ONLINE HEARING AID FITTING SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR NON-EXPERT USER

• US 20150023512A1
• Filed: 08/27/2013
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K/S HIMPP
• Original Assignee: iHEAR Medical, Inc. (Innerscope Hearing Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shennib, Adnan
• Granted Patent: US 9,439,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Methods and systems of interactive online fitting of a hearing aid by a non-expert consumer without requiring a clinical setup are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an audio generator for delivering test audio signals at predetermined levels to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing aid in-situ, and a programming interface for delivering programming signals to the hearing aid. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the hearing device in-situ and to interactively adjust fitting parameters according to a subjective assessment of audible output representative of the test audio signal. In one embodiment, the online-based fitting system comprises a personal computer, a handheld device connected to the personal computer, and a fitting application hosted by a server. In one embodiment, remote customer support personnel may communicate with a hearing aid worn by the consumer and interactively control fitting parameters.

Claims

1. An online fitting system for fitting a hearing device for a consumer, the system comprising:

a programmable hearing device comprising an audio input configured to receive a calibrated audio signal and deliver an output in-situ in response to the calibrated audio signal, wherein the output is representative of the calibrated audio signal according to fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing device;

an audio signal generator configured to produce the calibrated audio signals, wherein the calibrated audio signals correspond to sound segments at predetermined sound pressure levels;

a programming interface configured to deliver a programming signal to the programmable hearing device in-situ; and

a computer configured to execute a fitting application at least partially hosted by a remote server,

wherein the fitting application is configured to interactively adjust fitting parameters according to a subjective assessment of the consumer listening to the output of the programmable hearing device and deliver the programming signal to the programmable hearing device in-situ via the programming interface.

2. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for self-administration by the consumer.

3. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for administration by a non-expert operator.

4. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein the fitting application is executed as a web application.

5. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein the fitting application is executed from a web browser.

6. The online fitting system of claim 1, further comprising an earphone configured to deliver a calibrated audio signal to administer a hearing evaluation.

7. The online fitting system of claim 1, further comprising a microphone configured to sense sound in the vicinity of the consumer.

8. The online fitting system of claim 1, further comprising a handheld device configured to deliver at least one of the calibrated audio signal or the programming signal.

9. The online fitting system of claim 8, wherein the handheld device is communicatively coupled to a personal computer by a USB connection.

10. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the calibrated audio signal or the programming signal is delivered to the programmable hearing device by an electrical connection.

11. The online fitting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the calibrated audio signal or the programming signal is delivered to the programmable hearing device by a wireless connection.

12. An online fitting system, comprising:

a programmable hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a consumer;

a handheld fitting device, comprising;

an audio signal generator configured to output a calibrated audio signal; and

a programming interface configured to deliver programming signals to the programmable hearing aid in-situ, wherein the programming signals are delivered to the programmable hearing device according to a perceptual assessment and response thereto of the consumer to the output of the programmable hearing device;

a personal computer configured to execute a fitting application at least partially hosted by a remote server and communicatively coupled to the handheld fitting device; and

a receiver configured to receive the calibrated audio signal from the handheld fitting device and deliver an acoustic test signal to the ear of the consumer to administer a hearing evaluation.

13. The online fitting system of claim 12, wherein the receiver is incorporated within an earphone.

14. The online fitting system of claim 12, wherein the receiver is incorporated within the programmable hearing device.

15. An online customer support system for remotely supporting a customer with hearing device fitting, the online customer support system comprising:

a customer support computer configured for operation by a customer support personnel at a customer support site remotely located from the customer;

a programmable hearing device worn by the customer, the programming hearing device comprising an audio input for receiving an audio input signal and delivering an audible output in-situ, wherein the audible output is representative of the audio input signal; and

a personal computer at the customer side communicatively coupled to the programmable hearing device,

wherein the personal computer is connected online to the customer support computer, wherein the customer support computer is configured to execute a customer support application at least partially hosted by a remote server and stream audio signal to the personal computer, and

wherein the personal computer is configured to receive the support audio signal to deliver the support audio signal to the audio input of the programmable hearing device for audibility of the support audio signal by the customer.

16. The online customer support system of claim 15, wherein the support audio signal a voice of the customer support personnel.

17. The online customer support system of claim 15, wherein the support audio signal is a test signal.

18. The online customer support system of claim 15, wherein the support audio signal is transmitted to the personal computer by a voice over internet protocol (VoIP).

19. An online hearing device fitting system for a customer wearing a programmable hearing device, the system comprising:

a programmable hearing device worn by a customer in an ear, the programming hearing device comprising an audio input configured to receive a calibrated audio signal, a programming input configured to receive a programming signal, and a plurality of fitting parameters configured to determine settings of the programmable hearing device; and

a personal computer at the customer side communicatively coupled to the programmable hearing device, wherein the personal computer is connected online to a customer support computer operated by a customer support personnel at a customer support site remotely located from the customer,

wherein the customer support computer is configured to execute a hearing device control application at least partially hosted by a remote server, wherein the customer support computer is configured to control one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device.

20. A method of online hearing device fitting for a client, the method comprising:

executing a fitting application by a fitting system at the client side, wherein the fitting application is at least partially hosted on a remote server;

delivering an audio input signal from the fitting system to an audio input of a programmable hearing device in-situ at the client side;

delivering an acoustic output from the programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the acoustic output is representative of the audio input signal according to fitting parameters programmed within the programmable hearing device;

adjusting the fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device according to a subjective assessment and response thereto by the client listening to the acoustic output from the programmable hearing device in-situ; and

delivering a programming signal from the fitting system to adjust the fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device in-situ.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising administering a hearing evaluation by delivering an acoustic test stimulus to an ear of the client by the fitting system.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein any of the steps are self-administered by the client.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein any of the steps are administered by a non-expert person assisting the client.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the fitting system comprises a personal computer configured to execute the fitting application.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the fitting application is executed from a web browser.

26. A method of online fitting of a programmable hearing device of a client, the method comprising:

executing a server-hosted hearing test application by a fitting system located at the client side, wherein the fitting system is configured to deliver calibrated test acoustic signals to an ear of a client for a hearing evaluation;

executing a server hosted fitting application by the fitting system, wherein the fitting system is configured to deliver calibrated audio input signals and adjust fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device in-situ;

delivering an output by the programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the output is representative of the calibrated audio input signals according to the fitting parameters programmed within the programmable hearing device; and

adjusting the fitting parameters by the fitting system executing the fitting application by delivering programming signals from the fitting system according to a response of the client listening to the output delivered by the programmable hearing device in-situ.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein any of said steps are self-administered by the client.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein any of said steps are administered by a non-expert operator assisting the client.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the fitting system comprises a personal computer configured to execute any of the hearing test application and the fitting application.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the fitting system comprises a handheld device configured to deliver any of the calibrated audio input signals and the programming signals.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein any of the hearing test application and the fitting application are configured to execute from a web browser.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the calibrated test acoustic signals are configured to be delivered to the ear of the client by an earphone.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising sensing sound in the vicinity of the client by a microphone incorporated within the fitting system.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the sensing of sound in the vicinity of the client is incorporated in the process of administering the hearing evaluation.

35. A method of online customer support for a hearing aid client, the method comprising:

connecting a fitting system at the client side online to a customer support computer system at a remote customer support site;

communicatively coupling the fitting system to a programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the programmable hearing device comprising an audio input configured to receive an audio input signal from the fitting system, and wherein the programmable hearing device is configured to receive programming signals from the fitting system;

receiving support audio signal by the fitting system from the customer support computer system;

generating the audio input signal by the fitting system, wherein the audio input signal is representative of the support audio signal;

delivering the audio input signal to the audio input of the programmable hearing device in-situ; and

delivering an audible output from the programmable hearing device in-situ, wherein the audible output is representative of the support audio signal.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the support audio signal represents voice communications from a customer support personnel at the customer support site.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the support audio signal represents a test signal.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the fitting system comprises a personal computer.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the fitting system comprises a handheld device configured to deliver at least one of the support audio signal or the programming signal to the programmable hearing device.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the fitting system is configured to receive a command from the customer support personnel, wherein the command triggers a transmission of the programming signal from the fitting system to the programmable hearing device, and wherein the programming signal adjusts at least one fitting parameter of the programmable hearing device.

41. A method of online customer support for a hearing device client, the method comprising:

connecting online a fitting system at the client side to a customer support computer remotely positioned, wherein the fitting system is communicatively coupled to a programmable hearing device, wherein the fitting system is configured to deliver audio signals to an input of the hearing device and programming signals configured to program fitting parameters thereof, wherein the customer support computer is configured to execute a hearing device control application at least partially hosted by a remote server; and

adjusting one or more hearing aid parameters by the fitting system according to commands sent by the hearing device control application executed by the customer support computer.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the fitting system comprises a personal computer.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the fitting system comprises a handheld device configured to deliver at least one of the audio signals or the programming signals.