EP4593423A1 - Short term acclimatization for hearing device user - Google Patents

Short term acclimatization for hearing device user

Info

Publication number
EP4593423A1
EP4593423A1 EP24153518.6A EP24153518A EP4593423A1 EP 4593423 A1 EP4593423 A1 EP 4593423A1 EP 24153518 A EP24153518 A EP 24153518A EP 4593423 A1 EP4593423 A1 EP 4593423A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing
parameter
duration
hearing device
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP24153518.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicola HILDEBRAND
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Sonova AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonova AG filed Critical Sonova AG
Priority to EP24153518.6A priority Critical patent/EP4593423A1/en
Publication of EP4593423A1 publication Critical patent/EP4593423A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/70—Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; 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; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/61—Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
    • H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for operating a hearing system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hearing device and a hearing system.
  • Hearing devices are generally small and complex devices. Hearing devices can include a processor, microphone, speaker, memory, housing, and other electronical and mechanical components. Some example hearing devices are Behind-The-Ear (BTE), Receiver-In-Canal (RIC), In-The-Ear (ITE), Completely-In-Canal (CIC), and Invisible-In-The-Canal (IIC) devices. A user can prefer one of these hearing devices compared to another device based on hearing loss, aesthetic preferences, lifestyle needs, and budget.
  • BTE Behind-The-Ear
  • RIC Receiver-In-Canal
  • ITE In-The-Ear
  • CIC Completely-In-Canal
  • IIC Invisible-In-The-Canal
  • a hearing device compensates for hearing loss with non-linear amplification. Since many people with hearing loss decide to get a hearing device at a late stage, an acclimatization process is beneficial, in which the hearing device gain is gradually increased over weeks and months. This slow gain scaling acclimatization process helps hearing device users over a long period of time to accept more and more gain. Such a slow acclimatization process over weeks and months as product functionality is available in some hearing devices.
  • the hearing devices are usually only turned off at night for sleeping (about 8 hours).
  • EP 1 802 169 A2 describes a method for a hearing device, in which the time period at which the hearing device is switched off is determined, and a parameter of the signal processing is automatically changed in dependence of the determined time period, where the parameter is related to amplification, sound, efficiency, and background noise suppression.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a hearing system, which comprises one or two hearing devices.
  • a hearing device may comprise members on the ear, in the ear and/or in the ear channel.
  • the hearing device may comprise a microphone, a processor and an output device for outputting sound to the user.
  • the method as described herein may be automatically performed by a processor controlling the hearing device.
  • the method may be performed by a hearing system comprising one or two hearing devices and optionally a user device, which is in data communication with the one or two hearing devices.
  • the user device may be a smartphone.
  • the hearing device may be a hearing aid, i.e., a device adapted for compensating a hearing loss of a user, which has been customized with respect to the specific hearing loss of the user.
  • the method comprises: determining a switch-off duration of the hearing device, when the hearing device is switched on.
  • the switch-off duration is the time elapsed, since the hearing device has been switched off.
  • the hearing device may be switched on and switched off with a button. After switch-off, the hearing device has a very low energy consumption and/or no audio signals are processed by the hearing device.
  • the method further comprises: determining an acclimatization period in dependence of the switch-off duration, wherein a duration of the acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration.
  • the acclimatization period is a time period, in which the hearing device operates in a mode, in which amplification and/or sound processing is performed with a lower gain as in a normal mode.
  • the acclimatization period may be seen as a short term acclimatization period, which has a duration from a few minutes to maximally some hours.
  • a short term acclimatization period may be distinguished from a long term acclimatization period, which may last from several days to months.
  • the duration of the acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration.
  • a longer switch-off duration may result in a longer acclimatization period.
  • this dependence needs not be linear.
  • a function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device and/or hearing system, from which the acclimatization period can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration. It also may be that, when the switch-off duration is smaller than a lower threshold, then the duration of the acclimatization period is 0. It also may be that, when the switch-off duration is higher than an upper threshold, then the duration of the acclimatization period is set to a maximal duration.
  • the method further comprises: increasing a transition parameter from a starting value to a final value during the acclimatization period.
  • the starting value as well as the transition parameter may be a value greater than 0 and/or smaller than 1.
  • the final value may be 1 in this case.
  • the dependence of the transition parameter on the time elapsed until the end of the acclimatization period may be linear or may have another dependence, which is strictly increasing.
  • the method further comprises: processing an audio signal with the hearing device with at least one sound program, which sound program depends on at least one sound program parameter, and changing the at least one sound program parameter depending on the transition parameter.
  • the at least one sound program parameter is (for example continuously) changed from an acclimatization start parameter to a fitted parameter.
  • the audio signal is processed with the at least one sound program parameter set to the fitting parameter.
  • the fitted parameter is the sound program parameter for the sound program, when the hearing device is operation in a normal operation mode.
  • the at least one sound program parameter is set to the acclimatization start parameter.
  • a minimal acclimatization start parameter may be chosen for each of a plurality of sound program parameters and the acclimatization start parameter may be the minimal acclimatization start parameter times the starting value.
  • the at least one sound program parameter is set to a value between the acclimatization start parameter and the fitted parameter. In such a way, at the starting value the audio signal may be less modified by the sound program as compared to the final value.
  • one transition parameter may be used for changing a plurality of sound program parameters in this way.
  • the audio signal may be acquired with a microphone of the hearing device.
  • the audio signal may be processed with a processor and in particular with a signal processor of the hearing device. This processing may be done in dependence of one or more sound processing parameters, which may be called sound programs and/or which influence sound programs.
  • the processed audio signal then may be output to the user with a sound output device of the hearing device, such as a loudspeaker.
  • the audio signal stays unprocessed by the sound program, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter is changed, such that the sound program does not modify the audio signal.
  • the audio signal is processed with the at least one sound program parameter being the fitted parameter, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter is not changed compared to a normal operation mode.
  • the transition parameter is between the starting value and the final value.
  • the at least one sound program parameter is changed depending on the transition parameter transition parameter and the audio signal may be less modified by the sound program as compared to the unchanged at least one sound program parameter.
  • Less modified may mean that a difference between unprocessed audio signal and the processed audio signal is smaller as compared to the case with the unchanged at least one sound program parameter.
  • Less modified also may mean that the processed audio signal sounds more as the unprocessed audio signal to the user as compared to the case with the unchanged at least one sound program parameter.
  • the audio signal is stronger processed at the starting value, for example it is stronger compressed as at the final value.
  • the at least one sound program parameter may be changed by the transition parameter with a function that depends linearly on the transition parameter. For example, the at least one sound program parameter is multiplied with the transition parameter and optionally a constant value is added. Changing the at least one sound program parameter with the transition parameter may comprise multiplying the least one sound program parameter with the transition parameter.
  • a sound processing parameter of 0 may mean that the corresponding sound program does not modify the audio signal.
  • Such a sound processing parameter may be multiplied with a transition parameter, which is selected between 0 as starting value and 1 as final value.
  • a sound program may amplify the audio signal with a user dependent frequency dependent gain.
  • frequency dependent gains may be stored as sound processing parameters, which may have been set during customizing of the hearing device.
  • a hearing care specialist may have set the frequency dependent gains dependent on an audiogram of the user. In this case, the frequency dependent gains may be multiplied with the transition parameter.
  • noise cancelling and/or frequency shifting There may be other sound programs, which are applied to the audio signal, such as noise cancelling and/or frequency shifting. Also these sound programs may have been customized by the hearing care specialist and/or may depend on at least one sound program parameter.
  • a noise cancelling parameter of 0 may mean that no noise is cancelled. Such a noise cancelling parameter may be multiplied with the transition parameter.
  • a frequency shifting parameter of 0 may mean that there is no frequency shifting and such a frequency shifting parameter may be multiplied with the transition parameter.
  • the starting value of the transition parameter is determined in dependence of the switch-off duration. Not only the duration of the acclimatization period, but also the transition parameter at the beginning of the acclimatization period may be determined from the switch-off duration.
  • a longer switch-off duration may result in the starting value nearer to a minimal starting value of the transition parameter. This dependence may be linear or may depend on another function.
  • a function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device and/or hearing system, from which the starting value can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration.
  • the duration of the acclimatization period and the starting value determine a speed of the acclimatization. It also is possible that the starting value is calculated depending on the duration of the acclimatization period and a speed factor.
  • the (short term) acclimatization period has a duration between 1 minute and 5 hours, in particular between 2 minutes and 1 hour.
  • the short term acclimatization period should be distinguished from a long term acclimatization period, which can have a duration up to weeks or months.
  • the method further comprises: determining an acoustic situation by evaluating the audio signal.
  • Some hearing devices are adapted and/or designed to classify acoustic situations. This may be done with a conventional algorithm evaluating a frequency spectrum of the audio signal and/or with a machining learning algorithm, which classifies acoustic situations.
  • Such acoustic situations may comprise noisy situations, loud situations, situations, in which other persons and/or the user are speaking, etc.
  • an acoustic situation may be a classification of sound in an environment of the user of the hearing device.
  • the acoustic situation when the hearing device is switched on, may influence the acclimatization period and/or the functionality of the hearing device during the acclimatization period.
  • the acclimatization period depends on an acoustic situation at the time, when the hearing device is switched on.
  • a speed of the acclimatization i.e., the increase rate of the transition parameter towards the final value, may be set automatically in dependence of the acoustic situation. This may be based on the hearing intention of the user. For example, when the user switches on the hearing device in a quiet situation, the duration of the acclimatization may be long and/or the starting value may be low compared to a loud situation.
  • the method further comprises: interrupting and/or ending the acclimatization period, when a specific acoustic situation is determined.
  • acclimatization period may be interrupted and/or ended, when a dangerous situation is detected, or when a special situation is detected that was selected by the user, for example, via a user interface.
  • an acoustic situation with music or a radio playing may result in ending the acclimatization period.
  • the specific acoustic situation indicates that a user of the hearing device is speaking.
  • the acclimatization period may be interrupted, when the user is speaking.
  • the acclimatization period may be interrupted and may be continued after the end of the own-voice.
  • the duration of the short term acclimatization period and/or the starting value of the transition parameter depend on a user experience with hearing devices.
  • the acclimatization period such as the duration or the starting value of the transition parameter may depend on the overall experienced of aided hearing of the hearing aid user. A non-experienced user may need a longer acclimatization duration or will need a bigger gain range then an experienced user.
  • a value indicating the user experience may be stored as value in the hearing device and/or hearing system.
  • the method further comprises: starting a timer in the hearing device, when the hearing device is switched off, wherein the switch-off duration is the time elapsed counted by the timer.
  • the hearing device may have a sleep mode, in which a timer is counting, but no sound processing is performed. When the hearing device is switched off, it enters the sleep mode and when it is switched on, it enters a normal mode and starts sound processing.
  • the method further comprises: informing a user device, which is in data communication with the hearing device, about the switch-off and switch-on, when the hearing device is switched off and switched on, wherein the switch-off duration is determined by the user device.
  • the determination of the switch-off duration also may be performed by a user device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, a smart ring, etc.
  • the user device may run an application, which is informed by the hearing device, when it is switched off and on.
  • the application then may determine the switch-off time with an internal clock.
  • the application also may determine further parameters of the acclimatization period, such as the duration and/or the starting value of the transition parameter.
  • the hearing system comprises a pair of hearing devices for each ear of a user of the hearing device.
  • the user wears two hearing devices, which may operate independently of each other.
  • an acclimatization period is determined independently by each hearing devices, wherein the acclimatization periods of the hearing devices are synchronized via a data communication link of the hearing devices.
  • the hearing devices may communicate with each other and may adapt their acclimatization periods.
  • the duration and/or the starting value of the transition parameter may be set to an average of the durations and/or transition parameters determined by the hearing devices.
  • the method further comprises: displaying the transition parameter and/or the acclimatization period on a user interface of the user device.
  • the user interface may be a graphical interface of the user device. The user can graphically see, how the acclimatization behaves and can change the momentary status of the acclimatization.
  • the method further comprises: providing a user interface with the user device.
  • the user interface With the user interface, the user can adapt the behavior of the acclimatization to her or his needs.
  • the user interface may be provided by an application running in the user device.
  • the hearing device user as well as a hearing care specialist can switch on and switch off or configure the general speed and scheme of the acclimatization in the application or a fitting software.
  • the user interface is for stopping the acclimatization period.
  • the user can abruptly finish the acclimatization process with the user interface.
  • the user interface is for selecting a transition parameter profile for the transition parameter during the acclimatization period.
  • the transition parameter profile may indicate, how steep the increase of the transition parameter is and/or how the increase rate changes during the acclimatization period.
  • the user interface is for selecting a default duration for the acclimatization period.
  • the duration of the acclimatization period may depend on the default duration.
  • the duration may be calculated as the default duration times a factor determined from the switch-off duration.
  • the user interface is for selecting a default starting value for the transition parameter.
  • the starting value of the transition parameter may depend on the default starting value.
  • the starting value may be calculated as the default starting value times a factor determined from the switch-off duration.
  • the user selection is stored with respect to further parameters, such as a time of day, an acoustic situation, etc.
  • the acclimatization period then may be set in dependence of actual parameters at the time of the switch-on. In such a way, the hearing device and/or hearing system can learn, which acclimatization process the user wishes in different situations.
  • a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program for operating a hearing device and/or a hearing system, which, when being executed by a processor of the hearing device and/or by processors of the hearing system, is adapted to carry out the steps of the method as described in the above and in the following.
  • a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable medium, in which such a computer program is stored.
  • the computer-readable medium may be a memory of the hearing device and/or the hearing system.
  • a computer-readable medium may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a FLASH memory.
  • a computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, e.g., the Internet, which allows downloading a program code.
  • the computer-readable medium may be a non-transitory or transitory medium.
  • the hearing device 12 also comprises a data communication interface 30 for wireless data communication with further devices.
  • the hearing system 10 comprises a pair of hearing devices 12a, 12b, wherein each hearing device 12a, 12b has the components as shown in Fig. 1 for the hearing device 12. These two hearing devices 12a, 12b may communicate with each other via the data communication interface 30.
  • the acoustic situation 46 when the hearing device is switched on, i.e., at the time t on , may influence the acclimatization period and/or the functionality of the hearing device 12 during the acclimatization period.
  • a speed of the acclimatization i.e., the increase rate of the transition parameter 38 towards the final value g f , may be set automatically in dependence of the acoustic situation 46. This may be based on the hearing intention of the user. For example, when the user switches on the hearing device 12 in a quiet situation, the duration d acc of the acclimatization may be long and/or the starting value may be low compared to a loud situation.
  • the audio signal 22 is processed with the at least one sound program parameter 42, which is unmodified, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter 42 is not changed.
  • the one or more sound programs 40 operate such as customized in the hearing device 12 and the hearing device 12 can go over continuously into a normal mode.
  • the sound program parameters 42 may be changed by the transition parameter 38 with a function that depends linearly on the transition parameter 38.
  • the sound program parameters 42 may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38 and optionally, a constant value may be added.
  • Changing the sound program parameters 42 with the transition parameter 38 may comprise multiplying the sound program parameter 42 with the transition parameter 38.
  • the dependence of the sound program parameters 42 on the transition parameter 38 may be linear or logarithmic and in general may be defined by hearing difficult perception models.
  • the frequency dependent gains may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38.
  • a noise cancelling parameter 42 of 0 may mean that no noise is cancelled.
  • Such a noise cancelling parameter 42 may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38.
  • Fig. 3C shows that the acclimatization period may be interrupted in specific situations.
  • the acclimatization period is interrupted between the time t 1 and the time tz and the transition parameter 38 is set to the final value g f between these time points.
  • the transition parameter calculator 48 may interrupt and/or end the acclimatization period, when it receives a specific acoustic situation 46 from the classifier 44. In some acoustic situations 46 it may be beneficial, when the reduced sound processing is turned off. For example, the acclimatization period may be interrupted and/or ended, when a dangerous situation 46 is detected, or when a special situation 46 is detected that was selected by the user. As an example, an acoustic situation 46 with music and/or a radio playing may result in ending of the acclimatization period.
  • the user interface 32 may provide a control element 36 for stopping the acclimatization period. The user can abruptly finish the acclimatization process with the user interface 32.
  • the user also may configure attributes of the acclimatization period. For example, the user can select a speed of the acclimatization, such as slow, mid, fast. The user can select an acclimatization range, such as small, big, max. The speed and range may scale with the switch-off duration d off . The user also may select an acclimatization mode, which defines the form of the curve of the transition parameter, such as linear, exponential, nonlinear, logarithmic, loudness perception dependent, etc.
  • the user interface 32 may be used for selecting a transition parameter profile 52 for the transition parameter 38 during the acclimatization period.
  • the transition parameter profile may indicate, how steep the increase of the transition parameter is and/or how the increase rate changes during the acclimatization period.
  • the user interface 32 may be used for selecting a default duration for the acclimatization period.
  • the duration d acc of the acclimatization period may depend on the default duration.
  • the duration d acc may be calculated as the default duration times a factor determined from the switch-off duration d off .
  • the user interface is for selecting a default starting value for the transition parameter 38.
  • the starting value g f of the transition parameter 38 may depend on the default starting value.
  • the starting value g f may be calculated as the default starting value times a factor determined from the switch-off duration d off .
  • the user selections may be stored with respect to further parameters, such as a time of day, an acoustic situation, GPS location, etc.
  • the acclimatization period then may be set in dependence of actual parameters at the time of the switch-on. In such a way, the hearing device 12 and/or hearing system 10 can learn, which acclimatization process the user wishes in different situations.

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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)
  • Control Of Amplification And Gain Control (AREA)

Abstract

A method for operating a hearing system (10) with at least one hearing device (12) comprises: when the hearing device (12) is switched on, determining a switch-off duration (doff) of the hearing device (12); determining a short term acclimatization period in dependence of the switch-off duration (doff), wherein a duration (dacc) of the short term acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration (doff); during the short term acclimatization period, increasing a transition parameter (38) from a starting value (gs) to a final value (gf); and processing an audio signal (22) with the hearing device (12) with at least one sound program (40), which sound program (40) depends on at least one sound program parameter (42), and changing the at least one sound program parameter (42) depending on the transition parameter (38), wherein, when the transition parameter (38) increases from the starting value (gs) to the final value (gf), the at least one sound program parameter (42) is changed from an acclimatization start parameter to a fitted parameter.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention relates to a method, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for operating a hearing system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hearing device and a hearing system.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Hearing devices are generally small and complex devices. Hearing devices can include a processor, microphone, speaker, memory, housing, and other electronical and mechanical components. Some example hearing devices are Behind-The-Ear (BTE), Receiver-In-Canal (RIC), In-The-Ear (ITE), Completely-In-Canal (CIC), and Invisible-In-The-Canal (IIC) devices. A user can prefer one of these hearing devices compared to another device based on hearing loss, aesthetic preferences, lifestyle needs, and budget.
  • A hearing device compensates for hearing loss with non-linear amplification. Since many people with hearing loss decide to get a hearing device at a late stage, an acclimatization process is beneficial, in which the hearing device gain is gradually increased over weeks and months. This slow gain scaling acclimatization process helps hearing device users over a long period of time to accept more and more gain. Such a slow acclimatization process over weeks and months as product functionality is available in some hearing devices.
  • For users, who are more or less acclimatized to amplified hearing and who use their hearing devices daily, the hearing devices are usually only turned off at night for sleeping (about 8 hours). Other people, especially the ones, who are still not successfully acclimatized, or who have milder hearing losses using their hearing devices more situationally, use the hearing devices only occasionally for example 1 to 2 hours a day.
  • EP 1 802 169 A2 describes a method for a hearing device, in which the time period at which the hearing device is switched off is determined, and a parameter of the signal processing is automatically changed in dependence of the determined time period, where the parameter is related to amplification, sound, efficiency, and background noise suppression.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Most hearing devices do not distinguish between a short turn off or a 12 hours break between a switch off. When the hearing device is switched on, the full amplification is applied immediately after the start signal. For someone who was in silence over night or still struggling to acclimatize to the fitted gain, the immediate loudness and information availability through the fitted gain can be overwhelming. The person is coming from complete/relative rest and silence and the immediate full amplification may initially be perceived as uncomfortable and too much. This is different from when the person is already accustomed to it after 1-2 hours.
  • It is an objective of the invention to help hearing device users to get customized to their hearing device.
  • This objective is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.
  • A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a hearing system, which comprises one or two hearing devices. A hearing device may comprise members on the ear, in the ear and/or in the ear channel. The hearing device may comprise a microphone, a processor and an output device for outputting sound to the user. The method as described herein may be automatically performed by a processor controlling the hearing device. Alternatively, the method may be performed by a hearing system comprising one or two hearing devices and optionally a user device, which is in data communication with the one or two hearing devices. The user device may be a smartphone.
  • The hearing device may be a hearing aid, i.e., a device adapted for compensating a hearing loss of a user, which has been customized with respect to the specific hearing loss of the user.
  • According to an embodiment, the method comprises: determining a switch-off duration of the hearing device, when the hearing device is switched on. The switch-off duration is the time elapsed, since the hearing device has been switched off. The hearing device may be switched on and switched off with a button. After switch-off, the hearing device has a very low energy consumption and/or no audio signals are processed by the hearing device.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: determining an acclimatization period in dependence of the switch-off duration, wherein a duration of the acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration. The acclimatization period is a time period, in which the hearing device operates in a mode, in which amplification and/or sound processing is performed with a lower gain as in a normal mode. The acclimatization period may be seen as a short term acclimatization period, which has a duration from a few minutes to maximally some hours. A short term acclimatization period may be distinguished from a long term acclimatization period, which may last from several days to months.
  • In particular, the duration of the acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration. A longer switch-off duration may result in a longer acclimatization period. However, this dependence needs not be linear. A function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device and/or hearing system, from which the acclimatization period can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration. It also may be that, when the switch-off duration is smaller than a lower threshold, then the duration of the acclimatization period is 0. It also may be that, when the switch-off duration is higher than an upper threshold, then the duration of the acclimatization period is set to a maximal duration.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: increasing a transition parameter from a starting value to a final value during the acclimatization period. The starting value as well as the transition parameter may be a value greater than 0 and/or smaller than 1. The final value may be 1 in this case. The dependence of the transition parameter on the time elapsed until the end of the acclimatization period may be linear or may have another dependence, which is strictly increasing.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: processing an audio signal with the hearing device with at least one sound program, which sound program depends on at least one sound program parameter, and changing the at least one sound program parameter depending on the transition parameter.
  • When the transition parameter increases from the starting value to the final value, the at least one sound program parameter is (for example continuously) changed from an acclimatization start parameter to a fitted parameter. At the final value, the audio signal is processed with the at least one sound program parameter set to the fitting parameter. In this case, the sound program is working as has been set by the hearing care specialist. The fitted parameter is the sound program parameter for the sound program, when the hearing device is operation in a normal operation mode. At the starting value of the transition parameter, the at least one sound program parameter is set to the acclimatization start parameter. A minimal acclimatization start parameter may be chosen for each of a plurality of sound program parameters and the acclimatization start parameter may be the minimal acclimatization start parameter times the starting value. For a transition parameter between the starting value and the final value, the at least one sound program parameter is set to a value between the acclimatization start parameter and the fitted parameter. In such a way, at the starting value the audio signal may be less modified by the sound program as compared to the final value.
  • It has to be noted that one transition parameter may be used for changing a plurality of sound program parameters in this way.
  • The audio signal may be acquired with a microphone of the hearing device. The audio signal may be processed with a processor and in particular with a signal processor of the hearing device. This processing may be done in dependence of one or more sound processing parameters, which may be called sound programs and/or which influence sound programs. The processed audio signal then may be output to the user with a sound output device of the hearing device, such as a loudspeaker.
  • For example, at a minimal transition parameter, such as 0, the audio signal stays unprocessed by the sound program, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter is changed, such that the sound program does not modify the audio signal.
  • At the final value of the transition parameter, such as 1, the audio signal is processed with the at least one sound program parameter being the fitted parameter, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter is not changed compared to a normal operation mode.
  • During the acclimatization period, the transition parameter is between the starting value and the final value. In this case, the at least one sound program parameter is changed depending on the transition parameter transition parameter and the audio signal may be less modified by the sound program as compared to the unchanged at least one sound program parameter. Less modified may mean that a difference between unprocessed audio signal and the processed audio signal is smaller as compared to the case with the unchanged at least one sound program parameter. Less modified also may mean that the processed audio signal sounds more as the unprocessed audio signal to the user as compared to the case with the unchanged at least one sound program parameter.
  • However, it also may be that the audio signal is stronger processed at the starting value, for example it is stronger compressed as at the final value.
  • The at least one sound program parameter may be changed by the transition parameter with a function that depends linearly on the transition parameter. For example, the at least one sound program parameter is multiplied with the transition parameter and optionally a constant value is added. Changing the at least one sound program parameter with the transition parameter may comprise multiplying the least one sound program parameter with the transition parameter.
  • In general, a sound processing parameter of 0 may mean that the corresponding sound program does not modify the audio signal. Such a sound processing parameter may be multiplied with a transition parameter, which is selected between 0 as starting value and 1 as final value.
  • A sound program may amplify the audio signal with a user dependent frequency dependent gain. In the hearing device, frequency dependent gains may be stored as sound processing parameters, which may have been set during customizing of the hearing device. For example, a hearing care specialist may have set the frequency dependent gains dependent on an audiogram of the user. In this case, the frequency dependent gains may be multiplied with the transition parameter.
  • There may be other sound programs, which are applied to the audio signal, such as noise cancelling and/or frequency shifting. Also these sound programs may have been customized by the hearing care specialist and/or may depend on at least one sound program parameter. For example, a noise cancelling parameter of 0 may mean that no noise is cancelled. Such a noise cancelling parameter may be multiplied with the transition parameter. Also a frequency shifting parameter of 0 may mean that there is no frequency shifting and such a frequency shifting parameter may be multiplied with the transition parameter.
  • According to an embodiment, the starting value of the transition parameter is determined in dependence of the switch-off duration. Not only the duration of the acclimatization period, but also the transition parameter at the beginning of the acclimatization period may be determined from the switch-off duration.
  • A longer switch-off duration may result in the starting value nearer to a minimal starting value of the transition parameter. This dependence may be linear or may depend on another function. A function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device and/or hearing system, from which the starting value can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration.
  • The duration of the acclimatization period and the starting value determine a speed of the acclimatization. It also is possible that the starting value is calculated depending on the duration of the acclimatization period and a speed factor.
  • According to an embodiment, the (short term) acclimatization period has a duration between 1 minute and 5 hours, in particular between 2 minutes and 1 hour. As already mentioned, the short term acclimatization period should be distinguished from a long term acclimatization period, which can have a duration up to weeks or months.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: determining an acoustic situation by evaluating the audio signal. Some hearing devices are adapted and/or designed to classify acoustic situations. This may be done with a conventional algorithm evaluating a frequency spectrum of the audio signal and/or with a machining learning algorithm, which classifies acoustic situations. Such acoustic situations may comprise noisy situations, loud situations, situations, in which other persons and/or the user are speaking, etc. In general, an acoustic situation may be a classification of sound in an environment of the user of the hearing device.
  • In general, the acoustic situation, when the hearing device is switched on, may influence the acclimatization period and/or the functionality of the hearing device during the acclimatization period.
  • According to an embodiment, the acclimatization period depends on an acoustic situation at the time, when the hearing device is switched on. In particular, a speed of the acclimatization, i.e., the increase rate of the transition parameter towards the final value, may be set automatically in dependence of the acoustic situation. This may be based on the hearing intention of the user. For example, when the user switches on the hearing device in a quiet situation, the duration of the acclimatization may be long and/or the starting value may be low compared to a loud situation.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: interrupting and/or ending the acclimatization period, when a specific acoustic situation is determined. In some acoustic situations it may be beneficial, when reduced sound processing is turned off. For example, the acclimatization period may be interrupted and/or ended, when a dangerous situation is detected, or when a special situation is detected that was selected by the user, for example, via a user interface. As an example, an acoustic situation with music or a radio playing may result in ending the acclimatization period.
  • According to an embodiment, the specific acoustic situation indicates that a user of the hearing device is speaking. In general, the acclimatization period may be interrupted, when the user is speaking. When the own-voice of the user is detected, i.e., when the user is speaking, the acclimatization period may be interrupted and may be continued after the end of the own-voice.
  • According to an embodiment, the duration of the short term acclimatization period and/or the starting value of the transition parameter depend on a user experience with hearing devices. The acclimatization period, such as the duration or the starting value of the transition parameter may depend on the overall experienced of aided hearing of the hearing aid user. A non-experienced user may need a longer acclimatization duration or will need a bigger gain range then an experienced user. A value indicating the user experience may be stored as value in the hearing device and/or hearing system.
  • There are several possibilities, how the switch-off duration is determined.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: starting a timer in the hearing device, when the hearing device is switched off, wherein the switch-off duration is the time elapsed counted by the timer. The hearing device may have a sleep mode, in which a timer is counting, but no sound processing is performed. When the hearing device is switched off, it enters the sleep mode and when it is switched on, it enters a normal mode and starts sound processing.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: informing a user device, which is in data communication with the hearing device, about the switch-off and switch-on, when the hearing device is switched off and switched on, wherein the switch-off duration is determined by the user device. The determination of the switch-off duration also may be performed by a user device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, a smart ring, etc. The user device may run an application, which is informed by the hearing device, when it is switched off and on. The application then may determine the switch-off time with an internal clock. The application also may determine further parameters of the acclimatization period, such as the duration and/or the starting value of the transition parameter.
  • According to an embodiment, the hearing system comprises a pair of hearing devices for each ear of a user of the hearing device. Usually, the user wears two hearing devices, which may operate independently of each other.
  • According to an embodiment, an acclimatization period is determined independently by each hearing devices, wherein the acclimatization periods of the hearing devices are synchronized via a data communication link of the hearing devices. The hearing devices may communicate with each other and may adapt their acclimatization periods. For example, the duration and/or the starting value of the transition parameter may be set to an average of the durations and/or transition parameters determined by the hearing devices.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: displaying the transition parameter and/or the acclimatization period on a user interface of the user device. The user interface may be a graphical interface of the user device. The user can graphically see, how the acclimatization behaves and can change the momentary status of the acclimatization.
  • According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: providing a user interface with the user device. With the user interface, the user can adapt the behavior of the acclimatization to her or his needs. The user interface may be provided by an application running in the user device.
  • The hearing device user as well as a hearing care specialist can switch on and switch off or configure the general speed and scheme of the acclimatization in the application or a fitting software.
  • For example, the user interface is for stopping the acclimatization period. The user can abruptly finish the acclimatization process with the user interface.
  • As a further example, the user interface is for selecting a transition parameter profile for the transition parameter during the acclimatization period. The transition parameter profile may indicate, how steep the increase of the transition parameter is and/or how the increase rate changes during the acclimatization period.
  • As a further example, the user interface is for selecting a default duration for the acclimatization period. The duration of the acclimatization period may depend on the default duration. The duration may be calculated as the default duration times a factor determined from the switch-off duration.
  • As a further example, the user interface is for selecting a default starting value for the transition parameter. The starting value of the transition parameter may depend on the default starting value. The starting value may be calculated as the default starting value times a factor determined from the switch-off duration.
  • It also may be that the user selection is stored with respect to further parameters, such as a time of day, an acoustic situation, etc. The acclimatization period then may be set in dependence of actual parameters at the time of the switch-on. In such a way, the hearing device and/or hearing system can learn, which acclimatization process the user wishes in different situations.
  • A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program for operating a hearing device and/or a hearing system, which, when being executed by a processor of the hearing device and/or by processors of the hearing system, is adapted to carry out the steps of the method as described in the above and in the following.
  • A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable medium, in which such a computer program is stored. The computer-readable medium may be a memory of the hearing device and/or the hearing system. In general, a computer-readable medium may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a FLASH memory. A computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, e.g., the Internet, which allows downloading a program code. The computer-readable medium may be a non-transitory or transitory medium.
  • A further aspect of the invention relates to a hearing device, which is adapted for performing the method.
  • According to an embodiment, the hearing device comprises a microphone for sensing an audio signal; a sound output device for outputting a processed audio signal to the user; and a sound processor for processing the audio signal. The sound output device may be a loudspeaker. The sound processor may be a digital signal processor.
  • A further aspect of the invention relates to a hearing system, which is adapted for performing the method.
  • According to an embodiment, the hearing system comprises one or two hearing devices such as described herein and a user device in data communication with the hearing device. The user device may be a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet computer.
  • It has to be understood that features of the method as described in the above and in the following may be features of the computer program, the computer-readable medium, the hearing device and/or the hearing system as described in the above and in the following, and vice versa.
  • These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Below, embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.
    • Fig. 1 shows a hearing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
    • Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating a method for operating a hearing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
    • Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C show diagrams illustrating a transition parameter determined during the method of Fig. 2.
  • The reference symbols used in the drawings, and their meanings, are listed in summary form in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a hearing system 10, which comprises a hearing device 12 and a user device 14.
  • The hearing device 12 may be a hearing aid, for example, a behind-the-ear device or an in-the ear device carried by a user (not shown).
  • The hearing device 12 comprises a microphone 16, a sound output device 18, such as a loudspeaker, and an input mean 20, e.g., a knob, a button, or a touch-sensitive sensor, e.g., capacitive sensor. The microphone 16 can detect a sound in the environment of the user and generate an audio signal 22 indicative of the detected sound. The sound output device 18 can output sound based on the audio signal 22 modified into a processed audio signal 24 by the hearing device 12. The input mean 20 enables an input of the user into the hearing device 12, e.g., in order to switch the hearing device 12 on or off, and/or for changing the volume of the hearing device 12 or any other modification of the audio signal 22.
  • The hearing device 12 comprises a processor 26, which is configured to receive the audio signal 22 generated by the microphone 16. The hearing device 12 may include a sound processing module 28. For example, the sound processing module 28 may be implemented as a computer program executed by the processor 26, which may comprise a CPU for processing the computer program. Alternatively, the sound processing module 28 may comprise a sound processor implemented in hardware or more specific a DSP (digital signal processor) for modifying the audio signal 22.
  • The sound processing module 28 may be configured to modify, in particular amplify, dampen and/or delay, the audio signal 22 generated by the microphone 16 to generate the processed audio signal 24. The sound processing module 28 may modify some frequencies or frequency ranges of the audio signal 22 depending on parameter values of parameters stored in the hearing device 12, which influence the amplification, the damping and/or, respectively, the delay. The parameter may be one or more of the group of frequency dependent gain, time constant for attack and release times of compressive gain, time constant for noise canceller, time constant for dereverberation algorithms, reverberation compensation, frequency dependent reverberation compensation, mixing ratio of channels, gain compression, gain shape/amplification scheme. All these parameters may be parameters of sound programs of the hearing device 12, which are run by the sound processing module 28.
  • The sound output device 18 generates sound from the processed audio signal 24, and the sound is guided into the ear channel of the user.
  • The hearing device 12 also comprises a data communication interface 30 for wireless data communication with further devices. For example, the hearing system 10 comprises a pair of hearing devices 12a, 12b, wherein each hearing device 12a, 12b has the components as shown in Fig. 1 for the hearing device 12. These two hearing devices 12a, 12b may communicate with each other via the data communication interface 30.
  • The hearing device 12 further may communicate with the user device 14 via the data communication interface 30. The user device 14 may be a smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, a smart ring, etc. The user device 14 comprises a graphical user interface 32, which can be used by the user interfacing an application 34 for configuring the hearing device 12 with control elements 36 and/or for displaying information from the hearing device 12. As will be explained below, this information may comprise the current value of a transition parameter 38.
  • Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating a method for operating the hearing device 12 and/or the hearing system 10 of Fig. 1. The method may be performed automatically by the hearing device 12 optionally in combination with the user device 14.
  • The hearing device 12 processes the audio signal 22 from the microphone 16 with at least one sound program 40, which sound program 40 depends on and/or is controlled with at least one sound program parameter 42. All the sound programs 40 may be performed by the sound processing module 28. The processed audio signal 24 is then output to the user with the sound output device 18 of the hearing device 12, such as a loudspeaker.
  • Sound program 40a is a frequency dependent amplifier. The sound program 40a amplifies the audio signal 22 with a user dependent frequency dependent gain. In the hearing device 12, frequency dependent gains may be stored as sound processing parameters 42, which may have been set during customizing of the hearing device 12. For example, a hearing care specialist may have set the frequency dependent gains dependent on an audiogram of the user.
  • Sound program 40b may be a noise canceller. The sound program 40b shifts a part of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal 22 up or down or may compress the part to a narrower part. A sound processing parameter 42 may be the strength of noise cancelling.
  • Sound program 40c may be a frequency shifter and/or compressor. The sound program 40b shifts a part of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal 22 up or down or may compress the part to a narrower part. The sound processing parameters 42 may be the upper and lower bounds of the original frequency interval and the upper and lower bounds of the shifted and/or compressed frequency interval.
  • There may be additional or alternative sound programs 40, which are applied to the audio signal. Also these sound programs 40 depend on at least one sound program parameter 42, which may have been customized by a hearing care specialist.
  • It may be that the sound program parameters 42 are stored as fixed values in the hearing device 12. It also may be that the sound program parameters 42 are selected based on an acoustic situation 46.
  • The acoustic situation 46 is determined with a classifier 44 by evaluating the audio signal 22, which is designed to classify acoustic situations. The classifier 44 may be based on a conventional algorithm, for example evaluating a frequency spectrum of the audio signal 22 and/or may be based on a machining learning algorithm, which classifies acoustic situations. Such acoustic situations 46 may comprise noisy situations, loud situations, situations, in which other persons and/or the user are speaking, etc. In general, an acoustic situation may be a classification of sound in an environment of the user of the hearing device 12.
  • Fig. 2 further shows a transition parameter calculator 48, which receives an operation state 50 of the hearing device 12, which operation state 50 is either switched-on or switched-off.
  • As shown in Fig. 3A to 3C, when the hearing device 12 is switched on, i.e., at time ton, when the operation state 50 turns from switched-off to switched on, the transition parameter calculator 48 determines a switch-off duration doff of the hearing device 12.
  • The switch-off duration doff is the time elapsed, since the hearing device 12 has been switched off at time toff. This may be determined in several ways.
  • In general, the hearing device 12 may be switched on and switched off with the input mean 20, such as a button, which results in the operation state 50. After switch-off, the hearing device 12 has a very low energy consumption and/or no audio signals are processed by the hearing device 12.
  • As an example, when the hearing device 12 is switched off, i.e., the operation state 50 turns from switched-on to switched-off, the transition parameter calculator 48 may start a timer at time toff. When the hearing device 12 is switched on, i.e., the operation state 50 turns from switched-off to switched-on, the transition parameter calculator 48 may determine the switch-off duration doff as the time elapsed, which has been counted by the timer.
  • The hearing device 12 may have a sleep mode, in which the timer is counting, but no sound processing is performed. When the hearing device 12 is switched off, it may enter the sleep mode and when it is switched on, it enters a normal mode and starts sound processing with the sound programs 40.
  • As a further example, the switch-off duration doff may be determined with the help of the user device 14. The hearing device 12 and in particular the transition parameter calculator 48 may inform the user device 14, which is in data communication with the hearing device 12, about the switch-off and switch-on, when the hearing device 12 is switched off and switched on. The switch-off duration doff then is determined by the user device 14, which may have an internal clock. The application 34 run in the user device 14 may perform these tasks.
  • When the switch-off duration doff is known, the transition parameter calculator 48 determines an acclimatization period in dependence of the switch-off duration doff. The acclimatization period is a time period, in which the hearing device 12 operates in a mode, in which amplification and/or sound processing is performed with a lower gain and/or different sound program parameters 42 as in a normal mode. The acclimatization period may be defined by its duration dacc and its profile 52. The profile 52 may be defined by the starting value gs of the transition parameter 38, the final value gf of the transition parameter and/or the shape of the curve of the transition parameter 38 during the acclimatization period. Fig. 3A shows two different profiles 52 with two different curve shapes (solid line and dashed line).
  • The starting value gs as well as the transition parameter 38 may be a value greater than 0 and/or smaller than 1. The final value gf may be 1 in this case. The dependence of the transition parameter 38 on the time elapsed until the end of the acclimatization period te may be linear or may have another dependence, which is strictly increasing, such as defined by the profile 52.
  • The duration dacc of the acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration doff. A longer switch-off duration may result in a longer acclimatization period. For example, the duration dacc depends linearly on the switch-off duration doff. However, this dependence need not be linear. A function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device 12 and/or the user device 14, from which the acclimatization period can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration doff. It may be that, when the switch-off duration doff is smaller than a lower threshold, then the duration dacc of the acclimatization period is 0. It may be that, when the switch-off duration doff is higher than an upper threshold, then the duration dacc of the acclimatization period is set to a maximal duration.
  • Also the starting value gs of the transition parameter 38 may be determined by the transition parameter calculator 48 in dependence of the switch-off duration doff. A longer switch-off duration doff may result in the starting value gs near to the final value gf of the transition parameter 38. Fig. 3B shows a shorter switch-off duration doff compared to Fig. 2A, where the starting value gs is nearer to the final value gf and the duration dacc of the acclimatization period is shorter.
  • The dependence of starting value gs on the switch-off duration doff may be linear or may depend on another function. A function and/or table may be stored in the hearing device 12 and/or the user device 14, from which the starting value gs can be calculated in dependence of the switch-off duration doff.
  • The duration dacc of the acclimatization period and the starting value gs determine a speed of the acclimatization. It also is possible that the starting value gs is calculated depending on the duration dacc of the acclimatization period and a speed factor.
  • Also the acoustic situation 46, when the hearing device is switched on, i.e., at the time ton, may influence the acclimatization period and/or the functionality of the hearing device 12 during the acclimatization period. A speed of the acclimatization, i.e., the increase rate of the transition parameter 38 towards the final value gf, may be set automatically in dependence of the acoustic situation 46. This may be based on the hearing intention of the user. For example, when the user switches on the hearing device 12 in a quiet situation, the duration dacc of the acclimatization may be long and/or the starting value may be low compared to a loud situation.
  • When the hearing system 10 comprises a pair of hearing devices 12a, 12b for each ear of a user, the acclimatization period may be determined independently by each hearing device 12a, 12b. In this case, the acclimatization periods of the hearing devices 12a, 12b may be synchronized via the data communication link 30 of the hearing devices 12a, 12b. The hearing devices 12a, 12b may communicate with each other and may adapt their acclimatization periods. For example, the duration dacc and/or the starting value gf of the transition parameter 38 may be set to an average of the durations and/or transition parameters determined by the hearing devices 12a, 12b.
  • During the acclimatization period, i.e., in the time interval between the beginning of the acclimatization period ton and the end of the acclimatization period te, the transition parameter calculator 48 increases the transition parameter 38 from the starting value gs to the final value gf as defined by the profile 52.
  • The transition parameter 38 is used during the acclimatization period, to change the at least one sound program parameter 42. This is done in a way that at the final value gf, the audio signal 22 is processed with the at least one sound program parameter 42 being the fitted parameter and at a transition parameter 38 smaller than the final value gf, the at least one sound program parameter 42 may be the fitted parameter times the transition parameter 38 or the fitted parameter decreased in dependence of the transition parameter 38. This may be done, such that the audio signal 22 is less modified by the sound program 40 as compared to the final value gf.
  • For example, at a minimal transition parameter, such as 0, the audio signal 22 stays unprocessed by the one or more sound programs 40, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter 42 is changed, such that the sound program 40 does not modify the audio signal.
  • At the final value gf of the transition parameter 38, such as 1, the audio signal 22 is processed with the at least one sound program parameter 42, which is unmodified, i.e., the at least one sound program parameter 42 is not changed. At the final value gf, the one or more sound programs 40 operate such as customized in the hearing device 12 and the hearing device 12 can go over continuously into a normal mode.
  • During the acclimatization period, the audio signal 22 may be less modified by the one or more sound programs 40 as compared to the case with unchanged sound program parameters 42. Less modified may mean that a difference between the unprocessed audio signal 22 and the processed audio signal 24 is smaller as compared to the case with the unchanged sound program parameters 42. Less modified also may mean that the processed audio signal 22 sounds more as the unprocessed audio signal 24 to the user as compared to the case with the unchanged sound program parameters.
  • The sound program parameters 42 may be changed by the transition parameter 38 with a function that depends linearly on the transition parameter 38. For example, the sound program parameters 42 may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38 and optionally, a constant value may be added. Changing the sound program parameters 42 with the transition parameter 38 may comprise multiplying the sound program parameter 42 with the transition parameter 38. The dependence of the sound program parameters 42 on the transition parameter 38 may be linear or logarithmic and in general may be defined by hearing difficult perception models.
  • As example, the sound processing parameters 42 may be scaled that a value of 0 may mean that the corresponding sound program 40 does not modify the audio signal 22. Such scaled sound processing parameters 42 may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38, which is selected between 0 as starting value gm and 1 as final value gf. The sound processing parameters 42 then may be scaled back and applied to the corresponding sound program 40.
  • For example, in the case of the frequency dependent amplifier 40a, the frequency dependent gains may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38.
  • In the case of the noise canceller 40b, a noise cancelling parameter 42 of 0 may mean that no noise is cancelled. Such a noise cancelling parameter 42may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38.
  • In the case of the frequency shifter and/or compressor 40c, a frequency shifting parameter 42 of 0 may mean that there is no frequency shifting and such a frequency shifting parameter 42 may be multiplied with the transition parameter 38.
  • Fig. 3C shows that the acclimatization period may be interrupted in specific situations. In particular, the acclimatization period is interrupted between the time t1 and the time tz and the transition parameter 38 is set to the final value gf between these time points.
  • The transition parameter calculator 48 may interrupt and/or end the acclimatization period, when it receives a specific acoustic situation 46 from the classifier 44. In some acoustic situations 46 it may be beneficial, when the reduced sound processing is turned off. For example, the acclimatization period may be interrupted and/or ended, when a dangerous situation 46 is detected, or when a special situation 46 is detected that was selected by the user. As an example, an acoustic situation 46 with music and/or a radio playing may result in ending of the acclimatization period.
  • A further example is that the specific acoustic situation 46 indicates that the user of the hearing device 12 is speaking. When the own-voice of the user is detected, i.e., when the user is speaking, the acclimatization period may be interrupted and may be continued at the end of the own-voice detection.
  • Returning to Fig. 1, information on the acclimatization period, such as the actual transition parameter 38 and/or the duration dacc of the acclimatization period may be displayed on the user interface 32 of the user device 14. The user can graphically see, how the acclimatization behaves and can change the momentary status of the acclimatization. With the user interface 32, the user can adapt the behavior of the acclimatization to her or his needs. The user interface 32 may be provided by the application 34 running in the user device 14.
  • The user interface 32 may provide a control element 36 for stopping the acclimatization period. The user can abruptly finish the acclimatization process with the user interface 32.
  • The user also may configure attributes of the acclimatization period. For example, the user can select a speed of the acclimatization, such as slow, mid, fast. The user can select an acclimatization range, such as small, big, max. The speed and range may scale with the switch-off duration doff. The user also may select an acclimatization mode, which defines the form of the curve of the transition parameter, such as linear, exponential, nonlinear, logarithmic, loudness perception dependent, etc.
  • For example, the user interface 32 may be used for selecting a transition parameter profile 52 for the transition parameter 38 during the acclimatization period. The transition parameter profile may indicate, how steep the increase of the transition parameter is and/or how the increase rate changes during the acclimatization period.
  • As a further example, the user interface 32 may be used for selecting a default duration for the acclimatization period. The duration dacc of the acclimatization period may depend on the default duration. The duration dacc may be calculated as the default duration times a factor determined from the switch-off duration doff.
  • As a further example, the user interface is for selecting a default starting value for the transition parameter 38. The starting value gf of the transition parameter 38 may depend on the default starting value. The starting value gf may be calculated as the default starting value times a factor determined from the switch-off duration doff.
  • The user selections may be stored with respect to further parameters, such as a time of day, an acoustic situation, GPS location, etc. The acclimatization period then may be set in dependence of actual parameters at the time of the switch-on. In such a way, the hearing device 12 and/or hearing system 10 can learn, which acclimatization process the user wishes in different situations.
  • While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practising the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
    • LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
    • 10
    hearing system
    12
    hearing device
    12a
    hearing device
    12b
    hearing device
    14
    user device
    16
    microphone
    18
    sound output device
    20
    input mean
    22
    audio signal
    24
    processed audio signal
    26
    processor
    28
    sound processing module
    30
    data communication interface
    32
    graphical user interface
    34
    application
    36
    control element
    38
    transition parameter
    40
    sound program
    42
    sound program parameter
    44
    acoustic situation classifier
    46
    acoustic situation
    48
    transition parameter calculator
    50
    operation state
    52
    profile

Claims (15)

  1. A method for operating a hearing system (10), the hearing system comprising at least one hearing device (12), the method comprising:
    when the hearing device (12) is switched on, determining a switch-off duration (doff) of the hearing device (12);
    determining a short term acclimatization period in dependence of the switch-off duration (doff), wherein a duration (dacc) of the short term acclimatization period depends on the switch-off duration (doff);
    during the short term acclimatization period, increasing a transition parameter (38) from a starting value (gs) to a final value (gf);
    processing an audio signal (22) with the hearing device (12) with at least one sound program (40), which sound program (40) depends on at least one sound program parameter (42), and changing the at least one sound program parameter (42) depending on the transition parameter (38);changed
    wherein, when the transition parameter (38) increases from the starting value (gs) to the final value (gf), the at least one sound program parameter (42) is changed from an acclimatization start parameter to a fitted parameter.
  2. The method of claim 1,
    wherein the starting value (gs) of the transition parameter (38) is determined in dependence of the switch-off duration (doff).
  3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
    wherein the short term acclimatization period has a duration between 1 minute and 5 hours, in particular between 2 minutes and 1 hour.
  4. The method of one of the previous claims, further comprising:
    determining an acoustic situation (46) by evaluating the audio signal (22);
    wherein the short term acclimatization period depends on the acoustic situation (46) at the time (ton), when the hearing device (12) is switched on; and/or
    interrupting the short term acclimatization period, when a specific acoustic situation (46) is determined.
  5. The method of one of the previous claims, further comprising:
    interrupting the short term acclimatization period when a user of the hearing device (12) is speaking.
  6. The method of one of the previous claims,
    wherein the duration (dacc) of the short term acclimatization period and/or the starting value (gs) of the transition parameter (38) depends on a user experience with hearing devices.
  7. The method of one of the previous claims, further comprising:
    when the hearing device (12) is switched off, starting a timer in the hearing device (12);
    wherein the switch-off duration is the time elapsed counted by the timer.
  8. The method of one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
    when the hearing device (12) is switched off and switched on, informing a user device (14), which is in data communication with the hearing device (12), about the switch-off and switch-on;
    wherein the switch-off duration (doff) is determined by the user device (14).
  9. The method of one of the previous claims,
    wherein the hearing system (10) comprises a pair of hearing devices (12a, 12b) for each ear of a user of the hearing system (10);
    wherein an short term acclimatization period is determined independently for each hearing device (12a, 12b);
    wherein the short term acclimatization periods of the hearing devices (12a, 12b) are synchronized via a data communication link (30) of the hearing devices (12a, 12b).
  10. The method of one of the previous claims, further comprising:
    displaying the transition parameter (38) and/or the duration (dacc) of the short term acclimatization period on a user interface (32) of a user device (14).
  11. The method of one of the previous claims, further comprising:
    providing a user interface (32) with a user device (14) for at least one of:
    stopping the short term acclimatization period;
    selecting a transition parameter profile for the transition parameter (38) during the short term acclimatization period;
    selecting a default duration for the short term acclimatization period;
    selecting a default starting value for the transition parameter (38).
  12. A computer program for operating a hearing system (10), which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out the steps of the method of one of the previous claims.
  13. A computer-readable medium, in which a computer program according to claim 12 is stored.
  14. A hearing device (12), comprising:
    a microphone (16) for sensing an audio signal (22);
    a sound processor (28) for processing the audio signal (22);
    a sound output device (18) for outputting a processed audio signal (24) to a user;
    wherein the hearing device (12) is adapted for performing the method of one of claims 1 to 9.
  15. A hearing system (10), comprising:
    at least one hearing device (12) according to claim 14;
    a user device (14) in data communication with the hearing device;
    wherein the hearing system (10) is adapted for performing the method of one of claims 1 to 11.
EP24153518.6A 2024-01-23 2024-01-23 Short term acclimatization for hearing device user Pending EP4593423A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24153518.6A EP4593423A1 (en) 2024-01-23 2024-01-23 Short term acclimatization for hearing device user

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24153518.6A EP4593423A1 (en) 2024-01-23 2024-01-23 Short term acclimatization for hearing device user

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4593423A1 true EP4593423A1 (en) 2025-07-30

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1802169A2 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-06-27 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Method for controlling a hearing apparatus based on the duration of the disconnection period and corresponding hearing apparatus
US20100220879A1 (en) * 2007-10-16 2010-09-02 Phonak Ag Hearing system and method for operating a hearing system
US20150036851A1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2015-02-05 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Automatic hearing aid adaptation over time via mobile application
US20150335890A1 (en) * 2013-01-11 2015-11-26 Advanced Bionics Ag Method and system for neural hearing stimulation
US20190158969A1 (en) * 2016-04-21 2019-05-23 Sonova Ag Method of adapting settings of a hearing device and hearing device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1802169A2 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-06-27 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Method for controlling a hearing apparatus based on the duration of the disconnection period and corresponding hearing apparatus
US20070147624A1 (en) * 2005-12-20 2007-06-28 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Method for controlling a hearing apparatus as a function of a switch-off period and corresponding hearing apparatus
US20100220879A1 (en) * 2007-10-16 2010-09-02 Phonak Ag Hearing system and method for operating a hearing system
US20150335890A1 (en) * 2013-01-11 2015-11-26 Advanced Bionics Ag Method and system for neural hearing stimulation
US20150036851A1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2015-02-05 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Automatic hearing aid adaptation over time via mobile application
US20190158969A1 (en) * 2016-04-21 2019-05-23 Sonova Ag Method of adapting settings of a hearing device and hearing device

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