Hearing aid and method for its adjustment

• US 20070009126A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sivantos Gmbh (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Fischer, Eghart
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/41 Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A hearing aid and appertaining method of adjustment permit adjusting a hearing aid more conveniently and more specifically. For this purpose, parameters for real hearing situations are stored in a storage device in the hearing aid or in the remote control for an adjustment procedure by the hearing aid wearer him- or herself. These hearing examples are then reproduced to the hearing aid wearer for the adjustment procedure. The hearing aid wearer therefore does not have to wait for a corresponding hearing situation in his surrounding area for the adjustment process and can repeat the adjustment process as required.

Claims

1. A hearing aid, comprising:

a storage device comprising a signal data store, wherein the signal data comprises test audio data relating to a plurality of classes of characteristic hearing situations;

a signal processing device comprising an output via which the signal data from the storage device is output; and

a control device having an adjustment mechanism in communication with the signal processing device, the signal processing device having a mechanism to operate the control device to at least partially output the test audio data in a desired class, the signal processing device being adjustable while the audio data is being output, and a storage mechanism that can store a setting of the signal processing device for the desired class.

2. The hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a remote control.

3. The hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test audio data comprises an announcement and a subsequent tone example.

4. The hearing aid as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a mechanism for repeating a reproduction of the test audio data until the hearing aid wearer activates an appropriate control.

5. The hearing aid as claimed in claim 3, wherein an adjustment range of the hearing aid is predetermined as a function of the repeated test audio data.

6. A hearing aid system, comprising:

a hearing aid;

a remote control comprising a storage device for storage of test audio data relating to a plurality of classes of characteristic hearing situations and for transmission of test audio data in a desired class to the hearing aid, the hearing aid comprising a wearer adjustable adjustment mechanism that can be adjusted by the hearing-aid wearer while the test audio data is being replayed;

a setting mechanism that sets values for the desired class; and

a setting storage area that stores the values for the desired class.

7. The hearing aid system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a remote control via which the hearing aid can be adjusted.

8. The hearing aid system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the test audio data comprises an announcement and a subsequent tone example.

9. The hearing aid system as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a mechanism for repeating a reproduction of the test audio data until the hearing aid wearer activates an appropriate control.

10. The hearing aid system as claimed in claim 8, wherein an adjustment range of the hearing aid is predetermined as a function of the repeated test audio data.

11. A method for adjusting hearing aid, comprising:

storing test audio data which represents a plurality of classes of characteristic hearing situations;

reproducing the stored test audio data in a desired class with the hearing aid to be adjusted;

adjusting the hearing aid based on the reproduced test audio data by the hearing aid wearer in accordance with his or her individual requirements; and

storing the setting of the hearing aid for the desired class in the hearing aid.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a remote control is utilized for adjusting the hearing aid.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

providing an announcement and subsequent tone example as at least a part of the test audio data.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

repeating the reproduction of the test audio data until the hearing aid wearer activates an appropriate control.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

predetermining an adjustment range of the hearing aid as a function of the repeated test audio data.