METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING AID SYSTEM, AND HEARING AID SYSTEM WITH A HEARING AID

Abstract

A hearing aid system has comprises a hearing aid with at least one input transducer, an output transducer, and a movement sensor. An actual movement of the hearing aid system user is detected as movement sensor data of the movement sensor and/or as movement sound data of the input transducer. An actual movement pattern for the actual movement is determined based on the movement sensor data and/or the movement sound data. The actual movement pattern is compared with a target movement pattern and, depending on the outcome of the comparison, an audio signal is generated at a perceptible signal level to supports the hearing aid system user in the execution of the actual movement. The movement sounds detected by the input transducer are used as the audio signal.

Claims

1. A method for operating a hearing aid system, the hearing aid system including a hearing aid with at least one input transducer, an output transducer, and a movement sensor, the method comprising: detecting an actual movement of a hearing aid system user as movement sensor data of the movement sensor and as movement sound data of the input transducer; determining an actual movement pattern for the actual movement on a basis of at least one of the movement sensor data or the movement sound data; comparing the actual movement pattern with a target movement pattern; and depending on the comparing step, generating an audio signal at a perceptible signal level by way of the output transducer, wherein the movement sound data acquired by the input transducer is used as the audio signal and the audio signal supports the hearing aid system user in an execution of the actual movement.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises determining, on a basis of the detected movement sensor data and/or movement sound data, a probability of a future deviation of the actual movement pattern from the target movement pattern of the hearing aid system user, and adjusting the target movement pattern on the basis of the probability.

3. The method according to claim 2, which comprises adjusting the signal level of the audio signal according to the determined probability.

4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises determining the movement sound data from acoustic data of the input transducer.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises setting the signal level of the audio signal proportionally to a deviation between the target movement pattern and the actual movement pattern.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises determining an ambient situation of the hearing aid system user on a basis of the acoustic data of the input transducer, and setting the signal level of the audio signal based on the ambient situation.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises storing at least one of the actual movement pattern or the target movement pattern in a memory.

8. A hearing aid system, comprising: a hearing aid with at least one input transducer for receiving an acoustic ambient signal, with an output transducer for outputting an acoustic signal, with a movement sensor for detecting a movement of a hearing aid system user, and with a controller configured for carrying out the method according to claim 1.

9. The hearing aid system according to claim 1, wherein the hearing aid is a binaural hearing aid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a hearing aid system with a binaural hearing aid;

[0082] FIG. 2 shows the hearing aid system according to FIG. 1, in which the hearing aid is connected to a mobile auxiliary device for signal transmission; and

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for operating the hearing aid system.

[0084] Equivalent and identical parts and dimensions are provided with identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0085] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown the basic structure of a hearing aid system 2 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the hearing aid system 2 is designed as a hearing aid device with a binaural hearing aid 4 with two hearing aid devices or individual devices 6a, 6b coupled together for signal transmission. The individual devices 6a, 6b are designed, for example, as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE). The individual devices 6a, 6b are or can be coupled to each other for signal transmission via a wireless communication link 8.

[0086] For example, the communication link 8 is an inductive coupling between the individual devices 6a and 6b, or alternatively the communication link 8 is implemented for example as a radio link, in particular as a Bluetooth or RFID link, between the individual devices 6a and 6b.

[0087] The design of the individual devices 6a, 6b is explained below using the individual device 6a as an example. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the individual device 6a comprises a device housing 10 in which one or more microphones, also referred to as acousto-electric input transducers 12, are installed. Via the input transducers 12, a sound or the acoustic signals in an environment of the hearing aid system 2 are detected and converted into electrical acoustic data 14.

[0088] The acoustic data 14 is processed by a controller 15 of a signal processing device 16 which is also arranged in the device housing 10. Using the acoustic data 14, the signal processing device 16 generates an output signal 18 which is routed to a loudspeaker or receiver 20. The receiver 20 here is designed as an electro-acoustic output transducer 20, which converts the electrical output signal 18 into an acoustic signal and outputs it. In the case of the BTE individual device 6a, the acoustic signal is transmitted to the eardrum of a hearing aid system user via a sound tube or external receiver, not shown in detail, which is connected to an earmold fitted in the ear canal. However, an electro-mechanical output transducer is also conceivable as the receiver 20, as in a bone conduction receiver, for example.

[0089] The power supply of the individual device 6a and in particular of the signal processing device 16 is provided by means of a battery 22 accommodated in the device housing 10.

[0090] The signal processing device 16 is coupled with a movement sensor 24 of the individual device 6a. The movement sensor 24 acquires acceleration and/or rotation movements of the individual device 6a during operation and sends them to the signal processing device 16 as movement sensor data 26 during operation. For example, the movement sensor 24 is designed as a 3D acceleration sensor. In addition or alternatively, the movement sensor 24 is designed as a position sensor, in particular as a gyroscopic sensor.

[0091] The signal processing device 16 is also connected for signal transmission to a first transceiver 28 and to a second transceiver 30 of the individual device 6a. The transceiver 28 is used to transmit and receive wireless signals via the communication link 8 and the transceiver 30 is used to transmit and receive wireless signals using a communication link 32 to a hearing-aid-external auxiliary device 34 (FIG. 2). For example, it is also conceivable that only a single transceiver is provided for both communication links 8, 32.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the auxiliary device 34 is designed as a separate mobile operating and display device, which is or can be coupled to hearing aid 4 for signal transmission via the communication link 32. The auxiliary device 34 shown schematically in FIG. 2 is, in particular, a smartphone. The auxiliary device 34, also referred to hereafter as a smartphone, has a touch-sensitive display unit (display) 36, which is also referred to hereafter as a touch screen. The smartphone 34 is conveniently introduced into the transmission range of the communication link 32. The coupling for signal transmission between the smartphone 34 and the transceivers 30 of the individual devices 6a and 6b is carried out via an appropriate integrated transceiver, not specified in detail, for example a radio antenna, of the smartphone 34.

[0093] The smartphone 34 has an integrated controller which is essentially formed by a microcontroller with an application software 38 implemented for the software-based evaluation of signals and data transmitted by means of the communication link 32. The application software 38 is preferably a mobile app or a smartphone app, which is stored in a data memory of the controller. During operation, the controller displays the application software 38 on the display unit 36, which is designed as a touch screen, wherein the application software 38 can be operated by a hearing aid system user using the touch-sensitive surface of the display unit 36.

[0094] Using the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, a method 40 according to the invention for operating the hearing aid 2 is explained in more detail in the following.

[0095] During the operation of the hearing aid system 2, an actual movement of the hearing aid system user is detected as movement sensor data 26 of the movement sensor 24 and as movement sound data 44 of the input transducer 12. The analysis or acquisition of the movement sounds or movement sound data 44 from the acoustic data 14 can be carried out, for example, using a movement sound classifier 46 of the controller 15. In FIG. 3, the classifier 46 is part of the input transducer 12, for example, but the classifier 46 can also be designed separately from the input transducer 12.

[0096] An actual movement pattern 48 is determined for the actual movement or self-movement of the hearing aid system user on the basis of the movement sensor data 26 and the movement sound data 44. The analysis of the movement sensor data 26 and the movement sound data 44, or the determination of the actual movement pattern 48 derived from it, is carried out, for example, by means of a classifier or a (first) evaluation unit 50 of the controller 15. Based on the movement of the hearing aid system user characterized by the actual movement pattern 48, a (second) evaluation unit 52 of the controller 15 is used to determine a target movement pattern 54. The evaluation unit 52 compares the actual movement pattern 48 with the target movement pattern 54, wherein a control signal 56 for a tone generator 58 is generated on the basis of the comparison. The tone generator 58 generates an electrical signal 60, which is amplified by means of an amplifier 62 and sent as an amplified signal 64 to the output transducer 20, which converts the signal 64 into a perceptible audio signal 66.

[0097] The audio signal 66 or the signals 60 and 64 can be a sonification of the target movement pattern 54. The audio signal 66, which is in particular rhythmic, in the form of a clock signal or trigger sound, for example, supports a walking movement of the hearing aid system user.

[0098] The signal level or volume of the audio signal 66 is preferably always audible to the hearing aid system user. In order to achieve optimal audibility, the controller 15 analyzes the ambient level, which is obtained from the acoustic data 14 of the input transducer 12, using a level meter or an environment classifier 68. In addition, for example, a hearing loss or hearing impairment of the hearing aid system user (audiogram information or derived from the hearing aid fitting) is taken into account, and a signal level signal 70 is generated. The signal level signal 70 in this case sets a signal level of the audio signal 66. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, for example, the signal level of the signal 60 is adjusted, so that the signal level of the audio signal 66 is varied as a result. Alternatively, the signal level signal 70 can also be used to adjust the amplifier or the signal 64.

[0099] The actual and/or the target movement patterns 48, 54 are stored in a memory 72 of the controller 15. This makes it possible, for example, to record and monitor progress or changes in the movement patterns 48, 54. This data can be made available, for example, to medical experts and/or the hearing aid system user, for example by visualization on the display unit 36 of the auxiliary device 34.

[0100] Preferably, an application case 74 is transmitted to the hearing aid 4 by means of the auxiliary device 34 or by means of the application software 38. Depending on the selected application case 74, for example, the evaluation unit 52 and the tone generator 58 are activated, thereby changing the target movement pattern 54 and/or the audio signal 66.

[0101] In an embodiment not shown in detail, the controller 15 uses the acquired movement sensor data 26 and/or movement sound data 44 to determine a probability of a future fall or trip event affecting the hearing aid system user. The probability can be determined in this case, for example, in the evaluation unit 50.

[0102] Preferably, the target movement pattern 56 is adjusted depending on the determined probability. In particular, the target movement pattern 56 or the audio signal 66 is adjusted in such a way that the probability of a fall or trip is reduced or minimized as far as possible. For example, a rhythm of the audio signal 66 is modified to reduce the risk of falling for the hearing aid system user. For example, the signal level of the signal 60 or the audio signal 66 is adjusted based on the determined probability.

[0103] During operation, the individual devices 6a, 6b of the binaural hearing aid 4 output the audio signal 66, for example, synchronously with each other. For example, it is possible that the same audio signal 66 is output at different volume levels (depending on a hearing loss of the hearing aid system user and/or depending on the actual-to-target movement deviation) at the same time.

[0104] It is also possible, for example, that the same audio signal 66 is generated at different times, for example, the individual device worn on the left ear generates the audio signal 66 during a forward step with the left foot, while the individual device worn on the right ear generates the audio signal 66 analogously during a forward step with the right foot.

[0105] In particular, if the balance is impaired or if movement is impaired on one side (e.g. limping with one leg), it is also possible that the individual devices 6a, 6b generate different audio signals 66 or differently manipulated audio signals 66 for the right and left ear.

[0106] The movement sounds detected by the input transducer 12 will be used as the audio signal 66. This means that the movement sounds or the movement sound data 44 are specifically amplified for generating the audio signal 66 in the tone generator 58. The tone generator 58 can influence a signal property of the movement sound data 44, such as a signal level, a rhythm, or a frequency range of the movement sound data 44. Alternatively, the tone generator 58 can also be omitted, and the amplifier 62 can be used directly.

[0107] For example, to support a walking movement, step sounds are amplified more strongly than other signals of the acoustic data 14, so that the hearing aid system user can reliably perceive the step sounds. The signal level of the audio signal 66 in this case is set, for example, depending on the deviation of the actual movement pattern 48 from the target movement pattern 54.

[0108] The claimed invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Instead, other variants of the invention can also be derived from them by the person skilled in the art, without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments within the disclosed claims can also be combined together in different ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

[0109] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0110] 2 hearing aid system [0111] 4 hearing aid [0112] 6a, 6b individual device [0113] 8 communication link [0114] 10 device housing [0115] 12 input transducer [0116] 14 acoustic data [0117] 15 controller [0118] 16 signal processing unit [0119] 18 output signal [0120] 20 output transducer [0121] 22 battery [0122] 24 movement sensor [0123] 26 movement data [0124] 28, 30 transceiver [0125] 32 communication link [0126] 34 auxiliary device/smartphone [0127] 36 display unit [0128] 38 application software [0129] 40 method [0130] 44 movement sound data [0131] 46 movement sound classifier [0132] 48 actual movement pattern [0133] 50 evaluation unit [0134] 52 evaluation unit [0135] 54 target movement pattern [0136] 56 control signal [0137] 58 tone generator [0138] 60 signal [0139] 62 amplifier [0140] 64 signal [0141] 66 audio signal [0142] 68 level meter/environment classifier [0143] 70 signal level signal [0144] 72 memory