with a plurality of holes are described. In some embodiments a molded plastic plug including a plurality of holes provides the barrier. | 08-30-2012 |
20120219159 | REVISION CONTROL WITHIN HEARING-AID FITTING SOFTWARE - 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. | 08-30-2012 |
20120213392 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RECEPTION ENHANCEMENT OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Method and apparatus for automatic reception enhancement of hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for automatic reception enhancement in hearing assistance devices. It provides a power estimation scheme that is reliable against both steady and transient input. It provides a TSM estimation scheme that is effective and efficient both in terms of storage size and computational efficiency. The embodiments employing a decision tree provide a weight factor between the omnidirectional and compensated directional signal. The resulting decision logic improves speech intelligibility when talking under noisy conditions. The decision logic also improves listening comfort when exposed to noise. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 08-23-2012 |
20120177236 | FREQUENCY TRANSLATION BY HIGH-FREQUENCY SPECTRAL ENVELOPE WARPING IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping in hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to improved speech intelligibility in a hearing assistance device using frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping. The system described herein implements an algorithm for performing frequency translation in an audio signal processing device for the purpose of improving perceived sound quality and speech intelligibility in an audio signal when presented using a system having reduced bandwidth relative to the original signal, or when presented to a hearing-impaired listener sensitive to only a reduced range of acoustic frequencies. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS - A system collects information on performance of short-range wireless communication in local hearing aid systems. The information is analyzed, for example, to inform local users to adjust the local hearing aid systems, to adjust operational parameters for improving wireless communication in the local hearing aid systems, and/or to improve wireless connectivity and reliability in future products. | 07-12-2012 |
20120164965 | AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL WITH OUT OF BAND BLOCKING SIGNAL COMPENSATION - One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of receiving an input signal. The method, in various embodiments, includes detecting a peak of the input signal and detecting an envelope of the input signal. In various embodiments, the peak and envelope are used to identify out-of-band blocking signals and to adjust gain control. The method also includes comparing the peak to a first threshold Tp and comparing the envelope to a second threshold Te. In the method, if the peak is above the first threshold and the envelope is below the second threshold, then ignoring the input signal. If the envelope is above the second threshold, the method includes applying automatic gain control to decode information encoded in the input signal. | 06-28-2012 |
20120155664 | SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SETTINGS USING DETECTED SOUND ENVIRONMENT - 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. | 06-21-2012 |
20120121099 | AID TEST SYSTEM - 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. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121094 | WIRELESS SYSTEM FOR HEARING COMMUNICATION DEVICES PROVIDING WIRELESS STEREO RECEPTION MODES - The present subject matter relates to the wireless stereo reception of first and second audio information by wireless hearing communication devices. One type of device which may employ the present subject matter is a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Various forms and protocols of signal transmission are employed in varying embodiments. The present subject matter includes various communication modes such as eavesdropping modes and relaying modes. | 05-17-2012 |
20120087528 | ADJUSTMENT AND CLEANING TOOL FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves. | 04-12-2012 |
20120087527 | STANDARD FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE SLEEVE - A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves. | 04-12-2012 |
20120087526 | HOUSING FOR A STANDARD FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves. | 04-12-2012 |
20120087524 | SYSTEM FOR USING MULTIPLE HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE PROGRAMMERS - This disclosure relates to fitting and adjusting hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to hearing aids, using multiple programmers. A method is provided for using multiple programmers for hearing assistance devices. The method includes automatically detecting the programmers using fitting software on a personal computer. The method also includes communicating with each of the programmers simultaneously using the software to automatically detect hearing assistance devices compatible with the software. In certain variations if hearing assistance devices are detected on more than one programmer, a user is prompted to select a programmer. In certain variations, if hearing assistance devices are detected on one programmer, a fitting session is initiated for the detected hearing assistance devices. | 04-12-2012 |
20120014549 | RECEIVER-IN-CANAL HEARING DEVICE CABLE CONNECTIONS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, including, but not limited to connections for receiver-in-canal hearing devices. In various embodiments, a hearing device includes a hearing device component adapted to rest on or behind the ear and hearing assistance electronics disposed in the component. A first connector portion is disposed in the component, the first connector portion electrically connected to the hearing assistance electronics. A second connector portion is adapted to conform to a portion of the component and to electrically and physically connect a cable to the first connector portion. In various embodiments, at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion employ scratch pads for contacts. The first connector portion is top loading, in an embodiment. | 01-19-2012 |
20110249847 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EARLY AUDIO FEEDBACK CANCELLATION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved feedback cancellation for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments the present acoustic feedback cancellation system is configured to identify the onset of acoustic feedback. This early detection is accomplished in a variety of ways, including detection of an exponential rise in a periodic signal which is associated with early acoustic feedback. The present system is very rapid and so it can operate when the conditions surrounding the hearing aid change quickly. It also is useful to not impose feedback cancellation to longer notes that will “fool” less sophisticated acoustic feedback cancellers into thinking the sound is feedback. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249846 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOCATING FEEDBACK CANCELLATION RESOURCES FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for allocating feedback cancellation resources for improved acoustic feedback cancellation for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a processor configured to receive signals from the microphone and process them according to a plurality of processing blocks. The processor is adapted to include an event detector that can provide detection of an event and an output to adjust one or more processing blocks of the overall process to more efficiently use resources of the processor for the event detected, in various embodiments. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249844 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED NOISE REDUCTION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved noise reduction for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone and a processor configured to receive signals from the microphone. The processor is configured to perform noise reduction which adjusts maximum gain reduction as a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and which reduces the strength of its maximum gain reduction for intermediate signal-to-noise ratio levels to reduce speech distortion. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes a memory configured to log noise reduction data for user environments. Also provided are methods to further adjust the noise reduction based on the logged information. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249842 | RANGE CONTROL FOR WIRELESS HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SYSTEMS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for wireless hearing assistance devices and in particular to a controllable range control for wireless hearing assistance device systems. An advertisement is used to allow the receiver to quickly receive streaming information, thus conserving power. In various embodiments, a system for communications with a hearing assistance device includes a wireless streaming device having a range control. The range control is configured to provide a first range for an advertisement transmission and a second range for a streaming information transmission. The first range is less than the second range, in various embodiments. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249841 | SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING SPECIAL FUNCTION BUTTONS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE APPLICATIONS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing assistance devices and hearing assistance applications. The present apparatus and method can be deployed on a hearing aid, a device in communication with the hearing aid, or on both. In one embodiment a programmable control, including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In one embodiment, a programmable control for a device including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In various embodiments, a programmable control for the hearing aid and a programmable control of the device are used to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249837 | HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH PROGRAMMABLE DIRECT AUDIO INPUT PORT - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to detect signals connected to a direct audio input port of a hearing assistance device. According to one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a processor and a direct audio input (DAI) port including a signal line connected to the processor. The DAI port is configured to connect to an external device, and the processor is programmed to detect audio signals of interest on the signal line and to process the audio signals of interest when detected as programmed. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249836 | CONTROL OF LOW POWER OR STANDBY MODES OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 10-13-2011 |
20110195676 | EXTERNAL EAR CANAL VOICE DETECTION - Ear-level full duplex audio communication systems each include one or two ear attachment devices, such as in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, that wirelessly communicates to a remote device such as a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a walkie talkie, or a language translator. When used as a hearing aid, such a system allows a hearing impaired individual to communicate with or through the remote device, such as to talk to another person through a cellular phone. When being used as an ear piece wirelessly extended from the remote device, such system allows an individual with normal hearing to privately communicate with or through the remote device without the need of holding the device or wearing any device wired to the remote device. Each ear attachment device includes a voice operated exchange (VOX), housed within the device, to preserve energy and hence, maximize the period between battery replacement or recharges. The VOX also gates various sounds detected by the system to control possible echoes and ringing. | 08-11-2011 |
20110182452 | FOREIGN MATERIAL MITIGATION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE COMPONENTS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes coating of at least one surface of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, with an omniphobic coating, a hydrophilic coating, or a combination of omniphobic and hydrophilic coatings designed to reduce the unwanted effects of wax, moisture and other foreign materials. In various embodiments at least one surface of a receiver with a wax trap or waxceptor in a receiver tube is coated with an omniphobic coating. In various embodiments the present subject matter includes an internal barrier disposed near a receiver in the receiver tube in addition to the wax trap or waxceptor. In various embodiments the internal barrier is coated with an omniphobic coating. In various embodiments at least one surface includes a hydrophilic coating. | 07-28-2011 |
20110158442 | NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein is a system for binaural noise reduction for hearing assistance devices using information generated at a first hearing assistance device and information received from a second hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the present subject matter provides a gain measurement for noise reduction using information from a second hearing assistance device that is transferred at a lower bit rate or bandwidth by the use of coding for further quantization of the information to reduce the amount of information needed to make a gain calculation at the first hearing assistance device. The present subject matter can be used for hearing aids with wireless or wired connections. | 06-30-2011 |
20110154261 | USER INTERFACE WITH RIBBON USAGE FOR HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEMS - The present subject matter relates generally to an improved user interface for input and output of information used in fitting systems for hearing aids. In an embodiment the system includes displaying, on a display device, a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface includes a ribbon showing one or more functional category associated with fitting the hearing aid to the wearer, the graphical user interface adapted to display response data of the hearing aid according to data inputted into the one or more functional categories, wherein the data inputted comprises settings data for the one or more functional categories. The system further includes updating the data displayed on the display device in response to receiving changed data inputted into the one or more functional categories of the ribbon. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150255 | FM RADIO SYSTEM FOR DIGITAL AND ANALOG COMMUNICATIONS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of analog and digital information using a modulator adapted to communicate analog information in an analog mode and to communicate digital information in a digital mode using frequency modulated transmissions. A demodulator adapted to receive the modulated information is provided. The present subject matter can be used with hearing assistance devices to communicate voice and data information. Applications of the system include communications with assistive listening devices, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150254 | LOW POWER INTERMITTENT MESSAGING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter includes a system for communications between a transmitter and a receiver. In various embodiments, the system uses a sleep interval to allow the receiver to go to sleep between wake up times to “sniff” for transmissions from the transmitter. In one variation, the system repeats a transmission for at least a duration of a wake interval. In various embodiments, a receive channel is changed if a signal is not received at a prior channel selection. In various embodiments, the transmission is determined by detection of an event. In various embodiments, the event is an ear-to-ear event. In various embodiments, the receiver and transmitter are in opposite hearing aids adapted to be worn by one wearer. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150252 | LOW POWER INTERMITTENT MESSAGING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter includes a system for communications between a transmitter and a receiver. In various embodiments, the system uses a sleep interval to allow the receiver to go to sleep between wake up times to “sniff” for transmissions from the transmitter. The system adjusts the length of the preamble of the transmitted signal or a repetition of packets to allow the receiver to detect a transmitted signal based on drift in the clocks of the system. In various embodiments, a receive channel is changed if a signal is not received at a prior channel selection. In various embodiments, the transmission is determined by detection of an event. In various embodiments, the event is an ear-to-ear event. In various embodiments, the receiver and transmitter are in opposite hearing aids adapted to be worn by one wearer. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150251 | LOW POWER INTERMITTENT MESSAGING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter includes a system for communications between a transmitter and a receiver. In various embodiments, the system uses a sleep interval to allow the receiver to go to sleep between wake up times to “sniff” for transmissions from the transmitter. The system adjusts the length of the preamble of the transmitted signal to allow the receiver to detect a transmitted signal based on drift in the clocks of the system. In various embodiments, a receive channel is changed if a signal is not received at a prior channel selection. In various embodiments, the transmission is determined by detection of an event. In various embodiments, the event is an ear-to-ear event. In various embodiments, the receiver and transmitter are in opposite hearing aids adapted to be worn by one wearer. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150232 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING BINAURAL HEARING AID FUNCTION - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for identifying one or more defective hearing aids. The present system provides a dichotic sound to the wearer that can be used to sense whether the aids are properly operating. Different types of dichotic sounds can be presented within the scope of the present subject matter. In various applications a Huggins pitch, a binaural edge pitch, a binaural coherence edge pitch, a Fourcin pitch or a dichotic repetition pitch is used for the dichotic sound. The pitch may be a pure-tone or complex-tone pitch. Various pure-tone frequencies and complex-tone fundamental frequencies may be used and may be customized for a particular application. In various applications, a dichotic sound is formed using left and right sounds each of which includes a noise and a desired signal component. The present system can be realized in a variety of implementations. | 06-23-2011 |
20110150231 | ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK EVENT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure relates to tracking of acoustic feedback events of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Information about the acoustic feedback events is stored for analysis. Such information is useful for programming acoustic feedback cancellers and other parameters of a hearing assistance device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110137656 | SOUND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR HEARING AIDS - A hearing aid includes a sound classification module to classify environmental sound sensed by a microphone. The sound classification module executes an advanced sound classification algorithm. The hearing aid then processes the sound according to the classification. | 06-09-2011 |
20110116667 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE ENTRAINMENT-RELATED ARTIFACTS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS - A system providing method and apparatus to detect occurrence of an entrainment artifact and address it. The system analyzing a feedback canceller filter for certain characteristics that are associated with an entrained filter. When an entrained filter is detected, the feedback canceller filter is reset to a good filter that ideally represents the current approximate external acoustic feedback path without the characteristics of the entraining signal. | 05-19-2011 |
20110098551 | MEASUREMENT OF SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL AND PHASE AT EARDRUM BY SENSING EARDRUM VIBRATION - A hearing assistance device for measuring sound pressure at a tympanic membrane of a user's ear, the device comprising a housing adapted to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of the user a laser source coupled to the housing and adapted to project a beam of laser energy at the tympanic membrane a sensor for receiving reflected laser energy directed at the tympanic membrane, and a processor connected to the sensor and adapted to estimate the sound pressure level and phase at the tympanic membrane from a signal generated from the sensor. Additional examples provide a hearing device for measuring sound pressure at the tympanic membrane using ultrasonic signals. Further examples provide a hearing device for measuring sound pressure at the tympanic membrane using magnetic sources and sensors. | 04-28-2011 |
20110091059 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEHIND-THE-EAR HEARING AID WITH CAPACITIVE SENSOR - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for a behind-the-ear hearing aid with a capacitive sensor. | 04-21-2011 |
20110091058 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IN-THE-EAR HEARING AID WITH CAPACITIVE SENSOR - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for an in-the-ear hearing aid with a capacitive sensor. The present subject matter includes various approaches to improved control of an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid with capacitive sensors. In various embodiments, the capacitive sensor serves as a capacitive switch or a plurality of capacitive switches that can be used together to support or perform one or more functions. | 04-21-2011 |
20110091049 | OUTPUT PHASE MODULATION ENTRAINMENT CONTAINMENT FOR DIGITAL FILTERS - Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090837 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES - The present subject matter provides a system for wireless communications between one or more wireless audio devices and other electronics for providing a rich set of streaming audio, control, programming and enhanced hearing functions. | 04-21-2011 |
20110085687 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING TEXT MESSAGES TO DISTRIBUTE RING TONES TO ADJUST HEARING AIDS - 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. | 04-14-2011 |
20110075870 | RADIO WITH MEMS DEVICE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS device for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer, including: a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics, the wireless electronics including one or more MEMS devices; and a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the one or more MEMS devices include a plurality of MEMS resonators In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes one or more microphones and the hearing assistance processor is adapted to perform hearing aid signal processing of signals received from the one or more microphones. In various embodiments, the processed signals produce a signal to be played by the receiver. Different configurations and approaches are provided. | 03-31-2011 |
20110055120 | GENETIC ALGORITHMS WITH ROBUST RANK ESTIMATION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, is a method for fitting a hearing assistance device for a user using a genetic algorithm. Stimulus pairs are presented to the user using a computer, the stimulus pairs adapted to provide contrasting options for selection from a set of stimuli stored in the computer. Inputs are received from the user entered into the computer, including preference judgments of the user. A score is calculated for each stimulus of the pair using the computer to execute a rank agreement function to maximize agreement between scores and the preference judgments. A set of genes is selected based on the scores, where the set of genes correspond to hearing assistance device parameters. The set of genes is operated on with a genetic algorithm using the assigned scores to obtain a child set of genes. The child set is used to provide parameter values during fitting. | 03-03-2011 |
20110044485 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN INSULATED ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD FOR USE IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter of the invention relates generally to the management of electromagnetic fields in hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids, and in particular to an insulated electromagnetic shield design for hearing assistance devices. The present disclosure includes various embodiments for electromagnetic shielding of a receiver using a magnetic shield that is electrically insulated from the receiver casing and electronics. | 02-24-2011 |
20110044483 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPECIALIZED GESTURE SENSING FOR FITTING HEARING AIDS - The present subject matter relates generally to method and apparatus for sensing gestures for fitting hearing aids. | 02-24-2011 |
20110044482 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAGGING PATIENT SESSIONS FOR FITTING HEARING AIDS - The present subject matter relates generally to the method and apparatus for storing tags during a fitting session. The tags may be used to store information useful for an audiologist, a manufacturer of hearing aids, and a manufacturer of fitting software. The software adapted to provide searching based on tags. The software able to provide pre-programmed tags for use by the user. In various applications the software programmable to automatically generate tags upon occurrence of one or more conditions. | 02-24-2011 |
20100322447 | MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING MAGNETICALLY ACTIVATABLE ELEMENT FOR SIGNAL SWITCHING AND FIELD INDICATION - A microphone assembly comprising a transducer for receiving sound and outputting a corresponding control signal. The assembly also comprises means for detecting a magnetic field and outputting a signal relating to the field. A hearing aid comprising the assembly has a processor receiving the control signal and selecting between the microphone signal and a signal relating to the magnetic field, such as a signal received from a telephone hand set or a telecoil. | 12-23-2010 |
20100312533 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MATHEMATICALLY CHARACTERIZING EAR CANAL GEOMETRY - The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for physically fitting a hearing assistance device, including mathematically characterizing a person's ear canal. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to be mechanically coupled to the person in proximity to the person's outer ear. An ultrasonic transducer array is located within at least a portion of the housing. The apparatus includes electronics within the housing, the electronics adapted to control the transducer array to alternate between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy. In various embodiments, a processor is adapted to characterize geometry of the ear canal using information from the ultrasonic transducer array obtained from scans of the ear canal. | 12-09-2010 |
20100284557 | FREQUENCY TRANSLATION BY HIGH-FREQUENCY SPECTRAL ENVELOPE WARPING IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping in hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter relates to improved speech intelligibility in a hearing assistance device using frequency translation by high-frequency spectral envelope warping. The system described herein implements an algorithm for performing frequency translation in an audio signal processing device for the purpose of improving perceived sound quality and speech intelligibility in an audio signal when presented using a system having reduced bandwidth relative to the original signal, or when presented to a hearing-impaired listener sensitive to only a reduced range of acoustic frequencies. | 11-11-2010 |
20100271373 | FITTING SYSTEM WITH INTELLIGENT VISUAL TOOLS - A fitting system with intelligent visual tools may included calculating a response curve of a hearing assistance device, wherein the response curve indicating sound level pressure level compared to frequency. Additionally it may include, displaying, on a display device, the response curve and displaying concurrently with the response curve, a visual cue, wherein the visual cue represents data including at least one of: gain of the response curve, a comparison between a target response curve and the response curve, and a comparison between binaural response curve. | 10-28-2010 |
20100260364 | HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM WITH OWN VOICE DETECTION - An example of an apparatus configured to be worn by a person who has an ear and an ear canal includes a first microphone adapted to be worn about the ear of the person, and a second microphone adapted to be worn at a different location than the first microphone. The apparatus includes a sound processor adapted to process signals from the first microphone to produce a processed sound signal, a receiver adapted to convert the processed sound signal into an audible signal to the wearer of the hearing assistance device, and a voice detector to detect the voice of the wearer. The voice detector includes an adaptive filter to receive signals from the first microphone and the second microphone. | 10-14-2010 |
20100246869 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC FITTING USING REAL EAR MEASUREMENT - According to a method embodiment for performing a real ear measurement (REM), a stimulus signal is transformed into a frequency domain stimulus signal with a plurality of frequency ranges. The frequency domain stimulus signal is amplified with a desired gain for each of the plurality of frequency ranges to provide an amplified stimulus signal. The amplified stimulus signal is transformed into the acoustic signal in the ear canal, which is detected to provide a detected acoustic signal, and the detected acoustic signal is transformed into a frequency domain detected signal with the plurality of frequency ranges. A sound level for the plurality of frequency ranges is measured. The desired gain for the frequency ranges is automatically adjusted based on the measured sound levels and the desired sound pressure levels for the plurality of frequency ranges. The method can be performed within a hearing assistance apparatus. | 09-30-2010 |
20100202642 | METHOD TO ESTIMATE THE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL AT EARDRUM USING MEASUREMENTS AWAY FROM THE EARDRUM - A method for measuring sound pressure at a tympanic membrane of a wearer's ear including a high frequency range with a hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device comprises a processor connected to a sensor in the ear canal. The device provides a measure of the sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane of the wearer using a null frequency and a null Q measured at a distant position away from the tympanic membrane. The method does not require a precise knowledge of the ear canal, nor does it require an elaborate calibration step. In various embodiments, the present approach works at low and high frequencies. | 08-12-2010 |
20100173599 | AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL WITH OUT OF BAND BLOCKING SIGNAL COMPENSATION - One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of receiving an input signal. The method, in various embodiments, includes detecting a peak of the input signal and detecting an envelope of the input signal. In various embodiments, the peak and envelope are used to identify out-of-band blocking signals and to adjust gain control. The method also includes comparing the peak to a first threshold Tp and comparing the envelope to a second threshold Te. In the method, if the peak is above the first threshold and the envelope is below the second threshold, then ignoring the input signal. If the envelope is above the second threshold, the method includes applying automatic gain control to decode information encoded in the input signal. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172531 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE MICROPHONES - One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus, including: a microphone to convert sound into a signal; and an electrically adjustable shutter including conductive polymer, the shutter in acoustic communication with the microphone and configured to provide an adjustable acoustic resistance to the microphone. Variations include conductive traces adapted to apply an electric signal to the conductive polymer. In some embodiments a diaphragm in acoustic communication with the shutter configured to detect acoustic energy is included. The present subject matter also provides methods including, but not limited to a method for operating a microphone in a hearing assistance device, including measuring acoustic energy detected by a diaphragm in acoustic communication with a shutter via a conduit, and controllably adjusting an acoustic resistance of the shutter with an electric signal to change directionality of the microphone. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172529 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING USER ACTIVITIES FROM WITHIN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE USING A VIBRATION SENSOR - The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for detecting user activities within a hearing assistance device, and among other things, apparatus including a microphone for reception of sound and to generate a sound signal; an electret vibration sensor adapted to measure mechanical vibration and to produce a vibration signal; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and in communication with the electret vibration sensor, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and to process the vibration signal; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor. Variations provide a housing, microphone, and receiver in different configurations. In some variations wireless electronics are included and are used to communicate different signals. In some examples, the design is embodied in a variety of hearing aid configurations. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172524 | HEARING AIDS AND METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUDIO FITTING THEREOF - A field ready, unsupervised-use ready, method and apparatus for audio fitting a hearing aid is described in a hand held configuration having paired comparisons (hearing selections) stored in and derivable from a memory therein. The paired comparisons are presented one at a time to a user and a preferred selection for each paired comparison is made by a select indicator after the user toggles back and forth between the selections for as many times necessary in determining their preferences. A genetic algorithm converges all the preferences upon a single solution. Crossover and mutation genetic algorithm operators operate on a linear range of indexes representative of parametric values of the pairs. A fully integrated hearing aid having all the above described features incorporated therein is also presented. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172523 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING USER ACTIVITIES FROM WITHIN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE USING A VIBRATION SENSOR - The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for processing sound by a hearing assistance device. In one example, the present subject matter is an apparatus for processing sound for a hearing assistance device, comprising: a microphone adapted for reception of the sound and to create a sound signal relating to the sound; a transducer that produces an output voltage related to motion; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and the transducer, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and the output voltage, the signal processor performing a vibration detection algorithm adapted to adjust hearing assistance device settings for a detected activity; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172507 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF GAIN MARGIN OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Method and apparatus for determination of gain margin of a hearing assistance device under test. In varying examples, the impulse response for multiple levels can be taken and used to arrive at a gain margin. The method and apparatus, in various examples, process critical portions of the resulting data for efficient processing and to increase accuracy of measurements. The method and apparatus performing a plurality of measurements to determine impulse responses and to derive gain margin as a function of frequency therefrom. The present subject matter includes principles which may are adapted for use within a hearing assistance device using a single white noise stimulus, according to one example. The principles set forth herein can be applied to occluding and non-occluding hearing device embodiments. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. | 07-08-2010 |
20100158293 | PARALLEL ANTENNAS FOR STANDARD FIT HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna. | 06-24-2010 |
20100142738 | REMOTE CONTROL OF HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus of communicating instructions to a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. In various embodiments instructions are formed using tones sent to the hearing assistance device. The instructions can be used to control the operation of the hearing assistance device. The signals may include dual tone multifunction signals or other nonstandard signals. Various detection processes are provided which include but are not limited to using a modified complex Goertzel algorithm to detect tones. The remote device can be a standard device or can be modified to provide the proper signals. The following techniques can be applied to hearing assistance devices including, but not limited to completely-in-the-canal devices, in-the-canal devices, behind-the-ear devices, receiver-in-canal devices, and implanted devices, such as cochlear implants. | 06-10-2010 |
20100135513 | RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELDING FOR RECEIVERS WITHIN HEARING AIDS AND LISTENING DEVICES - Method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing or eliminating the interference produced by a receiver in a listening device, such as a hearing aid. The method and apparatus of the invention involves placing an electrically conductive shield around the receiver. Such a shield helps suppress the electromagnetic signals emitted by the receiver, thereby reducing or eliminating the interference from the receiver. The shield is a passive shield and may be one or more wires that are wound around the receiver and shorted together, or it may be an electrically conductive mesh, jacket, sleeve, or the like, that is placed around the receiver. The shield is then connected either to one of the input terminals of the receiver, or to a system ground of the receiver. | 06-03-2010 |
20100124346 | MODULAR CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system. | 05-20-2010 |
20100103404 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SINGLE POINT SCANNER - The present subject matter include methods and apparatus for creating three dimensional digitized models of at least one ear impression, the apparatus comprising a frame, a linear axis mounted to the frame, the linear axis having an axis of motion, a first spindle axis mounted to the frame, the spindle axis having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation of the first spindle axis is parallel to the axis of motion of the linear axis, a first scanner mounted to the linear axis, the scanner includes a laser for projecting a narrowly localized spot of laser light at a target mounted on the first spindle axis and a sensor array for receiving at least a portion of the laser light reflected from the target and a controller configured to communicate with the first scanner. | 04-29-2010 |
20100074461 | ANTENNAS FOR HEARING AIDS - An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit provides a compact design for a hearing aid to communicate wirelessly with a system external to the hearing aid. In an embodiment, an antenna includes metallic traces in a hybrid circuit that is configured for use in a hearing aid. The antenna includes contacts in the hybrid circuit to couple the metallic traces to electronic devices in the hybrid circuit. In an embodiment, the metallic traces form a planar coil design having a number of turns of the coil in a substrate in the hybrid circuit. In another embodiment, the metallic traces are included in a flex circuit on a substrate in the hybrid circuit. An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit allows for use in a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. | 03-25-2010 |
20100054512 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINKS FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a person. The hearing aid device includes a signal processing circuitry connected to a microphone and a receiver. At least one of the plurality of devices includes a link quality management device adapted to assess a link quality for a first wireless communication channel, provide channel metrics indicative of the assessed quality for the first wireless communication channel, and adjust wireless communication over the first wireless communication channel using the channel metrics for the first wireless communication channel. | 03-04-2010 |
20100034410 | HEARING AID ADAPTED FOR EMBEDDED ELECTRONICS - A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing. | 02-11-2010 |
20090323992 | MICROPHONE PLACEMENT IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES TO PROVIDE CONTROLLED DIRECTIVITY - The present disclosure includes various methods and apparatus for controlling directionality of a hearing assistance device including a pair of directional microphones. In various examples, the hearing assistance device includes a pair of directional microphones and an omnidirectional microphone. In various examples, the hearing assistance device includes a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone. In examples with multiple directional microphones, various angles can be employed. For example, in some applications the first directional axis can be about ninety degrees offset of the second directional axis. The microphones are aligned with an intended direction of reception in some embodiments. In some examples the microphones are not aligned with an intended direction of reception. Other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. | 12-31-2009 |
20090316922 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING MAXIMUM STABLE GAIN IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - This disclosure relates to measurement of maximum stable gain of a hearing assistance device, including but not limited to hearing aids, as a function of frequency. In various approaches an adaptive filter with a variable step size is used to determine maximum stable gain as a function of frequency. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device. In various approaches, the determination is done in process steps performed by the hearing assistance device and by a host computer. | 12-24-2009 |
20090306517 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MATHEMATICALLY CHARACTERIZING EAR CANAL GEOMETRY - The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for physically fitting a hearing assistance device, including mathematically characterizing a person's ear canal. The apparatus includes an expandable balloon for positioning in the ear canal, the balloon including a hollow interior channel. A flexible catheter extends through the interior portion of the balloon, and the flexible catheter includes a track. A platform is movably coupled to the track. An ultrasonic transducer and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor are coupled to the platform. The ultrasonic transducer scans the ear canal and the MEMS sensor senses motion and position of the transducer. According to various embodiments, a mathematical representation of the ear canal is adapted to be computed using information from the transducer and sensor. | 12-10-2009 |
20090296944 | COMPRESSION AND MIXING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - This application relates to a system for compression and mixing for hearing assistance devices by application of compression to individual sound sources before mixing, according to one example. Variations of the present system using surround sound provide separate signals from a surround sound synthesizer which are compressed prior to mixing of the signals. | 12-03-2009 |