US008787603B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Fichtl et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`(54) METHOD FOR OPERATINGA HEARING
`DEVICE AS WELL AS A HEARING DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Elmar Fichtl, Oetwil am See (CH);
`Michael Boretzki, Ruti (CH)
`
`(73) Assignee: Phonak AG, Stafa (CH)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`2006/0222194 A1* 10/2006 Bramslow etai.
`2007/0147624 A1
`6/2007 Fischer
`2007/0203726 A1
`8/2007 Thompson
`2008/0107296 A1
`5/2008 Bachler et al.
`
`.......... .. 381/314
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`1208723 B1
`01/26419 A1
`2009-049672 A1
`2009/0144056 A1
`
`5/2002
`4/2001
`4/2009
`12/2009
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`13/517,154
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Dec. 22, 2009
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP2009/067716
`
`§ 371 (OX1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Jun. 19, 2012
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2010/031880
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 25, 2010
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0114836A1
`
`May 9, 2013
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04R 25/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ........................................................ .. 381/314
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .............................. .. H04R 25/70; H04R 25/30
`USPC ......... .. 381/314, 323, 23.1, 60, 312, 328, 330
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2005/0036637 A1
`2005/0129262 A1
`2006/0198530 A1*
`
`2/2005 Janssen
`6/2005 Dillon et al.
`9/2006 Fischer et a1.
`
`................ .. 381/60
`
`International Search Report for PCT/EP2009/067716 dated Oct. 13,
`2010.
`Written Opinion for PCT/EP2009/067716 dated Oct. 13, 2010.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner — Brian Ensey
`Assistant Examiner — Norman Yu
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Pearne & Gordon LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Acclimatization ofa hearing device user to a hearing device is
`made more acceptable by automatic acclimatization manage-
`ment. The intensity of the hearing device is increased in the
`long term, e. g. during several months. The speed of the inten-
`sity increase depends onuser inputs. A user controls an audio
`processing parameter (APP), such as volume, with a user
`control. Each time the user switches the hearing device off
`and on again, the power-on value (POV) ofthe audio process-
`ing parameter (APP) is changed. The amount of the change
`depends on which settings for the audio processing parameter
`(APP) have been selected by the hearing device user and how
`long the settings have been active. An initial power-on value
`(iPOV) and a target power-on value (tPOV), which is to be
`reached at the end (H) of the acclimatization phase, may be
`programmed by an audiologist.
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`HIMPP 1003
`
`HIMPP 1003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of4
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`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`APP=APP0+
`
`X
`
`APP=APPD+
`
`X
`
`X
`
` APP=APP,,
`
`>
`
`APP=APP0-
`> 2 V2129
`
`a)
`
`b)
`
`0)
`
`d)
`
`Fig. 3
`
`A
`
`APP=APP0+
`
`A
`
`APP=APP,,+
`
`
`X
`d)
`
`APP=APP0-
`1
`>
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`APP=APP0+
`
`APP=APP0-
`
`tPO APP=APP0+
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`tPO
`
`tPO
`
`
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`1
`METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING
`DEVICE AS WELL AS A HEARING DEVICE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to the field ofhearing devices.
`More particularly, the present invention relates to a method
`for operating a hearing device in a way that lets a user of said
`hearing device acclimatize to the hearing device. Further-
`more, the present invention also relates to a hearing device.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A hearing device is a device which compensates for the
`hearing loss of a user. A hearing device is usually worn at an
`ear or in the ear of the user. Additional devices such as a
`
`15
`
`remote control may be considered to be part of the hearing
`device.
`
`Usually, it takes some time for a user to get used to a
`hearing device. This process is called acclimatization and
`may take e.g. from several weeks up to half a year. Typically,
`hearing devices are tuned by a specialist such as an audiolo-
`gist. It has been shown that acclimatization can be made more
`comfortable for a user if the intensity of the hearing device is
`initially low and is increased gradually during an acclimati-
`zation phase until target intensity is reached. Practically, this
`means that the hearing device user has to return to the spe-
`cialist several times for a retuning. At each visit the intensity
`of the hearing device is increased.
`In order to reduce the number of visits necessary and to
`make the adjustment more steady, it has been proposed to
`increase the intensity of hearing device automatically, a fea-
`ture which is termed in this document “automatic acclimati-
`
`zation management”.
`For example, EP-Bl-l 208 723 discloses a hearing device
`which automatically adjusts itself in time. The starting point
`as well as the end point of a parameter are defined according
`to the needs of the hearing device user. The adjustment is
`stepwise upon a trigger, which can be a clock event, an on-off
`event, a battery-replacement event or an event indicating that
`a knob has been operated a number of times. However, this
`solution has the disadvantage that the preferences of the user
`are not taken into account. The algorithm evaluates how long
`or how much the hearing device is used and not with which
`settings the hearing device is used. The hearing device is not
`able to determine if the user prefers a faster or a slower
`increase of the intensity of the hearing device.
`It is to be noted that the term “automatic acclimatization
`
`management” generally means the adjustment which is acti-
`vated when the hearing device is switched on, but the adjust-
`ment may then be modified by the hearing device user during
`everyday operation using a user control. Usually, such a
`modification by the hearing device user is “lost” once the
`hearing device is switched off and on again, since the user
`control is generally intended to adjust the hearing device to
`momentary situations and not for long-term adjustment or
`acclimatization management. However, it is known to statis-
`tically evaluate such settings by the user and to determine a
`new power-on-value for parameters based on such statistics.
`Such a feature is hereinafter called “user preference learn-
`ing”.
`For example, WO 2009/049 672 Al discloses a hearing
`device with learns from current user settings. If the user
`selects a higher volume and keeps this setting for an extended
`period of time,
`the power-on-volume is automatically
`adjusted. When the user switches on the hearing device the
`next time, the start volume will be a bit louder. Once the user
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
`
`55
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`60
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`65
`
`2
`
`gets used to a first volume, he or she might select then a higher
`second volume, then an even higher third volume etc. How-
`ever, not all users show this behavior and after half a year,
`despite of the preference learning algorithm, the power-on-
`volume may still be the same. Conventional “user preference
`learning” is therefore not well suited for acclimatization man-
`agement. In conventional “user preference learning”, it is not
`possible to define a target value towards which the learning is
`biased. A similar known teaching is disclosed by US 2007/
`203726 Al .
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention addresses the problem to provide a
`method for operating a hearing device with an “automatic
`acclimatization management” which takes into account user
`preferences and which is able to assure that the acclimatiza-
`tion phase is not excessively long for reaching an acclimati-
`zation target condition.
`This problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 15,
`in particular by a method for operating a hearing device in a
`way that lets a user of said hearing device acclimatize to said
`hearing device, said hearing device comprising
`a signal processing unit,
`a user control by which at least one audio processing
`parameter of said signal processing unit is adjustable by
`said user,
`a non-volatile memory
`said method comprising the steps of:
`a) writing a value indicative of a target power-on-value for
`said audio processing parameter to said non-volatile
`memory,
`b) waiting until said user switches on said hearing device,
`c) setting said audio processing parameter to a power-on-
`value, said power-on-value being stored in said non-
`volatile memory or being calculated from values stored
`in said non-volatile memory,
`d) allowing said user to continuously perform one or more
`adjustment actions by said user control for adjusting said
`audio processing parameter to his or her preferences in
`varying listening situations,
`e) executing an acclimatization algorithm simultaneously
`with step d), after step d) and/or before step c), said
`acclimatization algorithm being designed to approxi-
`mate said power-on-value (POV) in the long term, in
`particular in more than a week, to said target power-on-
`value, said acclimatization algorithm determining a
`replacement value for said power-on-value taking into
`account which setting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameter has or have been set by said user and how
`long said setting or settings have been active,
`f) repeating steps b) to e) until an acclimatization phase
`termination condition is fulfilled.
`
`Taking into account which setting or settings for an audio
`processing parameter (APP) has or have been set by the
`hearing device user and how long said setting or settings have
`been active has the advantage that it opens up the possibility
`to implement a well balanced compromise between a forced
`acclimatization which carmot be influenced by the hearing
`device user at all and an acclimatization which fully relies on
`the selection of more intense settings by the hearing device
`user.
`
`Further embodiments and advantages emerge from the
`claims and the description referring to the figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is further described in more detail by
`referring to drawings showing exemplified embodiments.
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a hearing device
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 shows how an audio processing parameter is
`changed over time in a hearing aid according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 shows an example of a linear acclimatization man-
`agement without taking into account user inputs;
`FIG. 4 shows an example of a linear acclimatization man-
`agement with taking into account user inputs;
`FIG. 5 shows an example of an unbiased user preference
`learning; and
`FIG. 6 shows an example of a biased user preference leam-
`ing;
`FIG. 7 shows a further example of a biased user preference
`learning.
`The described embodiments are meant as examples and
`shall not confine the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a hearing device 1
`according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`Sounds are picked up by a microphone 2, processed by a
`signal processor 9 and are presented to a hearing device user
`10 by a receiver 3. The magnitude of the amplification can be
`controlled by a volume control 4. There is further an on/off
`switch 5. The signal processing is based on audio processing
`parameters. A controller 6 is adapted to set such parameters,
`for example, when the hearing device 1 is switched on or
`when the volume control 4 is actuated. There is a non-volatile
`
`memory 7 to store parameters while the hearing device 1 is
`switched off. The controller 6 is adapted to execute an accli-
`matization algorithm of the kind described further down
`below.
`FIG. 2 shows how an audio processing parameter APP is
`changed over time in a hearing device 1 (FIG. 1) according to
`one embodiment of the present invention. The hearing device
`1 is initially fitted to a hearing loss of a hearing device user 10
`and is then used for a11 extended periodoftime, as for example
`several months, until the hearing device user 10 returns to the
`fitter, e.g. the audiologist.
`At time “A”, a fitter programs an initial power-on value
`iPOV for the audio processing parameterAPP as well as
`a target power-on value tPOV. The audio processing
`parameter APP is typically volume but may also be
`something else, as, for example, treble or noise cancel-
`ing. The target power-on value tPOV is, for example, 10
`dB higher than the initial power-on value iPOV.
`At time “B”, the hearing device user 10 switches on the
`hearing device 1. The initial power-on-value iPOV is
`read from the non-volatile memory 7. The audio-pro-
`cessing parameter APP is set to the initial power-on
`value iPOV.
`At time “C”, the hearing device user 10 uses the hearing
`device 1 but has not actuated the control 4 yet. An inter-
`mediate value X which will later become the next power-
`on value is increased slowly.
`At time “D”, the hearing device user 10 has selected the
`audio-processing parameter APP to be two steps higher
`than the initial audio-processing parameter APP,ef. The
`intermediate value X is now increased faster.
`
`At time “E”, the hearing device user 10 has selected the
`audio-processing parameter APP to be one step lower
`than the initial audio-processing parameter APP,ef. The
`intermediate value X is now increased slower again.
`At time “F”, the hearing device user 10 switches off the
`hearing device 1. The intermediate value X is now stored
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`4
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`frequently (e. g. every hour) in the non-volatile memory
`7 to be the next power-on value. The intermediate value
`X lastly stored to the non-volatile memory 7 is therefore
`the first replacement power-on-value rPOV1.
`At time “G”, the hearing device user 10 switches on the
`hearing device 1. The audio processing parameter APP
`is set to the previously stored power-on-value.
`At time “H”, the acclimatization phase ends. The interme-
`diate value X has reached the target power-on-value
`tPOV. From this point on, the intermediate value X is not
`changed any more.
`At time “I”, the hearing device user 10 switches off the
`hearing device 1. The second replacement power-on-
`value rPOV2 which is now stored in the non-volatile
`memory 7 is the target power-on-value tPOV.
`It is to be noted that the increase of the intermediate value
`
`X as well as the power-on-value POV is shown exaggerated
`for illustrative purposes. Usually, the acclimatization phase
`will take few weeks up to several months a11d not only one and
`a half days as in the example. It is also to be noted that, since
`acclimatization is a rather slow process, it does not matter if
`the change due to the acclimatization algorithm is already
`applied during the current usage period, or, as shown in FIG.
`2, not until the hearing device 1 is switched off and on again.
`Preferably, the acclimatization process is controlled by
`software being executed on the controller 6 (FIG. 1). Hence,
`the controller 6 is adapted to perform the following steps:
`a) writing a value indicative of said target power-on value
`tPOV for said audio processing parameter APP to the
`non-volatile memory 7,
`b) waiting until the hearing device user 10 switches on the
`hearing device 1,
`c) setting said audio processing parameter APP to a power-
`on value POV, said power-on value POV being stored in
`said non-volatile memory 7 or being calculated from
`values stored in said non-volatile memory 7,
`d) allowing said hearing device user 10 to continuously
`perform one or more adjustment actions by the control 4
`for adjusting said audio processing parameterAPP to his
`or her preferences in varying listening situations,
`e) executing an acclimatization algorithm simultaneously
`with step d), after step d) and/or before step c), said
`acclimatization algorithm being designed to approxi-
`mate said power-on value POV in the long term,
`in
`particular in more than a week, to said target power-on
`value tPOV, said acclimatization algorithm determining
`a replacement value rPOV for said power-on value POV
`taking into account which setting or settings for said
`audio processing parameter APP has or have been set by
`said hearing device user 10 and how long said setting or
`settings have been active.
`Steps b) to e) are repeated until an acclimatization phase
`termination condition is fulfilled. The acclimatization phase
`termination condition can be one of the following:
`the power-on value POV is above a threshold value T;
`the intermediate value X is above a threshold value T.
`
`The threshold value T be the target power-on value tPOV
`itself or it can be calculated from it by a formula:
`
`T=tPOV—dist,
`
`in particular with
`
`dist:p* (tPOV—iPOV)
`
`iPOV is an initial power-on value. For example, dist is equal
`to 1 dB, and p is equal to 0.1, for example.
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`5
`In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the power-on value POV
`remains constant after the acclimatization phase ends. How-
`ever, the acclimatisation algorithm can also be replaced by an
`unbiased user preference learning algorithm after termination
`of the acclimatization phase. Executing a user preference
`learning algorithm can lead to a condition where the acclima-
`tization termination condition is not fulfilled any more, for
`example, if the hearing device user keeps selecting a lower
`volume. In this case, it is possible to automatically reactivate
`the acclimatization algorithm.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a linear acclimatization
`algorithm which does not take into account user inputs and
`which is known in the state of the art. The inclination of the
`
`line representing intermediate value X is independent of how
`the audio processing parameter APP was adjusted by the
`hearing device user 10. In FIG. 3a, it was adjusted by adding
`two steps, in FIG. 3b by adding one step, in FIG. 3c it was not
`adjusted at all and in FIG. 3d it was adjusted by subtracting
`one step. In each case, the adjustment was performed right
`after switching the hearing device 1 on. The intermediate
`value X can be calculated periodically by the following
`update function:
`
`XN:fU(XN-1);
`
`in particular
`
`XN:XN_ 1+const
`
`XNis the result of the N-th calculation of the update function
`since the hearing device 1 was last switched on. X0 is defined
`to be the power-on value POV. The last intermediate value
`X[MaX(N)] being calculated before the hearing device 1 is
`switched off is the replacement power-on value rPOV that is
`stored as new power-on value POV.
`Since the function uses the result of the previous calcula-
`tion ofthe function, it is a recursive function. The speed ofthe
`acclimatization can be selected by choosing a suitable update
`interval, as for example one hour as well as a suitable value for
`const, as for example 0.001 dB. The principles explained
`referring to FIG. 3 also apply for the update functions fU
`described below.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user input dependent
`linear acclimatization algorithm according to one embodi-
`ment of the present invention. It takes into account which
`setting or settings have been chosen by the hearing device
`user 10 and how long such setting or settings have been active.
`When the hearing device user 10 has increased the audio
`processing parameter APP by one or two steps, acclimatiza-
`tion is faster (FIGS. 4a and 4b). When the audio processing
`parameter APP is left at the power-on value POV, acclimati-
`zation is slower (FIG. 4c), and when the hearing device user
`10 has decreased the audio processing parameter APP by one
`step, acclimatization is even slower (FIG. 4d). The interme-
`diate value X is calculated periodically, for example every
`minute, by the following update function:
`XN:fU<XN-1>APPN:‘
`
`The update function is in particular
`
`fU(XN—1sAPPN)=
`
`XN_1 + alpha for APPN > X,L,f
`Xp/,1 +beta for APPN = Xygf
`XN_1 + gamrna for APPN < Xmf
`
`APPN is a current setting for the audio processing param-
`eter APP. APPN can be influenced by the hearing device user
`
`6
`10 for N>0, APP0 is defined to be the power-on value POV
`stored in the non-volatile memory 7. Preferably, one of the
`following conditions applies:
`
`alpha2beta2gamrna20
`
`alphazbetazgamma
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`Xwfis a reference value and can either be X0 or XN_1.
`An alternative user input dependent linear acclimatization
`algorithm is defined by the following update function for
`intermediate value X:
`
`fU(XN_l, APPN) :
`
`XN_1+a*(APPN — APP,gf) for APPN > Xmf + b
`X/\/_1+b fOI‘ APP/V = [Xrgf —b, Xfgf + b]
`
`XN,1 + c* (APPN — APP,,f)’1 for APPN < X”, — b
`
`FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an unbiased user prefer-
`ence learning algorithm which is known in the state ofthe art.
`The algorithm is designed to determine a setting statistically
`preferred by a hearing device user 10 for the audio processing
`parameter APP. The algorithm is unbiased because its behav-
`ior is the same, independent ofwhether a positive (FIG. 5a) or
`negative (FIG. 5b) adjustment has been applied by the hearing
`device user 10.
`
`The intermediate value X is calculated by the following
`pcriodically calculatcd updatc function:
`
`XN:XN_1*weight+APPN* (l—weight)
`
`Weight is a parameter indicating how much previous learnt
`values are to be regarded relative to the present setting of the
`audio processing parameter APPN.
`FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a biased user preference
`learning algorithm. The learning algorithm is derived from
`the unbiased learning algorithm described referring to FIG. 5.
`The learning algorithm is biased because adjustments by the
`hearing device user 10 in a first adjustment direction are taken
`into account stronger than adjustments in an opposing second
`adjustment direction. The first adjustment direction is the
`direction towards the target power-on value tPOV. The adjust-
`ments in the first adjustment direction are implemented by
`applying a faster learning speed than for adjustments in the
`second adjustment direction. If the audio processing param-
`eter APP is volume, the first adjustment direction is louder—
`the device becomes more intense—and the second adjust-
`ment direction is
`softer. The intermediate value X is
`
`50
`
`calculated by the following periodically calculated update
`function:
`
`55
`
`60
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`
`fU(XN—1,APP/V) =
`
`XN_1* WA + APPN *(1— WA) for APPN > X”,
`XN_1* W3 + APPN *(1— W3) for APPN = Xrgf
`XN_1* WC + APPN *(1— WC) for APPN < X,,f
`
`The user input dependent speed of learning is defined by
`selecting
`
`WA: WC
`
`wherein in particular
`
`WAs W35 WC.
`
`Xwfis a reference value and can either be X0 or XN_1.
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`7
`An alternative biased user preference learning algorithm is
`defined by the following update function for intermediate
`value X:
`
`fU(XN_1,APPN):XN_1*W(APPN)+APPN*(l— W(APPN))
`wherein
`
`W(APPN) =
`
`A *f(APPN — APP,,,f) for APPN > Xmf
`B*f(APPN — APP,,,f) for APPN = Xmf
`C*f(APPN — APP,,,f) for APPN < Xmf
`
`FIG. 7 shows a further example of a biased user preference
`learning algorithm. It is a combination of the linear acclima-
`tization algorithm shown in FIG. 3 and the biased user pref-
`erence learning algorithm shown in FIG. 6. The acclimatiza-
`tion algorithm periodically calculates, while the hearing
`device 1 is on, an intermediate acclimatization valueY based
`on an acclimatizatio11 update function
`
`YN: YN_1+step
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`as well as an intermediate learning value Z based on a learning
`update function
`
`25
`
`ZN =
`
`zN,1* WA + APPN *(1— WA) for APPN > zmf
`zN,1* W3 + APPN *(1— W3) for APPN = 2,4
`zN,1* WC + APPN *(1— WC)
`for APPN < zmf
`
`YN is the result of the N-th calculation of the acclimatiza-
`tion update function since the hearing device 1 was last
`switched on, whereinYO is defined to be APPO. ZNis the result
`of the N-th calculation of the learning update function since
`the hearing device was last switched on, wherein Z0 is defined
`to be APPO. APPNis a current setting for the audio processing
`parameter APP. APPN can be influenced by the hearing device
`user for N>0. APPO is the power-on value (POV) stored in the
`non-volatilc memory 7. The replacement value rPOV for thc
`power-on value is calculated by a weighted average froin the
`last intermediate acclimatization value Y[mX(N)] and the last
`intermediate learning value Z[,,m(N)] being calculated before
`the hearing device is switched off, according to the fonnula
`
`rPOV:I},,,m(,\,)]*weight+Z[,,,ax(N)]*(1—weight)
`
`rPOV is stored as the power-on-value (POV).
`In the above examples, the user preference learning algo-
`rithm as well as the acclimatization algorithm is defined by a
`periodically calculated update function. However, such algo-
`rithm may also be described in more general terms by the
`following function:
`
`rPOV=f(POV,APP1,APP2,APP3 .
`
`. .)
`
`wherein POV is the power-on value, rPOV is the replacement
`power-on value, andAPPNis a sample ofthe audio processing
`parameter APP at a particular time tN. APP 1 is, for example,
`the first sample after the hearing device is switched on. It does
`not matter when the functions or parts of the function are
`calculated. It may be calculated as soon as the necessary APP
`samples are available, i.e. during ongoing operation of the
`hearing device, but it is also possible to store samples or
`intermediate results in the non-volatile memory 7 a11d to
`calculate the function not before the hearing device 1 is
`switched on the next time.
`
`30
`
`35
`
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`45
`
`50
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`65
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`The invention claimed is:
`
`8
`
`1. A method for operating a hearing device (1) in a way that
`lets a hearing device user (10) acclimatize to said hearing
`device (1), said hearing device (1) comprising:
`a signal processing unit (9),
`a user control (4) by which at least one audio processing
`parameter (APP) of said signal processing unit (9) is
`adjustable by said hearing device user (10), and
`a non-volatile memory (7),
`said method comprising the steps of:
`a) writing a value indicative of a target power-on value
`(tPOV) for said audio processing parameter (APP) to
`said non-volatile memory (7),
`b) waiting until said hearing device user (10) switches on
`said hearing device (1),
`c) setting said audio processing parameter (APP) to a
`power-on value (POV), said power-on value (POV)
`being either stored in said non-volatile memory (7) or
`being calculated from values stored in said non-volatile
`memory (7),
`d) allowing said hearing device user (10) to continuously
`perform one or more adjustment actions by said user
`control (4) for adjusting said audio processing parameter
`(APP) to said hearing device user’ s preferences in vary-
`ing listening situations,
`e) executing an acclimatization algorithm simultaneously
`with step d), after step d) and/or before step c), said
`acclimatization algorithm being designed to approxi-
`mate said power-on value (POV) to said target power-on
`value (tPOV) after at least a week, said acclimatization
`algorithm determining a replacement power-on value
`(rPOV) for said power-on value (POV) taking into
`account which setting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameter (APP) has or have been set by said hearing
`device user (10) and how long said setting or settings
`have been active, and
`f) repeating steps b) to e) until an acclimatization phase
`termination condition is fulfilled,
`wherein said acclimatization algorithm is a biased user
`preference learning algorithm, said biased user prefer-
`ence learning algorithm being derived from an unbiased
`user preference learning algorithm which is designed to
`determine a setting statistically preferred by saidhearing
`device user (10) for said audio processing parameter
`(APP), said biased user preference learning algorithm
`being responsive to said adjustment actions in a way that
`adjustments in a first adjustment direction are taken into
`account stronger than adjustments in an opposing sec-
`ond adjustment direction, wherein said first adjustment
`direction is a direction towards said target power-on
`value (tPOV).
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjust-
`ments in the first adjustment direction are implemented by
`applying a faster learning speed than for adjustments in the
`second adjustment direction.
`3. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
`wherein said audio processing parameter (APP) is volume,
`and said first adjustment direction is louder and said second
`adjustment direction is softer.
`4. A method for operating a hearing device (1) in a way that
`lets a hearing device user (10) acclimatize to said hearing
`device (1), said hearing device (1) comprising:
`a signal processing unit (9),
`a user control (4) by which at least one audio processing
`parameter (APP) of said signal processing unit (9) is
`adjustable by said hearing device user (10), and
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`9
`
`a non-volatile memory (7),
`said method comprising the steps of:
`a) writing a value indicative of a target power-on value
`(tPOV) for said audio processing parameter (APP) to
`said non-volatile memory (7),
`b) waiting until said hearing device user (10) switches on
`said hearing device (1),
`c) setting said audio processing parameter (APP) to a
`power-on value (POV), said power-on value (POV)
`being either stored in said non-volatile memory (7) or
`being calculated from values stored in said non-volatile
`memory (7),
`d) allowing said hearing device user (10) to continuously
`perform one or more adjustment actions by said user
`control (4) for adjusting said audio processing parameter
`(APP) to said hearing device user’ s preferences in vary-
`ing listening situations,
`e) executing an acclimatization algorithm simultaneously
`with step d), after step d) and/or before step c), said
`acclimatization algorithm being designed to approxi-
`mate said power-on value (POV) to said target power-on
`value (tPOV) after at least a week, said acclimatization
`algorithm detennining a replacement power-on value
`(rPOV) for said power-on value (POV) taking into
`account which setting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameter (APP) has or have been set by said hearing
`device user (10) and how long said setting or settings
`have been active, and
`f) repeating steps b) to e) until an acclimatization phase
`termination condition is fulfilled,
`wherein said acclimatization algorithm periodically calcu-
`lates, while said hearing device (1) is on, an intermediate
`value (X) based on an update function:
`XN:fU(XN-1>APPN:‘
`wherein
`
`XN is a result of an N-th calculation of said update
`function since said hearing device (1) was last
`switched on, wherein X0 is defined to be a first audio
`processing parameter APPO,
`APPN is a current setting for said audio processing
`parameter (APP), wherein APPN can be influenced by
`said hearing device user (10) for N>0, while APPO is
`defined to be said power-on value (POV) stored in said
`non-volatile memory (7),
`wherein a last intermediate value O([MaX(N)])—being cal-
`culated before said hearing device (1) is switched off—
`is said replacement power-on value (rPOV) that is stored
`as a new power-on value (POV).
`5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a user input dependent linear acclimatization func-
`tion
`
`fU(XN—1sAPPN)=
`
`XN,1 + alpha for APPN > X”,
`XN,1 +beta for APPN = X”,
`XN_1 + gamrna for APPN < X”,
`
`wherein one of the following conditions applies:
`alphazbetazgamrna
`
`OI
`
`alpha2beta2gamma20
`
`and
`
`Xre/FX0 or Xre/:XN_1.
`
`10
`6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a biased user preference learning function
`
`fU(XN—1,APP/V) =
`
`X,,,1* WA + APPN *(1— WA) for APPN > X”,
`X,,,1* W3 + APPN *(1— W3) for APPN = X”,
`X,,,1* WC + APPN *(1— WC) for APPN < X”,
`
`wherein a user input dependent speed of learning is defined
`by selecting
`WA== WC
`
`wherein
`
`WAs W55 WC
`
`and
`
`Xre :X0 orX,Ef:XN_1.
`
`7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a user input dependent linear acclimatization func-
`tion
`
`fU(XN-la APPN) =
`
`XN_1+a*(APPN — APP”,) for APPN > X”, + b
`XN,1 + b for APPN = [X”, — b, X”, + b]
`X,H + ca< (APPN — APP”,)’1 for APPN < X”, — b
`
`wherein
`
`APP”,/:X,E/FX0 or APP”,/:X,E/:XN_ 1.
`
`8. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a biased user preference learning function
`fU(XN-1 >APPN):XN-1 *W(APPN)+APPN* (1 - W:APPN))
`wherein
`
`A * f(A PPN — APP”,) for APPN > X”,
`w(App,,) = B*f(APPN — APP”,) for APPN = X”,
`C* f(APPN — APP”,) for APPN < X”,
`
`wherein
`
`APP”,/:X,E/FX0 or APP”,/:X,E/:XN_ 1.
`
`9. A method for operating a hearing device (1) in a way that
`lets a hearing device user (10) acclimatize to said hearing
`device (1), said hearing device (1) comprising:
`a signal processing unit (9),
`a user control (4) by which at least one audio processing
`parameter (APP) of said signal processing unit (9) is
`adjustable by said hearing device user (10), and
`a non-volatile memory (7),
`said method comprising the steps of:
`a) writing a value indicative of a target power-on value
`(tPOV) for said audio processing parameter (APP) to
`said non-volatile memory (7),
`b) waiting until said hearing device user (10) switches on
`said hearing device (1),
`c) setting said