EP3718316B1 - Hearing aid device and method for providing a hearing aid - Google Patents

Hearing aid device and method for providing a hearing aid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3718316B1
EP3718316B1 EP18811530.7A EP18811530A EP3718316B1 EP 3718316 B1 EP3718316 B1 EP 3718316B1 EP 18811530 A EP18811530 A EP 18811530A EP 3718316 B1 EP3718316 B1 EP 3718316B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sound
hearing aid
playback
ambient
aid device
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EP18811530.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3718316A1 (en
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Sina Wohlleben
Christoph Wohlleben
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K/S Himpp
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Individual
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/43—Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/41—Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/07—Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing aid device for application into the human auditory canal and a method for providing a hearing aid.
  • Hearing aid devices are known in the prior art and can be called a hearing apparatus as well. These are usually suitable for application into the human auditory canal and are used to enable hearing or to improve hearing of people with a reduced or strongly impaired hearing ability.
  • EP 2 887 698 A1 discloses a hearing aid and a related method, wherein the hearing aid receives a sound input, stores an audible advertisement, generates a sound signal based on the sound input and the stored audible advertisement, and outputs the generated sound signal.
  • hearing aid devices known from the prior art are disadvantageous for multiple reasons: on the one hand the hearing aid devices according to the prior art are inflexible and cannot adjust themselves to changed wearing conditions, on the other hand they are expensive.
  • a hearing aid device according to claim 1 and a method of providing a hearing aid according to claim 9 are provided.
  • the hearing aid device can also be called a hearing apparatus and is adapted to be inserted at least partially into the human auditory canal when being applied.
  • the hearing aid device according to the invention is preferably a so-called “in-the-canal device”, that is preferably fully inserted into the human auditory canal, so that the hearing aid device, when inserted into the human auditory canal, is not or only hardly visible.
  • the hearing aid device might also be a so-called “behind the ear device", which is only partly inserted into the human auditory canal.
  • the hearing aid device comprises a sound receiving device, that is adapted to receive ambient sound.
  • Ambient sound means in this case the sound(s) that occur in the surrounding of the person or the ear and that also are received by a healthy or unimpaired human ear. These are for example talks, i.e. words spoken by a human, but also music, that plays from a nearby speaker or also noise or warning signals. Ambient sound can also be called primary sound.
  • the sound receiving device usually comprises a microphone, preferably multiple microphones, wherein each microphone is adapted to receive sound from the ambience, for example through a membrane, and to convert this sound into an electrical signal.
  • the sound receiving device is preferably adapted such that it can at least receive sound in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • the hearing aid comprises a sound amplifying device that is adapted to amplify the ambient sound received by the sound receiving device.
  • the sound amplifying device usually consists of one or more amplifiers, preferably digital amplifiers, for example one or more transistor, that are adapted to amplify the electrical signal output by the sound receiving device, preferably at least in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • the hearing aid device also comprises a sound playback device that is adapted to playback the ambient sound amplified by the amplifying device.
  • the sound playback device is also adapted to playback secondary sound originating from a secondary source, different from the ambient sound.
  • the sound playback device is usually adapted as one or more speakers. Further, the sound playback device is preferably adapted to playback sound in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • the secondary sound is sound that is not originating from the ambience of the human ear but is sound that originates from a second source, different to the ambient sound.
  • the secondary source can be, for example, located inside the hearing aid device, for example in form of a memory, in which content to be played back is stored. This content can, for example, contain information relevant for the person wearing the hearing aid device. Particularly preferred is content that comprises advertising, in particular spoken advertising with or without accompanying music, for example in the form of radio jingles or audio advertising spots.
  • the secondary source can preferably provide the content through the sound amplifying device of the sound playback device of the hearing aid device, for example in analog or digital form.
  • the secondary sound and the ambient sound are for example mixed by an audio mixer, with or without microprocessor support, before or after amplifying, and provided to the sound playback device as one single signal.
  • the hearing aid device further comprises a detecting device that is adapted to detect the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound.
  • the detecting device is preferably adapted as a microprocessor with an integrated time function or at least a clock, according to which a time duration or time period can be obtained.
  • the detected or obtained time duration or time period can preferably be stored in a temporary storage, which is integrated into the detecting device or is separate therefrom.
  • the wearer of the hearing aid device can be particularly well provided with advertising. Thereby, attractive options are provided in particular for the person wearing the hearing aid device.
  • the manufacturer or distributor of the hearing aid device can sell the device for a cheaper price, as the manufacturer or distributor may receive a fixed sum from an advertising company in advance. Alternatively, or additionally it is also possible that the person wearing the hearing aid device may be reimbursed from one or more advertising companies.
  • the hearing aid device may be further improved by comprising a sending device adapted to provide the time duration detected by the detecting device to an evaluating unit.
  • the sending device is preferably adapted as a wireless sending device and complies with one or more Standards out of the group of Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, EDGE, 3G, LTE, 4G and 5G. All other alternative wireless sending devices and sending standards are equally suitable.
  • the sending device either receives the detected time duration directly from the detecting device or from the optional temporary memory of the detecting device and provides this time duration to the evaluating unit.
  • the evaluating unit is preferably not located within the hearing aid device but decentralized.
  • the evaluating unit can, for example, be adapted as a server, that receives sent data directly from the hearing aid device or through a third device, for example a smart phone, that temporary stores the time duration or directly forwards it.
  • the evaluating unit can alternatively or additionally be adapted as an app on a smart phone itself. Depending from the results from the evaluating unit, a higher or lower reimbursement can be paid to the person wearing the hearing aid device.
  • This improvement has the advantage that the time duration of the played-back secondary sound can be particularly well evaluated and thus the compensation options can be calculated attractively and/or precisely.
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved in that the detecting device is further adapted to detect the time of playback of the secondary sound and to provide this time to an evaluating unit through the sending device.
  • the time can be, for example, a time of the day, for example a start and/or end time of the playback of the secondary sound but can be also of a rougher division, for example in the morning, around noon, in the evening, at night.
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved by further comprising a receiving device adapted to receive digital audio signal data, convert the digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal and provide it to the sound playback device, preferably through the sound amplifying device, for playback as secondary sound.
  • the secondary sound cannot only comprise information relevant for the user but alternatively or additionally can also comprise navigation commands.
  • the receiving device can either be adapted as a stand-alone receiving module independent of the sending device or can be an integrated sending and receiving device .
  • the receiving device preferably supports one or more of the Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, EDGE, 3G, LTE, 4G or 5G standards.
  • the digital audio signal data can also be provided from a decentralized location, for example from a server, preferably from the same server the evaluating unit is located on.
  • the digital audio signal data are typically stored by the receiving device in a memory that may be shared with the optional memory of the detecting device or may be different therefrom, i.e. independent.
  • After receiving and storing the digital audio signal data are converted by a digital-to-analog converter into an analog audio signal and provided to the sound playback device.
  • the secondary sound can either be provided exclusively decentralized, i.e. from a remote location, through the receiving device to the hearing aid device or be provided in addition to a secondary sound being stored in an internal memory.
  • the digital audio signal data or the contents of the digital audio signal data are adjusted to the times and/or time durations evaluated by the evaluating unit.
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved in that the receiving device is further adapted to receive control signals from an evaluating unit.
  • the evaluating unit can be the same evaluating unit as described above or a second evaluating unit different from the first evaluating unit, which is also preferably located decentralized from the hearing aid device.
  • the control signals comprise in particular start and end times as well as time duration of the playback of the secondary sound.
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved in that it is further adapted to adjust the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  • this improvement it is in particular possible to playback more relevant contents and/or at times and/or time durations more suitable for the person wearing the hearing aid device. Further it is possible through this improvement to reward the person wearing the hearing aid device due to his hearing behavior. Thereby, for example, it is possible that an improved playback quality of the ambient sound is provided to the person that has been provided with a certain time duration of secondary sound, for example advertising, and thus to provide a better hearing experience.
  • the hearing aid device further comprises an ambient sensor adapted to detect an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  • the ambient sensor may comprise one or more single discrete or integrated sensors that are adapted to detect one or more ambient parameters.
  • the position of the hearing aid device can, for example, be detected through a location sensor and can thereby detect if the person wearing the hearing aid device is located in a generally horizontal or vertical position, for example if the person is lying down or is standing/sitting.
  • the position can be detected through a GPS sensor and thereby detect, if the person wearing the hearing aid is currently at home, in a city or in the countryside.
  • the daytime can, for example, be detected through an integrated clock. Alternatively, or additionally the daytime can be detected though a brightness sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect if the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently awake or sleeping.
  • the orientation of the hearing aid device can, for example, also be detected through a location sensor, an (optical) touch sensor or a near field sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect, whether or not the person is currently wearing the hearing aid device in or at his ear.
  • Acceleration can, for example, be detected through an acceleration sensor or a GPS sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect, whether the person is currently moving or resting. Movement can preferably be further differentiated into movement types, as for example walking, running, sitting in a transportation means, etc.
  • the ambient sound level can for example be detected by a sound receiving device, either the one described above or a separate sound receiving device. Thereby, it is possible to detect whether the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently in a quiet or a noisy environment or whether he is currently involved in a conversation or follows a performance as in a cinema or theater.
  • the hearing aid device is adapted to provide the detected ambient parameter to the evaluating unit, further preferably through the sending device of the hearing aid device.
  • this embodiment it is particularly possible to pause the playback of secondary sound, for example of advertisements, for example, when the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently resting/sleeping, follows a conversation or a performance, where a playback of secondary sound would be distracting, or if he is not wearing the hearing aid device at all, wherein the advertisement would miss the mark.
  • secondary sound for example of advertisements
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved in that the sound playback device is further adapted to playback tertiary sound originating from a tertiary source different from the ambient sound and the secondary source.
  • Tertiary sound is neither ambient sound nor secondary sound originating from the secondary source but sound that originates from a further, third source.
  • This can, for example, be a television that is turned down or is muted for the environment.
  • tertiary sound is sound that is transferred to the hearing aid device through coupling the hearing aid device with a so-called audio induction loop. Therefore, the hearing aid device preferably comprises an induction receiving device, which is also named a telecoil.
  • the tertiary source may also receive data or contents through a receiving device - either the one as described above or a dedicated one - for example, through one or more of the above-listed standards, and then provide it to the playback device of the hearing aid device for playback.
  • Tertiary sound may then be, for example, audio playback from an external device, for example from a home stereo, a television or a smart phone.
  • the person wearing the hearing aid device can hear further contents that are not audible for the environment.
  • the hearing aid device can be further improved in that the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on tertiary sound being played back.
  • This improvement intends that - should the person wearing the hearing aid device currently receive or listen to tertiary sound - no secondary sound, as for example advertisements, are played back to not impair the hearing experience of the person wearing the hearing aid device.
  • the sound receiving device, the sound amplifying device, the sound playback device, the detecting device, the sending device, the receiving device and/or the ambient sensor can be setup as individual, discrete components.
  • individual adaptions, components or devices can be setup as program code or software.
  • the hearing aid device further typically comprises a power source, for example a battery or an accumulator, to provide the required power for operation to the hearing aid device.
  • a power source for example a battery or an accumulator
  • one or more components of the hearing aid device are joint together into a form suitable and comfortable for the human ear and are partly or fully manufactured in a material comfortable to the hearing canal of the human ear.
  • the hearing aid device is adapted to be coupled or is coupleable with a smart phone or another smart device, as a smart watch and alternatively or additionally with a desktop or laptop computer or a tablet, for example through a wireless or wired connection.
  • the hearing aid device is further adapted to be controlled and/or configured through a program or an app on the external device with which the hearing aid device is coupleable or coupled.
  • the contents of the secondary sound for example the advertisement, can be preferably personalized through the program or app installed on the external device.
  • the person wearing the hearing aid device can control and adjust the volume of the ambient sound, the secondary sound and the tertiary sound through the external device.
  • the volume of the secondary sound cannot be adjusted to a volume lower than the ambient sound and/or the tertiary sound.
  • these settings as contents, times and time durations are provided - through the sending device integrated into the hearing aid device, alternatively or additionally through the program or the app on the external device - to the evaluating unit. This results in particularly good evaluation options and thereby (re-)imbursement options for the supplier of the hearing aid device.
  • a method of operating a hearing aid comprising the steps of providing a hearing aid device, preferably a hearing aid device according to the invention, into a human auditory canal, receiving ambient sound through a sound receiving device, amplifying the ambient sound received by the sound receiving device through a sound amplifying device, playing back the ambient sound amplified by the sound amplifying device through a sound playback device, playing back secondary sound originating from a secondary source different from the ambient sound through the playback device and detecting the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound through a detection device.
  • the method can be further improved by the step of providing the time duration detected by the detection device to an evaluating unit through a sending device.
  • the method can be further improved by the steps of detecting the time of the playback of the secondary sound through the detection device and providing the detected time to an evaluating unit through the sending device.
  • the method can be further improved by the steps of receiving digital audio signal data through a receiving device, converting digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal, providing the analog audio signal as secondary sound for playback to the playback device and playing back the analog audio signal as secondary sound through the playback device.
  • the method can be further improved by the step of adjusting the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  • the method can be further improved by the steps of detecting an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device through an ambient sensor, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and playing back or not playing back the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  • the method can be further improved by the step of playing back tertiary sound originating from a further tertiary source different from the ambient sound and the secondary source through the playback device, wherein the secondary sound is played back or not played back depending on the tertiary sound being played back.
  • Fig. 1 shows a hearing aid device 1 that is inserted into the auditory canal 1001 of a human ear 1000.
  • the hearing aid device 1 is therein adapted to receive ambient sound 10 through a sound receiving device, to amplify the received ambient sound 10 through a sound amplifying device and to playback the amplified ambient sound 10 to a person wearing the hearing aid device 1 through a sound playback device.
  • the sound playback device is adapted to playback secondary sound originating from a secondary source 21 different from the ambient sound 10.
  • the hearing aid device 1 comprises a detecting device adapted to detect the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound.
  • the secondary source is in this case a decentralized server that provides digital audio signal data to the hearing aid device 1 through a wireless connection, for example through a WiFi connection.
  • the decentralized server also comprises an evaluating unit.
  • the hearing aid device receives the digital audio signal data on a receiving device and converts them into an analog audio signal, to provides it to the sound playback device as a secondary sound.
  • the hearing device 1 provides the detected time duration as well as the time of playback of the secondary sound to the evaluating unit on the server, preferably through the same wireless connection.
  • the decentralized server provides control signals to the hearing aid device 1 from the evaluating unit configured on the server, which are in turn received from the receiving device of the hearing aid device. Based on these control signals, the detected time duration and/or the detected time, the hearing aid device adjusts the type, time duration and/or contents of the secondary sound.
  • the hearing aid device 1 comprises an ambient sensor adapted to detect an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  • the ambient parameters are also provided to the evaluating unit on the decentralized server.
  • the control signals sent to the hearing aid device 1 are furthermore based on the evaluation of the ambient parameter(s) detected by the ambient sensor.
  • the sound playback device is adapted to play back tertiary sound originating from a further tertiary source 31, different from the ambient sound 10 and the secondary source 21, wherein the secondary sound is played back or not played back depending on playback of the tertiary sound.
  • the hearing aid device 1 is adapted, to receive personalization information from a smart device 50 at the receiving device and to adjust playback of the secondary sound to the received personalization information.
  • the smart device 50 is further adapted to exchange data with the decentralized server.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Description

  • The invention relates to a hearing aid device for application into the human auditory canal and a method for providing a hearing aid.
  • Hearing aid devices are known in the prior art and can be called a hearing apparatus as well. These are usually suitable for application into the human auditory canal and are used to enable hearing or to improve hearing of people with a reduced or strongly impaired hearing ability.
  • EP 2 887 698 A1 discloses a hearing aid and a related method, wherein the hearing aid receives a sound input, stores an audible advertisement, generates a sound signal based on the sound input and the stored audible advertisement, and outputs the generated sound signal.
  • These hearing aid devices known from the prior art are disadvantageous for multiple reasons: on the one hand the hearing aid devices according to the prior art are inflexible and cannot adjust themselves to changed wearing conditions, on the other hand they are expensive.
  • It is therefore an object to provide an improved hearing aid device and an improved method for providing a hearing aid, that reduces or removes the above-mentioned disadvantages. According to a first aspect of the invention, a hearing aid device according to claim 1 and a method of providing a hearing aid according to claim 9 are provided.
  • The hearing aid device can also be called a hearing apparatus and is adapted to be inserted at least partially into the human auditory canal when being applied. The hearing aid device according to the invention is preferably a so-called "in-the-canal device", that is preferably fully inserted into the human auditory canal, so that the hearing aid device, when inserted into the human auditory canal, is not or only hardly visible. Alternatively, the hearing aid device might also be a so-called "behind the ear device", which is only partly inserted into the human auditory canal.
  • The hearing aid device comprises a sound receiving device, that is adapted to receive ambient sound. Ambient sound means in this case the sound(s) that occur in the surrounding of the person or the ear and that also are received by a healthy or unimpaired human ear. These are for example talks, i.e. words spoken by a human, but also music, that plays from a nearby speaker or also noise or warning signals. Ambient sound can also be called primary sound. The sound receiving device usually comprises a microphone, preferably multiple microphones, wherein each microphone is adapted to receive sound from the ambience, for example through a membrane, and to convert this sound into an electrical signal. Therein, the sound receiving device is preferably adapted such that it can at least receive sound in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • Further, the hearing aid comprises a sound amplifying device that is adapted to amplify the ambient sound received by the sound receiving device. The sound amplifying device usually consists of one or more amplifiers, preferably digital amplifiers, for example one or more transistor, that are adapted to amplify the electrical signal output by the sound receiving device, preferably at least in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • The hearing aid device also comprises a sound playback device that is adapted to playback the ambient sound amplified by the amplifying device. The sound playback device is also adapted to playback secondary sound originating from a secondary source, different from the ambient sound. The sound playback device is usually adapted as one or more speakers. Further, the sound playback device is preferably adapted to playback sound in a frequency spectrum that is similar to or the same as the hearing spectrum of the human hearing.
  • The secondary sound is sound that is not originating from the ambience of the human ear but is sound that originates from a second source, different to the ambient sound. The secondary source can be, for example, located inside the hearing aid device, for example in form of a memory, in which content to be played back is stored. This content can, for example, contain information relevant for the person wearing the hearing aid device. Particularly preferred is content that comprises advertising, in particular spoken advertising with or without accompanying music, for example in the form of radio jingles or audio advertising spots. The secondary source can preferably provide the content through the sound amplifying device of the sound playback device of the hearing aid device, for example in analog or digital form. The secondary sound and the ambient sound are for example mixed by an audio mixer, with or without microprocessor support, before or after amplifying, and provided to the sound playback device as one single signal.
  • The hearing aid device further comprises a detecting device that is adapted to detect the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound. The detecting device is preferably adapted as a microprocessor with an integrated time function or at least a clock, according to which a time duration or time period can be obtained. The detected or obtained time duration or time period can preferably be stored in a temporary storage, which is integrated into the detecting device or is separate therefrom.
  • Through the combination of playback of secondary sound and detection of the time duration of the secondary sound, the wearer of the hearing aid device can be particularly well provided with advertising. Thereby, attractive options are provided in particular for the person wearing the hearing aid device. By playing advertisements, the manufacturer or distributor of the hearing aid device can sell the device for a cheaper price, as the manufacturer or distributor may receive a fixed sum from an advertising company in advance. Alternatively, or additionally it is also possible that the person wearing the hearing aid device may be reimbursed from one or more advertising companies.
  • The hearing aid device may be further improved by comprising a sending device adapted to provide the time duration detected by the detecting device to an evaluating unit. The sending device is preferably adapted as a wireless sending device and complies with one or more Standards out of the group of Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, EDGE, 3G, LTE, 4G and 5G. All other alternative wireless sending devices and sending standards are equally suitable. The sending device either receives the detected time duration directly from the detecting device or from the optional temporary memory of the detecting device and provides this time duration to the evaluating unit.
  • The evaluating unit is preferably not located within the hearing aid device but decentralized. The evaluating unit can, for example, be adapted as a server, that receives sent data directly from the hearing aid device or through a third device, for example a smart phone, that temporary stores the time duration or directly forwards it. The evaluating unit can alternatively or additionally be adapted as an app on a smart phone itself. Depending from the results from the evaluating unit, a higher or lower reimbursement can be paid to the person wearing the hearing aid device.
  • This improvement has the advantage that the time duration of the played-back secondary sound can be particularly well evaluated and thus the compensation options can be calculated attractively and/or precisely.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved in that the detecting device is further adapted to detect the time of playback of the secondary sound and to provide this time to an evaluating unit through the sending device. The time can be, for example, a time of the day, for example a start and/or end time of the playback of the secondary sound but can be also of a rougher division, for example in the morning, around noon, in the evening, at night.
  • Thereby, it is particularly well possible to evaluate the times at which secondary sound is played back and therefrom detect a user behavior of the person wearing the hearing aid.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved by further comprising a receiving device adapted to receive digital audio signal data, convert the digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal and provide it to the sound playback device, preferably through the sound amplifying device, for playback as secondary sound. In this case, the secondary sound cannot only comprise information relevant for the user but alternatively or additionally can also comprise navigation commands. The receiving device can either be adapted as a stand-alone receiving module independent of the sending device or can be an integrated sending and receiving device . Analogously to the sending device, the receiving device preferably supports one or more of the Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, EDGE, 3G, LTE, 4G or 5G standards. The digital audio signal data can also be provided from a decentralized location, for example from a server, preferably from the same server the evaluating unit is located on.
  • The digital audio signal data are typically stored by the receiving device in a memory that may be shared with the optional memory of the detecting device or may be different therefrom, i.e. independent. After receiving and storing the digital audio signal data are converted by a digital-to-analog converter into an analog audio signal and provided to the sound playback device. The secondary sound can either be provided exclusively decentralized, i.e. from a remote location, through the receiving device to the hearing aid device or be provided in addition to a secondary sound being stored in an internal memory. Preferably, the digital audio signal data or the contents of the digital audio signal data are adjusted to the times and/or time durations evaluated by the evaluating unit.
  • Thereby it is possible to provide new and/or alternative, suitable contents of secondary sound to the people wearing the hearing aid device.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved in that the receiving device is further adapted to receive control signals from an evaluating unit. Thereby, the evaluating unit can be the same evaluating unit as described above or a second evaluating unit different from the first evaluating unit, which is also preferably located decentralized from the hearing aid device.
  • The control signals comprise in particular start and end times as well as time duration of the playback of the secondary sound. Thereby it is possible, through a preferably decentralized evaluating unit, to provide control signals to the hearing aid device based on the processed evaluations, and thereby to directly influence the hearing aid device.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved in that it is further adapted to adjust the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  • Through this improvement it is in particular possible to playback more relevant contents and/or at times and/or time durations more suitable for the person wearing the hearing aid device. Further it is possible through this improvement to reward the person wearing the hearing aid device due to his hearing behavior. Thereby, for example, it is possible that an improved playback quality of the ambient sound is provided to the person that has been provided with a certain time duration of secondary sound, for example advertising, and thus to provide a better hearing experience.
  • The hearing aid device further comprises an ambient sensor adapted to detect an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters. The ambient sensor may comprise one or more single discrete or integrated sensors that are adapted to detect one or more ambient parameters.
  • The position of the hearing aid device can, for example, be detected through a location sensor and can thereby detect if the person wearing the hearing aid device is located in a generally horizontal or vertical position, for example if the person is lying down or is standing/sitting. Alternatively, or additionally the position can be detected through a GPS sensor and thereby detect, if the person wearing the hearing aid is currently at home, in a city or in the countryside.
  • The daytime can, for example, be detected through an integrated clock. Alternatively, or additionally the daytime can be detected though a brightness sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect if the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently awake or sleeping.
  • The orientation of the hearing aid device can, for example, also be detected through a location sensor, an (optical) touch sensor or a near field sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect, whether or not the person is currently wearing the hearing aid device in or at his ear.
  • Acceleration can, for example, be detected through an acceleration sensor or a GPS sensor. Thereby it is possible to detect, whether the person is currently moving or resting. Movement can preferably be further differentiated into movement types, as for example walking, running, sitting in a transportation means, etc.
  • The ambient sound level can for example be detected by a sound receiving device, either the one described above or a separate sound receiving device. Thereby, it is possible to detect whether the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently in a quiet or a noisy environment or whether he is currently involved in a conversation or follows a performance as in a cinema or theater.
  • Preferably the hearing aid device is adapted to provide the detected ambient parameter to the evaluating unit, further preferably through the sending device of the hearing aid device.
  • Through this embodiment it is particularly possible to pause the playback of secondary sound, for example of advertisements, for example, when the person wearing the hearing aid device is currently resting/sleeping, follows a conversation or a performance, where a playback of secondary sound would be distracting, or if he is not wearing the hearing aid device at all, wherein the advertisement would miss the mark. On the other hand, it is thereby possible to start playback of secondary sound when the person is alone at home or exercising sports, in particular running sports, where he is not bothered by the playback of the secondary sound.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved in that the sound playback device is further adapted to playback tertiary sound originating from a tertiary source different from the ambient sound and the secondary source. Tertiary sound is neither ambient sound nor secondary sound originating from the secondary source but sound that originates from a further, third source. This can, for example, be a television that is turned down or is muted for the environment. For example, tertiary sound is sound that is transferred to the hearing aid device through coupling the hearing aid device with a so-called audio induction loop. Therefore, the hearing aid device preferably comprises an induction receiving device, which is also named a telecoil. Alternatively, or additionally the tertiary source may also receive data or contents through a receiving device - either the one as described above or a dedicated one - for example, through one or more of the above-listed standards, and then provide it to the playback device of the hearing aid device for playback. Tertiary sound may then be, for example, audio playback from an external device, for example from a home stereo, a television or a smart phone.
  • Through this improvement it is in particular possible that the person wearing the hearing aid device can hear further contents that are not audible for the environment.
  • The hearing aid device can be further improved in that the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on tertiary sound being played back. This improvement intends that - should the person wearing the hearing aid device currently receive or listen to tertiary sound - no secondary sound, as for example advertisements, are played back to not impair the hearing experience of the person wearing the hearing aid device.
  • The sound receiving device, the sound amplifying device, the sound playback device, the detecting device, the sending device, the receiving device and/or the ambient sensor can be setup as individual, discrete components. On the other hand, individual adaptions, components or devices can be setup as program code or software.
  • The hearing aid device further typically comprises a power source, for example a battery or an accumulator, to provide the required power for operation to the hearing aid device. Preferably one or more components of the hearing aid device are joint together into a form suitable and comfortable for the human ear and are partly or fully manufactured in a material comfortable to the hearing canal of the human ear.
  • Preferably the hearing aid device is adapted to be coupled or is coupleable with a smart phone or another smart device, as a smart watch and alternatively or additionally with a desktop or laptop computer or a tablet, for example through a wireless or wired connection. Preferably the hearing aid device is further adapted to be controlled and/or configured through a program or an app on the external device with which the hearing aid device is coupleable or coupled. In an exemplary embodiment the contents of the secondary sound, for example the advertisement, can be preferably personalized through the program or app installed on the external device. Alternatively, or additionally it is possible to control the playback of the secondary sound through the program or app, in particular the time and time duration of playback, for example every workday at 6:00 pm or only on weekends, etc. Thereby it is possible for the person wearing the hearing aid device to adjust the contents to his needs. Further preferably, the person wearing the hearing device can control and adjust the volume of the ambient sound, the secondary sound and the tertiary sound through the external device. Particularly preferred is an embodiment wherein the volume of the secondary sound cannot be adjusted to a volume lower than the ambient sound and/or the tertiary sound. Further preferred these settings as contents, times and time durations are provided - through the sending device integrated into the hearing aid device, alternatively or additionally through the program or the app on the external device - to the evaluating unit. This results in particularly good evaluation options and thereby (re-)imbursement options for the supplier of the hearing aid device.
  • According to the invention, a method of operating a hearing aid is provided, comprising the steps of providing a hearing aid device, preferably a hearing aid device according to the invention, into a human auditory canal, receiving ambient sound through a sound receiving device, amplifying the ambient sound received by the sound receiving device through a sound amplifying device, playing back the ambient sound amplified by the sound amplifying device through a sound playback device, playing back secondary sound originating from a secondary source different from the ambient sound through the playback device and detecting the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound through a detection device.
  • The method can be further improved by the step of providing the time duration detected by the detection device to an evaluating unit through a sending device.
  • The method can be further improved by the steps of detecting the time of the playback of the secondary sound through the detection device and providing the detected time to an evaluating unit through the sending device.
  • The method can be further improved by the steps of receiving digital audio signal data through a receiving device, converting digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal, providing the analog audio signal as secondary sound for playback to the playback device and playing back the analog audio signal as secondary sound through the playback device.
  • The method can be further improved by the step of adjusting the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  • The method can be further improved by the steps of detecting an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device through an ambient sensor, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and playing back or not playing back the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  • The method can be further improved by the step of playing back tertiary sound originating from a further tertiary source different from the ambient sound and the secondary source through the playback device, wherein the secondary sound is played back or not played back depending on the tertiary sound being played back.
  • As to the advantages, preferred embodiments and details of the methods, reference is made to the corresponding aspects and embodiments described above with regard to the hearing aid device.
  • The hearing aid device and the method according to the invention is now described with reference to the attached Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 1 shows a hearing aid device 1 that is inserted into the auditory canal 1001 of a human ear 1000. The hearing aid device 1 is therein adapted to receive ambient sound 10 through a sound receiving device, to amplify the received ambient sound 10 through a sound amplifying device and to playback the amplified ambient sound 10 to a person wearing the hearing aid device 1 through a sound playback device. Further the sound playback device is adapted to playback secondary sound originating from a secondary source 21 different from the ambient sound 10. Further, the hearing aid device 1 comprises a detecting device adapted to detect the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound.
  • The secondary source is in this case a decentralized server that provides digital audio signal data to the hearing aid device 1 through a wireless connection, for example through a WiFi connection. The decentralized server also comprises an evaluating unit. The hearing aid device receives the digital audio signal data on a receiving device and converts them into an analog audio signal, to provides it to the sound playback device as a secondary sound. In turn, the hearing device 1 provides the detected time duration as well as the time of playback of the secondary sound to the evaluating unit on the server, preferably through the same wireless connection.
  • Furthermore, the decentralized server provides control signals to the hearing aid device 1 from the evaluating unit configured on the server, which are in turn received from the receiving device of the hearing aid device. Based on these control signals, the detected time duration and/or the detected time, the hearing aid device adjusts the type, time duration and/or contents of the secondary sound.
  • Further the hearing aid device 1 comprises an ambient sensor adapted to detect an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters. These ambient parameters are also provided to the evaluating unit on the decentralized server. The control signals sent to the hearing aid device 1 are furthermore based on the evaluation of the ambient parameter(s) detected by the ambient sensor.
  • Further, the sound playback device is adapted to play back tertiary sound originating from a further tertiary source 31, different from the ambient sound 10 and the secondary source 21, wherein the secondary sound is played back or not played back depending on playback of the tertiary sound.
  • Furthermore, the hearing aid device 1 is adapted, to receive personalization information from a smart device 50 at the receiving device and to adjust playback of the secondary sound to the received personalization information. The smart device 50 is further adapted to exchange data with the decentralized server.

Claims (15)

  1. Hearing aid device (1) for application into the human auditory canal (1001), comprising:
    - a sound receiving device adapted to receive ambient sound (10);
    - a sound amplifying device adapted to amplify the ambient sound received by the sound receiving device;
    - a sound playback device adapted to playback the ambient sound amplified by the sound amplifying device;
    - wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback secondary sound originating from a secondary source (21) different from the ambient sound;
    - a detecting device adapted to detect the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound; and
    - an ambient sensor adapted to detect an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein detecting the ambient parameter comprises detecting whether or not a person is currently wearing the hearing aid device;
    - wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on whether or not a person is currently wearing the hearing aid device.
  2. Hearing aid device according to claim 1, further comprising a sending device adapted to provide the time duration detected by the detecting device to an evaluating unit.
  3. Hearing aid device according to claim 2, wherein the detecting device is further adapted to detect the time of playback of the secondary sound and to provide this time to an evaluating unit through the sending device.
  4. Hearing aid device according to one of the previous claims, further comprising a receiving device adapted to receive digital audio signal data, convert the digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal and provide it to the sound playback device for playback as secondary sound.
  5. Hearing aid device according to claim 4, wherein the receiving device is further adapted to receive control signals from an evaluating unit.
  6. Hearing aid device according to claim 5, wherein the hearing aid device is further adapted to adjust the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  7. Hearing aid device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid and wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback or not playback the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  8. Hearing aid device according to one of the previous claims, wherein the sound playback device is further adapted to playback tertiary sound originating from a tertiary source (31) different from the ambient sound and the secondary source.
  9. Method for providing a hearing aid, comprising the steps:
    - providing a hearing aid device into a human auditory canal;
    - receiving ambient sound;
    - amplifying the ambient sound;
    - playing back the ambient sound;
    - playing back secondary sound originating from a secondary source different from the ambient sound;
    - detecting the time duration of the playback of the secondary sound
    - detecting an ambient parameter of the hearing aid device, wherein detecting the ambient parameter comprises detecting whether or not a person is currently wearing the hearing aid device; and
    - playing back or not playing back the secondary sound depending on whether or not a person is currently wearing the hearing aid device.
  10. Method according to previous claim 9, further comprising the step:
    - providing the time duration to an evaluating unit.
  11. Method according to one of the previous claims 9 or 10, further comprising the steps:
    - detecting the time of the playback of the secondary sound; and
    - providing the detected time to an evaluating unit.
  12. Method according to one of the previous claims 9 to 11, further comprising the steps:
    - receiving digital audio signal data;
    - converting digital audio signal data into an analog audio signal; and
    - playing back the analog audio signal as secondary sound.
  13. Method according to one of the previous claims 9 to 12, further comprising the step:
    - adjusting the type, time duration, quality and/or contents of the secondary sound and/or the quality of the ambient sound depending on the detected time duration, the detected time and/or control signals received from an evaluating unit.
  14. Method according to one of the previous claims 9 to 13, wherein the ambient parameter comprises the position, the daytime, the orientation and/or the ambient sound level of the hearing aid; and the method further comprises the step:
    - playing back or not playing back the secondary sound depending on one or more of the detected ambient parameters.
  15. Method according to one of the previous claims 9 to 14, further comprising the step:
    - playing back tertiary sound originating from a tertiary source different from the ambient sound and the secondary source, wherein the secondary sound is played back or not played back depending on the tertiary sound being played back.
EP18811530.7A 2017-12-01 2018-11-29 Hearing aid device and method for providing a hearing aid Active EP3718316B1 (en)

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DE202017107329.7U DE202017107329U1 (en) 2017-12-01 2017-12-01 hearing assistance
PCT/EP2018/082968 WO2019106074A1 (en) 2017-12-01 2018-11-29 Hearing aid device and method for providing a hearing aid

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