Patent classifications
H04R25/30
Audio processing device and a method for estimating a signal-to-noise-ratio of a sound signal
A hearing aid includes a) at least one input unit for providing a time-frequency representation Y(k,n) of an electric input signal representing sound consisting of target speech and noise signal components, where k and n are frequency band and time frame indices, respectively, b) a noise reduction system configured to b1) determine an a posteriori signal to noise ratio estimate γ(k,n) of the electric input signal, and to b2) determine an a priori signal to noise signal ratio estimate ζ(k,n) of the electric input signal from the a posteriori signal to noise ratio estimate γ(k,n) based on a recursive algorithm providing non-linear smoothing. The a posteriori signal to noise ratio estimate of said electric input signal is provided as a mixture of first and second different a posteriori signal to noise ratio estimates. The invention may be used in audio processing devices, such as hearing aids, headsets, etc.
METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING DEVICE, HEARING DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING A HEARING DEVICE AND A CHARGING DEVICE
A method for operating a hearing device having a charging terminal with two electrical contacts includes detecting a decrease in the voltage applied to one of the two contacts. An operating mode of the hearing device is set based on the time profile of the decrease. A hearing device and a system including a hearing device and a charging device, are also provided.
System, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece
A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.
Ear-worn electronic device incorporating motor brain-computer interface
An ear-worn electronic device comprises a plurality of EEG sensors configured to sense EEG signals from or proximate a wearer's ear. At least one processor is configured to detect, during a baseline period of no wearer movement, EEG signals from the EEG sensors, and detect, during each of a plurality of candidate control movements by the wearer, EEG signals from the EEG sensors. The at least one processor is also configured to compute, using the EEG signals, discriminability metrics for the candidate control movements and the baseline period, the discriminability metrics indicating how discriminable neural signals associated with the candidate control movements and the baseline period are from one another. The at least one processor is further configured to select a subset of the candidate control movements using the discriminability metrics, each of the selected control movements defining a neural command for controlling the ear-worn electronic device by the wearer.
Acoustic implant feedback control
An apparatus includes signal processing circuitry configured to generate processed data signals in response at least in part to transducer signals from at least one acoustic transducer and filtering signals, and to transmit the processed data signals via at least one communication channel to an actuating assembly of an auditory prosthesis. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to monitor one or more of the signal processing circuitry, the processed data signals, and the at least one communication channel, and to generate filtering control signals in response at least in part thereto. The apparatus further includes filtering circuitry configured to generate the filtering signals in response at least in part to the processed data signals and the filtering control signals.
Hearing device test and diagnostics system and methods
Systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing causes of subpar performance of a hearing device are provided for a user. The hearing device may include a housing, a receiver and a sound processor configured to send signals to the receiver. The receiver may be configured to output audio signals from the signals sent by the sound processor. A base unit may include a main body having a cradle formed therein. The cradle may be configured to receive the hearing device therein. A base unit microphone interfaces with the cradle and may be configured to receive output audio signals from the receiver when the hearing device is received in the cradle. The base unit microphone and the receiver remain in open communication with a space exterior of the base unit when the hearing device has been received in the cradle. A processor associated with the system may be configured to compare signal energy levels of test audio signals produced by the base unit microphone, in response to the audio signals received from the receiver, with signal energy levels of reference audio signals, and to indicate a blockage of the receiver has occurred when a difference between the signal energy levels of test audio signals and the signal energy levels of reference audio signals exceeds a threshold difference.
Hearing Device Test and Diagnostics System and Methods
Systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing causes of subpar performance of a hearing device are provided for a user. The hearing device may include a housing, a receiver and a sound processor configured to send signals to the receiver. The receiver may be configured to output audio signals from the signals sent by the sound processor. A base unit may include a main body having a cradle formed therein. The cradle may be configured to receive the hearing device therein. A base unit microphone interfaces with the cradle and may be configured to receive output audio signals from the receiver when the hearing device is received in the cradle. The base unit microphone and the receiver remain in open communication with a space exterior of the base unit when the hearing device has been received in the cradle. A processor associated with the system may be configured to compare signal energy levels of test audio signals produced by the base unit microphone, in response to the audio signals received from the receiver, with signal energy levels of reference audio signals, and to indicate a blockage of the receiver has occurred when a difference between the signal energy levels of test audio signals and the signal energy levels of reference audio signals exceeds a threshold difference.
Charging and updating of an implantable hearing aid
An implantable hearing aid system is disclosed. According to one or more of the mentioned aspects, the implantable hearing aid system comprises a charger unit which includes a coil unit having a first resonance frequency, a hearing aid and an implantable component. The hearing aid includes a rechargeable battery, an inductive coil arrangement having a second resonance frequency configured to form an inductive charging link with the coil unit to receive power signals from the charger unit. The implantable component includes an implantable coil, wherein the inductive coil arrangement may further be configured to form a transcutaneous link with the implantable coil to transmit at least one of data and power to the implantable component.
Hearing device for identifying a sequence of movement features, and method of its operation
Hearing device including a housing worn at a user's ear; a movement detector providing movement data indicating movement of the housing; and a processor identifying, based on the movement data, movement features in a sequence. The movement features represent movement activity by the user. The processor determines a temporal characteristic of the sequence of movement features and/or an amplitude characteristic of the movement data associated with a movement feature in the sequence. A method of operating the hearing device, and a computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform the method. The processor controls maintaining a data record representing the temporal characteristic and/or the amplitude characteristic determined at a plurality of times; determines a deviation measure indicating deviation between the data record and the temporal characteristic and/or the amplitude characteristic determined at a time later than the plurality of times; and controls operation of the hearing device depending on the deviation measure.
System and method for personalizing a hearing aid
A method of personalizing at least one hearing aid for a hearing aid user including manufacturing at least one hearing aid (1), receiving an audiogram from a server (37) for the hearing aid user, programming the at least one hearing aid (1) by the audiogram, whereby the at least one hearing aid (1) becomes personalized for the hearing aid user. The at least one personalized hearing aid (1) is delivered to the hearing aid user. Once the user has received the at least one personalized hearing aid (1), he may take the hearing aids into use. If there arises a need for fine tuning, the hearing aid user may request a consultation with a hearing healthcare professional. The hearing healthcare professional has equipment (44, 45) for fine tuning the hearing aid (1), and he may fine tuning the at least one personalized hearing aid (1) in dialogue with the hearing aid user. Also provided is a hearing aid delivering system and an Internet enabled personal communication device.