SYSTEM FOR AUDIO RENDERING COMPRISING A BINAURAL HEARING DEVICE AND AN EXTERNAL DEVICE

Abstract

An electronic device configured to communicate with a binaural hearing device, includes: a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly receive, from the binaural hearing device, a signal indicating an orientation of a head of a user of the binaural hearing device; a memory storing head-related transfer functions (HRTF) respectively for a left ear and a right ear of the user; an input transducer configured to capture sound at a distance from the user; and a processing unit configured to provide a spatialized binaural audio signal based on the captured sound, the orientation of the head of the user, and the head-related transfer functions (HRTF); wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to transmit the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device for allowing the binaural hearing device to provide left and right audio outputs based on the spatialized binaural audio signal.

Claims

1. A system for audio rendering comprising a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user and an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user, wherein the binaural hearing device comprises: a left output transducer configured for placement in a left ear of the user, a right output transducer configured for placement in a right ear of the user, one or more sensors for measuring an orientation of a head of the user, and a first wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicating the orientation of the head of the user to the external device; wherein the external device comprises: a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly receive the signal indicating the orientation of the head of the user transmitted from the binaural hearing device, a memory storing head-related transfer functions (HRTF) respectively for the left ear and the right ear of the user, an input transducer configured to capture sound at a distance from the user, and a processing unit configured to determine a spatialized binaural audio signal based on the captured sound, the orientation of the head of the user, and the head-related transfer functions (HRTF), wherein the second wireless communication unit is configured to transmit the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device; wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to receive the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and provide left audio output and right audio output via the left output transducer and the right output transducer, respectively, based on the spatialized binaural audio signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system enables the user to perceive in which direction the captured sound from the external device is coming from.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors of the binaural hearing device are configured to continuously or repeatedly measure the orientation of the head of the user, and wherein the first wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device is configured to continuously or repeatedly transmit the measured orientation to the external device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the binaural hearing device comprises a control component for allowing the user of the binaural hearing device to set a reference orientation based on output from the one or more sensors.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to set a reference orientation based on output from the one or more sensors when the user is facing the external device.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide the spatialized binaural audio signal also based on a reference orientation.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors of the binaural hearing device comprise a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the measured orientation of the head of the user is based on data relating to pitch and/or yaw and/or roll of the head of the user.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the left output transducer is a part of a left hearing device of the binaural hearing device, and the right output transducer is a part of a right hearing device of the binaural hearing device.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the each of the left and right hearing devices comprises one or more hearing device input transducers for capturing sound in a surrounding of the user; and wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to process first output from the one or more hearing device input transducers of the left hearing device, and second output from the one or more hearing device input transducers of the right hearing device.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to mix the spatialized binaural audio signal received from the external device with the first output from the one or more hearing device input transducers of the left hearing device and/or with the second output from the one or more hearing device input transducers of the right hearing device.

12. An electronic device configured to communicate with a binaural hearing device, the electronic device comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly receive, from the binaural hearing device, a signal indicating an orientation of a head of a user of the binaural hearing device; a memory storing head-related transfer functions (HRTF) respectively for a left ear and a right ear of the user; an input transducer configured to capture sound at a distance from the user; and a processing unit configured to determine a spatialized binaural audio signal based on the captured sound, the orientation of the head of the user, and the head-related transfer functions (HRTF); wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to transmit the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device for allowing the binaural hearing device to provide left and right audio outputs based on the spatialized binaural audio signal.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device enables the user to perceive in which direction the captured sound is coming from.

14. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to continuously or repeatedly receive the measured orientation from the binaural hearing device.

15. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide the spatialized binaural audio signal also based on a reference orientation.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the reference orientation is set by the binaural hearing device.

17. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the reference orientation corresponds with a facing direction of the user of the binaural hearing device.

18. A binaural hearing device comprising: a left output transducer configured for placement in a left ear of a user of the binaural hearing device; a right output transducer configured for placement in a right ear of the user; one or more sensors for measuring an orientation of a head of the user; and a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicating the orientation of the head of the user to an external device; wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to receive a spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and provide left audio output and right audio output via the left output transducer and the right output transducer, respectively, based on the spatialized binaural audio signal, and wherein the spatialized binaural audio signal is based on sound captured by the external device at a distance from the user, the orientation of the head of the user, and head-related transfer functions.

19. The binaural hearing device according to claim 18, wherein the left and right audio outputs allow the user to perceive in which direction the captured sound from the external device is coming from.

20. The binaural hearing device according to claim 18, wherein the one or more sensors of the binaural hearing device are configured to continuously or repeatedly measure the orientation of the head of the user, and wherein the wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device is configured to continuously or repeatedly transmit the measured orientation to the external device.

21. The binaural hearing device according to claim 18, further comprising a control component for allowing the user of the binaural hearing device to set a reference orientation based on output from the one or more sensors.

22. The binaural hearing device according to claim 18, wherein the binaural hearing device is configured to set a reference orientation based on output from the one or more sensors when the user is facing the external device.

23. The binaural hearing device according to claim 18, wherein the spatialized binaural audio signal is also based on a reference orientation.

24. A method for audio rendering performed by a system, the system comprising (1) a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user and (2) an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user, the binaural hearing device comprising a left hearing device having a left output transducer, and a right hearing device having a right output transducer, wherein the method comprises: measuring an orientation of a head of the user by one or more sensors in the binaural hearing device; wirelessly transmitting a signal indicating the measured orientation to the external device; wirelessly receiving the signal indicating the measured orientation by the external device; obtaining head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for a left ear and a right ear, respectively, of the user from a memory of the external device; capturing sound at the distance from the user by an input transducer of the external device; determining a spatialized binaural audio signal based on the sound captured by the input transducer of the external device, the orientation of the head of the user, and the head-related transfer functions (HRTF); transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device by the external device; receiving, by the binaural hearing device, the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device; and providing left audio output and right audio output via the left output transducer and the right output transducer, respectively, of the bianural hearing device based on the spatialized binaural audio signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0100] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary system for audio rendering. The system comprises a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user. The system comprises an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user.

[0101] FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically illustrates an exemplary binaural hearing device comprising a left hearing device shown in FIG. 2a, and a right hearing shown in FIG. 2b.

[0102] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary external device of a system for audio rendering.

[0103] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary method for audio rendering in a system.

[0104] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c schematically illustrate setting a reference orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0105] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0106] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary system for audio rendering. The system 2 comprises a binaural hearing device 4 configured to be worn by a user 6. The system 2 comprises an external device 8 configured to be arranged at a distance from the user 6.

[0107] The binaural hearing device 4 comprises one or more sensors 10 (not shown) for measuring the orientation of the user's head. The binaural hearing device 4 comprises a first wireless communication unit 12 (not shown) for wireless communication with the external device 8, where the first wireless communication unit 12 is configured for transmitting the orientation of the user's head to the external device 8.

[0108] The external device 8 comprises a second wireless communication unit 14 (not shown) for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device 4, where the second wireless communication unit 14 is configured for receiving the orientation of the user's head transmitted from the binaural hearing device 4.

[0109] The external device 8 comprises a memory 16 (not shown) having stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) hL(t), hR(t) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively.

[0110] The external device 8 comprises a second input transducer 18 (not shown) for capturing sounds at the distance from the user 6. The sounds are from a remote sound source 38. The remote sound source 38 is remote from the user 6, i.e. at a distance from the user 6. The external device 8 is near the remote sound source 38.

[0111] The external device 8 comprises a second signal processor 20 (not shown) for processing the captured sounds at the distance from the user, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal.

[0112] The second wireless communication unit 14 (not shown) is configured for transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device 4.

[0113] The binaural hearing device 4 further comprises a left hearing device 22 configured to be worn in/at the left ear of the user, the left hearing device 22 comprising a left output transducer 24 configured for providing output audio signals in the left ear of the user.

[0114] The binaural hearing device 4 further comprises a right hearing device 26 configured to be worn in/at the right ear of the user, the right hearing device 26 comprising a right output transducer 28 configured for providing output audio signals in the right ear of the user.

[0115] The first wireless communication unit 12 (not shown) of the binaural hearing device 4 is configured for receiving the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device 8.

[0116] The spatialized binaural audio signal is provided in the left output transducer 24 and in the right output transducer 28 of the binaural hearing device 4.

[0117] The head-related transfer functions may be denoted as h_L(t) and h_R(t) for the left and right ear, respectively. Thus, sound perceived at the user's left ear is: XL(t)=x(t)*h_L(t), where x(t) is the sound source. And sound perceived at the user's right ear is: XR(t)=x(t)*h_R(t), where x(t) is the same sound source. Thereby, the head-related transfer functions h_L(t) and h_R(t) are rendering spatial cues of the source relative to the head orientation.

[0118] FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically illustrates an exemplary binaural hearing device comprising a left hearing device shown in FIG. 2a, and a right hearing shown in FIG. 2b.

[0119] FIG. 2a shows the binaural hearing device 4 comprising a left hearing device 22 configured to be worn in/at the left ear of the user, the left hearing device 22 comprising a left output transducer 24 configured for providing output audio signals in the left ear of the user.

[0120] FIG. 2b shows the binaural hearing device 4 comprising a right hearing device 26 configured to be worn in/at the right ear of the user, the right hearing device 26 comprising a right output transducer 28 configured for providing output audio signals in the right ear of the user.

[0121] The binaural hearing device 4 comprises one or more sensors 10 for measuring the orientation of the user's head. The binaural hearing device 4 comprises a first wireless communication unit 12 for wireless communication with the external device 8, where the first wireless communication unit 12 is configured for transmitting the orientation of the user's head to the external device 8.

[0122] The left hearing device 22 and the right hearing device 26 of the binaural hearing device 4 each comprises one or more first input transducers 30 for capturing input audio signals from the surroundings of the user.

[0123] The binaural hearing device 4 further comprises a first signal processor 32 for processing audio signals.

[0124] The first signal processor 32 in the binaural hearing device 4 is configured for mixing the received spatialized binaural audio signal from the external device 8 with the input audio signals captured from the surroundings of the user by the one or more first input transducers 30 in the left hearing device 22 and the right hearing device 26.

[0125] The binaural hearing device may comprise a first antenna 34. The first antenna 34 may be configured for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field.

[0126] The first wireless communication unit 12 may be connected with the first antenna 34 and with the first signal processor 32 of the binaural hearing device 4.

[0127] The binaural hearing device 4 may comprise a control component 40 enabling the user 6 of the binaural hearing device 4 to manually provide/trigger that the measured orientation of the user's head is set as a reference orientation. The control component 40 may e.g. be a push button on the binaural hearing device 4.

[0128] Some features are shown in both the left hearing device 22 and the right hearing device 26 of the binaural hearing device 4 in the FIGS. 2a) and 2b), and it is understood that some of these features may be present in both the left hearing device and the right hearing device, or that some of these features may only be present in one of the left hearing device or the right hearing device.

[0129] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary external device 8 of a system for audio rendering. The system further comprises a binaural hearing device configured to be worn in/at the ear(s) of the user.

[0130] The external device 8 comprises a second wireless communication unit 14 for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device 4, where the second wireless communication unit 14 is configured for receiving the orientation of the user's head transmitted from the binaural hearing device.

[0131] The external device 8 comprises a memory 16 having stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) hL(t), hR(t) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively.

[0132] The external device 8 comprises a second input transducer 18 for capturing sounds at the distance from the user. The sounds are from a remote sound source 38. The remote sound source 38 is remote from the user, i.e. at a distance from the user. The external device 8 is near the remote sound source 38.

[0133] The external device 8 comprises a second signal processor 20 for processing the captured sounds at the distance from the user, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal.

[0134] The external device 8 may comprise a second antenna 36. The second antenna 36 may be configured for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field.

[0135] The second wireless communication unit 14 may be connected with the second antenna 36 and with the second signal processor 20 of the external device 8.

[0136] The second wireless communication unit 14 is configured for transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device.

[0137] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary method for audio rendering in a system. The system comprises a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user and an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user. The binaural hearing device comprises a left hearing device configured to be worn in/at the left ear of the user, the left hearing device comprising a left output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the left ear of the user. The binarural hearing device comprises a right hearing device configured to be worn in/at the right ear of the user, the right hearing device comprising a right output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the right ear of the user.

[0138] The method 400 comprises:

[0139] measuring 402 the orientation of the user's head by one or more sensors in the binaural hearing device;

[0140] transmitting 404 the measured orientation of the user's head to the external device, by a first wireless communication unit in the binaural device configured for wireless communication with the external device;

[0141] receiving 406 the transmitted orientation of the user's head, by a second wireless communication unit in the external device configured for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device;

[0142] obtaining 408 stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively, from a memory in the external device;

[0143] capturing 410 sounds at the distance from the user by a second input transducer in the external device;

[0144] processing 412 the captured sounds by a second signal processor in the external device, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal;

[0145] transmitting 414 the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device by the second wireless communication unit;

[0146] receiving 416, by the first wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device, the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and providing 418 the spatialized binaural audio signal in the left output transducer and in the right output transducer of the binaural hearing device.

[0147] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c schematically illustrate setting a reference orientation.

[0148] The external device 8, e.g. a spouse mic or a smartphone, is programmed to virtualize the captured sound based on the hearing device user's 6 Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) or amplitude panning such as Vector-Base Amplitude Panning to provide a spatialized stereo signal to the pair of hearing devices 4, 22, 26 based on the orientation of the hearing devices 4, 22, 26. The external device 8, e.g. a remote microphone, is considered as a point source, so that the hearing device user 6 completely controls the rendition of the virtual sound.

[0149] The external device 8, e.g. spouse mic or smartphone, may be configured to receive the first orientation message that the hearing device user 6 sends from the hearing devices 4, 22, 26 when the user 6 faces the location of the external device 8. This may be interpreted as a reference of zero-azimuthal degree for the use of HRTFs. The hearing devices 4, 22, 26 may start to send the head movement and orientation information to the external device 8, e.g. configured as a streaming device, and may be configured to receive the streamed spatialized audio signals. When the user 6 walks to a new spatial position relative to the external device 8, the user 6 can initiate another orientation message, allowing the external device 8 to update the perceived spatial location of the streamed audio signal.

[0150] FIG. 5a shows the external device 8 comprising a second input transducer 18 for capturing sounds at the distance from the user. The sounds are from a remote sound source 38. The remote sound source 38 is remote from the user, i.e. at a distance from the user. The external device 8 is near the remote sound source 38.

[0151] FIG. 5b shows that the remote sound source 38 captured by the external device 8 is rendered in the user's 6 head, shown as at the left side of the user's 6 head, when the user 6 sets the reference orientation. The near sound source 39 is a sound source in the near-field of the user 6 which is captured by the input transducers 30 in the binaural hearing device 4, 22, 26.

[0152] FIG. 5c shows that the remote sound source 38 captured by the external device 8 is rendered in the user's 6 head, now shown as at the left back of the user's 6 head, when the user 6 changes his/her orientation. The near sound source 39 is a sound source in the near-field of the user 6 which is captured by the input transducers 30 in the binaural hearing device 4, 22, 26.

[0153] The one or more sensors 10, in the binaural hearing device 4, for measuring the orientation of the user's 6 head may be configured to continuously measure the orientation of the user's 6 head.

[0154] The first wireless communication unit, in the binaural hearing device 4, may be configured for continuously transmitting the measured orientation of the user's 6 head to the external device 8.

[0155] The binaural hearing device 4 may comprise a control component enabling the user 6 of the binaural hearing device 4 to manually provide/trigger that the measured orientation of the user's 6 head is set as a reference orientation.

[0156] The setting of the reference orientation may be configured to be initiated/performed when the user 6 is facing the location of the external device 8.

[0157] The spatialized binaural audio signal may be further processed based on the reference orientation.

[0158] Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

[0159] Items: [0160] 1. A system for audio rendering comprising a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user and an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user,
wherein the binaural hearing device comprises: [0161] one or more sensors for measuring the orientation of the user's head; [0162] a first wireless communication unit for wireless communication with the external device, where the first wireless communication unit is configured for transmitting the orientation of the user's head to the external device;
wherein the external device comprises: [0163] a second wireless communication unit for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device, where the second wireless communication unit is configured for receiving the orientation of the user's head transmitted from the binaural hearing device; [0164] a memory having stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively; [0165] a second input transducer for capturing sounds at the distance from the user; [0166] a second signal processor for processing the captured sounds at the distance from the user, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal; [0167] wherein the second wireless communication unit is configured for transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device;
wherein the binaural hearing device further comprises: [0168] a left hearing device configured to be worn in/at the left ear of the user, the left hearing device comprising a left output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the left ear of the user; [0169] a right hearing device configured to be worn in/at the right ear of the user, the right hearing device comprising a right output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the right ear of the user; [0170] wherein the first wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device is configured for receiving the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and [0171] wherein the spatialized binaural audio signal is provided in the left output transducer and in the right output transducer of the binaural hearing device. [0172] 2. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the system enables the user to perceive in which direction the captured sounds from the external device are coming from. [0173] 3. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the left hearing device and the right hearing device of the binaural hearing device each comprises one or more first input transducers for capturing input audio signals from the surrounding of the user; and wherein the binaural hearing device further comprises a first signal processor for processing audio signals. [0174] 4. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first signal processor in the binaural hearing device is configured for mixing the received spatialized binaural audio signal from the external device with the input audio signals captured from the surrounding of the user by the one or more first input transducers in the left hearing device and the right hearing device. [0175] 5. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the one or more sensors, in the binaural hearing device, for measuring the orientation of the user's head is configured to continuously measure the orientation of the user's head, and wherein the first wireless communication unit, in the binaural hearing device, is configured for continuously transmitting the measured orientation of the user's head to the external device. [0176] 6. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the binaural hearing device comprises a control component enabling the user of the binaural hearing device to manually provide/trigger that the measured orientation of the user's head is set as a reference orientation. [0177] 7. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the setting of the reference orientation is configured to be initiated/performed when the user is facing the location of the external device. [0178] 8. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the spatialized binaural audio signal is further processed based on the reference orientation. [0179] 9. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the one or more sensors of the binaural hearing device are sensors configured for measuring an orientation of the user's head, and wherein the one or more sensors include a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer. [0180] 10. The system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the measured orientation of the user's head is based on data relating to pitch and/or yaw and/or roll of the user's head. [0181] 11. A method for audio rendering in a system, the system comprising a binaural hearing device configured to be worn by a user and an external device configured to be arranged at a distance from the user, the binaural hearing device comprising a left hearing device configured to be worn in/at the left ear of the user, the left hearing device comprising a left output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the left ear of the user, and the binarural hearing device comprising a right hearing device configured to be worn in/at the right ear of the user, the right hearing device comprising a right output transducer configured for providing output audio signals in the right ear of the user,
wherein the method comprises: [0182] measuring the orientation of the user's head by one or more sensors in the binaural hearing device; [0183] transmitting the measured orientation of the user's head to the external device, by a first wireless communication unit in the binaural device configured for wireless communication with the external device; [0184] receiving the transmitted orientation of the user's head, by a second wireless communication unit in the external device configured for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device; [0185] obtaining stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively, from a memory in the external device; [0186] capturing sounds at the distance from the user by a second input transducer in the external device; [0187] processing the captured sounds by a second signal processor in the external device, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal; [0188] transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device by the second wireless communication unit; [0189] receiving, by the first wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device, the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and [0190] providing the spatialized binaural audio signal in the left output transducer and in the right output transducer of the binaural hearing device.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0191] 2 system [0192] 4 binaural hearing device [0193] 6 user [0194] 8 external device [0195] 10 sensors [0196] 12 first wireless communication unit of binaural hearing device [0197] 14 second wireless communication unit of external device [0198] 16 memory [0199] hL(t), hR(t) head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively. [0200] 18 second input transducer of external device [0201] 20 second signal processor of external device [0202] 22 left hearing device [0203] 24 left output transducer [0204] 26 right hearing device [0205] 28 right output transducer [0206] 30 first input transducers of binaural hearing device [0207] 32 first signal processor of binaural hearing device [0208] 34 first antenna of binaural hearing device [0209] 36 second antenna of binaural hearing device [0210] 38 remote sound source [0211] 39 near sound source [0212] 40 control component [0213] 400 method [0214] 402 step of measuring the orientation of the user's head by one or more sensors in the binaural hearing device; [0215] 404 step of transmitting the measured orientation of the user's head to the external device, by a first wireless communication unit in the binaural device configured for wireless communication with the external device; [0216] 406 step of receiving the transmitted orientation of the user's head, by a second wireless communication unit in the external device configured for wireless communication with the binaural hearing device; [0217] 408 step of obtaining stored pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear, respectively, from a memory in the external device; [0218] 410 step of capturing sounds at the distance from the user by a second input transducer in the external device; [0219] 412 step of processing the captured sounds by a second signal processor in the external device, wherein the processing is based on the received orientation of the user's head and the pre-determined head-related transfer functions (HRTF) for the user's left ear and right ear for providing a spatialized binaural audio signal; [0220] 414 step of transmitting the spatialized binaural audio signal to the binaural hearing device by the second wireless communication unit; [0221] 416 step of receiving, by the first wireless communication unit of the binaural hearing device, the spatialized binaural audio signal transmitted from the external device, and [0222] 418 step of providing the spatialized binaural audio signal in the left output transducer and in the right output transducer of the binaural hearing device.