Patent classifications
H04R25/558
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.
Sound processor apparatuses that facilitate low power component type detection and communication with a programming system
An exemplary sound processor apparatus included in an auditory prosthesis system includes 1) an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact, 2) a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line, 3) a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, 4) a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line, and 5) a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode. Corresponding sound processor apparatuses, systems, and methods are also described.
Enabling concurrent proprietary audio and Bluetooth low energy using enhanced LE link layer for hearing device
A battery-powered mobile device allows concurrent wireless transception of control data via standard Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and proprietary audio streaming, using the same physical layer of the radio. Following each BLE connection event, an enhanced link layer clocks a remaining duration of the current idle time period. Requests provided to the enhanced link layer include time slot information for the proprietary audio bursts. The enhanced link layer determines, based on the time slot information, whether each requested burst can be completed during the remaining duration of the current idle time period, appropriately linking payload information of each packet with the BLE control data stack or with a proprietary audio stack, with the BLE control data having priority over the proprietary audio requests.
ADVANCED ASSISTANCE FOR PROSTHESIS ASSISTED COMMUNICATION
A system, including a signal input, a processor a signal output, wherein the processor is configured to generate an instruction related to data related to a recipient of a sensory prosthesis based on input into the signal input, and the signal output is configured to output data indicative of the instruction.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZED FITTING OF HEARING AIDS
Disclosed are system and methods for automated fitting of a hearing aid, through an automated hearing test based upon which a suitable set of hearing aid parameters is determined.
CONFIGURABLE HEARING AID COMPRISING A BEAMFORMER FILTERING UNIT AND A GAIN UNIT
The application relates to a hearing aid comprising a forward path comprising a) a multitude of input units for providing a multitude of electric input signals IN.sub.i, i=1, . . . , M, representative of sound, b) a multi input beam former filtering unit for providing a beam formed signal Y.sub.BF from said multitude of electric input signals, c) a gain unit for applying a hearing aid gain G.sub.HA to said beam formed signal Y.sub.BF, and providing a processed signal, and d) an output unit for providing stimuli perceivable by a user as sound based on said processed signal or a signal derived therefrom. The hearing aid further comprises e) a gain control unit for limiting said hearing aid gain G.sub.HA to a modified full-on gain value G′.sub.FOG. The multi input beam former filtering unit is configured to apply a current frequency dependent directional gain G.sub.DIR,i to each of said multitude of electric input signals IN.sub.i, and the gain control unit is configured to determine the modified full-on gain value G′.sub.FOG in dependence of said current directional gains G.sub.DIR,i, i=1, . . . , M, and a previously determined full-on gain value G.sub.FOG. Thereby an improved hearing aid is provided. The invention may e.g. be used for hearing instruments, headsets, or active ear protection systems.
Wireless hearing device interactive with medical devices
The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances and medical devices using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. The manual activation of the switch may be by applying a force to the tragus by a finger of a user of the canal hearing device. In one embodiment the lateral end comprises one or more manually activated switches, a wireless antenna, and a battery cell. In some examples, the wireless electronics include low energy Bluetooth. The appliance may be any device with wireless capabilities, for example an electronic lock, a thermostat, an electronic lighting, a telephone, a kitchen appliance, a medical alert system, a television, a medical device, and a smart glass. The inconspicuous and secure wear of the hearing device allows for active lifestyle, including exercise, and more discrete communications.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMIZED AMPLIFICATION OF AUDITORY SIGNALS PROVIDING ENHANCED KARAOKE EXPERIENCE FOR HEARING-DEFICIENT USERS
Disclosed herein are method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing the continuous tuning of received audio input from an earpiece or microphone, wherein the audio input is independently altered in the frequency domain for output to an earpiece worn by a user as well as separately for an additional audio output to an external connected speaker, for an optimal experience.
Selective amplification of speaker of interest
A system may include a camera configured to capture images from an environment of a user and a microphone configured to capture sounds from an environment of the user. The system may also include a processor programmed to: receive the images; identify a representation of a first individual and a representation of a second individual in the images; receive, from the microphone, a first audio signal associated with a voice of the first individual and a second audio signal associated with a voice of the second individual; detect an amplification criteria indicative of a voice amplification priority between the first individual and the second individual; selectively amplify the first audio signal relative to the second audio signal when the amplification criteria indicates that the first individual has voice amplification priority over the second individual; and cause transmission of the selectively amplified first audio signal to a hearing interface device.
Hearing aid comprising a record and replay function
A hearing aid comprises a) an input transducer; b) an output transducer; c) an input buffer connected to the input transducer configured to store audio data representing one or more time segments of an electric input signal; d) an own voice detector for providing an own voice control signal, and e) a combiner allowing to insert audio data from the input buffer in a forward audio signal path. The hearing aid further comprises f) an input controller configured to control storage of a time segment of the electric input signal in dependence of said own voice control signal; and g) an output controller configured to select audio data from said one or more time segments of the electric input signal currently stored in the input buffer for insertion in the forward path in dependence of an output control signal originating from the user.