(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0036637 A1
`Janssen
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`US 20050036637A1
`
`(54) AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING HEARING AH)
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Franciscus Hubertus Janssen, Waalre
`(NL)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Sep. 2, 1999
`
`(EP) ...................................... .. 99202848.0
`
`Correspondence Address;
`David G. Beck
`Bingham McCutchen LLP
`18th Floor
`Three Embarcadero Center
`San Francisco, CA 94111 (US)
`
`(73) Assigned Beltane Netherlands B_V_
`
`(21) Appl. No‘.
`
`10/843,012
`
`(22)
`
`Filed;
`
`May 11, 2004
`
`Related US, Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/069,515, filed on
`Jul. 2, 2002, now abandoned, filed as 371 of interna-
`tional application No. PCT/NL00/00571,
`filed on
`Aug. 14, 2000.
`
`1 HEARINGAID
`_______ __i___a
`2 MICROPHONE
`4
`LOUDSPEAKER 3|
`
`I
`
`
`lnt. Cl.’ ................................................... .. H04R 25/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`....................... .. 381/315; 381/313; 381/312;
`381/317
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A hearing aid that stores preset signal processing param-
`eters, and performs stepwise adjustment of one or more of
`the stored signal processing parameters from a starting point
`of apredetermined range to an end point of the range is
`provided. Examples of signal processing parameters to be
`adjusted are high tone amplification, maximum output level
`and noise suppression threshold value. Examples of trigger
`signal supplying means include a time clock, the power state
`of the hearing aid, battery replacement, and a switch. The
`hearing aid may be arranged for mutual communication with
`an external unit. The external unit may select the one or
`more parameters to be adjusted, set the range of the one or
`more parameters to be adjusted, set a step magnitude to be
`used in the stepwise adjustment, and set the repeat interval
`of the successive trigger signals in the time clock. The
`hearing aid carries out the adjustment autonomously.
`
`20 EXTERNAL UNIT
`
`REPEAT INTERVAL
`
`FHMPP1005
`
`HIMPP 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005
`
`US 2005/0036637 A1
`
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`

`US 2005/0036637 A1
`
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING HEARING AID
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`PRIORTY CLAIM
`
`[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/069,515, filed Jul. 2, 2002,
`which is a 371 of PCT/NL00/00571, filed Aug. 14, 2000,
`which claims priority from EP 99202848.0, filed Sep. 2,
`1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] When an audiologist or other adjuster sets-up a
`hearing aid, typically the adjustment is aimed at maximizing
`speech audibility. The settings determine the manner in
`which ambient sound picked-up by the transducer is pro-
`cessed, for example amplified, filtered, or otherwise pro-
`cessed, thereby adapting the hearing aid to the hearing loss
`of the person in question. If the person for which the hearing
`aid is intended has been unable to hear certain frequencies,
`levels, sound pressures or some combination thereof for an
`extended period of time, for example years, they may find
`the use of a properly adjusted hearing aid to be an unpleasant
`experience. For example, if the person has been unable to
`hear high tones for several years, upon initial fitting the
`person may find the sound emanating from the hearing aid
`to be especially shrill.
`
`[0003] As many people who have been hard of hearing for
`a long time find it difficult to immediately acclimate to a
`properly adjusted hearing aid, often times the adjuster will
`not optimize the hearing aid during the initial adjustment.
`Otherwise there is a good chance that the person who is hard
`of hearing will not use their hearing aid due to the perceived
`unpleasant output from the aid. Of course if the hearing aid
`is not sufficiently optimized, the user may find that speech
`audibility has not been sufficiently improved to warrant the
`use of the hearing aid.
`
`[0004] A common approach to overcoming the afore-
`mentioned problems is to gradually adjust the performance
`of the hearing aid over the course of several office visits.
`This allows the user to gradually become accustomed to the
`improved hearing offered by the hearing aid. Normally, the
`number of repeat visits will be relatively small, and conse-
`quently the adjustment steps must be relatively large. Of
`course if the adjustment steps are too large,
`there is a
`possibility that the person who is hard of hearing will prefer
`the previous,
`less optimal settings,
`requesting that
`the
`adjuster use the previous settings.
`
`[0005] The problem of acclimatization may occur regard-
`less of the type of hearing impairment (e.g., tone, level,
`sound pressure). For example, if the hearing impaired person
`has been unable to hear low level sounds for years, the
`sudden ability to hear such sounds (e.g., ticking clocks,
`background noise from traffic or electrical equipment, etc.)
`may be quite objectionable. This may be true in spite of the
`fact that soft sounds often contain valuable information. As
`
`a result the adjuster may set a relatively high noise suppres-
`sion threshold value (i.e., the point at which sound levels are
`amplified) at the first fitting.
`
`[0006] Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a means
`for gradually and automatically adjusting the operational
`parameters of a hearing aid. The present invention provides
`such a means.
`
`[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a hearing
`aid that automatically adjusts itself in time. In order to
`accomplish that objective the hearing aid of the invention is
`comprised of a first means for processing signals from a
`transducer, a second means linked to the first means for
`storing one or more signal processing parameters, a third
`means linked to the second means for stepwise adjusting
`within a predetermined range the one or more signal pro-
`cessing parameters stored in the second means in response
`to successive trigger signals. The objective may further be
`accomplished with the inclusion of a fourth means for
`selecting and setting in the third means the one or more
`parameters to be adjusted. The objective may further be
`accomplished with the inclusion of a fifth means for setting
`in the third means the range of the one or more parameters
`to be adjusted. The objective may further be accomplished
`with the inclusion of a sixth means for setting in the third
`means the magnitude of the steps to be used in the stepwise
`adjustment. If the hearing aid includes a time clock, the
`objective may further be accomplished with the inclusion of
`a seventh means for setting of the repeat interval of the
`successive trigger signals provided by the time clock.
`
`the
`[0008] According to one aspect of the invention,
`hearing aid automatically adjusts itself in time irrespective
`of whether the trigger signals are generated manually or
`automatically. Although the difference between the initial
`parameter settings and the final parameter settings are
`audible, preferably the steps of the stepwise adjustment are
`sufficiently small
`to make the differences between steps
`almost inaudible.
`
`[0009] Preferably the starting point of a parameter range is
`defined by an initial setting that is acceptable to the intended
`user of the hearing aid albeit less than optimal while the final
`point of the parameter range is defined by the optimal setting
`for the intended user. The initial setting and the final setting
`are pre-set, i.e., pre-programmed, by the adjuster. The time
`that is required for going from the initial setting to the final
`setting is the habituation period. A habituation period may be
`days, weeks, or in some cases, months. In one aspect of the
`invention,
`the habituation period is pre-set, i.e., pre-pro-
`grammed, by the adjuster. In another aspect of the invention,
`the magnitude of the steps during the habituation period is
`pre-set, i.e., pre-programmed, by the adjuster.
`
`[0010] The automatic, stepwise adjustment of the inven-
`tion can be performed in any of a variety of ways. For
`example, a clock can be incorporated into the hearing aid,
`the hearing aid making stepwise adjustments in accordance
`with a predetermined period of time provided by the clock.
`Altcrnatcly, the steps of the stepwise adjustment can occur
`each time the hearing aid is turned off and then on again (or
`after a pre-set number of off/on periods). Alternately, the
`steps of the stepwise adjustment can occur each time the
`battery is replaced (or after a pre-set number of battery
`replacements). Alternately, the steps of the stepwise adjust-
`ment can occur each time a switch or knob is operated (or
`after a pre-set number of switch/knob operations). It will be
`appreciated that depending upon the trigger mechanism, the
`hearing aid may further be comprised of a clock, switch,
`knob, battery replacement detector, or a detector for moni-
`toring the power state (i.e., on or off) of the hearing aid.
`[0011]
`In another aspect of the invention, the fourth means
`may be contained in an external unit in communication with
`
`

`

`US 2005/0036637 A1
`
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`the hearing aid. In another aspect of the invention, the fifth
`means may be contained in an external unit in communica-
`tion with the hearing aid. In another aspect of the invention,
`the sixth means may be contained in an external unit in
`communication with the hearing aid.
`
`[0012] One of the benefits of the present invention is that
`at the first fitting, a person who is hard of hearing will
`receive a hearing aid which sounds acceptable and pleasant.
`Then during the habituation period, the hearing aid will
`automatically adjust its performance such that by the end of
`the habituation period optimal performance is achieved, this
`level of performance being achieved without the user having
`to go through a period of unacceptable or unpleasant sound,
`or having to make repeated visits to an adjuster.
`
`[0013] A further understanding of the nature and advan-
`tages of the present invention can be realized by reference to
`the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodi-
`ment of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0015] Hearing aid 1 comprises at least one first transducer
`2 (e.g., a microphone) for converting sound into an electric
`signal, at least one second transducer 3 (e.g., a loudspeaker)
`for converting an electric signal into sound, a first means 4
`for processing and amplifying an electric signal from the at
`least one first transducer 2 and supplying the processed and
`amplified electric signal to the at least one second transducer
`3, a second means 5 (e.g., memory) linked to the first means
`4 for storing signal processing parameters, and a third means
`linked to the second means 5 for stepwise adjusting one or
`more signal processing parameters of the second means 5
`from a starting point of a predetermined range to an end
`point of the predetermined range in response to successive
`trigger signals 7.
`
`In at least one embodiment of hearing aid 1, the
`[0016]
`starting point of the predetermined range of one or more
`processing parameters is defined by an initial setting that is
`acceptable to an intended user of the hearing aid, wherein
`the performance (e.g., amplification of specific tones, sound
`levels, sound pressures; noise suppression threshold value;
`maximum output level, etc.) is less than optimal and con-
`sequently the audibility as regards to speech is less than
`optimal. The ending point of the predetermined range of the
`one or more processing parameters is defined by a final
`setting that is optimal for the intended user, wherein the
`performance (e.g., amplification of specific tones, sound
`levels, sound pressures; noise suppression threshold value;
`maximum output level, etc.) is optimal and consequently the
`audibility as regards to speech is optimal.
`
`In at least one embodiment of the invention, first
`[0017]
`means 4, second means 5, and/or third means 6 form part of
`one or more integrated circuits.
`
`In at least one embodiment of the invention, hear-
`[0018]
`ing aid 1 includes a time clock 8 for supplying the successive
`trigger signals 7. In at least one embodiment of the inven-
`tion, hearing aid 1 includes an eighth means 9 for supplying
`the successive trigger signals 7 in response to repeated
`
`turning on of hearing aid 1. In at least one embodiment of
`the invention, hearing aid 1 includes a ninth means 10 for
`detecting the placing of a battery in hearing aid 1, ninth
`means 10 supplying the successive trigger signals 7 in
`response to the repeated replacement of the battery. In at
`least one embodiment of the invention, hearing aid 1
`includes a switching means 11 (e.g., knob) for supplying the
`successive trigger signals 7 in response to repeated operation
`of means 11.
`
`[0019] Although FIG. 1 illustrates the inclusion of clock
`means 8, eighth means 9, ninth means 10, and switching
`means 11,
`it will be understood that hearing aid 1 will
`typically include less than all of these means, and will more
`typically include only one of these means. It will be appre-
`ciated by a person of average skill
`in the art how to
`incorporate clock means 8, eighth means 9, ninth means 10
`and/or switch means 11 into the aforesaid one or more
`integrated circuits, such that the successive trigger signals 7
`will be supplied. Accordingly further discussion of these
`features is not included herein. It will also be appreciated
`that other means for providing the desired successive trigger
`signals are possible.
`
`In at least one embodiment of the invention, hear-
`[0020]
`ing aid 1 includes a fourth means (not shown) for selecting
`and setting in third means 6 the one or more parameters to
`be adjusted. In at least one embodiment of the invention,
`hearing aid 1 includes a fifth means (not shown) for setting
`in third means 6 the range of the one or more parameters to
`be adjusted. In at least one embodiment of the invention,
`hearing aid 1 includes a sixth means (not shown) for setting
`in the third means 6 the magnitude of the steps to be used in
`the stepwise adjustment. Further,
`in the embodiment
`in
`which hearing aid 1 includes clock means 8, a seventh
`means (not shown) is included for setting the repeat interval
`of the successive trigger signals 7 in clock means 8.
`
`In the preferred embodiment, however, the fourth
`[0021]
`through seventh means are incorporated in an external unit
`20, whereby the third means 6, and preferably the second
`means 5 as well, are adapted to communicate with a com-
`munication means 21 of external unit 20. In this embodi-
`
`ment, preferably fourth means 22, fifth means 23, sixth
`means 24 and seventh means 25 are comprised of a software
`program operating on a PC or other external processor/
`computer.
`
`[0022] As will be understood by those familiar with the
`art, the present invention can be embodied in other specific
`forms without departing from the spirit or essential charac-
`teristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descrip-
`tions herein are intended. to be illustrative, but not limiting,
`of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the
`following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A hearing aid comprising:
`
`at least one first transducer for converting sound into an
`electric signal;
`
`at least one second transducer for converting an electric
`signal into sound;
`
`first means for processing and amplifying an electric
`signal from said first transducer and supplying said
`processed and amplified electric signal to said second
`transducer;
`
`

`

`US 2005/0036637 A1
`
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`second means linked to said first means for storing signal
`processing parameters; and
`
`third means linked to said second means for the stepwise
`adjustment from a starting point of a predetermined
`range to an end point of said range of one or more
`signal processing parameters from said second means
`in response to successive trigger signals, wherein said
`third means are arranged for communication with an
`external unit that comprises fourth means for selecting
`and setting in said third means one or more parameters
`to be adjusted, fifth means for setting in said third
`means said range of said one or more parameters to be
`adjusted, and sixth means for setting in said third means
`a magnitude of steps to be used in said stepwise
`adjustment, wherein said stepwise
`adjustment
`in
`response to the successive trigger signals occurs auto-
`matically as an operation of said hearing aid.
`2. A hearing aid comprising:
`
`at least one first transducer for converting sound into an
`electric signal;
`
`at least one second transducer for converting an electric
`signal into sound;
`
`first means for processing and amplifying an electric
`signal from said first transducer and supplying said
`processed and amplified electric signal to said second
`transducer;
`
`second means linked to said first means for storing signal
`processing parameters;
`
`third means linked to said second means for the stepwise
`adjustment from a starting point of a predetermined
`range to an end point of said range of one or more
`signal processing parameters from said second means
`in response to successive trigger signals, wherein said
`stepwise adjustment in response to the successive trig-
`ger signals occurs automatically as an operation of said
`hearing aid; and
`
`a time clock for supplying said successive trigger signals,
`wherein said third means are arranged for communi-
`cation with an external unit
`that comprises fourth
`means for setting a repeat interval of said successive
`trigger signals in said time clock.
`3. An external unit arranged for communication with a
`hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising:
`
`at least one first transducer for converting sound into an
`electric signal,
`
`at least one second transducer for converting an electric
`signal into sound,
`
`first means for processing and amplifying an electric
`signal from said first transducer and supplying said
`processed and amplified electric signal to said second
`transducer,
`
`second means linked to said first means for storing signal
`processing parameters, and
`
`third means linked to said second means for stepwise
`adjustment from a starting point of a predetermined
`range to an end point of said range of one or more
`signal processing parameters from said second means
`in response to successive trigger signals,
`
`wherein said external unit is arranged for communication
`with said third means of said hearing aid and com-
`prises:
`
`fourth means for selecting and setting in said third means
`one or more parameters to be adjusted, fifth means for
`setting in said third means said range of said one or
`more parameters to be adjusted, and
`
`sixth means for setting in said third means a magnitude of
`steps to be used in said stepwise adjustment, and
`
`in response to the
`wherein said stepwise adjustment
`successive trigger signals occurs automatically as an
`operation of said hearing aid.
`4. An external unit arranged for communication with a
`hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising:
`
`at least one first transducer for converting sound into an
`electric signal,
`
`at least one second transducer for converting an electric
`signal into sound,
`
`first means for processing and amplifying an electric
`signal from said first transducer and supplying said
`processed and amplified electric signal to said second
`transducer,
`
`second means linked to said first means for storing signal
`processing parameters, and
`
`third means linked to said second means for stepwise
`adjustment from a starting point of a predetermined
`range to an end point of said range of one or more
`signal processing parameters from said second means
`in response to successive trigger signals, and
`
`time clock means for applying said successive trigger
`signals,
`
`wherein said external unit is arranged for communication
`with said third means of said hearing aid and com-
`prises:
`
`fourth means for selecting and setting in said third means
`one or more parameters to be adjusted,
`
`fifth means for setting in said third means said range of
`said one or more parameters to be adjusted, and
`
`sixth means for setting in said third means a magnitude of
`steps to be used in said stepwise adjustment, and
`seventh means for setting a repeat
`interval of said
`successive trigger signals in said time clock, and
`
`in response to the
`wherein said stepwise adjustment
`successive trigger signals occurs automatically as an
`operation of said hearing aid.
`5. A hearing aid comprising:
`
`at least one first transducer for converting sound into an
`electric signal;
`
`first means for processing and amplifying said electric
`signal from said at least one first transducer in accor-
`dance with at least one signal processing parameter;
`
`at least one second transducer for converting said pro-
`cessed and amplified electric signal into sound, said
`first means supplying said processed and amplified
`electric signal to said second transducer;
`
`

`

`US 2005/0036637 A1
`
`Feb. 17, 2005
`
`second means linked to said first means for storing said at
`least one signal processing parameter; and
`
`third means responsive to a plurality of successive trigger
`signals, wherein said third means is linked to said
`second means, wherein said third means adjusts said at
`least one signal processing parameter within a prede-
`termined range, and wherein said third means adjusts
`said at
`least one signal processing parameter in a
`stepwise manner; and
`
`automatic trigger means linked to said third means,
`wherein said automatic trigger means automatically
`produces said plurality of successive trigger signals.
`6. The hearing aid of claim 5, further comprising fourth
`means linked to said third means for selecting said at least
`one signal processing parameter.
`7. The hearing aid of claim 6, further comprising:
`
`an external unit separate from said hearing aid, wherein
`said fourth means is included within said external unit;
`and
`
`communication means within said external unit, said
`communication means communicating information
`from said external unit to said hearing aid.
`8. The hearing aid of claim 5, further comprising fourth
`means linked to said third means for selecting said prede-
`termined range.
`9. The hearing aid of claim 8, further comprising:
`
`an external unit separate from said hearing aid, wherein
`said fourth means is included within said external unit;
`and
`
`communication means within said external unit, said
`communication means communicating information
`from said external unit to said hearing aid.
`
`10. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said stepwise
`adjustment is performed in a series of steps, wherein said
`hearing aid further comprises a fourth means linked to said
`third means for selecting a magnitude corresponding to each
`step of said series of steps.
`11. The hearing aid of claim 10, further comprising:
`
`an external unit separate from said hearing aid, wherein
`said fourth means is included within said external unit;
`and
`
`communication means within said external unit, said
`communication means communicating information
`from said cxtcrnal unit to said hearing aid.
`12. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said predeter-
`mined range comprises an initial setting and a final setting,
`wherein said initial setting provides acceptable performance,
`and wherein said final setting provides optimal performance.
`13. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said automatic
`trigger means further comprises a clock.
`14. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said automatic
`trigger means further comprises a detector for monitoring a
`power state corresponding to the hearing aid, wherein said
`plurality of successive trigger signals correspond to the
`detected power state.
`15. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said automatic
`trigger means further comprises a battery inclusion detector.
`16. The hearing aid of claim 5, wherein said at least one
`signal processing parameter is selected from the group of
`parameters consisting of tone amplification, sound level
`amplification, sound pressure amplification, noise suppres-
`sion threshold values, and maximum output levels.
`
`