METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING DEVICE AND CORRESPONDING HEARING SYSTEM AND ARRANGEMENT

• US 20100322448A1
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phonak AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Phonak AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Waldmann, Bernd
• Application Number:
  US12/679,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20100322448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/314
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/552 Binaural
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

The method for operating a hearing device (11) comprises the steps of

a) setting a minimum amplification or output level of said hearing device (11);

b) upon receiving a request to reduce an amplification or output level of said hearing device below said minimum amplification or output level: generating an alert and/or preventing the execution of the requested reduction.

Preferably, step a) is carried out upon receiving certain data in said hearing device (11). Such data can be generated by a device (2) installed in an automobile, e.g., a car stereo (2). The minimum amplification or output level can be selectively applied to signals originating from the acoustic environment of a user of the hearing device. A corresponding hearing system (10) and a corresponding arrangement (11) are disclosed, too. In a further aspect, the invention comprises the use of a user control (29) installed in an automobile for controlling at least one functionality of a hearing device (11).

Claims

1. A method for operating a hearing device, comprising the steps of

a) setting a minimum amplification or output level of said hearing device;

b) upon receiving a request to reduce an amplification or output level of said hearing device below said minimum amplification or output level;

generating an alert and/or preventing the execution of the requested reduction.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising carrying out step a) upon

c) receiving certain data in said hearing device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said certain data originate from a second device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said second device is installed in an automobile.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said second device comprises or is comprised in a car stereo.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said minimum amplification or output level is selected such that a user of said hearing device, when in an automobile, perceives sounds from his acoustic environment sufficiently loud for ensuring compatibility with road safety requirements.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said amplification or output level of said hearing device refers to amplification or output level of signals derived from the acoustic environment of a user of the hearing device.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

d) using at least one user control installed in an automobile for controlling at least one functionality of said hearing device.

9. A hearing system comprising

a hearing device;

and

a control unit adapted to carrying out the steps of

A) setting a minimum amplification or output level of said hearing device; and

B) upon receiving a request to reduce an amplification or output level of said hearing device below said minimum amplification or output level;

generating an alert and/or preventing the execution of the requested reduction.

10. The hearing system according to claim 9, wherein said minimum amplification or output level is selected such that a user of said hearing device, when in an automobile, perceives sounds from his acoustic environment sufficiently loud for ensuring compatibility with road safety requirements.

11. An arrangement comprising

the hearing system according to claim 9;

a second device operationally connectable to said hearing system;

wherein said control unit is adapted to carrying out said steps A) and B) upon receiving certain data from said second device.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said second device is installed in an automobile.

13. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said second device comprises or is comprised in a car stereo.

14. The arrangement according to claim 11, comprising at least one user control installed in an automobile, which is operationally connectable to said hearing system, and wherein said hearing system is adapted to enabling a control of at least one functionality of said hearing system using said at least one user control.

15. An arrangement, comprising a hearing system and at least one user control installed in an automobile, wherein said user control is operationally connectable to said hearing system, and wherein said hearing system is adapted to enabling a control of at least one functionality of said hearing system using said at least one user control.

16. A method for operating a hearing device, comprising using at least one user control installed in an automobile for controlling at least one functionality of said hearing device.

17. Use of a user control installed in an automobile for

controlling at least one functionality of a hearing device.