IP Library Granted Patent US 8,358,794
Granted Patent B2
US 8,358,794 · App. 12/001,441 · Granted Jan 22, 2013

Method for side definition during adjustment of hearing aids

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,358,794
App. No.
12/001,441
Granted
Jan 22, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The data records to be stored in the two hearing devices of a binaural hearing system during the adjustment are generally different. With “side definition”, the correct assignment of the two hearing devices to the ears or of the wearer is ensured. To this end, an acoustic signal is transmitted to the wearer by way of the receiver of at least one of these hearing devices. The wearer informs the adjusting facility by way of an input device connected hereto, as to the ear with which the wearer heard this acoustic signal or which spatial characteristic or asymmetry is attributed to this acoustic signal.

Claims (24)

1. A method for adjusting a hearing aid, wherein the hearing aid has two hearing devices comprising a right hearing device for a right ear and a left hearing device for a left ear, wherein an adjusting device wirelessly exchanges data with at least one of the hearing devices, the method comprising:

transmitting an acoustic signal asymmetrically to the hearing aid such that the acoustic signal is received at a receiver of only one of the hearing devices at a time, the acoustic signal used for a correct assignment of the two hearing devices to the ears of a wearer of the hearing aid for a correct side definition based on a side asymmetry of the acoustic signal;

receiving by the adjustment device via an input device a notification of which ear of the wearer received the acoustic signal based on the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal; and

based on the notification, effecting the correct side definition of the two hearing devices to allow for data to be wirelessly transmitted and stored on a correct hearing device during adjustment of the hearing aid.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input device is connected to the adjustment device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the wearer tells a person operating the adjustment device which ear received the acoustic signal.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input device is located in or on one of the two hearing devices.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input device is a sensor to sensor sense a touch, wherein the sensor is located on a hearing device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the acoustic signal has a voice signal, wherein the notification for the correct side definition is requested from the wearer via the voice signal.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal comprises a moveable sound source which moves from one hearing device to the other to provide a perceivable spatial characteristic.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the wearer is notified by way of the voice signal how to make the notification.

9. A hearing aid, comprising:

two hearing devices, comprising a right hearing device for a right ear and a left hearing device for a left ear;

wherein at least one of the hearing devices and a adjusting facility are connectable via a wireless data connection for exchanging data, the data comprising an acoustical signal transmitted asymmetrically from the adjusting facility to the hearing aid such that the acoustic signal is received by a receiver of only one of the hearing devices at a time, the acoustic signal used for a correct assignment of the two hearing devices to the ears of a wearer of the hearing aid for a correct side definition based on a side asymmetry of the acoustic signal,

wherein at least one of the hearing devices has a sensor, to be touched by a user to notify the adjusting facility about an assignment of the two hearing devices to the two ears of the wearer to provide an indication of the correct side definition based on the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal, the adjusting facility effecting the correct side definition of the two hearing devices to allow for data to be wirelessly transmitted and stored on a correct hearing device during adjustment of the hearing aid.

10. The hearing aid as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal comprises a moveable sound source which moves from one hearing device to the other to provide a perceivable spatial characteristic.

11. A method for adjusting a hearing aid, wherein the hearing aid has a right hearing device for a right ear and a left hearing device for a left ear, comprising:

providing an adjusting device, wherein the adjusting device wirelessly exchanges data with at least one of the hearing devices;

transmitting an acoustic signal asymmetrically to the hearing aid such that the acoustic signal is received by a receiver of only one of the hearing devices at a time for a correct assignment of the two hearing devices to the ears of a wearer of the hearing aid based on a side definition in accordance with the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal;

notifying the adjustment device via an input device connected to the adjustment device about the side asymmetry attributed to the acoustic signal; and

based on the notification, effecting the correct side definition of the right and left hearing devices to allow for data to be wirelessly transmitted and stored on a correct hearing device during adjustment of the hearing aid.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the wearer tells a person operating the adjustment device which ear received the acoustic signal.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the side asymmetry is based on a spatial characteristic.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the side asymmetry of the acoustic signal comprises a moveable sound source which moves from one hearing device to the other to provide a perceivable spatial characteristic.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 10, 2015
From: SIEMENS AUDIOLOGISCHE TECHNIK GMBH
To: SIVANTOS GMBH
Reel/Frame 036090/0688 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2007
From: SCHULZ, HERVE
To: SIEMENS AUDIOLOGISCHE TECHNIK GMBH
Reel/Frame 020280/0402 →