EP3355593A1 - Method for operating a hearing aid and hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (36) for operating a hearing aid device (2) with two hearing aids (4a, 4b) having a comparatively short range (R1) by means of a wireless first communication connection (6) and by means of a wireless second communication connection (8) each hearing aid (4a, 4b) has an integrated motion sensor (24) for detecting a fall of the respective hearing aid (4a, 4b), wherein in each hearing aid (4a, 4b) a first signal level (P1) of the first communication link (6) and compared with a stored first threshold (W1), wherein from a first of the two hearing aids (4b) a notification signal (B) via the second communication link (8) is sent when the motion sensor (24) detected a fall and the first signal level (P1) reaches or falls below the first threshold (W1), and wherein at ei Upon receipt of the notification signal (B), a perceptible first information signal (I1) is generated as loss protection by the second of the two hearing aids (4a).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing aid device having two hearing devices, which are signal-technically coupled to one another. The invention further relates to a hearing aid device which can be operated according to such a method.

Hearing aid devices are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired or hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aid devices such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and hearing aids with an external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (IdO), for For example, Concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids (ITE: In-The-Ear, CIC: Completely-In-Channel, IIC: Invisible-In-The-Channel) are provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal of a hearing aid user. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Such hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is typically an acousto-electrical transducer, such as a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, such as an induction coil or (radio frequency, RF) antenna. The output transducer is usually used as an electro-acoustic transducer, for example as a miniature speaker (listener), or as an electromechanical transducer, such as a bone conduction handset, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing device. The power is usually supplied by a battery or a rechargeable battery.

In a so-called binaural hearing aid device, two such hearing aids are worn by a user, wherein there is a communication link between the hearing aids. During operation, data, possibly even large amounts of data, are exchanged wirelessly between the hearing device on the right and left ear during operation. The exchanged data and information allow a particularly effective adaptation of the hearing aids to a respective acoustic situation. In particular, this allows a particularly authentic surround sound for the user and improves the understanding of speech, even in noisy environments.

Hearing aids are preferably designed to be particularly space-saving and compact, so that they can be visually worn as inconspicuously by a Hörhilfevorrichtungsnutzer. As a result, increasingly smaller hearing aids are manufactured, which have an increasingly higher wearing comfort, and are thus hardly noticed by a user when worn on or in an ear. However, this also increasingly creates the danger that a hearing aid unnoticed by a user falls down while wearing and is thus lost.

From the EP 2 150 076 B1 is a binaural hearing aid device with two hearing aids known, which are signal-technically coupled by means of a radio link. The hearing aids in each case monitor a signal level of the radio link. If a hearing aid falls down, the radio link breaks off, whereupon the other hearing aid automatically generates an information signal that can be perceived by the user. As a result, a Verliersschutz the hearing aids is realized.

The EP 2 109 331 B1 describes a hearing aid with a fall protection, wherein an acceleration sensor of the hearing aid falls on the basis of a jerky acceleration of the hearing device detected. In the event of a fall, the current settings of the hearing aid are stored in a memory.

The EP 3 035 710 A2 relates to a monitoring system for one or more hearing aids. The monitoring system has a number of access points, which are designed to receive wireless radio signals of the hearing aids. The access points are coupled to each other via the Internet or a cloud of clouds. The monitoring system automatically monitors the status of one or more parameters of the hearing aids. The hearing aids here have, for example, acceleration sensors whose measured values are monitored as parameters.

The WO 2014/184395 A2 describes a binaural hearing aid with two hearing aids, which are coupled by means of a Bluetooth communication link with a short range. The hearing aids are further adapted to be coupled by means of a second Bluetooth communication link with a relatively large range with an external device.

The invention has for its object to provide a particularly suitable method for operating a hearing aid. The invention is further based on the object of specifying a hearing aid device which can be operated according to such a method.

With regard to the method, the object with the features of claim 1 and with respect to the hearing aid device with the features of claim 9 is achieved according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The inventive method is suitable for operating a hearing aid device with two hearing aids (hearing aids) and set up. During operation of the hearing aid device, the hearing aids are preferably each worn on an ear of a user. The hearing aids of the particular binaural hearing aid device are by means of a wireless first communication link coupled with a comparatively short range and by means of a wireless second communication connection with comparatively long range signal technology. This means that the second communication connection has a higher range than the first communication connection. A range here is to be understood in particular the signal range, ie a distance of the respective communication link, which may be maximum between a transmitter and a receiver, so that even a communication between them is possible. The hearing aids expediently have corresponding transceivers (transceivers) for the communication connections.

The communication connections are preferably designed bidirectionally for mutually alternating signal transmission between the hearing aids. In this case, a relatively short range of the first communication connection is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a signal connection between the hearing aids, which breaks off, for example, at a relative distance between the hearing aids of approximately 50 cm to 1 m. The comparatively long range of the second communication connection is preferably associated with a signal connection between the hearing aids, which, for example, breaks off at a relative distance between the hearing aids of approximately 10 m.

The two hearing aids each have an integrated motion sensor for detecting a fall of the respective hearing aid. The motion sensor is embodied, for example, as an acceleration sensor, preferably as a three-axis acceleration sensor, which detects the acceleration of the fall during the fall and / or the jerky acceleration in the case of an emergence of the hearing aid on a ground. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that a gyroscopic (position) sensor is used, which detects a fall due to an unusual rotation of the hearing aid.

According to the invention, during operation of the hearing aid device in each hearing aid, a first signal level of the first communication link is monitored as a measure of the signal strength between the hearing aids and with a stored first threshold is compared. In this case, a notification signal is sent via the second communication connection by a first of the two hearing aids if its motion sensor detects a fall and the first signal level reaches or falls below the first threshold value. Achieving or falling short of the first threshold corresponds essentially to tearing off the first short-range communication connection between the two hearing aids. In this context, tearing off is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an interruption, disconnection or other disturbance of the communication connection, which essentially prevents signal transmission between the hearing aids.

Upon receipt of the notification signal, the second of the two hearing aids generates a user-perceivable first information signal as loss protection. As a result, the user is signaled falling down of the first hearing device during wear, so that the risk of unnoticed loss of the hearing aid is advantageously reduced. Thus, a particularly suitable method for operating a hearing aid device is realized.

An essential difference to the prior art is that the hearing aids are coupled to one another by means of two wireless communication links of different ranges. In contrast to the prior art, the second hearing device does not generate the information signal when the first communication connection is disconnected, but only when it receives the notification signal from the first hearing device via the second communication connection. The triggering of the loss signaling therefore ensues on the basis of the first hearing device, that is, the one which has fallen down or is lost, so that the additional information of the motion sensor is taken into account. Both hearing aids register the demolition of the first communication connection substantially simultaneously, but only the falling (first) hearing aid detects a fall by means of the motion sensor. In other words, it can be unambiguously determined which of the two hearing aids is lost; this would not be clearly identifiable by the hearing aids with a mere tearing off of the first communication connection itself.

By the method according to the invention thus a particularly advantageous Verliersschutz is provided. In contrast to the prior art, apart from tearing off the binaural communication connection between the hearing aids, the detection of the camber by means of the motion sensor is additionally used as a triggering criterion for the first information signal. This makes it possible in a simple and cost-effective manner to differentiate between a deliberate dropping of the first hearing device on the one hand and an unwanted dropping or loss of the first hearing aid on the other hand. The detected by the motion sensor movement of the hearing aid has, for example, a much lower acceleration at a deliberate drop as in a fall during an accidental fall.

The hearing devices preferably each have a controller (that is to say a control device), for example as part of a signal processing device. The controllers of the hearing aids are here generally - program and / or circuitry - set up to carry out the method described above according to the invention. The controllers are thus in particular configured to perform a threshold comparison of the first signal level and to evaluate a sensor signal of the motion sensor in the event of a fall and to send the notification signal in dependence thereon. Furthermore, the controllers are configured, upon receipt of the notification signal, to effect the information signal for signaling to the user.

The controllers are formed at least in the core by a respective microcontroller with a processor and a data memory, in which the functionality for implementing the method according to the invention in the form of operating software (firmware) is implemented by programming, so that the method - optionally in interaction with a user -. when running the operating software in the microcontroller is performed automatically.

The controllers are in one possible embodiment within the scope of the invention alternatively but also by programmable electronic components, for example an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is formed, in which the functionality for carrying out the method according to the invention is implemented by circuitry means.

In an advantageous development, the notification signal is sent when the detection of a fall and the reaching or falling below the first threshold within a predetermined period of time. This takes into account the fact that the detection of the fall and the tearing off of the first communication connection do not necessarily take place at the same time. This is the case, for example, if the hearing device briefly latches on a user's clothing when it falls down or if the user consciously removes the hearing device and it falls down.

In principle, the detection of the fall and the tearing off of the first communication connection should have a short temporal proximity, so that the time duration in a possible further development form is dimensioned to a few seconds. As a result, on the one hand a reliable detection of a fall is guaranteed. On the other hand, the signaling by means of the information signal takes place as soon as possible, so that the user has not yet moved far away from the fallen hearing aid. This makes it easier for the user to find the (first) hearing device.

In one possible embodiment of the method, it is provided that an acoustic notification is generated by the second hearing device as a first information signal. The acoustic notification is in this case designed, for example, as a signal tone or a tone sequence or as a voice message. The acoustic notification is here suitably generated by means of an output transducer or loudspeaker (receiver) of the second hearing device. This allows for easy perceptible signaling to the user.

An additional or further aspect of the method according to the invention provides that a separate mobile operating and display device is signal-wise coupled to the hearing aids by means of the second communication connection.

The operating and display device is for example a mobile phone, in particular a mobile phone with a computer function or a smartphone or even a tablet computer. According to the method, the operating and display device has a stored application software (operating software) with which a second information signal is generated when the operating and display device receives the notification signal via the second communication link. For this purpose, the application software (application software) is preferably installed or installed on the operating and display device as a so-called app or mobile app (mobile application, smartphone app).

The second information signal is embodied, for example, as an acoustic notification and / or optical message and / or vibration signal of the operating and display device. As a result, the loss of the first hearing device is signaled to the user both by means of the second hearing device and by means of the operating and display device, so that a particularly effective and reliable signaling is ensured. In particular, this ensures that the user can also be signaled in the event of a loss of both hearing aids.

This development is based on the consideration that modern control and display devices, in particular smartphones or tablet computers, are widely used in today's society and a user is generally available and accessible at all times. In particular, the user of the hearing aid device with great likelihood essentially has such an operating and display device in his household.

Today's smartphones are still equipped with a variety of different near-field and far-field communication means by default, whereby the second communication link to the hearing aids in principle can be produced in a simple manner. The application software here is preferably also suitable and set up for setting operating parameters of the hearing aids, such as a volume. As a result, the user does not need an additional, separate operating system for monitoring the hearing aid device, but it is possible to use by an (subsequent) downloading and / or installing the application software his existing smartphone to determine and evaluate the operating or wearing state. In this way, user-side costs are advantageously reduced.

The typically designed as touchscreens (display, display) surfaces of smartphones or tablet computers continue to allow a particularly simple and intuitive operation of the application software of the operating and display device formed thereby. As a result, a smartphone or tablet computer can be retrofitted in a particularly cost-effective manner for monitoring the hearing aid device.

The operating and display device comprises an internal controller, which is formed at least in the core by a microcontroller with a processor and a data memory in which the functionality for implementing the method in the form of application software is implemented programmatically, so that the method or the determination of the Operating state of the hearing aids - optionally interacting with the user - is automatically performed in the execution of the application software in the microcontroller.

In an advantageous embodiment, after receiving the notification signal, a second signal level of the second communication connection is monitored by the application software and compared with a stored second threshold value. The second signal level is a measure of the signal strength or signal quality or signal intensity of the second communication connection between the operating and display device and the hearing aids. In this case, it is conceivable, for example, that the second communication connections to the two hearing devices are monitored separately from one another, or that only that second communication connection to the (first) hearing device is monitored, which has sent the notification signal. Appropriately, the hearing aids in this case an identification, which is transmitted together with the notification signal, so that by means of Application software can be signaled, for example, which of the two hearing aids is lost.

In a preferred development, in particular a third information signal is generated with the application software of the operating and display device when the second signal level reaches or falls below the second threshold value. As a result, the loss prevention of the hearing aid device is improved.

In the event of a loss of the first hearing device, the first (short-range) communication connection is interrupted, whereupon the first hearing device sends the notification signal via the second (long-range) communication connection to the second hearing device and to the operating and display device. Thus, the loss is signaled while the user is still in a close environment around the first hearing aid. This close environment is essentially limited by the range of the second communication link, so that it is ensured by the operator and display device-side monitoring of the signal level of the second communication link that the user does not move unintentionally out of this environment. In this case, the third information signal is embodied, in particular, as an alarm signal which signals to the user that he is moving away from the first hearing device. As a result, after a loss of the first hearing device, the search for it is much easier, since it is ensured that the user does not accidentally seek in a wrong environment or too far away from the first hearing aid.

Additionally or alternatively, in a possible further development form, it is conceivable, for example, for the second signal level of the second communication connection between the operating and display device and the first hearing device to be evaluated as a measure of the relative distance. The closer the control and display device and the first hearing aid are to each other, the higher is usually the second signal level. A distance value determinable from this can be displayed by the application software on the display or display of the operating and display device, so that the user can search for the first hearing aid is further simplified. As a result, the user generally requires no further aids for finding the first hearing device.

In an expedient refinement, after receiving the notification signal of the first hearing device, the operating and display device checks whether the notification signal has been received by the second hearing device. In this case, a further or additional notification signal is sent from the operating and display device by means of the second communication connection to the second hearing device when no acknowledgment of the notification signal is sent by the second hearing device. This ensures that the user is informed in good time about the loss of the first hearing aid.

In an advantageous embodiment, the operating and display device comprises a device for determining a geographical position of the operating and display device. The device determines the position suitably based on a satellite signal and / or based on a mobile signal. In particular, the device is preferably designed as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, which is advantageously integrated as standard in smartphones and similar operating and display devices. This makes it possible to determine the position in almost any location. After receiving the notification signal in this case the current position is detected and stored by means of the application software. This detected position thus gives an indication of the position of the first hearing aid, the deposit ensures that the position is easily retrievable at a later date.

Suitably, the deposited position by means of the application software on the display of the control and display device, for example on a map, can be displayed. This makes it possible in a particularly simple manner to retrieve the position of the first hearing aid. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided here that the position currently determined by the device is represented in addition to the stored position by means of the application software, so that relative position determination is thus possible a direction indication and / or a distance indication is realized. This ensures a particularly targeted finding of the first hearing aid.

The hearing aid device according to the invention is suitable and arranged for carrying out the method described above. The hearing aid device has two hearing aids, which are signal-technically coupled to one another by means of a wireless first communication connection with a comparatively short range and by means of a wireless second communication connection with a comparatively long range. Each hearing device in this case has an integrated motion sensor for detecting a fall of the respective hearing device, wherein the hearing aids by means of the second communication link for signal-technical coupling with a mobile operating and display device, in particular a smartphone, are set up.

In an expedient embodiment, the first communication connection with a comparatively short range is an inductive coupling and the second communication connection with a comparatively long range is a radio connection. As a result, appropriate first and second communication links are realized.

For the inductive coupling, it is usually necessary that the participating transmitter and receiver coils of the hearing aids are optimally aligned with each other. The first communication link thus has a high directionality in this embodiment. In the event of a loss of the first hearing device, the first communication connection realized by the inductive coupling therefore breaks off both because of the increasing relative distance between the hearing aids and because of the differing relative orientation to one another. In particular, due to the directionality of the inductive coupling, the first communication connection breaks off faster than in the case of a comparatively short-range radio connection. As a result, the first signal level reaches or falls below the first threshold value more reliably and in a shorter time, whereby the loss prevention of the hearing aid device is substantially improved.

The radio connection is for example a radio frequency connection. However, it is also conceivable to have a radio connection based on a Bluetooth, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or RFID standard (Radio Frequency Identification).

Fig. 1

eine Hörhilfevorrichtung mit zwei Hörgeräten, welche mittels einer ersten und einer zweiten Kommunikationsverbindung signaltechnisch miteinander gekoppelt sind,

Fig. 2

eine Hörhilfevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, welche mittels der zweiten Kommunikationsverbindung signaltechnisch mit einem mobilen Bedien- und Anzeigegerät gekoppelt ist, und

Fig. 3

ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben der Hörhilfevorrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Therein show in schematic and simplified representations:

Fig. 1

a hearing aid device with two hearing aids, which are signal-technically coupled to one another by means of a first and a second communication connection,

Fig. 2

a hearing aid device according to Fig. 1 which is signal-technically coupled to a mobile operating and display device by means of the second communication connection, and

Fig. 3

a flowchart of a method for operating the hearing aid device.

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

The Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a hearing aid device according to the invention 2. In this embodiment, the hearing aid device 2 is binaurally executed with two signal-technically coupled hearing aids or hearing aids 4a, 4b. The hearing aids 4a, 4b are hereby exemplified as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE). The hearing aids 4a, 4b are bidirectionally coupled to one another by means of a first wireless communication connection 6 and by means of a second wireless communication connection 8.

In this case, the communication connection 6 has a shorter (signal or transmission) range than the communication connection 8. In other words, the communication link 6 has a comparatively short range R1 and the communication link 8 is executed with a comparatively long range R2. The communication connection 6 is in particular an inductive coupling between the hearing aids 4a and 4b, wherein the communication connection 8 is preferably designed as a radio connection, for example as a Bluetooth or RFID connection, between the hearing aids 4a and 4b.

In a suitable dimensioning, the communication link 6 has approximately a range R1 of 50 cm. The range R2 of the communication link 8 is in this case preferably dimensioned to about 10 m.

The structure of the hearing aids 4a, 4b is explained below by way of example with reference to the hearing aid 4b. The hearing aid 4b comprises, as in the Fig. 1 schematically illustrated, a device housing 10, in which one or more microphones, also referred to as acousto-electrical converter 12, are installed. With the microphones 12, the sound or the acoustic signals is recorded in the environment and converted into an electrical audio signal 14.

The audio signal 14 is processed by a signal processing device 16, which is likewise arranged in the device housing 10. Based on the audio signal 8, the signal processing device 16 generates an output signal 18, which is passed to a loudspeaker or receiver 20. The handset 20 is in this case designed as an electro-acoustic transducer 20, which converts the electrical output signal 18 into an acoustic signal and outputs. In the case of the BTE hearing aid 4b, the acoustic signal is optionally transmitted to the eardrum of a hearing aid user via a sound tube or external earphone, not shown in more detail, with an earmold seated in the auditory canal. But it is also conceivable, for example, an electro-mechanical transducer as a handset 20, such as in a bone conduction receiver.

The power supply of the hearing aid device 4b and in particular of the signal processing device 16 takes place by means of a battery 22 accommodated in the device housing 10.

The signal processing device 16 is coupled to a motion sensor 24 of the hearing device 4b, which is designed, for example, as an acceleration sensor. The motion sensor 24 detects during operation acceleration and / or rotational movements of the hearing aid 4b and is in particular suitable and configured to detect a fall of the hearing aid 4b and to send a corresponding fall signal S to the signal processing device 16.

The signal processing device 16 is further signaled to a first transceiver 26 and to a second transceiver 28 of the hearing aid 4b. The transceiver 26 is for transmitting and receiving wireless signals by means of the communication link 6 and the transceiver 28 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals by the communication link 8. In other words, in the operation of the hearing aid 2 between the transceivers 26 of the hearing aids 4a and 4b the Communication link 6 and between the transceivers 28 of the hearing aids 4a and 4b, the communication link 8 is generated. The transceiver 26 is embodied here, for example, as an induction coil.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 is a separate, mobile, operating and display device 30 by means of the communication link 8 signal technology coupled to the hearing aid device 2. At the in Fig. 2 schematically shown operating and display device 30 is in particular a smartphone. The smartphone 30 has a touch-sensitive display unit (display) 32, which is also referred to below as a touch screen. Expediently, the smartphone 30 is here introduced into the transmission range of the communication connection 8 and thus has a distance to the hearing aids 4a, 4b, which is less than the range R2. In particular, the smartphone 30 is approximated to within a few centimeters of the hearing aid device 2. The signal-technical coupling between the smartphone 30 and the transceivers 28 of the hearing aids 4a and 4b takes place via a corresponding - not designated - integrated transceiver, such as a radio or radio antenna, the smartphone 30th

The smartphone 30 has an integrated controller which is essentially formed by a microcontroller with an implemented application software 34 for program-technical evaluation of the signals transmitted by means of the communication connection 8. The application software 34 is preferably a mobile app or a smartphone app, which is stored in a data memory of the controller. The controller, in operation, displays the application software 34 on the touch screen 32, where the application software 34 is operable by the user via the touch-sensitive surface of the touch screen 32.

Based on the in Fig. 3 In the flowchart shown, an inventive method 36 for operating the hearing aid device 2 is explained below.

The method 36 is particularly suitable and arranged for a loss protection. In normal operation of the hearing aid device 2, the hearing aids 4a and 4b are worn on the ears of a hearing aid user. Here, the hearing aids 4a and 4b are coupled by means of the communication links 6 and 8 for mutual signal transmission. In this case, the hearing aids 4a and 4b are furthermore optionally coupled by means of the communication connection 8 with the smartphone 30 in terms of signaling.

In a first method step 38 of the method, the respective signal processing device 16 of the hearing devices 4a, 4b monitors the signal strength or signal intensity of the signals transmitted by means of the communication connection 6. This detected signal level P1 of the communication link 6 is compared in the course of a threshold value comparison 40 with a stored in the signal processing means 16 threshold W1.

In the following, the method is described in particular for the loss of the hearing device 4b, the following description analogously being applicable to a loss of the hearing device 4a.

In the case of a loss of the hearing device 4b, for example in the event of a hearing aid 4b not being noticed by the user, the communication connection 6 breaks off during the first method step 38. In other words, the communication link 6 is interrupted or disconnected. As a result, the signal level P1 detected at the transceiver 26 reaches or falls below the threshold value W1.

When the threshold value W1 reaches or falls below this threshold, a process step 42 is started by the respective signal processing device 16. If the signal processing device 16 detects the falling signal S of the motion sensor 24 during a predetermined time period T, a method step 44 is started. Alternatively, in step 38, a fall detected by the fall signal S of the motion sensor 24 is used as a triggering criterion of the method step 42, in which the threshold value comparison 40 is evaluated accordingly during the time period T.

By evaluating the tearing off of the binaural communication connection 6 between the hearing aids 4a and 4b on the one hand and additionally detecting the camber by means of the motion sensor 24 on the other hand, it is possible with the method steps 38 and 42 to intentionally place the hearing aid 4b on the one hand and an unwanted one On the other hand, the fall or loss of the hearing aid 4b should be differentiated.

If a loss is detected, the signal processing device 16 triggers the method step 44. In this case, the signal processing device 16 generates a notification signal B, which is sent to the transceiver 28. The transceiver 28 transmits the notification signal B via the long-range communication connection 8 to the hearing device 4 a and the smartphone 30.

The hearing device 4 a receives the notification signal B by means of the transceiver 28 in a method step 46 a and the smartphone in a method step 46 b.

Upon receiving the notification signal B in method step 46a, a method step 48 in the hearing device 4a is started, in which an information signal I1 is generated by the signal processing device 16. In this case, the information signal I1 is transmitted instead of the output signal 18 to the handset 20 and signaled audibly perceptible to the user as an acoustic notification, for example in the form of a warning tone or a recorded loss message.

Upon receiving the notification signal B in method step 46b, a method step 50 in the smartphone 30 is started, in which an information signal I2 is generated by the application software 34. The information signal I2 is, for example, an acoustic notification in the form of a ringtone of the smartphone 30 or an optical message on the touchscreen 32 or a vibration signal or a combination thereof.

Optionally, the smartphone 30 checks in the method step 46b whether the hearing device 4a has received the notification signal B of the hearing device 4b. If the smartphone 30 does not receive a confirmation of the hearing aid 4a after a predetermined period of time, the smartphone 30 sends the notification signal B or a further notification signal B 'to the hearing aid 4a, so that the method step 48 is triggered. This is in the Fig. 3 schematically represented by a dashed arrow.

After generating the information signal I2, the smartphone 30 starts a method step 52. In method step 52, the smartphone 30 detects a current geographical position x of the smartphone 30 by means of an integrated device 54, which is preferably designed as a GPS receiver. The position x is stored by the application software 34 in a memory of the smartphone 30. The position x thus corresponds to the immediate vicinity of the lost hearing aid 4b. In addition, the application software 34 monitors a signal level P2 of the communication connection 8, that is to say the signal strength between the smartphone 30 and the hearing device 4a. The signal level P2 is here compared in a threshold comparison 56 with a stored second threshold W2.

If the signal level P2 reaches or falls below the threshold value W2, the application software 34 starts a method step 58. In method step 58, an information signal I3 is generated. The information signal I3 signals a user as a warning signal that he is moving away from the hearing aid 4b. The threshold value W2 is in this case preferably dimensioned such that it corresponds to a relative distance or a distance between the smartphone 30 and the hearing aid 4b, which is lower than the range R2. As a result, the information or warning signal I3 is triggered before the user has moved further away from the lost hearing aid 4b than the range R2.

By evaluating the signal level P2, the smartphone 30 thus effectively acts as a proximity sensor for the hearing aid 4b. In addition, the stored position x together with a through the device 54 by means of the application software 34 preferably at any time retrievable, so that, for example, on the touch screen 32, a numerical value for the relative distance and / or a direction indication to the hearing aid 4b are displayed.

The method 36 realizes reliable and accurate protection against loss for the hearing aids 4a and 4b. In particular, in combination with the application software 34 installed on the smartphone 30, a particularly suitable method for avoiding a loss of hearing aid and for finding a lost hearing aid results.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways, without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

hearing aid

4a, 4b

hearing Aid

6

communication link

8th

communication link

10

device housing

12

Microphone / transducer

14

audio signal

16

Signal processing device

18

output

20

Listener / converter

22

battery

24

motion sensor

26

transceiver

28

transceiver

30

Operating and display device / smartphone

32

Display unit / Touchscreen

34

application software

36

method

38

step

40

thresholding

42, 44

step

46a, 46b

step

48, 50, 52

step

54

Facility

56

thresholding

58

step

R1, R2

Range

S

fall signal

B, B '

notification signal

I1, I2, I3

information signal

P1, P2

signal level

W1, W2

threshold

T

time

x

position

Claims (10)

Method (36) for operating a hearing aid device (2) with two hearing aids (4a, 4b), which are connected by means of a wireless first communication link (6) with a comparatively short range (R1) and by means of a wireless second communication link (8) with a comparatively long range ( R2) are signal-technically coupled, each hearing device (4a, 4b) having an integrated motion sensor (24) for detecting a fall of the respective hearing device (4a, 4b), wherein in each hearing device (4a, 4b) a first signal level (P1) of the first communication link (6) is monitored and compared with a stored first threshold value (W1), wherein a notification signal (B) is sent from a first of the two hearing aids (4b) via the second communication link (8) when the motion sensor (24) detects a fall and the first signal level (P1) reaches the first threshold value (W1) or falls below, and - Wherein upon receiving the notification signal (B), a perceptible first information signal (I1) as Verlierschutz from the second of the two hearing aids (4a) is generated. Method (36) according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the notification signal (B) is sent when the detection of a fall and the reaching or falling below the first threshold (W1) within a predetermined period of time (T). Method (36) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
in that an acoustic notification is generated as the first information signal (I1) by the second hearing device (4a). Method (36) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that a mobile control and display device (30), in particular a smart phone, by means of the second communication link (8) with the hearing devices (4a, 4b) is signally coupled, wherein in the operating and display device (30) stored application software (34) is with which a second information signal (I2) is generated when the operating and display device (30) receives the notification signal (B). Method (36) according to claim 4,
characterized,
in that after receiving the notification signal (B) a second signal level (P2) of the second communication connection (8) is monitored by the application software (34) and compared with a stored second threshold value (W2). Method (36) according to claim 5,
characterized,
that with the application software (34) of the operating and display device (30), a third information signal (I3) is generated when the second signal level (P2) reaches or falls below the second threshold value (W2). Method (36) according to one of claims 4 to 6,
characterized, - That after receiving the notification signal (B) of the first hearing aid (4b) by the operating and display device (30) is checked whether the notification signal (B) from the second hearing aid (4a) has been received, and in that a further notification signal (B, B ') is sent by the operating and display device (30) to the second hearing device (4a) via the second communication link (8) if no acknowledgment of the notification signal (2) is received from the second hearing device (4a). B) is shipped. Method (36) according to one of claims 4 to 7,
characterized,
in that the operating and display device (30) comprises a device (54) for determining a geographical position (x) of the operating and display device (30), wherein after receiving the notification signal (B) the current position (x) by means of the application software (34) is recorded and deposited. Hearing aid device (2) for performing the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, with two hearing aids (4a, 4b), which by means of a wireless first communication link (6) with a relatively short range (R1) and by means of a wireless second communication link (8) with a comparatively long range (R2) are signal-technically coupled, - Wherein each hearing aid (4a, 4b) has an integrated motion sensor (24) for detecting a fall of the respective hearing aid (4a, 4b), and - Wherein the hearing aids (4a, 4b) by means of the second communication connection (8) for signal-technical coupling with a mobile operating and display device (30), in particular a smartphone, are set up. Hearing aid device (2) according to claim 9, wherein the first communication link (6) with a comparatively short range (R1) is an inductive coupling and the second communication link (8) with a comparatively long range (R2) is a radio link.

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