WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT INTERFERENCE DIAGNOSTIC HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SYSTEM
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless interference diagnostic hearing assistance device systems. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for assessing and mitigating wireless interference for hearing assistance device programmers. The method includes measuring wireless interference over wireless communication channels using a wireless programmer configured to communicate with a hearing assistance device. A graphical display in communication with the wireless programmer is used to assist or direct a user to physically move the wireless programmer or the hearing assistance device to minimize the measured wireless interference. In various embodiments, the measured wireless interference is used to identify a source of the wireless interference, and an identity of the source of the wireless interference is displayed on the graphical display.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method, comprising:
measuring a level of wireless interference over wireless communication channels using a wireless device configured to communicate with a hearing assistance device;
assessing a quality of a link between the wireless device and the hearing assistance device;
using the wireless interference level or the assessed link quality to identify a source of wireless interference; and
using a graphical display in communication with the wireless device to display an identity of the identified source of the wireless interference and to assist a user to physically move the wireless device and the hearing assistance device to provide a programmable combination of the assessed link quality and the measured wireless interference level.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein assessing a quality of a link between the wireless device and the hearing assistance device includes calculating link quality assessment (LQA) scores.
23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising displaying the LQA scores on the graphical display.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein using a graphical display includes using a graphical display attached to a personal computer in communication with the wireless device.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein using a graphical display includes using a graphical display on the wireless device.
26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein assessing a quality of a link between the wireless device and the hearing assistance device includes using information about a type of hearing assistance device.
27 . The method of claim 21 , comprising ignoring identified interferers that are known to not cause problems for wireless hearing assistance device communication.
28 . The method of claim 21 , comprising generating logs of out-of-band interference.
29 . The method of claim 28 , comprising forwarding the generated logs to customer support for diagnosis.
30 . A hearing assistance system for a wearer, comprising:
a wireless device configured to wirelessly communicate with a hearing assistance device using at least one of a plurality of channels; and
a graphical display in communication with the wireless programmer,
wherein the wireless device is configured to
measure a level of wireless interference over wireless communication channels between the wireless device and the hearing assistance device;
assess a quality of a link between the wireless device and the hearing assistance device;
use the wireless interference level or the assessed link quality to identify a source of wireless interference; and
use the graphical display to display an identity of the identified source of the wireless interference and to assist a user to physically move the wireless device and the hearing assistance device to provide a programmable combination of the assessed link quality and the measured wireless interference level.
31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the wireless device includes a hearing assistance device programmer.
32 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the wireless device includes a cellular telephone.
33 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the wireless device includes a personal computer.
34 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.
35 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.
36 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.
37 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.
38 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.
39 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
40 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the hearing aid includes receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.