US008787603B2
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Fichtl et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`
`(54) METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING
`DEVICE AS WELL AS A HEARING DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Elmar Fichtl, Oetwil am See (CH);
`Michael Boretzki, Ruti (CH)
`
`2006/0222194 A1* 10/2006 Bramslow et al. «0... 381/314
`2007/0147624 Al
`6/2007 Fischer
`2007/0203726 Al
`8/2007 Thompson
`9
`BUOSUNGZ208 Al
`32008! Bachisretal:
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73) Assignee: Phonak AG, Stafa (CH)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`5/2002
`1208723 Bl
`EP
`4/2001
`01/26419 Al
`WO
`4/2009
`2009-049672 Al
`WO
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`12/2009
`2009/0144056 Al
`WO
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b)
`by 0 days.
`
`
`(6) byOdays OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`13/517,154
`(21) Appl. No.:
`International Search Report for PCT/EP2009/067716 dated Oct. 13,
`Z
`2010.
`
`(2) PET Riled:=Dee222D? Written Opinion for PCT/EP2009/0677 16 dated Oct. 13, 2010.
`(86) PCT No.:
`PCT/EP2009/067716
`* cited by examiner
`§ 371 (©)(),
`Jun. 19, 2012
`(2), (4) Date:
`PCT Pub. No.: WO2010/031880
`mee
`PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 25, 2010
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2013/0114836 Al
`May9, 2013
`;
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HIMPP 1003
`
`87)
`(87)
`
`(65)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOAR 25/00
`(52) U.S.C.
`USPC.
` ssssesemenasenreorscenmanennnenneravenvens 381/314
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC
`HOAR 25/70: HO4R 25/30
`USPCuo381/314, 323 3.1. 60 31 2 328. 330
`See a
`lication file for com ete ‘search histo
`°
`PP
`P
`ry:
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2005/0036637 Al
`2005/0129262 Al
`2006/0198530 Al*
`
`2/2005 Janssen
`6/2005 Dillon etal.
`9/2006 Fischer et al. oe 38 1/60
`
`Primary Examiner — Brian Ensey
`Assistant Examiner — Norman Yu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Pearne & Gordon LLP
`
`bsUReCT
`67)
`Acclimatization ofa hearing device userto a hearing device is
`made moreacceptable by automatic acclimatization manage-
`ment. The intensity of the hearing device is increased in the
`long term, e.g. during several months. The speedofthe inten-
`sity increase depends onuserinputs. 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 whichsettings 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
`(POV) and a target power-on value (tPOV), which is to be
`reached at the end (H)of the acclimatization phase, may be
`programmedby an audiologist.
`
`HIMPP 1003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US8,787,603 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US8,787,603 B2
`
`APP=APP,+
`
`X
`
`APP=APP,+
`
`X
`
`
`
`
`x
`
`APP=APP,
`
`>
`
`> ~———> +
`
`APP=APP,-
`
`a)
`
`b)
`
`¢)
`
`d)
`
`Fig. 3
`
`APP=APP,+
`
`
`in.oo
`
`APP=APP,+
`
`X
`
`nN
`
`APP=APP,
`
`
`
`
`X
`
`
`>
`
`APP=APP,-
`t
`>
`
`a)
`
`b)
`
`c)
`
`d)
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`APP=APP,+
`APP=APP,+ a)
`
`tPO
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Fig. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US8,787,603 B2
`
`tPO
`
`tPO
`
`a)
`
`a)
`
`Fig. 7
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`1
`METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEARING
`DEVICE AS WELL AS A HEARING DEVICE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The presentinventionrelatesto the field ofhearing devices.
`Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a method
`for operating a hearing device in a waythatlets a user ofsaid
`hearing device acclimatize to the hearing device. Further-
`more, the present invention also relates to a hearing device.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUNDOF 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 upto half a year. Typically,
`hearing devices are tuned by a specialist such as an audiolo-
`gist. It has been shownthatacclimatization can be made more
`comfortable for a userif the intensity of the hearing device is
`initially low andis 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 numberof 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”.
`Yor example, EP-B1-1 208 723 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-replacementevent or an event indicating that
`a knob has been operated a numberof 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 muchthe 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 ofthe intensity of the hearing device.
`It is to be noted that the term “automatic acclimatization
`management” generally means the adjustment whichis acti-
`vated whenthe 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 knownto statis-
`tically evaluate such settings by the user and to determine a
`new power-on-value for parameters based on suchstatistics.
`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
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`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 maystill 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 whichthe learningis
`biased. A similar knownteaching is disclosed by US 2007/
`203726 Al.
`
`SUMMARYOF 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 whichis 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 methodfor operating a hearing device ina
`waythatlets 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
`parameterofsaid 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) allowingsaid user to continuously perform one or more
`adjustmentactionsby said user controlfor 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 whichsetting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameterhas or have beenset bysaid user and how
`long said setting or settings have been active,
`f) repeating steps b) to e) until an acclimatization phase
`termination conditionis fulfilled.
`Taking into account whichsetting or settings for an audio
`processing parameter (APP) has or have been set by the
`hearing device user and howlongsaidsetting or settings have
`been active has the advantagethat it opens up the possibility
`to implement a well balanced compromise between a forced
`acclimatization which cannot be influenced by the hearing
`device userat 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 referringto thefigures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Thepresentinventionis further described in more detail by
`referring to drawings showing exemplified embodiments.
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`3
`4
`frequently (e.g. every hour) in the non-volatile memory
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a hearing device
`7 to be the next power-on value. The intermediate value
`according to the present invention;
`X lastly stored to the non-volatile memory7is therefore
`FIG. 2 shows how an audio processing parameter is
`the first replacement power-on-value rPOV,.
`changed over time in a hearing aid according to the present
`At time “G’’, the hearing device user 10 switches on the
`invention;
`hearing device 1. The audio processing parameter APP
`FIG. 3 shows an example ofa linear acclimatization man-
`is set to the previously stored power-on-value.
`agement without taking into accountuser inputs;
`Attime “H”, the acclimatization phase ends. The interme-
`FIG. 4 shows an example ofa linear acclimatization man-
`diate value X has reached the target power-on-value
`agement with taking into account user inputs;
`tPOV. Fromthis pointon, the intermediate value X is not
`FIG. 5 shows an example of an unbiased user preference
`changed any more.
`learning; and
`At time “T”, the hearing device user 10 switches off the
`FIG. 6 shows an example of a biased user preference learn-
`hearing device 1. The second replacement power-on-
`ing;
`value rPOV,, which is now stored in the non-volatile
`FIG. 7 showsa further example of a biased user preference
`memory 7 is the target power-on-value tPOV.
`learning.
`It is to be noted thatthe increase of the intermediate value
`The described embodiments are meant as examples and
`shall not confine the present invention.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`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 volumecontrol 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.
`T'IG. 2 shows howan audio processing parameter APP is
`changed over time ina hearing device 1 (FIG.1) according to
`one embodimentofthe present invention. The hearing device
`1 is initially fitted to a hearing loss of a hearing device user 10
`and is then used for an extended period oftime,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 parameter APP as well as
`a target power-on value tPOV. The audio processing
`parameter APP is typically volume but mayalso be
`something else, as, for example, treble or noise cancel-
`ing. The target power-on value tPOVis, for example, 10
`dB higherthan 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 becomethe 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
`thanthe initial audio-processing parameter APP, The
`intermediate value X is now increasedfaster.
`
`At time “E”, the hearing device user 10 has selected the
`audio-processing parameter APP to be one step lower
`than theinitial audio-processing parameter APP,,.z The
`intermediate value X is now increased sloweragain.
`At time “F”, the hearing device user 10 switches off the
`hearing device 1. The intermediate value X is now stored
`
`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 and not only one and
`a half days as in the example. It is also to be notedthat, since
`acclimatization is a rather slow process, it does not matterif
`the change dueto 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 followingsteps:
`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 APPto 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 adjustmentactions by the control 4
`for adjusting said audio processing parameterAPPto 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
`areplacement value rPOVfor said power-on value POV
`taking into account which setting or settings for said
`audio processing parameter APP hasor have been set by
`said hearing device user 10 and howlongsaid 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* ((POV-iPOV)
`
`iPOVis 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
`
`6
`10 for N>0, APP, is defined to be the power-on value POV
`stored in the non-volatile memory 7. Preferably, one of the
`following conditions applies:
`
`alpha=beta=gammaz=0
`
`alpha=beta=gamma.
`
`X,,.18 a reference value and can either be Xp or Xj...
`An alternative user input dependentlinear acclimatization
`algorithm is defined by the following update function for
`intermediate value X:
`
`fu(Xw_1, APPy) =
`
`Xy-1 +a%(APPy —APPyrep) for APPy > Xref +0
`Xy-1 +6 for APPy = [Xref —b, Xref +b]
`Xy-1 + ¢#(APPy —APPyep)!
`for APPy < Xpep — b
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`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 knownin 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
`twosteps, in FIG. 3b by adding onestep, 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
`20
`FIG.5illustrates an example of an unbiased user prefer-
`after switching the hearing device 1 on. The intermediate
`ence learning algorithm which is knowninthestate ofthe art.
`value X can be calculated periodically by the following
`The algorithm is designed to determinea setting statistically
`update function:
`preferred by a hearing device user 10 for the audio processing
`parameter APP. The algorithm is unbiased becauseits behav-
`ior is the same, independentofwhethera positive (FIG. 5a) or
`negative (FIG. 5b) adjustmenthas been applied by the hearing
`device user 10.
`
`Xy=fuXn.v)>
`
`in particular
`
`Xy=Xy. 1+const
`
`X,vis the result of the N-th calculation of the update function
`since the hearing device 1 waslast switched on. X, is defined
`to be the power-on value POV. The last intermediate value
`Ximaxny being calculated before the hearing device 1 is
`switched off is the replacement power-on value rPOV thatis
`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 speedofthe
`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 f;,
`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 suchsetting orsettings have beenactive.
`When the hearing device user 10 has increased the audio
`processing parameter APP by oneortwosteps, acclimatiza-
`tion is faster (FIGS. 4a and 46). When the audio processing
`parameter APPis 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:
`Xy=fulXy.1,APPw}
`
`The update functionis in particular
`
`fu(Xw-1, APPy) =4
`
`Xy-1 + alpha for APPy > Xref
`Xw-1 + beta for APPy = Xref
`Xy-1 + gamma for APPy < Xref
`
`APP, is a current setting for the audio processing param-
`eter APP. APP,, can be influenced by the hearing device user
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`The intermediate value X is calculated by the following
`periodically calculated update function:
`
`Xy=Xy_*weight+APP,*(1-weight)
`
`Weight is a parameter indicating how muchprevious learnt
`valuesare to be regardedrelative to the present setting of the
`audio processing parameter APP,,.
`VIG. 6 illustrates an example of a biased user preference
`learning algorithm. The learning algorithm is derived from
`the unbiased learning algorithm describedreferring to FIG. 5.
`The learning algorithm is biased because adjustments by the
`hearing device user 10 ina first adjustmentdirection are taken
`into accountstronger 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 adjustmentdirection. 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
`calculated by the following periodically calculated update
`function:
`
`fu(Xw-1, APPy) =
`
`Xy-1#Wa + APPy «(1 — Wa) for APPy > Xyep
`Xy_1# Wp + APPy «(1 — Wg) for APPy = Xvep
`Xv. #We + APPy «(1 —We) for APPy < Xpep
`
`The user input dependent speed of learning is defined by
`selecting
`
`WieWo
`
`wherein in particular
`
`W4sWpsWoc.
`
`X,,18 a reference value and can either be Xp or Xj).
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`The invention claimed is:
`
`8
`
`7
`An alternative biased user preference learning algorithm is
`defined by the following update function for intermediate
`value X:
`
`FyXy-APPy)=Xy*VW(APPy)+APPy*(1- (APP)
`wherein
`
`W(APPy) =
`
`Ax f(APPy — APPyep) for APPy > Xref
`Bx f(APPy — APPrep) for APPy = Xref
`Cx f(APPy — APPrep) for APPy < Xref
`
`10
`
`20
`
`1.A methodfor operating a hearing device (1) ina waythat
`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),
`15
`b) waiting until said hearing device user (10) switches on
`FIG. 7 showsa further example ofabiased user preference
`learning algorithm.It is a combinationof the linear acclima-
`said hearing device (1),
`tization algorithm shownin FIG. 3 and the biased userpref-
`c) setting said audio processing parameter (APP) to a
`erence learning algorithm shownin FIG.6. The acclimatiza-
`power-on value (POV), said power-on value (POV)
`tion algorithm periodically calculates, while the hearing
`being either stored in said non-volatile memory (7) or
`device 1 is on, an intermediate acclimatization value Y based
`being calculated from values stored in said non-volatile
`on an acclimatization update function
`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 whichsetting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameter (APP)hasor have beenset 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 whichis designedto
`determinea settingstatistically preferred by said hearing
`device user (10) for said audio processing parameter
`(APP), said biased user preference learning algorithm
`being responsive to said adjustmentactions in a waythat
`adjustments in a first adjustmentdirection 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 adjustmentdirection.
`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
`adjustmentdirectionis softer.
`4. Amethodfor operating a hearing device (1) ina 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
`
`Yy=Yy.+step
`
`as well as an intermediate learning value Z based on a learning
`update function
`
`25
`
`Zy =
`
`Zy_1*Wa + APPy «(1 — Wa) for APPy > Zyep
`Zy_1 Wp + APPy «(1 — Wa) for APPy = Zyer
`Zy-1#We + APPy «(1 —We)
`for APPy < Zyep
`
`Y,,is the result of the N-th calculation of the acclimatiza-
`tion update function since the hearing device 1 was last
`switched on, whereinY, is defined to be APPo. Z,;is the result
`of the N-th calculation of the learning update function since
`the hearing device waslast switched on, wherein Z, is defined
`to be APP,. APP,, is a current setting for the audio processing
`parameter APP. APP,,can be influenced by the hearing device
`user for N>0. APP,is the power-on value (POV)storedin the
`non-volatile memory 7. The replacement value rPOV for the
`power-on valueis calculated by a weighted average from the
`last intermediate acclimatization value Y_,,..(xy1 and the last
`intermediate learning value Z,,axcayj being calculated before
`the hearing device is switched off, according to the formula
`
`TPOV=Ypnacxcny]Weight+Znaxcny] (1 weight)
`
`rPOVis 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=((POV,APP, ,APP>,APP3.. . )
`
`wherein POVis the power-on value, rPOVis the replacement
`power-on value, and APP,,is asample ofthe audio processing
`parameter APPat a particular time t,,. APP, is, for example,
`the first sample after the hearing device is switchedon.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 and to
`calculate the function not before the hearing device 1 is
`switched on the nexttime.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`

`

`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 whichsetting or settings for said audio process-
`ing parameter (APP)hasor have beensetby said hearing
`device user (10) and how longsaid setting or settings
`have been active, and
`f) repeating steps b) to e) until an acclimatization phase
`termination conditionis fulfilled,
`wherein said acclimatization algorithm periodically calcu-
`lates, while said hearing device (1) is on, an intermediate
`value (X) based on an update function:
`Xy=fuXn. APP}
`wherein
`X, is a result of an N-th calculation of said update
`function since said hearing device (1) was last
`switched on, wherein X,is defined to be a first audio
`processing parameter APP,,
`APP,, is a current setting for said audio processing
`Ax f(APPy — APPyep) for APPy > Xrop
`parameter (APP), wherein APP,,can be influenced by
`W(APPy) =2Bx f(APPy —APPyep) for APPy = Xpep
`said hearing device user (10) for N>0, while APP,is
`Cx f(APPy — APPyeg) for APPy < Xyep
`definedto be said power-on value (POV)stored in said
`non-volatile memory (7),
`wherein a last intermediate value (Xprg,.cwy)—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 dependentlinear acclimatization func-
`tion
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`fu(Xy_1, APPy) =4
`
`Xy-1 + alpha for APPy > Xref
`Xy-1 +beta for APPy = Xpe
`Xy-1 + gamma for APPy < Xyef
`
`wherein one of the following conditions applies:
`alpha=beta=gamma
`
`or
`
`alpha=beta=gamma=0
`
`and
`
`NefXo OF XeXn-
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 8,787,603 B2
`
`9
`
`10
`6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`functionis a biased user preference learning function
`
`fu(Xw-1, APPy) =
`
`Xy-1#Wa + APPy «(1 — Wa) for APPy > Xyep
`Xy_y# Wg + APPy «(1 — Wg) for APPy = Xvep
`Xv. #We + APPy «(1 —We) for APPy < Xpep
`
`wherein a user input dependent speed of learning is defined
`byselecting
`WyeWo
`
`wherein
`
`WasWysW
`
`and
`
`X,Ye)
`
`=Xor XHXy1-
`
`7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a user input dependentlinear acclimatization func-
`tion
`
`fu(Xy-1, APPy) =
`
`Xw-1 +a%(APPy —APProp) for APPy > Xyep +8
`Xy-1 +6 for APPy = [Xyep — b, Xrep +B]
`Xy-1 +¢#(APPy —APPyep| for APPy < Xrep —b
`
`wherein
`
`APP.Xef=Xo or APP,=XeX
`
`8. The method according to claim 4, wherein said update
`function is a biased user preference learning function
`SolXy-1,APPy)=Xy.1 (APP)+APPy*(1- (APP)
`wherein
`
`wherein
`
`APP,ofMpefXo OF APPopMepAN
`
`9. A methodfor 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),
`
`

`

`US 8,787,603 B2
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`11
`d) allowing said hearing