Hearing instrument with user interface

• US 8,165,329 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GN Resound A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: GN Resound A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Bisgaard, Nikolai
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US12/521,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20100067722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 381/23.1, 381/312, 381/313, 381/314, 381/317, 381/318
• US Class Current: 381/314
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/61 Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/305 Self-monitoring or self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• 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 instrument includes a microphone for converting sound into an electric audio signal, a signal processor unit coupled to the microphone, the signal processor unit configured for operating in a plurality of states that include at least a first state and a second state, wherein the signal processor unit is configured for automatically switching at least between the first state and the second state according to a switching strategy, a speaker coupled to the signal processor unit, and a user interface that is configured to receive a user feedback regarding an automatic switching between the first state and the second state, wherein the user interface is communicatively connected to the signal processor unit and is configured to provide at least one control signal to the signal processor unit in response to the user feedback, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to receive the control signal in a predetermined input period upon the automatic switching between the first state and the second state.

Claims

1. A hearing instrument comprising:

a microphone for converting sound into an electric audio signal;

a signal processor unit coupled to the microphone, the signal processor unit configured for operating in a plurality of states that include at least a first state and a second state, wherein the signal processor unit is configured for automatically switching at least the first state and the second state according to a switching strategy;

a speaker coupled to the signal processor unit; and

a user interface for receiving a user feedback regarding an automatic switching between the first state and the second state, wherein the user interface is communicatively connected to the signal processor unit and is configured to provide at least one control signal to the signal processor unit in response to the user feedback;

wherein the signal processor unit is configured to receive the control signal in a predetermined input period upon the automatic switching between the first state and the second state.

2. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the automatic switching between the first state and the second state comprises an automatic switching from the first state to the second state, and wherein the signal processor unit is configured to receive the at least one control signal from the user interface in the predetermined input period upon the automatic switching from the first state to the second state.

3. The hearing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the user feedback comprises a negative feedback regarding the automatic switching, and the user interface is configured to provide the at least one control signal to the signal processor unit in response to the negative feedback.

4. The hearing instrument according to claim 3, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to switch from the second state back to the first state after receipt of the at least one control signal.

5. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the user feedback comprises a positive feedback regarding the automatic switching, and the user interface is configured to provide the at least one control signal to the signal processor unit in response to the positive feedback.

6. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first state and the second state are main states having predefined hearing instrument parameters.

7. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first state and the second state are sub states within a main state.

8. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a signal generator for providing a first signal to indicate that an operation of the signal processor is being switched, has been switched, or will be switched, from the first state to the second state.

9. The hearing instrument according to claim 8, wherein the signal generator is configured to provide a second signal after the first signal is provided.

10. The hearing instrument according to claim 9, wherein the second signal is for indicating an end of an evaluation period, a beginning of a user-input period, or an end of the user-input period.

11. The hearing instrument according to claim 9, wherein the signal generator is further configured to provide a third signal after the second signal is provided.

12. The hearing instrument according to claim 11, wherein the third signal is for indicating an end of a user-input period or receipt of the feedback.

13. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined input period is a duration that is less than 30 seconds.

14. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for allowing a user to selectively input a negative feedback or a positive feedback as the user feedback.

15. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor unit comprises a compare function that is configured to monitor operating parameters of the hearing instrument and provide an output as a result of the comparison.

16. The hearing instrument according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to determine a user feedback setting, and enable the user interface for receiving the user feedback according to the user feedback setting and the output of the compare function.

17. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for automatic voice recognition and generation of the control signal in response to the automatic voice recognition.

18. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a switch or a push-button.

19. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a remote control.

20. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit for storing information that is associated with the user feedback.

21. The hearing instrument according to claim 20, wherein the information comprises one or more of a state variable, a filter coefficient, and an environment parameter.

22. The hearing instrument according to claim 20, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to update the switching strategy based at least in part on the information stored in the memory unit.

23. The hearing instrument according to claim 22, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to continuously update the switching strategy.

24. The hearing instrument according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of states includes an update state for updating the switching strategy.

25. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of states include a third state, and wherein the signal processor unit is configured for switching to a third state in response to another control signal from the user interface.

26. The hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to receive the control signal by allowing the user interface to receive the user feedback.

27. A method of operating a hearing instrument that operates according to one or more hearing aid parameters, the hearing instrument having a user interface and being configured for automatic switching between a first state and a second state, the method comprising:

monitoring the one or more hearing aid parameters to identify a state change;

determining a user feedback setting; and

when the state change is identified, enabling user feedback via the user interface according to the user feedback setting.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the act of enabling user feedback comprises enabling the user feedback in a predetermined period.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the user feedback setting includes information selected from the group consisting of an input period length, a type of indicator signal, and an indicator signal scheme.