Hearing aid fitting systems and methods using sound segments representing relevant soundscape
First Claim
1. A method of hearing aid fitting for a consumer, the method comprising:
- delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to predetermined suprathreshold loudness levels from a fitting system to an input of a programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the test audio signals correspond to multiple test sound segments within a fitting soundscape selected within the audible range of normal human hearing;
presenting output from the programmable hearing aid in-situ to the consumer'"'"'s ear for audibility by the consumer, wherein the output results from the test audio signals according to fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing aid; and
adjusting a plurality of the fitting parameters in-situ by delivering programming signals from the fitting system, wherein the adjustments are based on a consumer'"'"'s perceptual assessment of the output of the programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the test sound segments comprise representations of a relatively loud level sound, a relatively soft level sound, a relatively low frequency sound, and a relatively high frequency sound, wherein the adjustments comprise a first adjustment made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to the relatively loud level sound and a second adjustment made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to the relatively soft level sound.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling hearing aid fitting by a non-expert consumer. The method in one embodiment involves delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments define a fitting soundscape within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment corresponding to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls related to corresponding fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the fitting system comprises a personal computer and a handheld device providing calibrated test audio signals and programming interface. The systems and methods allow home dispensing of hearing devices without requiring specialized instruments.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A method of hearing aid fitting for a consumer, the method comprising:
-
delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to predetermined suprathreshold loudness levels from a fitting system to an input of a programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the test audio signals correspond to multiple test sound segments within a fitting soundscape selected within the audible range of normal human hearing; presenting output from the programmable hearing aid in-situ to the consumer'"'"'s ear for audibility by the consumer, wherein the output results from the test audio signals according to fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing aid; and adjusting a plurality of the fitting parameters in-situ by delivering programming signals from the fitting system, wherein the adjustments are based on a consumer'"'"'s perceptual assessment of the output of the programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the test sound segments comprise representations of a relatively loud level sound, a relatively soft level sound, a relatively low frequency sound, and a relatively high frequency sound, wherein the adjustments comprise a first adjustment made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to the relatively loud level sound and a second adjustment made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to the relatively soft level sound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 34, 35)
-
-
15. A method of hearing aid fitting for a consumer, the method comprising:
-
transmitting multiple test audio signals corresponding to predetermined loudness levels from a fitting system to an input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the multiple test audio signals represent multiple natural sounds at suprathreshold sound levels, and the multiple natural sounds collectively define a fitting soundscape within an audible range of normal human hearing; presenting output from the programmable hearing device in-situ to an ear of the consumer for audibility by the consumer, wherein the output is representative of the test audio signals according to fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing aid; and adjusting a plurality of programmable parameters of the programmable hearing device in-situ by delivering a programming signal to the programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the adjustments are based on a consumer'"'"'s perceptual assessment of the output from the programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the adjustments comprise a first adjustment made to one or more programmable parameters corresponding to a relatively loud level sound and a second adjustment made to one or more programmable parameters corresponding to a relatively soft level sound.
-
-
16. A hearing aid fitting system for use by a non-expert person, the system comprising:
-
an audio signal generator configured to generate a sequence of test audio signals representing multiple sound segments at suprathreshold levels, wherein the multiple sound segments are delivered at predetermined loudness levels and collectively define a fitting soundscape within an audible range of human hearing; a programmable hearing device configured to receive the test audio signals and programming signals, wherein the programmable hearing device is configured to deliver audible output to the consumer, wherein the audible output is representative of the test audio signals according to a plurality of fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing device; and a programming interface configured to deliver programming signals to the programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the programming interface is configured to adjust the plurality of fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device based on a consumer'"'"'s perceptual assessment of the audible output, wherein a first adjustment is made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to a relatively loud level sound and a second adjustment is made to one or more fitting parameters corresponding to a relatively soft level sound. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification