DE102018204695A1 - Use of a hearing system for health monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

Use of user-specific data determined by means of at least one component of a hearing system for a health monitoring of the user of the hearing system.

Description

Hearing instruments are used in different areas. On the one hand, hearing protection variants are used to protect the hearing of persons working in noisy surroundings (machinists, construction workers, etc.). Classical hearing aids, on the other hand, allow their users with reduced hearing a normal acoustic perception allows.

Hearing aids, ie hearing aids and other head-worn devices such as headphones, headsets or the like are now not only used to improve the perception of hearing, but can equally be used to determine additional information about the user and by means of these conclusions on the condition of the user to draw. Known possibilities are, for example, the determination of the body temperature of a person using a hearing system or possibly also vocal changes in the sense of voice distortions. These can be detected, for example, by shifting the voice to lower frequencies. In this way, for example, conclusions can be drawn from the stress level. Alternatively, the determination of the electrical resistance of the skin or its optical properties such as in particular transmission, absorption or reflection, and the measurement of the blood oxygen content are possible.

The aim of the present idea is to be able to increasingly use hearing systems in healthcare.

According to the invention, the user-specific data determined by means of at least one component of a hearing system are used for a health monitoring of the user of the hearing system. In accordance with the method according to the invention, user-specific data is determined by means of at least one component of the hearing system and this user-specific data is used for a health monitoring of the user of the hearing system. The hearing system according to the invention comprises at least one component for determining user-specific data, the hearing system being set up for health monitoring on the basis of the determined user-specific data.

Preferred and partly inventive embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following description.

The invention makes use of the fact that hearing systems such as hearing aids and other head-worn devices such as headphones, headsets or the like are usually positioned over a longer period always in the same position on the head or on and / or in the ear of a wearer. Such a positioning makes it possible to reliably detect information about the user or wearer of the corresponding hearing system - in particular health indicators - over long periods of time. For this purpose, user-specific data are detected or determined and then evaluated and interpreted accordingly.

The results obtained are then used in the context of the invention, for example for assessing the state of health (for example, early detection of health-related problems), health promotion and disease prevention as well as for the diagnosis or detection of symptoms and / or existing diseases and possible prevention or treatment options , For this purpose, the results within the scope of the invention can preferably be stored in corresponding databases, to which, for example, a doctor in charge has access. This then has the opportunity to contact the user of the hearing system and make an appointment for treatment. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the data is made available to the user himself.

A longer-term health monitoring is not only a short shot, for example in the doctor's office possible. Instead, user-specific indicators can be recorded for whole hours during the entire wearing time of a corresponding hearing system, for example for several hours or as in the case of in-ear hearing aids, which can also be worn during sleep. In this way, both different diseases or their partial elusive precursors can be identified within the scope of the invention, which can not be determined, for example, during an entertaining doctor's visit. In particular, the invention makes it possible to provide indications of possible diseases by identifying characteristic symptoms, for example can not be detected during a short visit to a doctor. In addition to the determination of the general condition and in particular the health of a hearing system user and their targeted monitoring is possible.

For detecting the user-specific data preferably one or more sensors are used. These sensors are components of the hearing system. Within the scope of the invention, the term "hearing system" includes both classical hearing aids and headsets, headphones or hearing aids which are otherwise worn on and / or in the ear. Within the scope of the invention, the hearing system may further include, for example, a smartphone or a similar peripheral device.

Suitable sensors within the scope of the invention are in particular vibration sensors, acceleration sensors or motion sensors. Preferably, the sensor or sensors are part of the respective hearing system. Particularly preferably, the or sensors are integrated into the hearing system. More preferably, one or more microphones of the hearing system are used to detect the user-specific data. In a classic hearing aid, one or more microphones of the hearing aid itself are preferably used for detection. For example, in the context of the invention, structure-borne sound microphones are used which detect the noise generated by the user himself.

The user-specific data detected by means of the or each sensor and / or by means of the or each microphone is preferably evaluated directly in the hearing system.

In a conventional hearing device, the signal processing unit of the hearing aid is particularly preferably used for evaluating the data. It is also possible within the scope of the invention to evaluate the recorded data by means of an additional device, such as for example by means of a paired with a hearing aid or a headset smartphones. Alternatively preferably, the recorded user-specific data is forwarded to corresponding databases and evaluated there.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention so-called tics are determined as a disease symptom. Tics describe a brief and involuntary contraction of individual muscles or muscle groups, which occur in the context of neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders and are especially known as the leading symptom of Tourette's syndrome. The exact causes of the genesis are still under investigation, but in rare cases tics are the result of brain damage. Simple motor tics include frowning, blinking the eyes, jerking your head, raising your eyebrows, shrugging your shoulders, or grimacing. Vocal tics, which differ from motor tics, involve the muscle groups that contribute to vocalization, such as the diaphragm, tongue, or pharyngeal muscles.

Both motor and vocal tics are associated with regular or irregular repetitive characteristic vibrations of the body. These characteristic vibrations, which occur in particular in the head and shoulder area, are detected as user-specific data by means of the method according to the invention or by means of the hearing system according to the invention. For this purpose, vibration sensors are preferably used.

The functionality of so-called "own voice detection" serves as an additional detection aid for the detection of a tic. Here, in addition to the vibrations caused, the deviation from the typical speech flow is detected. Conveniently, a microphone is used for this purpose. In particular, a microphone of the corresponding hearing system is used. In the context of the invention, this can be, for example, a microphone of a hearing device or else a microphone of a smartphone belonging to the hearing system. Since tics can be very different, in any case, a special setting on the respective hearing system user is necessary.

In a further preferred embodiment, a hiccup is determined as a disease symptom. A hiccup is manifested by a strong periodic inhalation movement, during which a characteristic noise (colloquially also as "hicks" verbalized) arises. The combination of this inspiratory movement and the associated sound (characteristic symptoms) clearly identifies a hiccup. One or more vibration sensors are preferably used to detect the inhalation movement. The detection of the noise associated with the "hicks" is expediently carried out by means of one or more microphones. The respective user-specific data are preferably combined into a common signal. In particular, recording the data over a longer period of time provides information on whether hiccups are due to harmless triggers such as swallowing, which is therefore temporary, or chronic hiccup, which in turn may be an expression of various illnesses.

Accordingly, in the context of the invention, the monitoring of the frequency of hiccups, both in shorter time intervals (for example, per day over several hours), as well as in longer Time intervals (for example, over the period of several days or weeks) appropriate. Indications for possible diseases in a permanent or permanently recurring hiccups are, for example, disorders in the central nervous system as in a craniocerebral trauma, hemorrhage, brain tumor, encephalitis or diseases of the stomach, such as a stomach ulcer or gastritis.

Further advantageously, a sudden muscle stiffness, also called freezing is detected. Freezing occurs, for example, in diseases such as Parkinson's disease, where the patient suddenly stops moving and can not move on. To detect these symptoms preferably one or more acceleration sensors are used, by means of which the sudden persistence of the patient is detected in just one position. Further preferably, one or more vibration sensors are additionally used. By combining the data determined by means of the sensors, it is possible to draw appropriate conclusions as to the existence of muscular rigidity as the clinical picture.

After recognizing the corresponding clinical picture, an external stimulus is preferably generated which helps the patient or the user of the hearing system to disengage from the rigidity. Usually this is a walking stick used, from which a transverse strip swings, which must be exceeded. In the context of the invention, it is preferred if the required external stimulus is generated by the hearing aid. In this case, it is advantageous if a special tone or a melody is played back by means of the hearing system. Alternatively preferably, the patient can be supported, for example, by optical stimuli (illumination of the display of a smartphone) or by tactile stimuli (vibration of the smartphone) to free themselves from the rigidity.

In a further preferred embodiment, allergies or intolerances are recognized when, for example, coughing, nursing, wheezing or respiratory distress repeatedly in similar situations, for example in combination with exercise and higher temperature when the patient is outside the home (reference to pollen allergy) or after Food (indication of food intolerance) may occur. To detect the corresponding user-specific data, vibration sensors and microphones are preferably used.

Based on the respiration diseases of the respiratory tract are more preferably detected within the scope of the invention. Coughing fits and breathing problems indicate asthma, often accompanied by wheezing, which is easily recognized. By detecting the breath sounds (expediently detected with a microphone), additional abnormalities are additionally identified, which give indications of the lung function. Here it is possible on the basis of the noise and the vibrations to distinguish a shallow breathing from a deep breathing and to recognize, for example, foreign bodies or fluid in the lungs. By combining the breath sounds with other sensor data such as motion or vibration data conclusions about the physical performance of the user can be drawn. In particular, the evaluation of time courses over hours, days, weeks, months or even years allow conclusions about illness or health processes.

More preferably, within the scope of the invention, bruxism (teeth grinding) is recognized. Teeth grinding is characterized by clenching of the teeth, which causes the teeth to wear out and damage various muscle groups. The cause is still unknown, but sleep disorders, stress and certain medications may play a role. Teeth grinding in the context of the invention is detected by a combination of vibration sensors and microphones, by means of which the corresponding data are recorded. In addition, the number of spoken words and the pitch of the voice can be recognized as additional factors. These include the voice characteristics, such as hoarseness, a blurred (lulling) or the volume. If you talk repeatedly with really high volume, this could be an indication that the setting of the hearing aid no longer fits. The proportion of one's own voice compared to other voices gives hints regarding a social profile.

For the purposes of the invention, body sounds - even without a direct indication of a disease - are more preferably recognized and processed in the sense of health monitoring. In this way, a treating physician can be given valuable information on causes for possible future illnesses, symptoms or typical activities and daily routines of the patient. Laughter or weeping can be detected by a combination of characteristic vibrations and a recognition of one's own voice, the voice having no substantive content. Expediently, vibration sensors and microphones are used for this purpose. Often, sobs and / or hectic breathing are further side effects. This information can be used to interpret the situation or to create a social profile from this after a longer period of monitoring.

Also preferably, for example, a yawn is detected. Yawning is expressed by a deep breath followed by a yawn often associated with a characteristic noise. These characteristics can be detected by vibration sensors and microphones. Frequent yawning could indicate a lack of sleep, if it occurs over a longer period on general sleep problems. Less frequent occurrence may be oxygen deprivation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hearing system is adapted to prompt the user in this case, for example, to open the window or go to the fresh air.

Preferably, problems and / or irregularities in swallowing are recognized. Swallowing can be recognized by a sound traveling downwards (from the auditory system path), combined with numerous characteristic muscle contractions. If the swallowing process was preceded by chewing, the patient eats; repeated swallowing (without chewing) is probably drinking. If neither eating nor drinking is detected in combination with the swallowing, it is swallowing saliva, or taking medication, or excessive saliva production. Chewing is detected by a repeated up and down movement of the lower jaw, which can be detected on the basis of vibrations in the ear canal (for example, in an in-the-ear hearing aid, in particular by means of one or more in and / or on the hearing aid arranged vibration sensors) Chewy and generally mouth-throat movements, continue into the ear canal.

An additional indication of a dining process may be cutlery sounds; Crunchy food can also be accompanied by sounds when chewing is detected. If the swallowing procedure deviates from the standard, for example, by choking or coughing during swallowing or frequent ingestion, dysphagia (swallowing disease) may be present. Again, the possible causes are manifold, for example, caused by inflammation, a stroke, dementia, bad-toothed dentures to tumors. If the user-specific data is stored by the hearing system, the diagnosis is made much easier for a treating physician.

In addition to the general functionality of the swallowing process, further factors are expediently detected and monitored. These include the frequency and type of food intake, the distribution over the day, the duration of chewing per swallow and the amount of food. Very long chewing could indicate tooth problems. When using a smartphone (as part of the hearing system) can be specified within the scope of the invention in the smartphone guide values, below which a warning / recommendation is issued. In particular, the proper intake of medication can be monitored and reminded the user of the respective hearing system when needed. Similarly, the drinking behavior can be monitored. Also can be detected by microphones and vibration sensors in the invention smacking, burping or belching.

Microphones (as a component of the hearing system for recording user-specific data) also preferably stomach sounds, Flatulenzen and digestive sounds are detected. These may indicate, among other things, indigestion. A combination of the aforementioned and other recognized body sounds can create a comprehensive profile for the patient. Preferably, this can be used to derive notable changes, which can be reacted to before problems arise. For example, it is recognized within the scope of the invention if the patient spends more time sitting, than normally, if he is out of breath faster or if he eats less than usual. This provides the preferred opportunity to assess what values are normal for this patient and when to do something. For the doctor, the diagnosis is simplified by the possibility of access to the extensive data.

These above-described noises as well as other conceivable noises are preferably detected when several pieces of information are intelligently linked together. Further, other available sensors, such as motion or vibration sensors, can assist in identifying these statements even more clearly. For example, in the context of the invention, yawning sounds are detected together with movement patterns typical for yawning, which is an even clearer indication of yawning of the user.

The following Table 1 gives examples of "audible" and "tactile" body sounds that can be detected within the scope of the invention by means of a hearing health monitoring system carried on the head or ear of a user. Table 1: "audible" and "tactile" body sounds Microphones vibration sensor accelerometers Use case Pulse "Listening" of the temple, if blows are not heard, one can say of it Pulse in the ear noticeable? Link to transaction data (accelerometer, or position change by running) - Exercise - Regularity (frequency) - Long-term monitoring - Excitement / anxiety / stress Own voice Own voice detection Detectable in the ear canal Distinction between slight and strong vibration - - Voice Characteristics (Hoarseness, Mood, Number of Words, Voice Range (Frequency Spectrum) - Volume (Whisper, Softly Speak, Normal, Louder, Scream) - Headset - Acoustic Control Unit ("OK Signia!") Hoarseness, OVD + profile of the voice → - - See my voice hawking Detection of deviations Speech licks, stuttering Repeating word fragments, abrupt interruption → Recognition of deviation of a typical speech flow in conjunction with detection of external influences / speakers Ticks in connection with convulsions Ticks in connection with convulsions - Recognize special disease features (such as freeze in Parkinson's disease) and suggest possible solutions Laugh cry Voice without content Detectable in the ear canal - - Training: HG tells joke Salary combined with - interpret mood Sobbing or hectic breathing - interpret situation - create social profiles Whistling / singing Analogous to OVD; specific - - - interpret mood Frequencies and sounds - Social profile sleep Slow steady breathing (or snoring) pulse is slower breathing snoring No or little exercise - sleep monitoring - sleeping sickness? - Dream recognition (Pulse + Breathing + EEG) - sleep apnea To breathe Typical breathing signal, periodic - Link to transaction data (acceleration sensor, - Respiratory rate - pulmonary function on / breathing problems - Sniff? - nose or mouth or position change by running) - Low breathing, or deep - Foreign matter or liquid - Respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD? to cough Quick inhalation, then coughing sound Detectable in the ear canal - jerky movements (multiple) Characteristic head movements - Simple coughing or severe cough - frequency / per time - Regularly or in certain situations (also linkage with location data makes sense) - Allergy detection (warning) to sneeze Deep breath, then nauseous sound Detectable in the ear canal (jerky, usually simple or with a greater temporal distance than when coughing) Characteristic head movements - frequency / per time - Regularly or in certain situations (also linkage with location data makes sense) - Allergy detection (warning) - Cold yawning Deep breath, then yawn Detectable in the ear canal - - lack of oxygen → Note: "Get in the fresh air" or "open the window!", "Do sport!" hiccup Periodic hectic breathing with "hicks" Yes - What causes hiccups? - Health monitoring Distinction between normal and chronic hiccups (set threshold) → indication of serious diseases Smacking, belching / burping Moving upward sound (towards the HG) Detectable in the ear canal - - Note on eating habits - Recommendation: Do not eat / drink so fast nose opposite of Yes - - indication of illness, pulling up Schnäuzen, noisy, jerky inhalation through the nose Allergy - Linkage with location data, frequency, coughing / sneezing / wheezing snuff Jerky, strong exhalation through the nose Yes - - frequency - intensity - evidence of illness, allergy - Link with location data, frequency, cough / sneeze / pull up nose To swallow Descending sound (away from HG), ingestion: subsequent coughing Detectable in the ear canal - If not eating or drinking, then swallowing saliva (= Saliva production) or swallowing pills (Monitoring of medication intake) Did a person swallow? If more common: hectic eating / drinking / uncontrolled choke - Yes (contraction of the posterior pharyngeal space) - - in case of prolonged duration: Patient might just suffocate → Notification from doctor / relatives Over- Choking + subsequent characteristic noise, upward wandering noise (towards the HG) Opposite swallowing Yes possibly head movement forward / to the side and below - indication of illness give - What was eaten / drunk before? - regularity, frequency Drink Multiple swallowing, Detectable in the ear canal - - distribution over the day (how much) → if necessary reasonably regular equal to the requested value (eg smartphone) - Determine drinking behavior - Memory Eating, chewing - Only with crunchy food (chips, carrots) Detectable in the ear canal - - chew food or chewing gum - Amount - Distribution throughout the day - Sequence: cutlery on the plate, then movement in the mouth and then swallowing - Healthy chewing behavior (chewing sounds in relation to swallowing) - recognize what you eat? (more white bread or more substantial wholemeal bread, too many chips?) - Dental problems? Teeth are crunching Yes Yes? - often combination with sleeping - From threshold recommendation, seek medical advice steps footfall Detectable in the ear canal Interpretation of steps (abrupt end of movement) - number, speed - Distribution over longer periods - Display on smartphone and corresponding recommendations Which shoes, which surface Interpretation of impact sound - Yes - "Schuhdatenbank" → Sell data to shoe manufacturers - Combination with GPS: Where is which subsoil? Deriving a ground quality map, then, for example, recommendation to Jogger for knee-friendly route; Wheelchair accessible ways - by running behavior (eg speed) and footfall derivation of the slope → update / validation of map material Stomach sounds, flatulence, digestive sounds Grumbling and bubbling in typical frequencies and "pattern" - - - frequency - regularity (same time, always after the meal, ...) - stomach rumbling: recommendation to eat something - Flatulence: Indication of food intolerance, eg lactose intolerance Diseases lung Head wobble with ticks chills Teeth may rattle involuntary, rapid tremors perhaps - either disease / allergic reaction or cold → by combination with temperature data delimitable - increase in body temperature Creaking joints The devices can hear at least nearer noises (eg shoulder or neck), depending on the distance of the sound conclusion on the affected joint - - When Surveying After Surgery - If a patient is operated on, heard creaking noises could provide information about the situations and the movements in which noises occur fall Impact sound, possibly screams (Own Voice) Great vibrations Movement of the BG towards the ground Notification of the doctor or relatives

The invention will be particularly apparent from the tabulated examples, but is not limited to these. Rather, other embodiments of the invention may be derived from the claims and the foregoing description.

Claims (3)

Use of user-specific data determined by means of at least one component of a hearing system for a health monitoring of the user of the hearing system. A method of operating a hearing system, wherein user-specific data is determined by means of at least one component of the hearing system and wherein these user-specific data are used for a health monitoring of the user of the hearing system. Hearing system, comprising at least one component for determining user-specific data, wherein the hearing system is set up for a health monitoring based on the determined user-specific data.