JP2006121693A - Method to adapt transmission characteristics of hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the adaptation of an hearing aid using a data processing apparatus including a graphic user interface. <P>SOLUTION: A data processing apparatus 1 including an image screen 7 and a pointing device 2 is used, an object indicated on a first image screen range is selected and copied by the pointing device 2, and the copy is moved to a second screen range and stored therein using the pointing device 2, so as to change, in that case, the transmission characteristics of an hearing aid 4 by the stored object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for matching a hearing aid transfer characteristic determined by a hearing aid specific parameter using a data processing device including an image screen and a pointing device.

  The alignment of the hearing aid to each hearing loss of the user is dependent on the different hearing instrument manufacturers, the number of types of hearing aid provided, and the number of hearing aid parameters (frequency response (e.g. bass and treble) that can be changed by changing or programming the adjustment elements. Based on signal side edge shift / signal side edge frequency (range of amplification, AGC start point, peak clipping, etc.), the hearing aid acoustic specialist will be faced with various programming possibilities and optimal Doing all these possibilities to reach alignment is not already acceptable from the time cost. Moreover, it would not be possible to require a user for such time-consuming alignment.

  Therefore, an automated matching method has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Nevertheless, in that method, the hearing aid acoustic specialist is still faced with a number of different adjustability that affects the acoustic behavior of the hearing aid in a programmable hearing aid.

  A method is known for using personal computers to match the hearing aid transfer characteristics determined by the hearing aid specific parameters, in which the memory uses an algorithm for the base value for hearing aid adjustment and The transfer characteristic of the hearing aid is provided in association with the data memory, and is displayed as a graphic curve on an image screen of a personal computer (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As a pointing device for the alignment method, a computer mouse having a pointer that can be positioned on the display is used, so that the point or part of the graphic curve to be changed can be clicked and displaced. Can change the shape of the transfer curve. This procedure is repeated after obtaining the desired curve until the parameters for the desired curve are transmitted to the hearing aid in a wire connection or by remote control.

  Known computer-based graphic user interfaces often provide a function known as “drag and drop”. The object in the graphic user interface is then clicked and held with the left button of the computer mouse, and then the object is pulled (dragged) elsewhere in the interface by the computer mouse, and the left button of the mouse is released again. (Drop), so that the object is dropped elsewhere in the user interface, overwriting the original contents of the user interface. This allows for relatively quick and simple manipulation of complex data.

  It is known that a clipboard is used to copy individual characters or character strings from an operating system "Microsoft Windows" (registered trademark) for personal computers. At this time, the characters to be copied are marked by the key operation of the computer keyboard or using the computer mouse, and arranged on the clipboard. Later, the contents of this clipboard can be inserted at a selected location in the graphic interface.

In order to operate a programming device for a hearing aid, a method is known in which parameters for signal processing control within the hearing aid and characteristics and functions of the hearing aid are adjusted by the following steps using the programming device (e.g. patents). Reference 3).
a) Activation of the recording means b) Implementation of the operation step in the programming device c) Recording of the operation step and at least one parameter change caused by the operation step, or any of the operation step or parameter change D) Repeat steps b) and c) until the operation sequence is completed e) Deactivate the recording means f) Caused by the operation steps and operation steps recorded in steps a) to e) Execution of a specified relative or absolute parameter change, or one of its operational steps or parameter changes

Also, a method for binaural matching using a data processing device for a hearing aid portion for the left ear and a hearing aid portion for the right ear, the data processing device is connected to a pointing device and a display unit, and the pointing device transmits Disclosed are methods in which the parameters of the characteristic are input and can be adjusted independently of the parameters of the other hearing aid part and simultaneously with the parameters of the other hearing aid part (e.g. patents). Reference 4).
US Pat. No. 4,953,112 German Patent No. 4418203 C2 Specification German Patent Application Publication No. 10152197 A1 European Patent No. 1142451 B1

  It is an object of the present invention to further simplify hearing aid alignment using a data processing device having a graphic user interface.

  The object is to provide a first image by a pointing device on a graphic user interface in a method for matching transfer characteristics of a hearing aid using a data processing device including an image screen and a pointing device. The object shown in the screen area is selected and copied, and the copy is moved over the second image screen area using a pointing device and saved there, with the transfer characteristics of the hearing aid modified by the saved object To be solved.

  Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is that the graphic object shown in the image screen range is first selected by the pointing device on the graphic user interface, copied to the clipboard, and then the copy is inserted into the target range using the pointing device. In this case, the transfer characteristic of the hearing aid is solved by being changed by the inserted graphic object.

  The basic idea of the present invention is to use the drag-and-drop function or the clipboard for matching hearing aids. The electronic data processing device used for alignment is usually configured as a normal personal computer (PC), including an image screen and a pointing device (eg a computer mouse), with special alignment software installed. Yes.

  In principle, in hearing aid alignment, there are a number of different objects that can be copied using "drag and drop". An object in the sense of the present invention here very generally means a specific first image screen part, which is copied to the second image screen part, and thus of this second image screen part. The original content can be overwritten thereby changing the adjustment or parameters of the hearing aid. In this case, the span of the image screen portion can be understood and understood very widely. For example, numerical values, specific transfer characteristics, diagrams containing one or more transfer characteristics, bar diagrams, graphic control element adjustments (push buttons, controls, regulators, etc.), selection elements (on / off)・ Sentinel), specific character string (file name), etc. In that case, an object in the sense of the present invention may also contain any combination of such individual elements. Furthermore, graphic objects are also important in connection with the present invention, since they do not imply symbols or only such symbol strings that a graphic object can be entered via a computer keyboard. Different from the above object.

  In the object according to the invention, the individual parameters or groups of parameters to be copied are particularly important. The parameter can then be displayed by its numerical value or a specific graphic symbol. The symbol specifically indicates, for example, whether a specific function (for example, a filter or an output limiter) is turned on or off. If the range of parameter values is large, the graphic symbol can roughly indicate an adjusted value, for example a volume adjustment or amplification in the form of a bar diagram. Then, according to the present invention, numerical values or graphic symbols representing specific adjustments are copied to other areas of the graphic interface. Furthermore, in the object, at least one characteristic curve or at least one part of the characteristic curve can be considered. The transfer characteristic curve is a means often chosen to graphically represent the hearing behavior of the hearing aid in hearing aid matching. This transmission behavior is usually highly frequency related. The corresponding transfer characteristic curve can be copied quickly and easily according to the invention. Furthermore, specific operating elements can also be copied to the interface as operating elements within the framework of the present invention. In that case, as an example, a graphic symbol can be cited for the operating element for adjusting the overall amplification of the hearing aid system for binaural management, in which case the binaural hearing aid system is copied Can be adjusted in both hearing aids.

  Adjustments and parameter values made during the alignment process are stored so that once a hearing aid alignment can be used repeatedly. Normally, stored data is provided with a file name to facilitate rediscovery. Copying specific stored contents, and in particular copying file names using a graphic interface is also included in the present invention.

  In the matching method according to the invention, the graphic user interface is divided into at least two ranges, with the adjustments being copied from the first range to the second range. Both ranges can distinguish between different hearing program alignments of the same hearing aid, for example. Hearing programs are typically used to align hearing aid signal processing to specific listening situations such as "conversation in silence", "conversation with noise", "driving in a car", or "telephone". Used. In these many different auditory programs, all units of accommodation parameters are very similar. The present invention provides the advantage that adjustments and parameters selected in connection with a particular auditory program can be quickly and easily transmitted to a second auditory program. In this second auditory program, only changes to the first auditory program must be performed.

  Of course, according to the present invention, the order of the individual auditory programs can also be quickly and easily changed using a graphic user interface. This is particularly important because the hearing aids often have only a key switch that jumps from the highest program number to the auditory program 1 as an operating element for switching programming, only increasing the program number at each operation. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, parameters and adjustments of a specific auditory program can be easily transmitted to the auditory program having the program number 1.

  However, the present invention provides advantages not only when adjusting individual hearing aids, but especially when multiple hearing aids are to be adjusted, for example, for binaural management of the user. For example, it is advantageous to provide a first range of a graphic user interface for adjusting a first, eg left hearing aid, and a second range of a graphic user interface for adjusting a right hearing aid. Because the user's ears often have similar hearing loss, the adjustment selected for the management of one ear in the hearing aid is first received for adjustment to the second hearing aid, and then the second ear in the hearing aid. It is reasonable to perform only fine alignment to manage Furthermore, the parameters and adjustments copied according to the present invention can be based on an object library, which includes standard adjustments for hearing loss that occurs particularly often. Especially when selecting such a standard match that can be used as a starting point for an individual match, preconditioning can be performed starting from a high abstraction level according to the invention. In particular, a large number of individual adjustments and parameter values need not be copied, but a specific storage range in the data processing device need only be copied, which means copying a specific file and copying this file. Just by saving, it can be carried out within the scope of the graphic user interface provided for adjusting the hearing aid.

  The actual conversion of the drag-and-drop function is preferably done by relying on measures known by “Microsoft Windows”. For example, an object to be copied is selected by positioning the mouse pointer on the object and operating the left mouse button. The object to be copied may then include a plurality of graphic elements, for example a plurality of transfer characteristics that can be selected in common in the manner described. In addition, a window can be defined on the graphic user interface by means of a computer mouse, so that the object to be copied contains a plurality of graphic elements, all of which are within the defined window. In particular, when a plurality of graphic elements are selected at the same time, it is reasonable to operate a specific key on the keyboard of the data processing apparatus along with the operation of the left mouse button.

  The selected objects can be clearly distinguished from objects that are not selected, for example by special coloring, selection of special line types, blinking, etc. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user can also identify when there is a copied object on the target range of the copied object that could in principle be saved. it can. For example, it is not reasonable to store numerical values of specific parameters in a transfer function diagram. Therefore, the matching software should be built so that this is not possible. Conversely, the user should identify when a copied object, such as a transfer characteristic, exists on a target range that can be reasonably preserved, such as a diagram. For further graphical explanation, the copied object or target range can be changed, so that the user can release the left mouse button and thus save the object reasonably. Inform.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a data processing device in the form of a personal computer 1 having a pointing device in the form of a computer mouse 2 and a programmable hearing aid 4 that can be connected, for example, via an interface and a cable 3 not shown. A pointer 6 which can be operated via switching means in the form of mouse buttons 5A and 5B is shown on the image screen 7 of the data processing device. The data processing device includes a data memory and a computing device which are likewise not shown in a known manner. The data processor is installed with software that is particularly suitable for hearing aid alignment.

  FIG. 2 shows a graphical user interface for matching the hearing loss of the left and right hearing aid users. In that case, the image screen surface 10 is divided into a left image screen range and a right image screen range, in which the user adjusts to the right hearing aid, while in the right image screen range the left Adjustments to the hearing aid can be made. This is illustrated by both graphic symbols 11 and 12. The transfer characteristics 13A, 13B, 13C to 14A, 14B, 14C are evident for both the right hearing aid and the left hearing aid. These specifically represent the degree of amplification with respect to frequency for input signals having low, medium and high signal levels. It is also clear that the transmission function for the right and left hearing aids is different. If the same function is to be adjusted for the left hearing aid as for the right hearing aid, this adjustment can be easily and quickly performed according to the present invention using a graphic interface in conjunction with a computer mouse. it can. To do this, the right hearing aid adjustment to be copied is first selected. This selection can be made, for example, by pulling out with the computer mouse a frame surrounding all three transfer characteristics 13A, 13B, 13C of the right hearing aid in the embodiment. This is because, for example, the mouse pointer 15 is first positioned on the left transmission characteristics 13A, 13B, and 13C, and is subsequently moved to a position below the right transmission characteristics while operating the left button of the mouse. It is possible that the marked area is displayed on the image screen by a rectangle. It is pointed out that this marking mode represents one of many possibilities, and therefore the invention is not limited to this particular mode shown in the examples. For example, the three transfer characteristics 13A, 13B and 13C can be clicked in sequence to mark them in common. The marked area is placed on the diagram shown in the right image screen half, for example by positioning the mouse pointer in the marked area and then operating the left mouse button. Copied on the half. This process is indicated by arrow 16 in FIG. 2, but this arrow only illustrates the copying process and is not part of the image screen surface. The copy 17 of the range marked during movement is visible, so that the user can accurately follow the current position of the copied range. Furthermore, in copy 17, it is clear when this copy can reasonably be stored, for example on the diagram displayed in the right image screen half, so that it is displayed there. The characteristic curves 14A, 14B and 14C are overwritten by the characteristic curves 13A, 13B and 13C when the mouse button is released. For example, to indicate to the user that the mouse button has been released and the adjustment is now overwritten, the marked range copy 17 can change or blink its line color or line type.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Unlike the embodiment according to FIG. 2, in this embodiment only one of the three transfer characteristics 13A, 13B, 13C is marked, so that in this embodiment the transfer characteristic of the amplification factor with respect to the frequency for the low signal level of the input signal. Only 13C is copied and carried over to the left hearing aid. This transfer characteristic 13C is not necessarily a substitute for the transfer characteristic 14C of the left hearing aid, but can be a substitute for the transfer characteristic 14A or 14B. In each case, the transfer characteristic 13C includes three transfer characteristics 14A to 14C. It is pointed out that the transfer characteristic 13C is moved above either. For example, the characteristic 14B can be replaced by a characteristic with a characteristic curve course of the characteristic 13C, where the absolute value of the amplification can be adjusted graphically by translation of this characteristic.

  FIG. 4 specifically shows one embodiment, in which the numerical values 20, 21 or graphic selection elements 22A, 22B, 22C to 23A, 23B, 23C that determine the degree of amplification are used instead of transfer characteristics. Other hearing aid adjustments, such as those performed, are copied and carried over to the left hearing aid. The procedure is in principle the same as described in connection with FIGS. It should be noted that in this embodiment only some of the adjustments selected for the right hearing aid in the current image screen mask of the graphic user interface, as already described in connection with FIG. It is only selected and copied. In particular, in the copying process in the embodiment, the adjustment for noise suppression (noise reduction) determined by the selection elements 24A and 24B for the right hearing aid and by the selection elements 25A and 25B for the left hearing aid. Is not transmitted to the left hearing aid. After the copying process, the value 21 (18 db) is overwritten by the value 20 (10 db) of the right hearing aid. The same is true for the left hearing aid selection elements 23A-23C, which are overwritten by the corresponding adjustment of the right hearing aid. The adjustments 25A and 25B relating to the noise suppression of the left hearing aid remain unaffected by the copying process. Because they were not selected for the copying process. The copied area is displayed by the image screen portion 26 that has been copied to the user on the move, but this portion is shown in a dashed line shape, unlike the original portion.

  In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, a graphic representation of the adjustment to be transmitted is made from one hearing aid to the other hearing aid, in part to a higher abstraction level. Thus, the adjustment for the right hearing aid is symbolized only by the file name 28D, in which case one file is selected directly from multiple files of the data file 28 and retrieved for the left hearing aid via the diagram. Due to the copying process associated with it, the adjustments stored in the file 28D are carried over to the diagram displayed for the left hearing aid, which is also shown graphically after the copying process. Of course, the same abstraction level is selected for the left hearing aid as for the right hearing aid.

  Unlike the previous embodiment, the image screen mask evident from FIG. 6 is used only for the adjustment of the individual hearing aid (in the embodiment the right hearing aid). This is indicated by the same graphic symbol 11 on the left and right sides of the upper image screen edge. Of course, the image screen mask at this time also shows the adjustments for different auditory programs, ie for program 1 and program 2. These auditory programs are adjusted via pull-down menus 31 and 32. Using the same operating steps as in copying the adjustments between two different hearing aids, in this embodiment, the relevant adjustments of just the different hearing program of the hearing aid are selected and copied from one hearing program (program 1). And transmitted to the second auditory program (program 2).

  Along with the purely graphic copying process shown by way of example in the examples, the same copying process can be carried out using a clipboard known by Microsoft Windows. In so doing, important objects such as individual values, transfer characteristics or other adjustments are selected for hearing aid alignment and are first copied into the clipboard. The target range is then selected and the contents of the clipboard are copied to the target range, thereby overwriting the adjustments originally there with the copied adjustments. This measure also allows the selected adjustment of the hearing aid to be quickly and efficiently communicated to other hearing aids or other hearing programs of the same hearing aid. The advantage of this method is that it can be easily exchanged between different image screen masks, whereby a copy of the adjustment of one image screen mask is transmitted to the other image screen mask. This measure is particularly advantageous when multiple adjustments are copied at the same time, as well as individual numerical values, or when graphic objects such as transfer characteristics or diagrams are copied, thereby preventing the user from doing otherwise. And eliminates the numerous operational steps required during the individual inputs of these adjustments.

  The action using the clipboard is very similar to the so-called “drag and drop” method, so the embodiment described above is again referred to. Even when using the clipboard, a particular area of the graphic user interface to be copied is first marked using a computer mouse. Furthermore, the “target range” to which the previously copied adjustments, transfer characteristics, etc. are to be transmitted is also indicated, preferably using a computer mouse. The difference between the two methods is that the copy process in “drag and drop” can be done directly in the graphic interface, while the copied image screen range when using the clipboard is in the eyes of the user for the time being. It just disappears from the clipboard so you can't see it, and you can reappear there when you need it.

It is explanatory drawing of the data processor for matching of a hearing aid. It is explanatory drawing of the method of performing transmission to the left hearing aid of the transfer characteristic curve adjusted with respect to the right hearing aid. It is explanatory drawing of the method of transmitting to the left hearing aid the individual transmission characteristic curve adjusted with respect to the right hearing aid. It is explanatory drawing of the method of performing the adjustment and parameter transmission from the right hearing aid to the left hearing aid. It is explanatory drawing of the method of performing the transmission to the left hearing aid of the adjustment memorize | stored in the object library. It is explanatory drawing of the method of performing the transmission to the 2nd auditory program in the hearing aid with the same transfer characteristic of the 1st auditory program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Computer mouse 3 Cable 4 Hearing aid 5A, 5B Mouse button 6 Pointer 10 Image screen 11, 12 Graphic symbol 13A, 13B, 13C, 14A, 14B, 14C Transfer characteristic 15 Mouse pointer 17 Copy 20, 21 Numerical value 22A, 22B, 22C, 23A, 23B, 23C Graphic selection element 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B Selection element 26 Image screen part 28 Data file 28D File name

Claims (13)

  In a method for matching transfer characteristics of a hearing aid (4) determined by a hearing aid specific parameter using a data processing device (1) comprising an image screen (7) and a pointing device (2), a pointing device ( The object shown on the first image screen area is selected and copied on the graphic user interface according to 2), and the copy is transferred to the second image screen area using the pointing device (2). Hearing aid transfer characteristic matching method, characterized in that the transfer characteristic of the hearing aid (4) is changed by the stored object.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the object comprises at least one adjustable parameter, this parameter being displayed in particular by a numerical value (20, 21) or a graphic symbol.   Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the object comprises at least one transfer characteristic (13A, 13B, 13C) or at least one part of the transfer characteristic.   4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the object comprises at least one adjustment or selection element (22A, 22B, 22C) displayed on the image screen.   5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object comprises at least one symbol and a file name (28D) displayed on the image screen of the memory contents.   A first range for matching the first hearing program of the hearing aid (4) and a second range for matching the second hearing program of the hearing aid (4) are provided. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A first range for aligning the first hearing aid and a second range for aligning the second hearing aid are provided, according to any one of claims 1-6. The method described.   8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first range is implemented as an object library (28).   Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first range is implemented as a file holder (28).   10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the copied object or the resulting object is in a state that is visible during movement.   Uses whether the copied object and / or target range for the copied object changes to a moving graphic and the copied object currently exists within the second range on the allowed target range 11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the person can identify.   12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the object changes to a graphic when selected, and that the object can be clearly distinguished from an unselected object.   In a method for matching the transfer characteristics of a hearing aid (4) determined by a hearing aid specific parameter using a data processing device (1) comprising an image screen (7) and a pointing device (2), first a graphic The graphic device displayed in the image screen range is selected by the pointing device (2) on the user interface, copied to the click board, and then the copy is inserted into the target range using the pointing device (2); In this case, the transfer characteristic matching method of the hearing aid is characterized in that the transfer characteristic of the hearing aid (4) is changed by the inserted graphic object.

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