HEARING AID AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING AID WITH A HUMIDITY SENSOR

• US 20120114156A1
• Filed: 11/04/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd (WS Audiology A/S)
• Inventors: SERMAN, MAJA, STEINBUSS, MEIKE
• Application Number:
  US13/289,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20120114156A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/314
• 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 25/305 Self-monitoring or self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/505 using digital signal processing

Abstract

A hearing aid has a hearing aid housing and an associated method for operating the hearing aid. The hearing aid contains a first humidity sensor which determines a first ambient humidity and a modification unit, which modifies an operating state and/or an operating parameter of the hearing aid in dependence on the first ambient humidity detected. The hearing aid takes account of the effect of the humidity of the environment on the hearing aid properties and takes measures to compensate for the humidity.

Claims

1. A hearing aid, comprising:

a hearing aid housing;

a first humidity sensor for determining a first ambient humidity;

a modification unit for modifying at least one of an operating state or an operating parameter of the hearing aid in dependence on the first ambient humidity determined, said modification unit coupled to said first humidity sensor; and

a second humidity sensor disposed inside said hearing aid housing for determining a second ambient humidity inside said hearing aid housing.

2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein said modification unit modifies at least one hearing aid parameter in dependence on the first ambient humidity detected.

3. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein said modification unit switches to another hearing aid program in dependence on the first ambient humidity detected.

4. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein said modification unit switches the hearing aid on or off in dependence on the first ambient humidity detected.

5. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein said first humidity sensor is disposed on an exterior of said hearing aid housing or is integrated into said hearing aid housing and determines the first ambient humidity outside the hearing aid.

6. The hearing aid according to claim 1, further comprising a signal generation unit for generating a warning signal if the second ambient humidity exceeds a predeterminable threshold value.

7. The hearing aid according to claim 6, further comprising an earpiece for acoustically outputting the warning signal.

8. The hearing aid according to claim 6, wherein the hearing aid transmits the warning signal electromagnetically to a remote control.

9. The hearing aid according to claim 1, further comprising a salt content measurement sensor for determining a salt content outside said hearing aid housing.

10. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein said salt content measurement sensor is disposed outside on said hearing aid housing or is integrated into said hearing aid housing.

11. A method for operating a hearing aid, which comprises the steps of:

determining a first ambient humidity;

modifying at least one of an operating state or an operating parameter of the hearing aid in dependence on the first ambient humidity determined; and

determining a second ambient humidity within the hearing aid.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the modifying step includes the further steps of:

modifying at least one hearing aid parameter; and

performing at least one of;

switching to another hearing aid program;

or

switching the hearing aid on or off in dependence on the first ambient humidity detected.

13. The method according to claim 11, which further comprises determining the first ambient humidity outside of the hearing aid housing of the hearing aid.

14. The method according to claim 11, which further comprises issuing a warning signal if the second ambient humidity exceeds a predeterminable threshold value.

15. The method according to claim 14, which further comprises outputting the warning signal one of acoustically by an earpiece of the hearing aid or transmitting the warning signal electromagnetically to a remote control.

16. The method according to claim 11, which further comprises determining a salt content at least one of on or in the hearing aid housing.

17. The method according to claim 16, which further comprises outputting a salt warning signal if the salt content determined exceeds a predeterminable salt content threshold value.