WO2018026083A1

WO2018026083A1 - User environment-based hearing assitance device fitting system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2018026083A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/002844
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이상화; 박영진; 김선권; 양기동; 조경환
Original assignee: 한국전기연구원
Priority date: 2015-11-27
Filing date: 2017-03-16
Publication date: 2018-02-08
Also published as: KR102190283B1; KR20170062362A

Abstract

A user environment-based hearing assistance device fitting system and method are provided. An operating method for a hearing assistance device comprises the steps of: receiving a set value for a fitting parameter of the hearing assistance device from an external device through a wireless communication channel; adjusting the fitting parameter according to the set value; calibrating an input signal to be suitable to a user of the hearing assistance device on the basis of the adjusted fitting parameter; and converting the calibrated signal into an analog signal and outputting the same, wherein the set value can be a set value for at least one of parameters related to noise reduction, directionality processing, and feedback cancellation.

Description

Hearing aid fitting system and method based on user environment

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for fitting a user's hearing aid device based on information about the user's surroundings.

Hearing aids are devices that are typically mounted on the ear of a hearing loss patient to amplify sound, and are initially fitted by an audiologist to fit the user's hearing. However, since the user is exposed to various environments different from the environment at the time of initial fitting in everyday life, when the user's surrounding environment is changed, the audiologist must request a remote fitting.

For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-7014365 (published Jul. 15, 2015) includes a method for fitting a hearing aid fitting system and a hearing aid system. It has been published to remotely fit the hearing aid system by having a direct communication channel between the fitting portion and the external device be established by the control server based on the unique identifications of the hearing aid fitting portion, external device and hearing aid fitting.

In order to alleviate this inconvenience, digital hearing aids are equipped with a function that allows a user to fit a hearing aid on their own, or a function that allows a hearing aid to be fitted using an external device such as a mobile phone. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the existing digital hearing aid 100 is connected to an external device 110 such as a mobile phone to wirelessly receive a voice and / or sound signal from the mobile phone 110. The received voice and / or sound signal is decoded in decoder 102 and then output through output driver 103 and receiver 104. Therefore, since the signal received wirelessly from an external device such as a mobile phone through the communication device 101 does not go through a signal processing process by the sound processor 106 differently from the signal detected through the signal detector 105, There is a problem that it is difficult to hear clearly when performing a call, listening to music, etc. wirelessly using the 110.

In addition, the conventional fitting method is to adjust the parameters related to the dynamic range compression (Dynamic Range Compression) set in the hearing aid, so to provide a suitable fitting effect for each user requires the help of an expert such as an audiologist. There is a problem that if the user arbitrarily adjusts the related parameters can cause serious problems.

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a user environment-based hearing aid fitting system and method capable of precise and delicate fitting even if the user's surrounding environment changes.

Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid based on user environment in which a user can listen to optimal voice and / or sound even when the hearing aid receives a voice and / or a sound signal wirelessly from an external device such as a mobile phone. An apparatus fitting system and method are provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid fitting system and method based on a user environment that can reduce power consumption of the hearing aid and an external device linked thereto.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a hearing aid includes receiving a setting value for a fitting parameter of the hearing aid device from an external device through a wireless communication channel, and adjusting the fitting parameter according to the setting value. And correcting an input signal according to a user of the hearing aid device based on the adjusted fitting parameter, and converting the corrected signal into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal, wherein the set value is noise reduction. It may be a setting value for at least one of parameters related to reduction, directionality processing, and feedback cancellation.

According to one side, the input signal may be a digital signal received through the wireless communication channel from the external device.

According to another aspect, the input signal may be at least one of a voice signal and a sound signal input through a microphone provided in the hearing aid.

According to another aspect, the setting value may be derived through one or more combinations of location information obtained from the external device, information obtained by a sensor provided in the external device, and time information set in the external device. have.

According to another aspect, the set value is determined by the location information obtained from the external device, the information obtained by the sensor provided in the external device, the time information set in the external device and the external sensor linked to the external device. It can be derived through a combination of the obtained information.

According to another aspect, the set value is determined by the location information obtained from the external device, the information obtained by the sensor provided in the external device, the time information set in the external device and the external sensor linked to the external device. At least one of the obtained information may be derived by comparing the external device with a setting value of another user received from the hearing aid fitting server.

According to another aspect, the setting value may be uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server as a setting value of the user corresponding to the location information and shared with the other user.

According to another aspect, the information obtained by the sensor is the illumination information detected by the illumination sensor provided in the external device, the acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor provided in the external device and provided in the external device It may include at least one of the sound information obtained by the microphone.

According to another aspect, the location information is obtained based on at least one of information obtained by a Global Positioning System (GPS) module provided in the external device and information obtained through communication between the external device and an external communication device. Can be.

According to another aspect, the external device may be a portable terminal, and the external communication device may be a beacon device that is fixedly installed at a specific location and communicates with the external device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the hearing aid apparatus includes a signal detector for detecting an analog signal, a communicator for performing wireless communication with an external device through a wireless communication channel, a decoder for decoding a digital signal received through the communicator, A sound processor for processing a signal input through the signal detector and the decoder according to a user based on preset fitting parameters, an output driver for converting the signal processed by the sound processor into an analog signal, and the output driver It may include a handset for outputting the analog signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the operation method of the fitting control device for controlling the fitting of the hearing aid device is based on at least one of the GPS information and information obtained through communication with an external communication device fixedly installed at a specific location. Acquiring position information of the hearing aid device; determining whether a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information is present among fitting parameters for the hearing aid device; and when there are a plurality of setting values Surrounding the hearing aid apparatus using at least one of information obtained by a sensor included in the fitting control device, time information set by the fitting control device, and information obtained by an external sensor interlocked with the fitting control device. Acquiring information about an environment, and defining the location information and the surrounding environment. Based on may include the step, and transmitting the derived value is set to the hearing aid device for deriving the settings to be applied to the hearing aid device from the set value.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fitting control device for fitting the hearing aid device is a GPS module for obtaining current position information using GPS, at least one of obtaining information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device It is determined whether there is a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among the fitting parameters for the sensor and the hearing aid device, and when there are a plurality of the setting values, the position information, the information about the surrounding environment, the present At least one processor for deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the setting values using at least one of time information and information obtained by an external sensor, and transmitting the derived setting value to the hearing aid device. It may include a communicator.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an application for fitting the hearing aid includes a code for obtaining location information of the hearing aid using GPS and at least one sensor to the surrounding environment of the hearing aid. A code for obtaining information about the information, a code for obtaining time information of the fitting control device, a code for determining whether a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among fitting parameters for the hearing aid is present; When there are a plurality of setting values, a code for deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the plurality of setting values using at least one of the location information, the information about the surrounding environment, and the time information is obtained. It may include.

Hearing aids are fitted based on environmental information around the user, allowing accurate and precise fitting even when the user's surroundings change.

By adjusting the additional fitting parameters while preserving the fitting parameters that are difficult to set, the user can be provided with a more satisfying fitting function.

Even when the hearing aid receives a voice and / or a sound signal wirelessly from an external device such as a mobile phone, the user performs an optimal voice and / or signal processing by using a fitting parameter set based on environmental information around the user. Or you can listen to the sound.

Since most operations are performed by external devices and only simple setting information is received through low power communication, power consumption of the hearing aid may be reduced.

Since the information is used for other purposes in the external device and the sensor is always operating in the external device, it is easy to implement and the additional power consumption of the external device is low.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional hearing aid.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a hearing aid device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a hearing aid apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an initialization process by a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the term "module" described in the specification means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

2, a hearing aid device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a signal detector 210, a sound processor 220, an output driver 230, a receiver 240, a communicator 250, and a decoder 260. ).

The signal detector 210 is for detecting an analog signal such as a voice signal, an acoustic signal, and the like, and may include at least one transmitter 211, at least one amplifier 212, and at least one transducer 213.

The talker 211 is for receiving (or receiving) an analog signal transmitted from an external source to the hearing aid, and may be configured as, for example, a directional microphone or an omni-directional microphone. .

The amplifier 212 is for amplifying the analog signal received from the transmitter 211 to a predetermined signal level, and may be configured as a switching amplifier such as a Class-D amplifier.

The converter 212 may convert the analog signal amplified by the amplifier 212 into a digital signal.

The sound processor 220 may output the corrected signal by processing or processing the input signal based on the fitting parameter. Here, fitting may be defined as a series of processes for calibrating a hearing aid device set to a factory initialization state or a default state or any state that does not match the user's hearing level to be suitable for user hearing. Can be. Alternatively, the fitting may be defined as the act of changing the parameters of the detailed components included in the hearing aid. Here, the detailed components may be divided into analog circuits and digital circuits constituting the auditory auxiliary device, and the fitting may be expressed as an act of changing logical parameters as well as physical parameters of these circuits. Here, there may be a parameter that can be changed by the fitting, and there may be a parameter that cannot be changed by the fitting. The fitting parameter in the present invention is described as meaning at least one changeable parameter, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the fittings herein may include both manual methods that are performed experimentally by a fitting professional (such as an audiologist) or a user, as well as automatic methods that are adaptively performed by an auditory aid and / or an external device. .

The fitting parameter allows the user of the hearing aid to hear a signal that has been calibrated for the user, ie a fitted signal. To implement this functionality, the sound processor 220 may include at least one of at least one processor 221, at least one memory 222, at least one filter engine 223, and a digital signal processor 224. Can be. The fitting parameter may be preset in the hearing aid device and may be adaptively changed according to a user's state, environment, and other situations.

The processor 221 is for controlling the overall operation of the hearing aid device. For example, the processor 221 may adjust the fitting parameter according to a setting value received from an external device (not shown) through the communicator 250.

The memory 222 may store fitting parameters of a hearing aid device, setting values received from an external device, and the like.

The filter engine 223 is for filtering digital signals input through the signal detector 210 and / or the communicator 250. Various filter engines 223 reduce or eliminate noise, feedback, and the like of the input signal. It may include a filter.

The digital signal processor 224 transforms or processes a digital signal input through the signal detector 210 and / or the decoder 250 according to a fitting parameter, thereby outputting a voice and / or sound signal calibrated to a user. To be possible. In addition, the digital signal processor 224 may include adaptive noise reduction, feedback cancellation, directionality processing, spectral enhancement, and bilateral processing for clear listening of the user. various signal processing such as binaural processing).

The output driver 230 may convert a signal processed by the sound processor 220, that is, a digital signal output through the digital signal processor 224, into an analog signal to drive an output signal of the hearing aid.

The handset 240 is for outputting an analog signal converted by the output driver 230, and a plurality of handsets may be provided in one hearing aid as necessary.

Meanwhile, the communicator 250 performs wireless communication with an external device through a wireless communication channel. For example, the communicator 250 performs wireless communication with an external device based on Bluetooth in order to minimize power consumption of the hearing aid. Bluetooth chipset and / or antenna to perform. Alternatively, the communicator 250 may be included in the processor 221, and in this case, the processor 221 may be configured as a single chip.

The decoder 260 may decode a digital signal received through the communicator 250.

Therefore, when the hearing aid device according to the present invention is connected (or paired) with an external device such as a mobile phone or a fitting control device, the digital signal received (or streaming) from the external device through the communicator 250 may also be similar to the analog signal. By passing through the digital signal processor 224 of the sound processor 220 may be processed or processed according to the preset fitting parameters. Here, the fitting parameter is a parameter for calibrating the input signal to fit the user of the hearing aid, and may be adaptively changed or adjusted by a setting value received from the external device. The set value may include a set value for parameters related to noise reduction, directionality processing, feedback cancellation, and the like. For example, setting values transmitted for each parameter are as follows.

1) Setting value for noise reduction

-Whether adaptive noise reduction is used to recognize gain and reduce gain other than voice spectrum

Gain Reduction Algorithm selection (e.g. Wiener Filter or Spectral Subtraction)

Onset time: Noise response rate (several seconds to 30 seconds or more)

-Offset time: 5ms to several seconds of automatic noise reduction recovery)

-Whether to use impulsive sound smoothing and transient loudness reduction

2) Setting value for directional treatment

-Whether to use dual microphones, the number of microphones

-Whether to link with other signal processing such as adaptive noise reduction and feedback cancellation

Polar pattern selection (omni-directional, bi-directional, Directivity 0 to 5 dB)

3) Setting value for feedback removal

-Degree of gain reduction

Adjusted frequency of gain frequency response

Whether frequency shifting is used or not.

-Whether to use feedback path cancelation

Therefore, according to the present invention, in addition to the parameters related to dynamic range compression related to the nonlinear amplification which is generally used when the user is fitting, additional parameters related to noise reduction, directional processing, feedback control, etc. This allows you to fit your hearing aids yourself and adaptively, depending on your surroundings, without the need for an audiologist.

To this end, the set value may be derived, for example, through a combination of location information acquired from an external device, information obtained by a sensor provided in the external device, and time information set in the external device. Here, the location information may be GPS information obtained by a global positioning system (GPS) module provided in an external device, information obtained through communication between a beacon device fixedly installed at a specific location and the external device, and the like. Can be obtained based on. In addition, the information obtained by the sensor is the illumination information detected by the illumination sensor provided in the external device, the acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor provided in the external device, the sound information obtained by the microphone provided in the external device And the like.

In addition, in the present invention, the GPS, the GPS module, and the GPS information do not mean only general GPS (Global Positioning System), but also various GNSSs (GNSS) capable of calculating position information using satellite signals such as GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, Global Navigation Satellite System), GNSS module, and information generated accordingly.

For example, if the location information, sensor information, and time information are used to derive the setting value for the fitting parameter, the current position corresponds to 'home', the sensing value of the light sensor corresponds to 'dark', and the current time is 'midnight'. When the external device is determined to be, the external device may display the setting value for the sleep mode as the setting value for the current surrounding environment on the external device or transmit it to the hearing aid device. As another example, when the sensing value of the acceleration sensor corresponds to 'no movement', the sensing value of the noise sensor corresponds to 'quiet', and the current time is 'lecture time', the external device sets the current setting value for the surrounding environment. For example, the set value for the lecture mode can be displayed on an external device or transmitted to the hearing aid.

On the other hand, the setting value is derived through a combination of location information obtained from an external device, information obtained by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device. Can be. Here, the external sensor may be an external microphone, a noise sensor, or the like, which is not generally attached to an external device. That is, the setting value may be derived through a combination obtained by a peripheral device linked to the external device in addition to the information collected by the external device itself.

The set value may include at least one of a location information acquired from an external device, information obtained by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device. It may also be derived through comparison with other user's settings received from the auxiliary device fitting server. Here, the setting value of the other user is a setting value set by another user for the environment, and is uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server, and the setting value of the user is also set by the external device for the environment. And may be uploaded to a hearing aid fitting server and shared with other users.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a hearing aid apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an operation method of the hearing assistance device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hearing aid device may receive a setting value for a fitting parameter of a corresponding hearing aid device from an external device through a wireless communication channel (S310). Here, the setting value may be structurally a setting value for physical and / or logical parameters of analog and / or digital circuits included in the hearing aid, and functionally, parameters related to noise reduction, directional processing, and feedback cancellation. It may be a setting value for the. The setting value may be derived through a combination of the location information of the hearing aid device acquired by the external device, the external environment information obtained by the sensor provided in the external device, and the current time information set in the external device. The location information may be GPS information or location information obtained through communication between an external device (such as a mobile terminal) and an external communication device (beacon device, base station, etc.). The external environment information may include illuminance information detected by an illuminance sensor provided in an external device, acceleration information detected by an acceleration sensor provided in the external device, sound information obtained by a microphone provided in the external device, and the like. Can be.

On the other hand, the set value is a combination of the location information, the surrounding environment information, the current time information and the surrounding environment information obtained by an external sensor (for example, an external microphone, a noise sensor, etc.) linked to an external device. May be derived. Alternatively, the setting value may include a setting value derived through the location information, the surrounding environment information, the current time information, and the external environment information, and a setting value of another user received by the external device from the hearing aid fitting server. It can also be derived from the comparison of. In this case, the setting value derived for the current environment may be uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server as a setting value of the corresponding user corresponding to the location information, and may be shared with other users.

When the hearing aid receives a setting value for the fitting parameter from the external device, the hearing aid sets or adjusts the fitting parameter of the hearing aid according to the received setting value (S320). When the setting of the fitting parameter is completed, the input signal is processed or processed according to the user of the hearing aid device based on the adjusted fitting parameter to output a calibrated signal (S330), and the calibrated signal is converted into an analog signal to receive the handset. Can be output through (S340). Here, the input signal may be an analog signal received or received by a transmitter of a hearing aid or a digital signal received through a wireless communication channel from an external device through a communicator of a hearing aid.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the fitting control device for controlling the fitting of the hearing aid will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the fitting control device 400 may include a GPS module 410, at least one sensor 420, at least one processor 430, at least one memory 440, a communicator 450, and a display ( 460). The fitting control device 400 may be implemented as, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, an MP3 player, or the like.

The GPS module 410 obtains current location information of the hearing aid using GPS. When the fitting control device 400 is implemented as a portable terminal, since the user generally carries the fitting control device 400 at the same time as wearing the hearing aid device, the position information of the fitting control device 400 is determined by the hearing aid device. Is the same as the location information. Therefore, the fitting control device 400 may use the current location information obtained through the GPS module 410 as the current location information of the hearing aid.

The sensor 420 obtains information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device. The sensor 420 may include, for example, an illumination sensor for acquiring illuminance information, an acceleration sensor for acquiring acceleration information, a microphone for acquiring sound information, and the like. The sensor 420 may be maintained in an activated state, or may be activated or deactivated under the control of the fitting control device 400.

The processor 430 may determine whether a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information of the hearing assist device is present among the fitting parameters for the hearing aid device of the user. Here, the setting value for the fitting parameter may be a setting value for additional parameters such as noise reduction, directional processing, feedback cancellation, etc., rather than a setting value for a parameter related to nonlinear amplification that is mainly used when fitting the hearing aid.

For example, the processor 430 may operate when the hearing aid is in operation and operates in a mode for automatically setting fitting parameters for the hearing aid (auto setting mode) or when a fitting parameter reset command is input by a user. It may be determined whether an existing setting value corresponding to the current location is stored based on the GPS information acquired by the GPS module or the current location information acquired through communication with surrounding beacon devices. If there are a plurality of setting values corresponding to the current location, the processor 430 uses the at least one of the corresponding location information, information on the surrounding environment, current time information, and information obtained by an external sensor. It is possible to derive a set value to be applied to the hearing aid device among the set values. However, if it is determined that there is only one setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the current position information or a preset value selected as a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information from the plurality of setting values by the user. If it is determined that there exists, the setting value may be determined as a setting value for the location information.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the location information does not exist, the processor 430 may be configured with a setting value of another user from the hearing aid fitting server (not shown) with respect to the location information. Setting derived based on current location information, a sensor 410 inside the fitting control device 400, an external sensor (not shown) interlocked with the fitting control device 400, and the like and obtained based on information about the surrounding environment An initial setting process of generating at least one recommended setting value using the value may be performed. When the initial setting process is performed, the processor 430 may test a setting value selected by the user among the setting value of another user and the recommended setting value. In addition, when any one of the setting values tested by the user is selected, the selected setting value may be controlled to be transmitted to the hearing aid device through the communicator 450. Here, the test may be performed by applying a corresponding set value to a preset test signal, outputting a test signal to which the corresponding set value is applied, and receiving a user input about whether the output test signal is audible. have. Thereafter, the processor 430 may control the setting value selected by the user among the recommended setting values to be uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server through the communicator 450. The setting values uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server may be shared with other users as setting values corresponding to the corresponding location information.

The memory 440 may store setting values of fitting parameters corresponding to each location information and / or setting values of other users received from the hearing aid fitting server.

The communicator 450 may transmit a setting value derived by the processor 430 to the hearing aid device, or communicate with an external sensor, beacon device, or the like. To this end, the communicator 450 may include a WiFi chipset for WiFi-based wireless communication, a Bluetooth chipset for Bluetooth-based wireless communication, and the like. In addition, the communicator 450 may stream the voice and / or music signal processed by the processor 430 to the hearing aid device.

The display 460 may display a setting value of another user for the current location, a recommended setting value derived for the current location, and the like. For example, the display 460 may be implemented as a touch display. In this case, the display 460 may receive one of a plurality of setting values displayed for the current location from the user.

On the other hand, the fitting control device 400 may include an application for fitting the hearing aid device. The application may include codes for performing the function of the above-described processor 430. For example, the application may include a code for obtaining location information of the hearing aid device using the GPS module 410, a code for obtaining information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device using at least one sensor 410, and a fitting. A code for acquiring time information of the control device 400, a code for determining whether a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the current position information exists among fitting parameters for the hearing aid, and a fitting parameter for the current position information. If a plurality of setting values exist, a code for deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the plurality of setting values using at least one of the current location information, the information on the surrounding environment, and the time information corresponds to the current location information. If it is determined that there is only one setting value for the fitting parameter, or the user If it is determined that a preset value selected as a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information exists, the code for determining the setting value as a setting value for the position information and a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information If it is determined that there is no set value, the code for performing an initial setting process may be included.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a process of fitting the hearing assist device by the fitting control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

First, the fitting control device can support both manual setting mode and automatic setting mode. In the manual setting mode, the fitting control device may perform fitting of the hearing aid device based on a user's command. In the automatic setting mode, the fitting control device can adaptively perform the fitting of the hearing aid.

The fitting control device is connected to an external communication device that is fixedly installed at a specific position when the hearing aid is being operated by a user and a reset command for the hearing aid is input or when operating in the automatic setting mode for the fitting parameter. In operation S510, location information of the hearing assistance device may be acquired based on at least one of information obtained through communication. Here, the external communication device may be a device fixedly installed at a specific location, such as a base station for a wide area network (WAN), a beacon device that performs wireless communication using a beacon, and the like.

When the position control information of the hearing aid is obtained, the fitting control device may determine whether a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among the fitting parameters stored in the hearing aid is present (S520).

If it is determined that the setting value corresponding to the position does not exist in the fitting control device, the fitting control device may perform an initial setting procedure (S530). The initial setting procedure will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the set value exists in the fitting control device, the fitting control device may determine whether a plurality of the set value exists (S540). If it is determined that a plurality of the set values exist, the fitting control device may include information acquired by a sensor provided in the fitting control device, time information set in the fitting control device, and an external sensor interlocked with the fitting control device. Information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device using information acquired by the user, and an optimal setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device among the plurality of setting values based on the location information and the information about the surrounding environment. By deriving and transmitting the derived set value to the hearing aid, the optimal set value may be applied to the hearing aid (S560). Such a process may be repeatedly performed whenever the preset fitting parameter reset period is reached, as long as the automatic setting mode is maintained (S570 and S580).

However, if it is determined that there is only one setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the corresponding position information, or a preset value selected as a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the corresponding position information is set by the user among the plurality of setting values. If present, the fitting control device may transmit the corresponding set value to the hearing aid so that the optimal fitting parameter may be applied to the hearing aid (S550).

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an initialization process by a fitting control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an initial setting process for the current position will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

If there is no setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the current position information, the fitting control device requests a setting value of another user for the position information from the hearing aid fitting server, and the sensor included in the fitting control device. Information obtained by using (illuminance information, acceleration information, sound information, etc.), time information set in the fitting control device, and information obtained by the external sensor when the external sensor interoperating with the fitting control device exists. Information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device may be obtained. In addition, at least one recommendation setting value may be provided to the user by displaying the setting value derived based on the setting value of the other user and the information on the surrounding environment on the display (S620).

Thereafter, when the fitting control device selects any one of the recommended setting values from the user, the fitting control apparatus may perform a test on the selected recommended setting values (S630). When the recommended setting value tested by the user is selected to be used (S640), the fitting control apparatus may transmit the finally selected recommended setting value to the hearing aid device so that the corresponding setting value is applied (S650). . If, as a result of the test, the user wants to test another set value, that is, when the user reselects the set value (S660), the set value test process (S630) and the set value use check process (S640) are repeatedly performed. Can be. If the user does not want to apply all the recommended setting values, the existing setting values may be applied to the hearing aid device. That is, the fitting control device may not transmit any set value to the hearing aid device.

Thereafter, the fitting control device may upload the setting value determined to be finally applied to the corresponding position as the setting value for the corresponding user to the hearing aid fitting server (S680). Uploaded settings can be shared with other users. Thus, the hearing aid fitting server can provide a continuously improved configuration based on settings uploaded from the fitting control device.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

In the operation method of the hearing aid device,

Receiving a setting value for a fitting parameter of the hearing aid device from an external device through a wireless communication channel;

Adjusting the fitting parameter according to the set value;

Calibrating an input signal to a user of the hearing aid device based on the adjusted fitting parameter; And

Converting the corrected signal into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal

Including,

The set value is,

And a setting value for at least one of parameters related to noise reduction, directionality processing, and feedback cancellation.
The method of claim 1,

The input signal is,

And a digital signal received through the wireless communication channel from the external device.
The method of claim 1,

The input signal is,

And at least one of a voice signal and an audio signal input through a microphone provided in the hearing aid device.
The method of claim 1,

The set value is,

And a location information obtained from the external device, information obtained by a sensor provided in the external device, and one or more combinations of time information set in the external device.
The method of claim 1,

The set value is,

Derived from a combination of location information acquired from the external device, information acquired by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device. A method of operating a hearing aid device.
The method of claim 1,

The set value is,

At least one of location information acquired from the external device, information acquired by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device; A method of operating a hearing aid, wherein the device is derived by comparison with other user's settings received from a hearing aid fitting server.
The method of claim 6,

The set value is,

And uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server as a set value of the user corresponding to the location information and shared with the other user.
The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

The information obtained by the sensor,

And at least one of illuminance information detected by an illuminance sensor provided in the external device, acceleration information detected by an acceleration sensor provided in the external device, and sound information obtained by a microphone provided in the external device. A method of operating a hearing aid device.
The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

The location information,

Operating of the hearing aid device, characterized in that obtained based on at least one of the information obtained by the GPS (Global Positioning System) module provided in the external device and the information obtained through the communication between the external device and the external communication device. Way.
The method of claim 9,

The external device is a portable terminal, and the external communication device is a beacon (beacon) device is fixedly installed in a specific position to communicate with the external device operating method of the hearing aid.
A signal detector for detecting an analog signal;

A communicator performing wireless communication with an external device through a wireless communication channel;

A decoder for decoding the digital signal received through the communication unit;

A sound processor for calibrating a signal input through the signal detector and the decoder based on a preset fitting parameter according to a user;

An output driver for converting the signal processed by the sound processor into an analog signal; And

A handset for outputting an analog signal converted by the output driver

Including,

And a setting value for the fitting parameter is received from the external device through the communicator.
The method of claim 11,

The signal detector,

At least one transmitter for receiving an analog signal;

At least one amplifier amplifying the analog signal received by the transmitter to a predetermined signal level; And

And at least one transducer for converting the amplified signal into a digital signal.
The method of claim 11,

The sound processor,

At least one processor configured to adjust the fitting parameter according to a setting value received from an external device through the communicator;

At least one memory for storing at least one of the fitting parameter and the set value;

At least one filter engine for filtering a digital signal input through at least one of the signal detector and the decoder; And

A digital signal processor for processing a digital signal input through at least one of the signal detector and the decoder according to the fitting parameter

Hearing aid device comprising a.
The method of claim 11,

The communicator,

Hearing aid device, characterized in that for performing wireless communication with the external device based on Bluetooth.
The method of claim 13,

The set value is,

A hearing aid as set forth in at least one of parameters relating to noise reduction, directionality processing, and feedback cancellation.
The method of claim 13,

The set value is,

Hearing aid device, characterized in that derived through the combination of one or more of the location information obtained from the external device, the information obtained by the sensor provided in the external device and the time information set in the external device.
The method of claim 13,

The set value is,

Derived from a combination of location information acquired from the external device, information acquired by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device. Hearing aid device characterized in that.
The method of claim 13,

The set value is,

A hearing aid and at least one of location information acquired from the external device, information acquired by a sensor provided in the external device, time information set in the external device, and information obtained by an external sensor linked to the external device Hearing aid device, characterized in that it is derived through comparison with the settings of other users received from the fitting server.
The method of claim 18,

The set value is,

The hearing aid as set by the user corresponding to the location information, uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server by the external device and shared with the other user.
The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18,

The information obtained by the sensor,

And at least one of illuminance information detected by an illuminance sensor provided in the external device, acceleration information detected by an acceleration sensor provided in the external device, and sound information obtained by a microphone provided in the external device. Hearing aid device characterized in that.
The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18,

The location information,

Obtained based on at least one of the information obtained by the GPS (Global Positioning System) module provided in the external device and the information obtained through the communication between the beacon device and the external device fixedly installed at a specific location Hearing aid device, characterized in that.
In the operating method of the fitting control device for controlling the fitting of the hearing aid device,

Obtaining location information of the hearing assisting device based on at least one of global positioning system (GPS) information and information acquired through communication with an external communication device fixedly installed at a specific location;

Determining whether there is a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among fitting parameters for the hearing aid;

When there are a plurality of setting values, at least one of information acquired by a sensor included in the fitting control device, time information set by the fitting control device, and information obtained by an external sensor interlocked with the fitting control device. Acquiring information about a surrounding environment of the hearing aid device using a method;

Deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the setting values based on the location information and the information on the surrounding environment; And

Transmitting the derived set value to the hearing aid.

Method of operation of the fitting control device comprising a.
The method of claim 22,

After the determining step,

When there is only one setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information, or when there is a preset value selected as a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among the plurality of setting values, And transmitting a set value to the hearing aid.
The method of claim 22,

After the determining step,

If a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information does not exist, receiving a setting value of another user for the position information from the hearing aid fitting server; And

Providing at least one recommendation setting value by using the setting value derived based on the setting value of the other user and the information on the surrounding environment.

Method of operation of the fitting control device further comprises.
The method of claim 24,

After the providing step,

Performing a test on the recommended setting value selected by the user among the recommended setting values; And

If the recommended setting value for which the test is performed is selected, transmitting the selected recommended setting value to the hearing aid device.

Method of operation of the fitting control device further comprises.
The method of claim 25,

Uploading the selected recommendation setting to the hearing aid fitting server;

The uploaded recommended setting value is shared with the other user operating method of the fitting control device.
The method of claim 22,

And the fitting control device and the hearing assist device perform wireless communication based on Bluetooth.
A fitting control device for fitting hearing aids,

A GPS module for acquiring current location information using a global positioning system (GPS);

At least one sensor for obtaining information about a surrounding environment of the hearing aid;

It is determined whether there is a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among the fitting parameters for the hearing aid device, and when there are a plurality of the setting values, the position information, information on the surrounding environment, and current time information. And at least one processor for deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the setting values using at least one of information obtained by an external sensor. And

A communicator for transmitting the derived set value to the hearing aid device

Fitting control device comprising a.
The method of claim 28,

The processor,

When it is determined that there is only one setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information, or there is a preset value selected as a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among the plurality of setting values. And if it is determined that the setting value is determined as the setting value for the position information.
The method of claim 28,

The processor,

If it is determined that a setting value for the fitting parameter corresponding to the location information does not exist, based on the setting value of another user corresponding to the location information received from the hearing aid fitting server and the information on the surrounding environment And at least one recommended setting value is generated using the derived setting value.
The method of claim 30,

And a display for displaying at least one of the setting value of the other user and the recommended setting value.
The method of claim 30,

The processor,

A test is performed on a setting value selected by the user among the setting value of the other user and the recommended setting value, and the selected setting value is transmitted to the hearing aid device when the setting value on which the test is performed is selected. Fitting control device, characterized in that.
33. The method of claim 32,

The processor,

Control the selected setting value to be uploaded to the hearing aid fitting server,

And said uploaded setting value is shared with said other user.
The method of claim 28,

The communicator,

Fitting control device, characterized in that for performing wireless communication with the hearing aid device based on Bluetooth.
The method of claim 28,

The sensor,

And at least one of an illumination sensor for acquiring illuminance information, an acceleration sensor for acquiring acceleration information, and a microphone for acquiring sound information.
In an application for fitting hearing aids,

A code for obtaining location information of the hearing aid device using a global positioning system (GPS);

Code for obtaining information about the surrounding environment of the hearing aid device using at least one sensor;

A code for obtaining time information of the fitting control device;

A code for determining whether there is a setting value for a fitting parameter corresponding to the position information among fitting parameters for the hearing aid;

A code for deriving a setting value to be applied to the hearing aid device from among the plurality of setting values using at least one of the location information, the information on the surrounding environment, and the time information when the plurality of setting values exist.

Application comprising a.