METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING USER ACTIVITIES FROM WITHIN A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE USING A VIBRATION SENSOR

• US 20100172523A1
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Green, Matthew, Burns, Thomas Howard
• Granted Patent: US 8,811,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/39 Aspects relating to automatic logging of sound environment parameters and the performance of the hearing aid during use, e.g. histogram logging, or of user selected programs or settings in the hearing aid, e.g. usage logging
• 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 25/50 Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for processing sound by a hearing assistance device. In one example, the present subject matter is an apparatus for processing sound for a hearing assistance device, comprising: a microphone adapted for reception of the sound and to create a sound signal relating to the sound; a transducer that produces an output voltage related to motion; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and the transducer, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and the output voltage, the signal processor performing a vibration detection algorithm adapted to adjust hearing assistance device settings for a detected activity; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing sound for a hearing assistance device, comprising:

a microphone adapted for reception of the sound and to create a sound signal relating to the sound;

a transducer that produces an output voltage related to motion;

a signal processor, connected to the microphone and the transducer, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and the output voltage, the signal processor performing a vibration detection algorithm adapted to adjust hearing assistance device settings for a detected activity; and

a housing adapted to house the signal processor.