EP4070569A1

EP4070569A1 - Method for operating a hearing aid

Info

Publication number: EP4070569A1
Application number: EP20701304.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jana Thiemt; Stefan Petrausch
Original assignee: Sivantos Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Sivantos Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2020-01-17
Publication date: 2022-10-12
Also published as: WO2021144033A1; CN115104325A; US20220353602A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing aid (2), wherein at least one sensor signal (32) is generated by at least one sensor (30) of the hearing aid (2) or at least one sensor (30) of an auxiliary apparatus (3) that can be associated with the hearing aid (2), at least one first piece of weather information (34) being provided by means of a communications unit (4), a usage state of the hearing aid (2) and/or an operating environment of the hearing aid (2) being estimated on the basis of the first piece of weather information (34) and on the basis of the sensor signal (30), and wherein at least one operating parameter of the hearing aid is adjusted on the basis of the estimated usage state or the estimated operating environment.

Description

description

Method for operating a hearing aid device

The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing aid device, at least one sensor signal being generated by at least one sensor of the hearing aid device, with the first sensor signal being used to estimate a state of use of the hearing aid device and / or an operating environment of the hearing aid device. the estimated operating environment is set at least one operating parameter of the Hörhilfege advises.

A hearing aid is usually used to treat a hearing impairment. At least one electro-acoustic input transducer of the hearing aid, for example a microphone, converts a sound signal from the environment into an electrical audio signal, which is processed as a function of the hearing impairment and, in particular, is amplified as a function of the frequency band. By means of the user-specific signal processing that takes place in this way, an output signal is generated which is generated by an electro-acoustic output transducer of the hearing aid, for example by a loudspeaker or also a bone conduction device, and a corresponding sound signal is supplied to the hearing of the user. The signal processing of the audio signal takes place here not only as a function of the individual requirements, as they result from the hearing impairment of the hearing aid user, but preferably also as a function of a typical hearing situation in the environment and possibly as a function of other situation-specific parameters.

In this context, a hearing situation describes in particular a multitude of acoustic environments for which, on the basis of the use- signal sources are assumed to be advantageous for the user as a result of empirical values similar or comparable parameters of the signal processing, and which differ from another hearing situation accordingly by easy-to-classify features, which in turn have effects on the advantageous signal processing.

A specific listening situation is usually recognized directly on the basis of the audio signal itself. However, this can be inadequate for some listening situations. For example, the change from a closed room, in which reverberation effects occur in particular, to the open air, where potentially other interfering noises such as traffic noise can occur, may not be sufficiently reliable to detect from the audio signal. The two situations mentioned, however, preferably require different processing of the audio signal (suppression of reverberation versus noise suppression while preserving the spatial impression).

Depending on the listening situation, noise suppression should preferably also be able to falsify a spatial hearing impression as little as possible and, in case of doubt, prioritize this over noise suppression (such as in road traffic). Preservation of the spatial impression can also be prioritized depending on a usage situation of the hearing aid, for example during sports, where it is often desirable to be able to perceive sound signals from many directions as far as possible. For such requirements, recognition of the hearing situation from the audio signal alone often does not provide satisfactory results.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for a hearing aid device which can detect an environmental situation and / or a state of use of the hearing aid device as simply and reliably as possible.

The stated object is achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a hearing aid device, with at least one sensor of the hearing aid device Rätes and / or at least one sensor of an auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid device, at least one sensor signal is generated, with at least one first weather information being provided by means of a communication unit, with a state of use of the hearing aid device and / or operation based on the first weather information and the sensor signal Environment of the hearing aid device are estimated, and at least one operating parameter of the hearing aid device is set on the basis of the estimated state of use or the estimated operating environment. Advantageous and in part inventive embodiments are the subject matter of the subclaims and the following description.

In the present case, a hearing aid device includes, in particular, a hearing device which is provided and set up to treat a hearing impairment. A hearing aid device also includes such a hearing aid that can be used by a person with normal hearing, for example a headset or, in particular, smart headphones. The communication unit is provided and set up in particular for a connection to the Internet and is preferably in the immediate vicinity of the hearing aid device for carrying out the method, for example also on the body of a wearer of the hearing aid device or, for example, at his workplace within his reach. The communication unit is implemented here in particular through corresponding functions and / or applications on a mobile phone (preferably a smartphone), a tablet PC or a smart watch.

The communication unit is preferably configured and set up for user input, via which the wearer of the hearing aid can control additional functions of the communication unit and, in particular, select specific weather information from a plurality of provided weather information and, if necessary, highlight it for the further progress of the method or otherwise can mark. The communication unit is preferably set up for a connection with the hearing aid device, for example via Bluetooth or via near field communication (NFC). A sensor of the hearing aid device includes, in particular, any measuring device arranged in or on the hearing aid device, which is set up to register a physical variable in the vicinity of the hearing aid device by means of a suitable measurement and map it accordingly to an electrical sensor signal generated in this way.

An auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid device includes, in particular, a device which can be connected to the hearing aid device in terms of data technology and preferably wirelessly (e.g. via Bluetooth or similar protocols), and which can be carried by the wearer of the hearing aid device and preferably worn on the body, So, for example, a mobile phone (especially a smartphone) or a smart watch. Accordingly, a sensor of the auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid device comprises a measuring device arranged in or on the auxiliary device for registering a physical variable in the vicinity of the auxiliary device and preferably in the vicinity of the hearing aid device. In the event that the sensor signal is provided by at least one sensor of the auxiliary device, the communication unit is preferably also implemented on the auxiliary device. For example, one or more sensors of a smartphone and its communication functions can be used for the method.

In particular, a temperature sensor is included as the sensor, the sensor signal being a temperature signal. Furthermore, an electro-acoustic input transducer, such as a microphone, or an arrangement of several such input transducers (for example for the purpose of directional microphone), which is directed to generate an electrical audio signal from ambient sound, is also included under the sensor of the hearing aid device is. In this case, the corresponding audio signal is generated or output as the sensor signal.

Weather information is in particular information with regard to a current weather condition, preferably with regard to the current location of the hearing aid fgerätes, which may contain an indication of an outside temperature and / or a wind speed and / or a current amount or amount of precipitation and / or an air humidity and / or an air pressure. The first weather information preferably includes at least one approximate indication of an outside temperature and / or a wind speed.

The first weather information is preferably provided by connecting the communication unit to a system set up to provide the first weather information, for example a cloud server of a public or private weather service or other information service that provides weather information as part of its service . The first weather information can in particular be called up in each case by establishing a connection between the communication unit and the corresponding system at a desired point in time, or based on a weather forecast for a given point in time that has been called up in advance by the said system. The latter procedure is particularly advantageous if a connection between the communication unit and the system in question cannot be established reliably enough over a longer period of time, for example several hours, so that the first weather information for a specific point in time is obtained using the information previously obtained with regard to this point in time Weather forecast or forecast can take place.

An operating environment of the hearing aid device includes, in particular, a closed space and a free outside space (that is to say, operation outdoors). The operating environment can in particular include a further, finer subdivision of the two cases mentioned. Such a finer division can in particular include a means of transport such as a car or a bus or the like as the operating environment, as well as, in the case of a closed room, a graduated estimate of the size of the room (which can be relevant in particular for reverberation settings) . Such a subdivision can also include the distinction as to whether the hearing aid is operated during a sporting activity. A state of use of the hearing aid device is in particular a use in active operation as well as a front committing suspension of use, possibly combined with putting down the hearing aid device.

An operating parameter of the hearing aid device includes, in particular, a parameter with regard to an active operating mode or an inactive or stand-by operating mode. In particular, the term operating parameter also includes parameters of the signal processing of the hearing aid device, i.e. specific values of a gain for a given frequency band, directional microphone settings, settings for a degree of reverberation suppression, etc. Also included are parameters that enable the detection of a hearing situation from a relate to an audio signal, i.e. in particular time constants, limit values for a noise background or for a speech component or the like.

The first weather information preferably relates to a description of a comparable physical and / or climatic property of the surroundings of the hearing aid device, as measured by the at least one sensor of the hearing aid device or the auxiliary device, or can be derived from the sensor signal. For example, the first weather information item includes an indication of an actual or predicted temperature at the location of the hearing aid device, while the at least one sensor measures a temperature. In other words, the first weather information corresponds to the measured variable measured by the at least one sensor, or to a variable or information derived from the sensor signal. By providing the first weather information, a comparison with the at least one sensor signal can be used to identify whether the first weather information is compatible with the sensor signal with regard to a physical and / or climatic property of the environment relating to the first weather information or a correspondingly suitable information derived therefrom and the state of use and / or the operating environment can be inferred accordingly.

For example, if temperature information from the first weather information item is significantly incompatible with a temperature measured by a temperature sensor, operation in a closed room can be assumed. men will be. For a comparison of an outside temperature from the first weather information with a temperature measured by a temperature sensor of the hearing aid, a possible influence of a body temperature of the wearer of the hearing aid is taken into account, for example by a corresponding offset for limit values in the comparison.

In the manner described here, the operating environment and / or the state of use of the hearing aid device is estimated, it being possible for the first weather information to be compared with the sensor signal or a variable derived therefrom in the communication unit or in the hearing aid device. In the first-mentioned case, the sensor signal of the at least one sensor and / or a variable derived therefrom is transmitted to the communication unit, which returns an estimated operating environment and / or an estimated usage status to the hearing aid device as a result. In the second case, the communication unit transmits the first weather information to the hearing aid device for comparison there. The at least one operating parameter is preferably set in the hearing aid device itself, depending on the estimated state of use and / or the estimated operating environment.

In particular, several sensor signals can also be compared with corresponding details in the first weather information item in order to be able to estimate the usage status and / or the operating environment in a particularly reliable manner.

A first temperature is preferably determined by a temperature sensor as the at least one sensor of the hearing aid device or the auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid device, and a corresponding temperature signal is output as a sensor signal. In particular, the first weather information in this case includes an at least approximately indication of an outside temperature at the location of the hearing aid device. The determined temperature is on the one hand particularly meaningful for the surroundings of the hearing aid device, but can also be influenced by the temperature of the body of the wearer of the hearing aid device.

For a comparison with a corresponding temperature information of the first Weather information, the said influence of body temperature is preferably taken into account, for example by means of an offset.

Advantageously, at least one electroacoustic input transducer, in particular a microphone, also a directional microphone, which is formed from two structurally separated individual microphones, as the at least one sensor of the hearing aid device generates at least one audio signal as a sensor signal, using the at least one audio signal Wind noise is analyzed, and the state of use of the hearing aid device and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device are estimated based on the first weather information and based on the analyzed wind noise. The wind noise can be estimated using known methods for the corresponding analysis of the audio signal. The result of the analysis can be a binary value that indicates the presence or absence of wind noise, or a continuous value that indicates a probability and / or strength of wind noise and / or a signal component of wind noise in the audio signal. Using a wind noise, a comparison with first weather information with regard to wind strength can be used to identify whether the wearer of the hearing aid device is outdoors if a wind noise detected using the audio signal is compatible with a strong wind present according to the first weather information. Conversely, if there is noisy wind in the audio signal without wind, it can be concluded that the wearer is active due to the weather.

Advantageously, for the provision of the first weather information, a position determination for the hearing aid device is additionally carried out, preferably by the communication unit assuming or recognizing an immediate proximity to the hearing aid device. The position can be determined on the one hand as a standard procedure for or for the purpose of querying the first weather information; failure to determine the position can be particularly advantageous if this is temporarily not feasible due to technical problems or poor reception. By determining the position, the first weather information can be matched to the location of the hearing aid device. An alternative option is to determine the first weather information for a location that has been specified without determining the position, for example using a “default” specification by the wearer for certain times of the day. Appropriately, a movement of a wearer of the hearing aid is detected by means of a movement sensor of the hearing aid device and / or by means of a movement sensor of the auxiliary device associated with the hearing aid device, the detected movement being used to estimate the state of use of the hearing aid device and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device. A movement sensor includes, in particular, any sensor that is suitable and appropriately configured for detecting movement, for example an acceleration sensor and / or a gyroscope. To detect a movement of the wearer of the hearing aid device, the movement sensor is preferably arranged in or on the hearing aid or on a smart watch as an auxiliary device.

The detection of a movement of the wearer of the hearing aid device can additionally help to classify a physical and / or climatic condition reproduced by the sensor signal and an agreement or deviation of the first weather information. For example, on the basis of a detected movement, a relatively high temperature or wind noise can be assigned to a sporting activity if the outside temperature or the wind (first weather information) does not correspond. In this case, a directional effect in the signal processing of the hearing aid device can be weakened as an operating parameter, for example, in order to promote more spatial hearing ability for sporting activities.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first weather information is provided by means of a connection, in particular an Internet connection, of the communication unit to a weather server set up to output weather information. The weather server implements, for example, an independent web service of a public or private weather service provider or other information service provider (such as a news website). In particular, the first weather information is output in a standardized format.

A time-resolved weather forecast is advantageously provided by means of the communication unit, a current time being determined and the first weather information being provided on the basis of the time-resolved weather forecast and the current time. By means of said time-resolved weather forecast, the first weather information can also be provided if the communication unit cannot call up current weather information for a specific point in time because, for example, no corresponding connection is possible.

It proves to be favorable if the state of use is estimated with regard to wearing the hearing aid device on the body and / or with regard to use of the hearing aid device during sporting activity, and / or the operating environment is estimated with regard to operating the hearing aid device outdoors or in a closed room will. The states of use and operating environments mentioned can be estimated particularly advantageously by means of the first weather information. Estimating whether the hearing aid device is to be worn on the body also includes, in particular, an estimation of the alternative state in this regard, that is to say taking off the hearing device for a break in operation.

The state of use and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device is advantageously estimated based on a comparison of the first temperature and the analyzed wind noise with the corresponding first weather information for the position determined for the hearing aid device, taking into account a recognized movement of the wearer of the hearing aid device. This allows additional information to be taken into account. A movement of the wearer of the hearing aid device can in particular have an influence on the measured temperature and a wind noise determined by the hearing aid device, which is why the knowledge of such a movement can be used for appropriate consideration, e.g. in the form of a correction of the sensor signal or the like. A second temperature is preferably determined by the temperature sensor of the hearing aid device or the auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid device, and a temperature change is determined based on the first temperature and the second temperature, with a change in the temperature based on the first weather information and the determined temperature change Usage state and / or a change in the operating environment of the hearing aid is estimated from. A comparison of a determined temperature change with the first weather information provides particularly reliable information about a change in the operating environment and / or the state of use, since in particular offset effects that can arise from the body temperature of the wearer and may not be fully corrected , for the temperature change can be eliminated by forming the difference between the two temperatures. A change in the operating environment of the hearing aid device is advantageously estimated on the basis of a change in the analyzed wind noise, in particular when the wearer is in a detected state of rest without any significant movement activity. If a wind noise changes without the wearer moving to any significant extent, this can indicate leaving or entering a closed room if this conclusion is compatible with the wind data of the first weather information.

A signal processing parameter of an audio signal of the hearing aid is expediently set as the at least one operating parameter of the hearing aid. A signal processing parameter includes, in particular, the following parameters: a broadband or frequency-dependent gain factor, a broadband or frequency band-dependent compression ratio, a time constant of compression, recognition of a hearing situation, an adaptive filter, reverberation suppression, recognition of a background noise, a Recognition of voice activity, a directivity index. The parameters mentioned are of particular importance for signal processing as a function of a hearing situation. Expediently, at least one time constant of a signal processing is reduced from an estimated change in the operating environment. When changing the operating environment, for example when moving from a closed room to the open air, it is often necessary to adapt a number of signal processing parameters, for which appropriate algorithms for adapting for rapid convergence are preferably to be operated with reduced time constants to be able to provide the wearer with a satisfactory sound image of the new environment as quickly as possible. The invention also mentions a system comprising a hearing aid, at least one sensor for generating a sensor signal, and further comprising a communication unit which is set up to provide first weather information, the system being set up to carry out the above-described method. The method according to the invention shares the advantages of the system. The advantages specified for the process and for its further training can be transferred to the system accordingly. The at least one sensor is preferably arranged on or in the hearing aid or on or in an auxiliary device that can be associated with the hearing aid. The communication unit is preferably implemented on the auxiliary device.

The communication unit is preferably implemented on a mobile phone and / or a smart watch and / or a tablet PC.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The following are shown schematically in each case:

1 shows a system with a hearing aid and a mobile phone for setting parameters of the signal processing of the hearing aid as a function of weather information which is provided via the mobile phone.

In FIG. 1, a system 1 is shown schematically, which comprises a hearing aid device 2 and an auxiliary device 3 with a communication unit 4. The hearing aid device 2 is in the present case designed as a hearing aid 6, which is provided for this purpose. hen and is adapted to be worn by a wearer (not shown) on his ear for operation. In the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 4 is implemented on a mobile phone 8 (a smartphone) as an auxiliary device 3, implementation on a tablet PC or a smart watch also being possible. The hearing aid 6 is provided and set up to supply a hearing impairment of its wearer, and for this purpose has a first electro-acoustic input transducer 10 and a second electro-acoustic input transducer 12, each of which converts an ambient sound into a corresponding first and second audio signal 14, 16 , and are given in front of each by a microphone. An embodiment of the Hörge advises 6 with only one electro-acoustic input transducer and only one corresponding audio signal is also possible.

The first audio signal 14 and the second audio signal 16 are fed to a signal processing unit 18, in which an output signal 20 is generated on the basis of the first audio signal 14 and the second audio signal 16 by appropriate signal processing, in particular taking into account the hearing impairment of the wearer of the hearing aid 6 . The output signal 20 is converted by an electro-acoustic output transducer 22, in the present case given by a loudspeaker, into an output sound signal 24 which is fed to the wearer's hearing (not shown) during operation.

In order to be able to achieve the most advantageous signal processing possible for a hearing situation, i.e. for a specific environment of the wearer with their corresponding useful signal sources and interfering noises (and for example to be able to suppress interfering noises as effectively as possible), a corresponding detection usually takes place in the signal processing unit 18 such a hearing situation on the basis of the first audio signal 14 and the second audio signal 16. Depending on the recognized hearing situation, parameters for the signal processing taking place in the signal processing unit 18 to generate the output signal 20 are then set. Recognition of the hearing situation only on the basis of the two audio signals 14, 16, however, does not lead to completely satisfactory results in some cases. For example, a reverberation is like that in closed Spaces, in particular with free walls, often occurs, in the presence of a background noise, which can come from sources of background noise, not easy to recognize. In addition, even in a correctly known hearing situation, the case may arise that the signal processing settings selected for this purpose are not ideal for other reasons, for example when the wearer of the hearing aid 6 does sport, in which an improved spatial hearing sensation is often more important is as good a directional noise reduction as possible.

For better performance in such situations, the system 1 provides, in a manner to be described below, to use weather information, depending on which parameters of the signal processing are to be set. In simplified terms, a physical or climatic variable of the environment is measured by means of a sensor 30, which is arranged in the hearing aid 6, and a sensor signal 32 generated there or a variable or information derived therefrom is compared with first weather information 34, which is provided by the communication unit 4. The or a further sensor 30 can also be arranged in the auxiliary device 3 (not shown). On the basis of this comparison and, if necessary, on the basis of further information, it is now possible in particular to estimate whether the wearer of the hearing aid 6 is in a closed room or outdoors, whether he is wearing the hearing aid 6 for use on his ear, or has put it down for a break in operation , or whether he is currently doing sports (while the hearing aid 6 is being operated).

As a sensor 30 for this purpose, a temperature sensor 36 is arranged in the hearing aid 6 on the one hand, which generates a temperature signal 38 as a sensor signal 32, which is fed to the signal processing unit 18. The signal processing unit 18 is here for processing the two audio signals 14, 16 to the output signal 20 based on the sensor signal 32 and the first weather information 34 in particular by one or more processor units, one or more work memory modules, at least one non-volatile memory for storage operational functions and default settings, etc. set up. In the present case, the first electro-acoustic entrance wall are also used as sensors 30 ler 10 and the second electro-acoustic input transducer 12, so that the first and second audio signals 14, 16 are used as sensor signals 32 for a comparison with the first weather information, 34 in the signal processing unit 18. For this purpose, wind noise in the immediate vicinity of the hearing aid 6 can be recognized on the basis of the first and second input signals 14, 16.

As a further sensor 30 in the hearing aid 6 there is also a motion sensor designed in the present case as an acceleration sensor 40, which is set up to detect a movement of the wearer of the hearing aid 6 and outputs a corresponding movement signal 42 as a sensor signal 32 to the signal processing unit 18. A possible alternative to the acceleration sensor 40 can in particular also be provided by a gyroscope or another sensor suitable for detecting a movement. The movement signal 42 can contain information with regard to a three-dimensional movement, or it can only reproduce the amount of a registered acceleration or movement. In particular in the case when the communication unit 4 is implemented on a smart watch as an auxiliary device, the motion sensor can also be arranged on the smart watch, since it is largely worn permanently on the body by the wearer like the hearing aid, so that a corresponding movement signal 42 is sufficiently meaningful.

The mobile phone 8 now establishes an Internet connection 46 via an antenna 44, via which the mobile phone 8 is connected to a server 48. In the present case, the server 48 is designed as a weather server on which a weather information service 50 is implemented. A request 52 is now sent from the mobile phone 8 to the server 48 via the Internet connections 46, which query can in particular contain a current position of the mobile phone 8. The position can be recorded by the mobile phone 8 itself, for example by means of GPS. Via the weather information service 50, the first weather information 34 for the current position of the cell phone 8 is transmitted to the same via the Internet connections 46, and is cached in the cell phone 8. The first weather information 34 contains in particular current temperature information 54 and current wind information 56. Information, for example on the humidity and / or the current amount of precipitation and / or the current air pressure at the location of the mobile phone 8, can also be contained in the first weather information 34. From the memory 58 of the mobile phone 8, the first weather information 34 is preferably transmitted as soon as possible to the hearing aid 6, for example via a Bluetooth connection 60. In the signal processing unit 18, the first weather information 34 with the said sensor signals 32, ie the temperature signal 38 , the movement signal 42 and the information on wind noise, which are obtained from the first and second audio signal 14, 16, vergli chen, and depending on an operating environment and / or a state of use of the hearing aid 6, as well as an operating parameter of the hearing aid 6 accordingly set. The following scenarios, among others, can occur:

1.) The temperature sensor 36 registers a decrease in temperature, while the acceleration sensor 40 detects movement activity on the part of the wearer. The current point in time is given as January 1st, and Erlangen in Germany is recorded as a current position. According to the temperature information 54 of the first weather information 34, the outside temperature is −2 ° C., for example. This leads to the assumption that the wearer has left a closed space and has gone outside (new operating environment: free space). The signal processing can now be adapted for use of the hearing aid 6 outdoors by, for example, temporarily reducing time constants of adaptive algorithms in order to achieve convergence as quickly as possible for changed settings of the hearing aid 6 and accordingly to reduce the transition time for the wearer as quickly as possible. 2.) The temperature sensor 36 registers a decrease in temperature, while the acceleration sensor 40 does not detect any significant movement activity of the wearer. An outside temperature of −2 ° C. is again provided in the first weather information 34 for the same point in time and place as under 1. This leads to the assumption that the wearer has put down the hearing aid 6 and, accordingly, operation with all operating functions is no longer necessary. Accordingly, the hearing aid 6 can be put into an inactive operating mode or a standby mode.

3.) The temperature sensor 36 registers an increase in temperature, while the acceleration sensor 40 registers movement activity of the wearer. The point in time is January 1 and the current position of the system 1 is recorded via the communication unit 4 in Singapore. Correspondingly, the temperature information 54 of the first weather information 34 indicates that the outside temperature is 28 ° C. This leads to the assumption that the wearer of the hearing aid 6 has moved from a closed space into the open.

4.) The temperature sensor 36 registers a rise in temperature, while the acceleration sensor 40 registers a noticeable movement activity of the wearer of the hearing aid 6. The current point in time is e.g. May 20th, and Erlangen in Germany is recorded as the current position of system 1. According to the temperature information 54, the outside temperature is 20 ° C., for example. This leads to the assumption that the wearer of the hearing aid 6 is currently exercising, so that the signal processing of the hearing aid can be adapted accordingly (for example by reducing the directionality of noise suppression using directional microphones).

These are just a few exemplary scenarios of how an operating environment and / or a state of use of the Hörge device 6 can be inferred from the information mentioned.

In particular, by comparing the wind information 56 in the first weather information 34 with information of a wind noise, as can be obtained from the first audio signal 14 and the second audio signal 16, it can also be concluded that the hearing aid 6 is being operated outdoors (if they match for a Presence of wind), or a sporting activity vity can be closed (if there is wind noise, which according to the wind information 56 should not occur, in particular in connection with a movement activity registered by the acceleration sensor 40). Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not restricted by this exemplary embodiment. Other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

List of reference symbols

1 system

2 hearing aid 3 auxiliary device

4 communication unit

6 hearing aid

8 mobile phone

10 first electro-acoustic input transducer 12 second electro-acoustic input transducer

14 first audio signal 16 second audio signal 18 signal processing unit 20 output signal 22 electro-acoustic output transducer

24 output sound signal 30 sensor 32 sensor signal 34 first weather information 36 temperature sensor 38 temperature signal 40 acceleration sensor 42 movement signal 44 antenna 46 Internet connection

48 Server 50 Weather information service 52 Inquiry 54 Temperature information 56 Wind information

58 Storage 60 Bluetooth connection

Claims

Expectations

1. A method for operating a hearing aid device (2), wherein at least one sensor (30) of the hearing aid device (2) and / or at least one sensor of an auxiliary device (3) that can be associated with the hearing aid device (2) comprises at least one sensor signal (32 ) is generated, with at least one first weather information (34) being provided by means of a communication unit (4), with a usage status of the hearing aid device (2) and / or an operating environment based on the first weather information (34) and the sensor signal (30) of the hearing aid device (2) are estimated, and at least one operating parameter of the hearing aid device is set on the basis of the estimated state of use or the estimated operating environment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first temperature is determined by a temperature sensor (36) as the at least one sensor (30) of the hearing aid device (2) or with the hearing aid device (2) associable auxiliary device (3), and a corresponding temperature signal (38) is output as a sensor signal (32).

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one audio signal (14, 16) is generated as a sensor signal (32) by at least one electroacoustic input transducer (10, 12) as the at least one sensor (30) of the hearing aid device (2) is, where the at least one audio signal (14, 16) is used to analyze wind noise, and where the state of use of the hearing aid device (2) and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device (2) is based on the first weather information (34) and on hand of the analyzed wind noise can be estimated.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a position determination for the hearing aid device (2) is also carried out for the provision of the first weather information (34).

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein by means of a movement sensor (40) of the hearing aid device (2) and / or by means of a movement sensor of the auxiliary device (3) which can be associated with the hearing aid device (2), a movement of a wearer of the hearing aid device ( 2) is detected, and the detected movement is used to estimate the state of use of the hearing aid device (2) and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device (2).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision of the first weather information (34) takes place by means of a connection (46) of the communication unit (4) with a weather server (48) set up to output weather information.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a time-resolved weather forecast is provided by means of the communication unit (4), wherein a current time is determined, and wherein the first weather information (34) is provided on the basis of the time-resolved weather forecast and the current time.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the state of use with regard to wearing the hearing aid device (2) on the body and / or with regard to use of the hearing aid device (2) during sporting activity is estimated, and / or wherein the operating environment is estimated with regard to operation of the hearing aid device (2) is estimated outdoors or in an enclosed space.

9. The method according to claim 8 in conjunction with one of claims 5 to

7, the state of use and / or the operating environment of the hearing aid device (2) based on a comparison of the first temperature and the analyzed wind noise with the corresponding first weather information (34) for the position determined for the hearing aid device (2), taking into account a recognized movement of the wearer of the hearing aid device (2) is estimated.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a second temperature is determined by the temperature sensor (36) of the hearing aid device or the auxiliary device (3) associated with the hearing aid device (2), and based on the first temperature and the second Temperature, a temperature change is determined, and a change in the state of use and / or a change in the operating environment of the hearing aid device (2) is estimated on the basis of the first weather information (34) and the determined temperature change.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein a change in the operating environment of the hearing aid device (2) is estimated on the basis of a change in the analyzed wind noise.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a signal processing parameter of an audio signal (14, 16) of the hearing aid (2) is set as the at least one operating parameter of the hearing aid device (2).

13. The method of claim 12 in conjunction with claim 10 or claim

11, wherein at least one time constant of a signal processing is reduced from an estimated change in the operating environment.

14. System (1), comprising: a hearing aid device (2), at least one sensor (30) for generating a sensor signal (32), and a communication unit (4) which is set up to provide first weather information (34), the system (1) being set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

15. System (1) according to claim 14, wherein the communication unit (4) is implemented on a mobile phone (8) and / or a smart watch and / or a tablet PC.