EP4723680A1

EP4723680A1 - A method of operating a hearing aid receiving wireless broadcasting sources, and a hearing aid

Info

Publication number: EP4723680A1
Application number: EP25163550.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehran SADRI; Patrick Blake; Juan Manuel VÖLKER; Peter RØNBERG; Angela JOSUPEIT; Anida Memic
Original assignee: Oticon AS
Current assignee: Oticon AS
Priority date: 2025-03-13
Filing date: 2025-03-13
Publication date: 2026-04-08

Abstract

A method of operating a hearing aid, the method comprising receiving a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources, activating, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources, assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots; receiving a second user input, and cycling through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources, wherein the method is performed fully in the hearing aid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of hearing aids. In particular, the present application relates to methods of operating a hearing aid receiving wireless broadcasting sources.

SUMMARY

In aspects of the present application, a method of operating a hearing aid is provided. The method can comprise receiving a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. The method can include activating, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. The method can include assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. The method can include receiving a second user input. The method can include cycling through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources. The method can be performed fully in the hearing aid.
Current hearing aids supporting wireless broadcasting sources such as Auracast^™ broadcasting products rely on the availability of assistant applications in order to select a broadcast to listen to, and to control reception. Assistant can be an application on a phone (native or external) or any other remote-control devices (for example, smart watches, tablets, etc.). While control of broadcasts through an assistant application offers an enhanced user experience by visualizing available sources and preferences, this feature is limited to users who utilize phones or other remote-control devices.
Advantageously, disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and hearing aids with an autonomous wireless broadcasting source control system. This solution can be used not only as a stand-alone solution by those hearing aid users who do not use an app but also in combination with an application-based assistant tool on a phone or other remote-control devices to offer advanced features. Further, the disclosed method can provide a better user experience by providing local controls without the use of an accessory device. Moreover, the disclosed methods could also enable source-specific customization of settings in hearing aids. For example, prioritization of input sources (call vs streaming, etc.) or out-of-range timeout can be defined differently for each program slot carrying settings for a specific source in the cycle.
Further, in aspects of the present application, a hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid comprises an input unit configured to receive sound from an environment. The hearing aid comprises an output unit configured to output a compensated signal based on the sound. The hearing aid comprises a wireless transceiver configured to receiver and/or transmit a wireless signal. The hearing aid comprises a processor. The processor can be configured to receive, via a first physical interaction with the hearing aid, a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. The processor can be configured to activate, based on the first user input, source scanning by the wireless transceiver for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. The processor can be configured to assign each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. The processor can be configured to receive, via a second physical interaction with the hearing aid, a second user input. The processor can be configured to cycle through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources.
The method can include receiving a first user input. The first user input can be, for example, the touching of a hearing aid, such as pressing a button or using a switch. The first user input can be a gesture on the hearing aid. Receiving the first user input can include receiving data indicative of a first user input. Receiving a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources can include receiving, by a processor of the hearing aid, a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources.
In one or more example methods, receiving the first user input comprises receiving the first user input via a physical button press of the hearing aid and/or a tap of the hearing aid.
The first user input can be indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. The first user input can be indicative of a user's choice for an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. As an example, a user can press a button on the hearing aid which is configured to activate scanning for wireless broadcasting sources.
A wireless broadcasting source can be understood as a source that is broadcasting a wireless signal. An example wireless broadcasting source is an Auracast^™ source (e.g., Auracast^™ broadcasters or Auracast^™transmitters). A wireless broadcasting source can be understood as a source that broadcasts audio over Bluetooth LE. A plurality of wireless broadcasting sources can all be broadcasting at the same time. Wireless broadcasting sources can be public announcement broadcasting sources, television broadcasting sources, concert broadcasting sources, public broadcasting sources, etc. The wireless broadcasting source can provide audio to the hearing aid. In certain examples, the method can include receiving audio from a wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. The method can include outputting, via an output unit of the hearing aid, the audio.
The method can include activating, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. Activating can include, for example, activating a wireless transceiver of the hearing aid. Activating can be understood as turning on or enabling. Activating can include, for example, activating a Bluetooth^® chip of the hearing aid. The method can include activating, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining at least one wireless broadcasting sources.
Source scanning can be understood as the hearing aid, such as a wireless transceiver of the hearing aid, as a process for detecting and/or identifying broadcast wireless signals. Source scanning can be understood as a process in the hearing aid, such as a wireless transceiver of the hearing aid, for detecting and/or identifying broadcast wireless signals available for connecting by the hearing aid.
The method includes assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots (e.g., a plurality of wireless broadcasting program slots, a dedicated plurality of wireless broadcasting program slots). The method includes assigning, by the processor, each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. A program slot can be understood as a dedicated program slot.

Table I illustrates an example of a plurality of program slots. As shown, each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources (e.g., N sources) can be assigned to a respective program slot (e.g., N slots). The amount of assigned program slots can vary depending on the amount of the plurality of program slots. Assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources can include storing each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources for future connection. The plurality of program slots for assigning the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources can be in addition to other program slots that may be contained in the hearing aid, such as shown in the below Table I.

Table I: Example Plurality of Program Slots

Slot/Cycle	Standard	Technical	Broadcasting Source
Slot 1	General	Technical 1	Source 1
Slot 2	Comfort	Technical 2	Source 2
Slot 3	Speech in Noise	Technical 3	Source 3
Slot N	Standard N	Technical N	Source N

The method can include receiving a second user input. The second user input can be, for example, the touching of a hearing aid, such as pressing a button or using a switch. The second user input can be a gesture on the hearing aid. Receiving the second user input can include receiving data indicative of a second user input. Receiving a second user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources can include receiving, by a processor of the hearing aid, a second user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources.
In one or more example methods, receiving the second user input comprises receiving the second user input via a physical button press of the hearing aid and/or a tap of the hearing aid.
The method can include cycling through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources. The cycling can be performed by the processor of the hearing aid.
In other words, upon receiving the second user input, the method includes switching between different wireless broadcasting sources. In other words, upon receiving the second user input, the method includes switching connections between different wireless broadcasting sources For example, based on Table I, switching from Source 1 to Source 2, or from Source 2 to Source 3, etc. Cycling can include connecting with a respective wireless broadcasting source indicated by the respective program slot. Cycling can include obtaining audio from a respective wireless broadcasting source indicated by the respective program slot. Cycling through can include outputting the audio, via an output unit of the hearing aid, to a user. In some examples, as a user cycles through the different wireless broadcasting sources of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources, they will hear the audio being sent by the wireless broadcasting sources.
The method disclosed herein can be performed fully in the hearing aid. In other words, no external device, such as a cellular phone, computer, app, etc., is used for operating the hearing aid. The method does not include receiving data indicate of any of the sources from a device that is not the hearing aid.
In one or more example methods, the method further comprises outputting a notification to a user of the hearing aid indicative of one or more of the activating, the assigning, and the cycling. In one or more example methods, the method further comprises outputting, by the processor, a notification to a user of the hearing aid indicative of one or more of the activating, the assigning, and the cycling
In one or more example methods, the notification is an auditory notification. For example, an output unit of the hearing aid can provide the auditory notification. The auditory notification can be a tone, such as a chime. The auditory notification can be a spoken notification. Outputting the notification can comprises transmitted, by a wireless transceiver of the hearing aid, to a third party device of the user. The third party device can be, for example, a cellular phone. The notification can provide a user of the hearing aid an indication that one or more steps of the method has occurred. In one or more example methods, the method further comprises outputting, by an output unit of the hearing aid, a notification to a user of the hearing aid indicative of one or more of the activating, the assigning, and the cycling.
In one or more example methods, the method includes receiving a third user input indicative of terminating the wireless connection. In one or more example methods, in accordance with receiving the third user input indicative of terminating the wireless connection, the method includes terminating connections to the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. In one or more example methods, in accordance with not receiving the third user input indicative of terminating the wireless connection, the method includes not terminating connections to the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. Terminating can include disconnecting from any and/or all wireless broadcasting sources of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. Terminating can include ending the cycling.
In certain examples, the method includes terminating connections to the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources after a criteria has been met. In certain examples, the method includes terminating the source scanning after a criteria has been met. In certain examples, the method includes terminating the cycling after a criteria has been met. The criteria can include determining whether there are available wireless broadcasting sources. The criteria can be a time criteria. For example, the criteria can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 seconds. For example, in accordance with a determination that there are no available wireless broadcasting sources after 20 seconds, the method includes terminating one or more of the source scanning, and the cycling through. In other words, the method can allow for termination if there are no available wireless broadcasting sources, which can save power in the hearing aid.
The method can include receiving a third user input. The third user input can be, for example, the touching of a hearing aid, such as pressing a button or using a switch. The third user input can be a gesture on the hearing aid. Receiving the third user input can include receiving data indicative of a third user input.
In one or more example methods, receiving the third user input comprises receiving the third user input via a physical button press of the hearing aid and/or a tap of the hearing aid.
In one or more example methods, the method includes outputting, by an output transducer of the hearing aid, an audio of the respective wireless broadcasting source of the program slot. In one or more example methods, the method includes outputting, by an output transducer of the hearing aid, an audio of a selected wireless broadcasting source. In other words, the method allows for a user to select a particular wireless broadcasting source from the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources and output audio from the selected wireless broadcasting source to the user.
In one or more example methods, assigning comprising applying a prioritization to each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. In one or more example methods, assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to the respective program slot of the plurality of program slots is based on the prioritization.
Applying a prioritization can include storing a prioritization to each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. In certain examples, the prioritization can be a numeric prioritization. For example, a prioritization of 1 would be the highest, followed by a prioritization of 2, etc.
In certain examples, applying a prioritization and/ or assigning can be based on a set of pre-defined logics that processes the encoded data provided by the wireless broadcasting source (for example, source type, name, ID, etc.) to determine which program slot an identified source belongs to and its priority.
The plurality of program slots can have a prioritization. For example, a first program slot of the plurality of program slots can have the highest prioritization. The first program slot may be the first slot that is cycled during the cycling wireless connections.

In certain methods, the wireless broadcasting sources having the highest prioritization is assigned to a program slot of the plurality of program slots having the highest prioritization. In certain methods, the wireless broadcasting sources having the highest prioritization is assigned to an available program slot of the plurality of program slots having the highest prioritization. Table II provides an example of the prioritization.

Table II: Example Plurality of Program Slots with Prioritization

Slot/Cycle (Priority)	Standard	Technical	Broadcasting Source (Priority)
Slot 1 (1)	General	Technical 1	Source 3 (1)
Slot 2 (2)	Comfort	Technical 2	Source 2 (2)
Slot 3 (3)	Speech in Noise	Technical 3	Source 1 (3)
Slot N	Standard N	Technical N	Source N

As shown in Table II, the wireless broadcasting source with the highest prioritization (e.g., Source 3 having a prioritization of 1) is assigned to the program slot having the highest prioritization (e.g., Slot 1 having a prioritization of 1).
In one or more example methods, applying the prioritization comprises determining whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. In one or more example methods, in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, applying a higher prioritization than a wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources which is not associated with the stored criteria. In one or more example methods, in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is not associated with the stored criteria, not applying a higher prioritization than a wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources which is not associated with the stored criteria.
In one or more example methods, applying the prioritization comprises determining, by a processor of the hearing aid, whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. This can allow for wireless broadcasting sources indicated as "permanent" have the highest priority. A user can apply the "permanent" status as a stored criterion to one or more wireless broadcasting sources of the plurality of broadcasting sources.

The wireless broadcasting sources having a "permanent" status can always have a higher priority than a non-permanent status wireless broadcasting source. Table III illustrates such an example.

Table II: Example Plurality of Program Slots with Prioritization

Slot/Cycle (Priority)	Standard	Technical	Broadcasting Source (Priority)
Slot 1 (1)	General	Technical 1	Source 3 (3 - Permanent)
Slot 2 (2)	Comfort	Technical 2	Source 1 (1)
Slot 3 (3)	Speech in Noise	Technical 3	Source 2 (2)
Slot N	Standard N	Technical N	Source N

As shown, Source 3 has been determined to have a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. Accordingly, it receives a higher prioritization than Source 1, even though it has a lower prioritization.
In one or more example methods, each of the respective program slots comprises a preset set of audiological settings based on the respective wireless broadcasting source. A preset set of audiological settings can be a default set of audiological settings.
In one or more example methods, the method includes determining whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. In one or more example methods, the method includes in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, applying a stored set of audiological settings to the respective wireless broadcasting source. In one or more example methods, the method includes in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is not associated with the stored criteria, not applying a stored set of audiological settings to the respective wireless broadcasting source.
In one or more example methods, the method includes determining, by a processor of the hearing aid, whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. Each wireless broadcasting source associated with the stored criteria indicative a permanent wireless broadcasting source can have respective audiological settings. This can allow for user customization of audiological settings of permanent wireless broadcasting sources.
In certain example methods, the determination of whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source could be done via the identification of the wireless broadcasting source type (public broadcaster, TV, etc.) and applying a set of pre-defined settings applicable for the identified source type. In certain example methods, the method can include categorizing the program slots in the hearing device and define a template containing certain audiological settings for each slot category (in this case user can switch from one slot category to another while streaming from the wireless broadcasting source). In certain examples, the method includes always applying default settings to all program slots and/or wireless broadcasting sources and let the user decide if audiological settings must be adjusted for a given program slots and/or wireless broadcasting.
In one or more example methods, assigning comprises overwriting previously stored wireless broadcasting sources in the plurality of program slots. For example, program slots in the plurality of program slots may have previously assigned wireless broadcasting sources assigned. These previously stored wireless broadcasting sources can be subsequently overwritten after the activating the source scanning.
In one or more example methods, the method includes determining whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. In one or more example methods, the method includes in accordance with the determination that the previously stored wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, not overwriting the previously stored wireless broadcasting source. In one or more example methods, the method includes in accordance with the determination that the previously stored wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is not associated with the stored criteria, overwriting the previously stored wireless broadcasting source.
In certain example methods, a user may not wish to overwrite wireless broadcasting sources associated with stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source. Therefore, the wireless broadcasting sources associated with stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source are not overwritten and remain within the plurality of program slots.
In certain example methods, overwriting the previously stored wireless broadcasting sources can be done according to the priority of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources assigned to program slot.

Hearing Aid

Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a hearing aid. The hearing aid can be configured to perform any and/or all of the method steps disclosed above.
In one or more example embodiments, a hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid comprises an input unit configured to receive sound from an environment. The hearing aid comprises an output unit configured to output a compensated signal based on the sound. The hearing aid comprises a wireless transceiver configured to receiver and/or transmit a wireless signal. The hearing aid comprises a processor. The processor can be configured to receive, via a first physical interaction with the hearing aid, a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. The processor can be configured to activate, based on the first user input, source scanning by the wireless transceiver for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. The processor can be configured to assign each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. The processor can be configured to receive, via a second physical interaction with the hearing aid, a second user input. The processor can be configured to cycle through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources.
The hearing aid may be adapted to provide a frequency dependent gain and/or a level dependent compression and/or a transposition (with or without frequency compression) of one or more frequency ranges to one or more other frequency ranges, e.g. to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user. The hearing aid may comprise a signal processor for enhancing the input signals and providing a processed output signal.
The hearing aid may comprise an output unit for providing a stimulus perceived by the user as an acoustic signal based on a processed electric signal. The output unit may a vibrator of a bone conducting hearing aid. The output unit may comprise an output transducer. The output transducer may comprise a receiver (loudspeaker) for providing the stimulus as an acoustic signal to the user (e.g. in an acoustic (air conduction based) hearing aid). The output transducer may comprise a vibrator for providing the stimulus as mechanical vibration of a skull bone to the user (e.g. in a bone-attached or bone-anchored hearing aid). The output unit may (additionally or alternatively) comprise a (e.g. wireless) transmitter for transmitting sound picked up-by the hearing aid to another device, e.g. a far-end communication partner (e.g. via a network, e.g. in a telephone mode of operation).
The hearing aid may comprise an input unit for providing an electric input signal representing sound. The input unit may comprise an input transducer, e.g. a microphone, for converting an input sound to an electric input signal. The input unit may comprise a wireless transceiver (e.g., receiver and/or transmitter) for receiving a wireless signal comprising or representing sound and for providing an electric input signal representing said sound.
The wireless transceiver (e.g., receiver and/or transmitter) may e.g. be configured to receive and/or transmit an electromagnetic signal in the radio frequency range (3 kHz to 300 GHz). The wireless transceiver (e.g., receiver and/or transmitter) may e.g. be configured to receive and/or transmit an electromagnetic signal in a frequency range of light (e.g. infrared light 300 GHz to 430 THz, or visible light, e.g. 430 THz to 770 THz).
The hearing aid may comprise a directional microphone system adapted to spatially filter sounds from the environment, and thereby enhance a target acoustic source among a multitude of acoustic sources in the local environment of the user wearing the hearing aid. The directional system may be adapted to detect (such as adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved in various different ways as e.g. described in the prior art. In hearing aids, a microphone array beamformer is often used for spatially attenuating background noise sources. The beamformer may comprise a linear constraint minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer. Many beamformer variants can be found in literature. The minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer is widely used in microphone array signal processing. Ideally the MVDR beamformer keeps the signals from the target direction (also referred to as the look direction) unchanged, while attenuating sound signals from other directions maximally. The generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) structure is an equivalent representation of the MVDR beamformer offering computational and numerical advantages over a direct implementation in its original form.
Most sound signal sources (except the user's own voice) are located far way from the user compared to dimensions of the hearing aid, e.g. a distance d_mic between two microphones of a directional system. A typical microphone distance in a hearing aid is of the order 10 mm. A minimum distance of a sound source of interest to the user (e.g. sound from the user's mouth or sound from an audio delivery device) is of the order of 0.1 m (> 10 d_mic). For such minimum distances, the hearing aid (microphones) would be in the acoustic near-field of the sound source and a difference in level of the sound signals impinging on respective microphones may be significant. A typical distance for a communication partner is more than 1 m (>100 d_mic). The hearing aid (microphones) would be in the acoustic far-field of the sound source and a difference in level of the sound signals impinging on respective microphones is insignificant. The difference in time of arrival of sound impinging in the direction of the microphone axis (e.g. the front or back of a normal hearing aid) is ΔT= d_mic/v_sound=0.01/343 [s]=29 µs, where v_sound is the speed of sound in air at 20°C (343 m/s).
The hearing aid may comprise antenna and transceiver circuitry allowing a wireless link to an entertainment device (e.g. a TV-set), a communication device (e.g. a telephone), a wireless microphone, a separate (external) processing device, or another hearing aid, etc. The hearing aid may thus be configured to wirelessly receive a direct electric input signal from another device. Likewise, the hearing aid may be configured to wirelessly transmit a direct electric output signal to another device. The direct electric input or output signal may represent or comprise an audio signal and/or a control signal and/or an information signal.
In general, a wireless link established by antenna and transceiver circuitry of the hearing aid can be of any type. The wireless link may be a link based on near-field communication, e.g. an inductive link based on an inductive coupling between antenna coils of transmitter and receiver parts. The wireless link may be based on far-field, electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, frequencies used to establish a communication link between the hearing aid and the other device is below 70 GHz, e.g. located in a range from 50 MHz to 70 GHz, e.g. above 300 MHz, e.g. in an ISM range above 300 MHz, e.g. in the 900 MHz range or in the 2.4 GHz range or in the 5.8 GHz range or in the 60 GHz range (ISM=Industrial, Scientific and Medical, such standardized ranges being e.g. defined by the International Telecommunication Union, ITU). The wireless link may be based on a standardized or proprietary technology. The wireless link may be based on Bluetooth technology (e.g. Bluetooth Low-Energy technology, e.g. LE audio), or Ultra WideBand (UWB) technology.
The hearing aid may be constituted by or form part of a portable (i.e. configured to be wearable) device, e.g. a device comprising a local energy source, e.g. a battery, e.g. a rechargeable battery. The hearing aid may e.g. be a low weight, easily wearable, device, e.g. having a total weight less than 100 g, such as less than 20 g, such as less than 5 g.
The hearing aid may comprise a 'forward' (or 'signal') path for processing an audio signal between an input and an output of the hearing aid. A signal processor may be located in the forward path. The signal processor may be adapted to provide a frequency dependent gain according to a user's particular needs (e.g. hearing impairment). The hearing aid may comprise an 'analysis' path comprising functional components for analyzing signals and/or controlling processing of the forward path. Some or all signal processing of the analysis path and/or the forward path may be conducted in the frequency domain, in which case the hearing aid comprises appropriate analysis and synthesis filter banks. Some or all signal processing of the analysis path and/or the forward path may be conducted in the time domain.
An analogue electric signal representing an acoustic signal may be converted to a digital audio signal in an analogue-to-digital (AD) conversion process, where the analogue signal is sampled with a predefined sampling frequency or rate f_s, f_s being e.g. in the range from 8 kHz to 48 kHz (adapted to the particular needs of the application) to provide digital samples x_n (or x[n]) at discrete points in time t_n (or n), each audio sample representing the value of the acoustic signal at t_n by a predefined number N_b of bits, N_b being e.g. in the range from 1 to 48 bits, e.g. 24 bits. Each audio sample is hence quantized using N_b bits (resulting in 2^Nb different possible values of the audio sample). A digital sample x has a length in time of 1/f_s, e.g. 50 µs, for f_s = 20 kHz. A number of audio samples may be arranged in a time frame. A time frame may comprise 64 or 128 audio data samples. Other frame lengths may be used depending on the practical application.
The hearing aid may comprise an analogue-to-digital (AD) converter to digitize an analogue input (e.g. from an input transducer, such as a microphone) with a predefined sampling rate, e.g. 20 kHz. The hearing aids may comprise a digital-to-analogue (DA) converter to convert a digital signal to an analogue output signal, e.g. for being presented to a user via an output transducer.
The hearing aid, e.g. the input unit, and or the antenna and transceiver circuitry may comprise a transform unit for converting a time domain signal to a signal in the transform domain (e.g. frequency domain or Laplace domain, Z transform, wavelet transform, etc.). The transform unit may be constituted by or comprise a TF-conversion unit for providing a time-frequency representation of an input signal. The time-frequency representation may comprise an array or map of corresponding complex or real values of the signal in question in a particular time and frequency range. The TF conversion unit may comprise a filter bank for filtering a (time varying) input signal and providing a number of (time varying) output signals each comprising a distinct frequency range of the input signal. The TF conversion unit may comprise a Fourier transformation unit (e.g. a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) algorithm, or a Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) algorithm, or similar) for converting a time variant input signal to a (time variant) signal in the (time-)frequency domain. The frequency range considered by the hearing aid from a minimum frequency f_min to a maximum frequency f_max may comprise a part of the typical human audible frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, e.g. a part of the range from 20 Hz to 12 kHz. Typically, a sample rate f_s is larger than or equal to twice the maximum frequency f_max, f_s ≥ 2f_max. A signal of the forward and/or analysis path of the hearing aid may be split into a number NI of frequency bands (e.g. of uniform width), where NI is e.g. larger than 5, such as larger than 10, such as larger than 50, such as larger than 100, such as larger than 500, at least some of which are processed individually. The hearing aid may be adapted to process a signal of the forward and/or analysis path in a number NP of different frequency channels (NP ≤ NI). The frequency channels may be uniform or non-uniform in width (e.g. increasing in width with frequency), overlapping or non-overlapping.
The hearing aid may be configured to operate in different modes, e.g. a normal mode and one or more specific modes, e.g. selectable by a user, or automatically selectable. A mode of operation may be optimized to a specific acoustic situation or environment, e.g. a communication mode, such as a telephone mode. A mode of operation may include a low-power mode, where functionality of the hearing aid is reduced (e.g. to save power), e.g. to disable wireless communication, and/or to disable specific features of the hearing aid.
The hearing aid may comprise a number of detectors configured to provide status signals relating to a current physical environment of the hearing aid (e.g. the current acoustic environment), and/or to a current state of the user wearing the hearing aid, and/or to a current state or mode of operation of the hearing aid. Alternatively or additionally, one or more detectors may form part of an external device in communication (e.g. wirelessly) with the hearing aid. An external device may e.g. comprise another hearing aid, a remote control, and audio delivery device, a telephone (e.g. a smartphone), an external sensor, etc.
One or more of the number of detectors may operate on the full band signal (time domain). One or more of the number of detectors may operate on band split signals ((time-) frequency domain), e.g. in a limited number of frequency bands.
The number of detectors may comprise a level detector for estimating a current level of a signal of the forward path. The detector may be configured to decide whether the current level of a signal of the forward path is above or below a given (L-)threshold value. The level detector operates on the full band signal (time domain). The level detector operates on band split signals ((time-) frequency domain).
The hearing aid may comprise a voice activity detector (VAD) for estimating whether or not (or with what probability) an input signal comprises a voice signal (at a given point in time). A voice signal may in the present context be taken to include a speech signal from a human being. It may also include other forms of utterances generated by the human speech system (e.g. singing). The voice activity detector unit may be adapted to classify a current acoustic environment of the user as a VOICE or NO-VOICE environment. This has the advantage that time segments of the electric microphone signal comprising human utterances (e.g. speech) in the user's environment can be identified, and thus separated from time segments only (or mainly) comprising other sound sources (e.g. artificially generated noise). The voice activity detector may be adapted to detect as a VOICE also the user's own voice. Alternatively, the voice activity detector may be adapted to exclude a user's own voice from the detection of a VOICE.
The hearing aid may comprise an own voice detector for estimating whether or not (or with what probability) a given input sound (e.g. a voice, e.g. speech) originates from the voice of the user of the system. A microphone system of the hearing aid may be adapted to be able to differentiate between a user's own voice and another person's voice and possibly from NON-voice sounds.
The number of detectors may comprise a movement detector, e.g. an acceleration sensor. The movement detector may be configured to detect movement of the user's facial muscles and/or bones, e.g. due to speech or chewing (e.g. jaw movement) and to provide a detector signal indicative thereof.
The hearing aid may comprise an acoustic (and/or mechanical) feedback control (e.g. suppression) or echo-cancelling system. Adaptive feedback cancellation has the ability to track feedback path changes over time. It is typically based on a linear time invariant filter to estimate the feedback path but its filter weights are updated over time. The filter update may be calculated using stochastic gradient algorithms, including some form of the Least Mean Square (LMS) or the Normalized LMS (NLMS) algorithms. They both have the property to minimize the error signal in the mean square sense with the NLMS additionally normalizing the filter update with respect to the squared Euclidean norm of some reference signal.
The hearing aid may further comprise other relevant functionality for the application in question, e.g. compression, noise reduction, etc.
The hearing aid may comprise a hearing instrument, e.g. a hearing instrument adapted for being located at the ear or fully or partially in the ear canal of a user.

A computer readable medium or data carrier:

In an aspect, a tangible computer-readable medium (a data carrier) storing a computer program comprising program code means (instructions) for causing a data processing system (a computer) to perform (carry out) at least some (such as a majority or all) of the (steps of the) method described above, in the 'detailed description of embodiments' and in the claims, when said computer program is executed on the data processing system is furthermore provided by the present application.
By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Other storage media include storage in DNA (e.g. in synthesized DNA strands). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. In addition to being stored on a tangible medium, the computer program can also be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a wired or wireless link or a network, e.g. the Internet, and loaded into a data processing system for being executed at a location different from that of the tangible medium.

A computer program:

A computer program (product) comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out (steps of) the method described above, in the 'detailed description of embodiments' and in the claims is furthermore provided by the present application.

Definitions:

In the present context, a hearing aid, e.g. a hearing instrument, refers to a device, which is adapted to improve, augment and/or protect the hearing capability of a user by receiving acoustic signals from the user's surroundings, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly modifying the audio signals and providing the possibly modified audio signals as audible signals to at least one of the user's ears. Such audible signals may e.g. be provided in the form of acoustic signals radiated into the user's outer ears and/or acoustic signals transferred as mechanical vibrations to the user's inner ears through the bone structure of the user's head and/or through parts of the middle ear.
The hearing aid may be configured to be worn in any known way, e.g. as a unit arranged behind the ear with a tube leading radiated acoustic signals into the ear canal or with an output transducer, e.g. a loudspeaker, arranged close to or in the ear canal, as a unit entirely or partly arranged in the pinna and/or in the ear canal, as a unit, e.g. a vibrator, attached to a fixture implanted into the skull bone, etc. The hearing aid may comprise a single unit or several units communicating (e.g. acoustically, electrically or optically) with each other. The loudspeaker may be arranged in a housing together with other components of the hearing aid, or may be an external unit in itself (possibly in combination with a flexible guiding element, e.g. a dome-like element).
A hearing aid may be adapted to a particular user's needs, e.g. a hearing impairment. A configurable signal processing circuit of the hearing aid may be adapted to apply a frequency and level dependent compressive amplification of an input signal. A customized frequency and level dependent gain (amplification or compression) may be determined in a fitting process by a fitting system based on a user's hearing data, e.g. an audiogram, using a fitting rationale (e.g. adapted to speech). The frequency and level dependent gain may e.g. be embodied in processing parameters, e.g. uploaded to the hearing aid via an interface to a programming device (fitting system), and used by a processing algorithm executed by the configurable signal processing circuit of the hearing aid.
A 'hearing system' refers to a system comprising one or two hearing aids, and a 'binaural hearing system' refers to a system comprising two hearing aids and being adapted to cooperatively provide audible signals to both of the user's ears. Hearing systems or binaural hearing systems may further comprise one or more 'auxiliary devices', which communicate with the hearing aid(s) and affect and/or benefit from the function of the hearing aid(s). Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of a remote control, a remote microphone, an audio gateway device, an entertainment device, e.g. a music player, a wireless communication device, e.g. a mobile phone (such as a smartphone) or a tablet or another device, e.g. comprising a graphical interface. Hearing aids, hearing systems or binaural hearing systems may e.g. be used for compensating for a hearing-impaired person's loss of hearing capability, augmenting or protecting a normal-hearing person's hearing capability and/or conveying electronic audio signals to a person. Hearing aids or hearing systems may e.g. form part of or interact with public-address systems, active ear protection systems, handsfree telephone systems, car audio systems, entertainment (e.g. TV, music playing or karaoke) systems, teleconferencing systems, classroom amplification systems, etc.
The invention is set out in the appended set of claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a method of operating a hearing aid according to the disclosure,
FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a method of operating a hearing aid according to the disclosure, and
FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an example embodiment of a hearing aid according to the disclosure.

The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference signs are used for identical or corresponding parts.
Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only. Other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.
The electronic hardware may include micro-electronic-mechanical systems (MEMS), integrated circuits (e.g. application specific), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCB) (e.g. flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure, e.g. sensors, e.g. for sensing and/or registering physical properties of the environment, the device, the user, etc. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.
The present application relates to the field of hearing aids.
FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a method of operating a hearing aid according to the disclosure. The method 100 includes receiving 102 a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. The method 100 includes activating 104, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources. The method 100 includes assigning 106 each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. The method 100 includes receiving 108 a second user input. The method 100 includes cycling through 110, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources. The method 100 is performed fully in a hearing aid.
The disclosed method 100 utilizes the availability of local control functionalities (for example, button or tap controls) and a dedicated program cycle in the hearing aid. The method 100 and/or hearing aid can include the following components:

A dedicated program cycle specifically for wireless broadcasting sources.
Several program slots in the wireless broadcasting sources program cycle.
An interface with a local control engine which detects local control actions in the hearing aid (e.g., button presses or tap) and connects to a wireless transceiver.
An algorithm that enables autonomous control of wireless broadcasting sources in the hearing aid, including activation, prioritization and assignments of wireless broadcasting sources, applying relevant audiological settings for different wireless broadcasting sources and termination of the wireless broadcasting sources cycle.

A new dedicated program cycle in the hearing aid is considered for wireless broadcasting sources. The wireless broadcasting sources cycle can co-exist with other program cycles in the hearing aid, for example, user/standard cycle for managing user programs and technical cycle for managing technical programs. The wireless broadcasting sources cycle can include several program slots. Each program slot can carry a certain realization of audiological settings applicable to a particular wireless broadcasting source assigned to that slot.
The wireless broadcasting source program cycle can be chosen as the active program cycle in the hearing aid. The user can then cycle through the available wireless broadcasting sources assigned to different program slots in the wireless broadcasting sources cycle. This can be done via local controls (e.g., button or tap actions) or remote control (e.g., an application on a phone paired with the hearing aid).
The method 100 and/or hearing aid will apply certain audiological settings to each available wireless broadcasting source assigned to a program slot in the program cycle. In one example, a pre-defined or a default set of audiological settings is stored as a template in the memory of the hearing aid and assigned to program slots in the program cycle. In one example, several templates containing certain realizations of the audiological settings are stored in the memory of the hearing aid and assigned to different slots in the program cycle depending on the type of wireless broadcasting source, e.g., "public announcement transmitter" or "TV transmitter" type. This can be done via dividing available slots in the wireless broadcasting sources cycle into certain categories and assigning a certain template to each category.
FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a method of operating a hearing aid according to the disclosure.
As shown, the method 200 incudes activating 202 the activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources. This can be done by receiving a first user input, such as a triple tap. Upon detection, the method 200 can include sending instructions to the wireless transceiver of the hearing aid for source scanning. Optionally, the method 200 includes providing 204 feedback to the user, such as a tonal/spoken notification. The method 200 can then include scanning 206 for wireless broadcasting sources. The method 200 can include determining 208 whether any wireless broadcasting sources are found. If no sources are found, the method 200 can include ending 211 scanning and optionally providing feedback to a user. The scanning can be performed for a certain designated period of time.
If sources are found, the method 200 can optionally include providing 210 feedback to the user. The method 200 can include reading 212 any encoded data from the wireless broadcasting source. This can include, for example, source ID, type, stream content (e.g., airport announces, public television, etc.). The method 200 includes prioritizing 214 the available wireless broadcasting sources. The prioritization can be performed via a prioritization logic pre-defined in the hearing aid based on source time. The prioritization can be a user-defined prioritization list. The method 200 includes assigning 216 sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. If program slots are already occupied by unavailable sources, the method 200 can include overwriting (e.g., replacing) unavailable sources with available ones according to priority. The method 200 can include 218 receiving an audio stream from the wireless broadcasting source with the highest priority. The method 200 can include receiving second user input to cycle through available sources. The method 200 can include receiving end user input indicative of terminating any connection to wireless broadcasting sources.
The proposed autonomous wireless broadcast source control system comprises an algorithm to enable the activation of the wireless broadcast cycle and source scanning, prioritization of available sources and assignments to different slots in the wireless broadcast cycle, and the termination of the wireless broadcast cycle in the hearing aid. The algorithm can be designed based on user inputs provided via local controls of the hearing aid (for example, button or tap actions) to allow the hearing aid to function as an independent wireless broadcast assistant. The algorithm also can ensure compatibility with external wireless broadcast assistant applications built into smart phones or other devices to remotely control wireless broadcast sources. Therefore, both app users and users who do not utilize the app can benefit from the wireless broadcast source control system proposed in this disclosure.
In one example, when one or more wireless broadcast sources are identified by the hearing aid, an additional notification process is triggered for each identified source, informing the user and requesting confirmation or rejection of the source assignment via a spoken message such as "confirm TV-source". Audible feedback is then provided to the user depending on the acceptance or rejection of the assignment. In one example, pre-defined spoken messages available in the hearing aid for different types of wireless broadcast sources (e.g., "public", "TV", "concert" etc.) are used when communicating the identified sources to the user. In one example, a voice generator available on a smart phone or other devices is used to communicate the name of each identified source included in the encoded data provided by the broadcasters.
The program slots in the wireless broadcast cycle can be overwritten when already-assigned sources are not found during the source scanning period. In such scenario, the already-selected audiological settings for the unavailable sources are replaced with default settings. In one example, the user can mark favourite wireless broadcast sources as "permanent source" by applying a local control action or configuring the favourite sources in an application on a phone or other remote-control devices. Wireless broadcast sources marked as "permanent source" will never be overwritten even if they are not identified as available sources during scanning periods.
The user can terminate the wireless broadcast cycle and switch back to the standard program cycle by applying local control actions such as a very long button-press and triple-tap. In one example, an additional logic can be added to the algorithm to terminate the wireless broadcast cycle when an input source with a higher priority is identified by the hearing aid, for example, an incoming phone call.
If the end-user chooses to save an wireless broadcast source as a "favourite" or "permanent source" (as described above), the user experience of the autonomous wireless broadcast source control can be improved.
If the method 200 and/or hearing aid discovers a source which has a saved address (permanent source), this source can be placed in the first slot of the wireless broadcast source control cycle. This means that when the user enters the wireless broadcast source control cycle, the hearing aid shall synchronise to the favourite source first, before offering any other discovered sources in subsequent program slots. This way, the user shall find their favourite source without hearing any other sources discovered by the hearing aid.
If there are no wireless broadcast sources saved as favourite in hearing aid memory, the wireless broadcast source control cycle can be entered as normal, and the program cycle shall be populated by the available sources as above, with sources assigned indiscriminately to the available slots, or according to any prioritization scheme as described herein.
An example method for selecting and saving a favourite wireless broadcast source is described below:

The hearing aid can record favourite wireless broadcast sources in non-volatile memory (NVRAM)
The address of an wireless broadcast source can be saved in the hearing aid
The Source_ID is the address of the wireless broadcast source - included in the Broadcast Receive State Characteristic, unique to each Broadcast Isochronous Group (BIG)
The end user can instruct the hearing aid to write selected Source_ID into NVRAM
The NVRAM contains a data structure called "saved_source"
The saved_source structure can save a number of wireless broadcast addresses. The hearing aid can record a limited number of addresses due to memory constraints, and when this number is reached, any new addresses can overwrite previously saved addresses.
The saved _source structure can also contain metadata and relevant labels for each saved address, including a number to indicate when each source was last used. The metadata can also include preferred audiological settings to be applied to each wireless broadcast source.

As mentioned earlier, the hearing aid can scan for an available wireless broadcast sources after responding to local action.
If the hearing aid detects a wireless broadcast source that have been saved, the address can be copied into the first slot of the wireless broadcast program cycle. If multiple saved sources are discovered, they can be copied into the program cycle, with a slot corresponding to the address index in the saved_source structure.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an example embodiment of a hearing aid according to the disclosure. As shown, a hearing aid 302 can scan for available wireless broadcasting sources (shown as wireless broadcast sources 304A, 304B, 304C).
The hearing aid 302 can include an input unit 306 configured to receive sound from an environment. The hearing aid 302 can include an output unit 310 configured to output a compensated signal based on the sound. The hearing aid 302 can include a wireless transceiver 308 configured to receiver and/or transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal can be from the wireless broadcast sources 304A, 304B, 304C. The hearing aid 302 can include a processor 312. The processor 312 is configured to receive, via a first physical interaction with the hearing aid 302, a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources 304A, 304B, 304C. The processor 312 is configured to activate, based on the first user input, source scanning by the wireless transceiver 308 for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources 304A, 304B, 304C. The processor 312 is configured to assign each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources 304A, 304B, 304C to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots. The processor 312 is configured to receive, via a second physical interaction with the hearing aid 302, a second user input. The processor 312 is configured to cycle through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources 304A, 304B, 304C.
It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with steps of the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process.
As used, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning "at least one"), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but an intervening element may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method are not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.
It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an aspect" or features included as "may" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more.

Claims

A method of operating a hearing aid, the method comprising:
receiving a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources;

activating, based on the first user input, source scanning by the hearing aid for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources;

assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots;

receiving a second user input; and

cycling through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources;

wherein the method is performed fully in the hearing aid.
The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a notification to a user of the hearing aid indicative of one or more of the activating, the assigning, and the cycling.
The method of claim 2, wherein the notification is an auditory notification.
The method of any one of the previous claims, further comprising receiving a third user input indicative of terminating the wireless connection and, in accordance with receiving the third user input indicative of terminating the wireless connection, terminating connections to the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein cycling comprises outputting, by an output transducer of the hearing aid, an audio of the respective wireless broadcasting source of the program slot.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein assigning comprising applying a prioritization to each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources, and wherein assigning each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to the respective program slot of the plurality of program slots is based on the prioritization.
The method of claim 6, wherein applying the prioritization comprises:
determining whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source; and

in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, applying a higher prioritization than a wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources which is not associated with the stored criteria.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein each of the respective program slots comprises a preset set of audiological settings based on the respective wireless broadcasting source.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the method includes:
determining whether each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source; and

in accordance with the determination that the wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, applying a stored set of audiological settings to the respective wireless broadcasting source.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein assigning comprises overwriting previously stored wireless broadcasting sources in the plurality of program slots.
The method of claim 10, wherein the method includes:
determining whether the previously stored wireless broadcasting sources is associated with a stored criteria indicative of a permanent wireless broadcasting source; and

in accordance with the determination that the previously stored wireless broadcasting source of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources is associated with the stored criteria, not overwriting the previously stored wireless broadcasting source.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein receiving the first user input comprises receiving the first user input via a physical button press of the hearing aid and/or a tap of the hearing aid.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein receiving the second user input comprises receiving the second user input via a physical button press of the hearing aid and/or a tap of the hearing aid.
A hearing aid comprising:
an input unit configured to receive sound from an environment;

an output unit configured to output a compensated signal based on the sound;

a wireless transceiver configured to receiver and/or transmit a wireless signal; and

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
receive, via a first physical interaction with the hearing aid, a first user input indicative of an activation of scanning for wireless broadcasting sources;

activate, based on the first user input, source scanning by the wireless transceiver for obtaining a plurality of wireless broadcasting sources;

assign each of the plurality of wireless broadcasting sources to a respective program slot of a plurality of program slots;

receive, via a second physical interaction with the hearing aid, a second user input; and

cycle through, based on the second user input, wireless connection with the plurality of program slots having the respective wireless broadcasting sources.