USOO8654999B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Mindlin, II et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,654,999 B2
`Feb. 18, 2014
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROGRESSIVE
`HEARING DEVICE ADJUSTMENT
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ........................................................ .. 381/314
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Harold S. Mindlin, II, Austin, TX (US);
`David Matthew Landry, Austin, TX
`US
`(
`)
`
`(56)
`
`References Clted
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Assigneez Audi0t0niq9 Inc‘! Austin?
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, theterm Ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 296 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 13/085,016
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 12, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2011/0249839 A1
`
`Oct. 13, 2011
`
`(60)
`
`Related U_s_ Application Data
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Pr0V151011a1 aPP11eaU011 N0~ 61/323,841, filed 011 A131
`13, 2010: Pr0Vi5i0na1 application NO- 61/305759:
`filed 011 -I1111~ 2, 2010
`
`(51)
`
`Int CL
`H04R 25/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ............................ .. 381/314; 381/60; 381/312
`
`(200601)
`
`. . .
`Topholrn . .
`A *
`. . .
`. . ..
`. . .
`. . .
`. . . N
`
`..
`6/2003 D '
`tal.
`6,574,342 131*
`.. 381/314
`2003/0215105 A1* 11/2003 Séilcvlizsie......................... .. 381/312
`2005/0036637 A1
`2/2005 Janssen
`2010/0246869 A1*
`9/2010 Zhang etal.
`'t db’
`‘
`me
`yexammer
`Primary Examiner — Duc Nguyen
`Assistant Examiner — Taunya McCarty
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Lee & Hayes, PLLC
`
`................ ~ 381/320
`
`*
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A hearing aid includes a microphone to convert sound into an
`electrical signal and a processor coupled to the microphone.
`The processor is configured to apply a selected one of a
`sequence of incremental hearing corrections to the electrical
`signal to produce a modulated output signal to at least par-
`tially compensate for a hearing impairment of a user. The
`hearing aid further includes a speaker coupled to the proces-
`sor and configured to convert the modulated output signal into
`an audible sound.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`200x
`
`Computing Device
`
`270 Menm
`Hearing Aid Profiles
`earin
`orrec
`272
`H
`-
`C
`274
`g
`-
`Incremental Adjustment
`276 e“”°“”"*
`ncrementai -tearing
`Corrections
`
`260
`
`264
`
`"
`
`,_
`
`Input Interface
`
`Display
`Interface
`
`202 \
`204
`
`218
`220
`222
`
`224
`
`Hearing Aid
`M
`
`'
`H
`6/21?E ri
`eailng |
`F0 | 65
`Hearing Correction Filters
`Incremental Ad'ustment
`J
`
`Corrections
`
`210
`
`212
`
`\ Processor
`
`\ Microphone
`
`Speaker
`
`Transceiver ‘ T T - -
`
`214 / 216 J
`
`
`
`
`25?
`254
`
`255
`
`258
`
`HIMPP 1101
`
`HIMPP 1101
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`100j
`
`Frequency (Hz)
`
`8000
`4000
`2000
`1000
`500
`250
`"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
`
`0
`
`
`
`
`
`DecibelLevel(DB)
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`Computing Device
`
`Hearing Aid Profiles
`
`Hearing Correction Filters
`
`Incremental Adjustment
`
`Incremental Hearing
`Corrections
`
`Input Interface
`1 Display
`Interface
`
`Processor
`
`HK
`
`-
`TranSCe|Ver
`
`.
`
`Network
`Interface
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18,2014
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`300 W
`
`Receive trigger to adjust hearing aid to provide next incremental hearing
`correction
`
`302
`
`
`
`Provide alert indicating
`that hearing is at
`desired levels and
`
`adjustment process is
`complete
`
`Correction already
`at desired level?
`
`No
`
`Adjust the incremental hearing correction by one more increment
`
`Apply the incremental hearing correction to the hearing aid
`
`
`
`308
`
`310
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`400 W
`
`
`
`On startup, determine a time in use for a hearing aid
`
`402
`
`Time > Transition Threshold?
`
`Apply selected hearing
`aid Plofile t0 m0dUl3l€
`an audio output of the
`hearing aid
`
`
`
`Select an incremental hearing correction from a sequence of incremental
`hearing corrections, the incremental hearing correction configured to
`modulate the audio output to an audio output level between an
`uncorrected hearing level and a corrected hearing level achieved by a
`selected hearing aid profile
`
`408
`
`Apply the selected incremental hearing correction to modulate the audio
`output of the hearing aid
`
`Monitor a time from application of the selected incremental hearing
`correction
`
`
`
`Time > Increment
`Threshold?
`
`Select a incremental hearing correction that is next from the sequence of
`incremental hearing corrections, the selected incremental hearing
`oorrection configured to modulate the audio output to a next audio output
`level that is closer to the corrected hearing level than that provided by the
`previously applied incremental hearing correction
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROGRESSIVE
`HEARING DEVICE ADJUSTMENT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATION(S)
`
`This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority
`to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/350,759,
`entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING AN
`INCREMENTAL HEARING ADJUSTMENT FILTER,”
`and filed on Jun. 2, 2010, which is incorporated herein by
`reference in its entirety. Further, this application is a non-
`provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent
`application No. 61/323,841, entitled “SYSTEM AND
`METHOD OF PROGRESSIVE HEARING DEVICE
`
`ADJUSTMENT,” and filed on Apr. 13, 2010, which is incor-
`porated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD
`
`This disclosure relates generally to hearing aid adjust-
`ments, and more particularly, to hearing aids, computer-read-
`able media, and computing devices for incremental hearing
`aid adjustment.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Hearing deficiencies can range from partial hearing
`impairment to complete hearing loss. Often, an individual’s
`hearing ability varies across the range of audible sound fre-
`quencies, and many individuals have hearing impairment
`with respect to only select acoustic frequencies. For example,
`an individual’ s hearing loss may be greater at higher frequen-
`cies than at lower frequencies.
`Hearing aids have been developed to alleviate the effects of
`hearing losses in individuals. Conventionally, hearing aids
`range from ear pieces configured to amplify sounds to con-
`figurable hearing devices offering adjustable operational
`parameters that can be configured by a hearing specialist to
`enhance the performance ofthe hearing aid. Parameters, such
`as volume or tone, often can be easily adjusted, and many
`hearing aids allow for the individual users to adjust these
`parameters. However, other parameters may only be adjusted
`by the audiologist or by another health professional.
`In instances where the individual’s hearing loss varies
`across frequencies, such hearing aids can be tuned by an
`audiologist, for example, to compensate for the unique varia-
`tions of the individual’s hearing loss. The audiologist or
`health professional typically takes measurements using cali-
`brated and specialized equipment to assess an individual’s
`hearing capabilities in a variety of sound environments, and
`then adjusts the hearing aid based on the calibrated measure-
`ments to compensate for the individual’s hearing loss. Sub-
`sequent adjustments to the hearing aid can require additional
`measurements and further calibration, which can be costly
`and time intensive.
`
`However, for some users, the transition from not wearing a
`hearing aid to wearing a hearing aid can be traumatic. In
`particular, sounds that the user is not accustomed to hearing
`can suddenly be made audible to the user by the hearing aid.
`Some individuals, such as those wearing hearing aids for the
`first time, can experience psychological distress when hear-
`ing is restored to a normal level after years of suffering from
`hearing loss. Due to such distress, the first time user may have
`a difficult time adjusting to the hearing aid, and may give up
`on hearing aids altogether.
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`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating a representative example of
`decibel level (in dB) versus frequency (in Hertz) for a repre-
`sentative hearing sensitivity threshold, a representative user’ s
`hearing deficit, and a series of incremental adjustments to
`advance the user’s hearing from the user’s hearing deficit
`level to an adjusted hearing level associated with a hearing aid
`profile.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a hearing
`aid system for providing incremental hearing correction
`adjustments.
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
`incrementally adjusting the hearing correction of a hearing
`aid.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of a
`method for incrementally adjusting the hearing correction of
`a hearing aid.
`In the following description, the use of the same reference
`numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical
`items.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Embodiments of a hearing aid and methods are described
`below that provide an incremental or progressive hearing
`adjustment for a user particularly for easing the transition
`from not wearing a hearing aid to wearing a hearing aid. In
`particular, rather than abruptly implementing the hearing cor-
`rection for the user immediately, the hearing aid progressively
`applies incremental adjustments to progressively or gradually
`adjust the user’ s experience from an uncompensated hearing
`level to a fully compensated hearing level. Such incremental
`adjustments allow the user to become accustomed to the
`hearing compensation in small increments over time, thereby
`reducing the psychological and/or physical distress associ-
`ated with an abrupt transition from uncompensated to cor-
`rected hearing.
`As used herein, the term “hearing aid profile” refers to a
`collection of acoustic configuration settings for a hearing aid,
`such as hearing aid 202 depicted in FIG. 2, which are used by
`a processor 210 (in FIG. 2) to shape acoustic signals to correct
`for a user’s hearing loss. The shaped acoustic signals (or
`modulated output signals) are provided to a speaker or bone
`conduction element for reproduction for a user. Each of the
`hearing aid profiles are designed to compensate for the hear-
`ing loss of the user based on the user’s particular hearing
`characteristics (impairment). In particular, processor 210 can
`apply a particular hearing aidprofile that is customized for the
`particular user to compensate for hearing deficits of the user
`or otherwise enhance the sound-related signals. The hearing
`aid profile includes parameters that configure the hearing aid
`202. For example, such parameters can include signal ampli-
`tude and gain characteristics, signal processing algorithms,
`frequency response characteristics, coefficients associated
`with one or more signal processing algorithms, or any com-
`bination thereof.
`In some instances, one or more of the hearing aid profiles
`may also include filters and/or further adjustments configured
`to compensate the user’s hearing impairment for a particular
`sound environment. In such instances, the hearing aid profile
`may be configured based on the user’s hearing impairment
`and based on a particular environmental model.
`As used herein, the term “hearing correction filter” refers to
`a collection offilters for hearing aid 202, which are applied by
`processor 210 within hearing aid 202 to a hearing aid profile
`
`

`

`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`3
`to reduce the level of correction provided to the user by
`application of the hearing aid profile. The collection of hear-
`ing correction filters may include a series of hearing correc-
`tion adjustments designed to be applied in a sequence over a
`period of time to provide incremental corrections for the
`user’s hearing loss to ease the user’s transition from uncom-
`pensated to corrected hearing. In such an instance, a first
`hearing correction filter attenuates the hearing aid profile by a
`pre-determined amount, limiting the adjustment provided by
`hearing aid 202. Each of subsequent hearing correction filter
`in the sequence increases the correction provided by (de-
`creases the attenuation applied to) the hearing aid profile to
`some degree, until the sequence is complete and the hearing
`aid profile is fully applied to provide the desired hearing
`correction for the user. In an embodiment, an initial fitter may
`decrease the compensation to allow hearing aid 202 to pro-
`vide almost no correction initially. In this instance,
`the
`selected hearing aid profile represents a desired hearing com-
`pensation. Processor 210 can implement an algorithm to
`dynamically generate a plurality of intermediate filters that
`can be applied over a period of time to ease the user’s transi-
`tion. Alternatively, such filters can be created by a hearing
`health professional.
`As used herein, the term “incremental hearing correction”
`refers to a collection of acoustic configuration settings for
`hearing aid 202 (such as a hearing aid profile described
`above), which are used by processor 210 within hearing aid
`202 to shape acoustic signals to correct for a user’s hearing
`loss. Each of the incremental hearing corrections represents
`an intermediate hearing adjustment to provide a modulated
`output signal having a level that is within a range between an
`uncompensated output level and the desired output level. In
`one embodiment, the incremental hearing corrections can be
`formed by applying one or more hearing correction filters to
`a selected hearing aid profile to produce the intermediate
`hearing aid profiles. In another embodiment, the incremental
`hearing corrections can be programmed by a hearing health
`professional. In still another embodiment, the incremental
`hearing corrections can be calculated dynamically as a func-
`tion of a difference in decibels between the uncompensated
`level and the desired output level. The incremental hearing
`corrections are selectively applied over a period oftime based
`on the length of time the user has been using hearing aids. In
`another embodiment, the incremental hearing corrections
`include a series of hearing correction profiles designed to be
`applied in a sequence to provide incremental correction for
`the user’s hearing loss. For example, the incremental hearing
`corrections are applied, one at a time for periods of time, to
`slowly adjust the hearing correction of the hearing aid until a
`desired hearing level is reached to allow time for the user to
`become accustomed to the corrected hearing level. In another
`example, incremental hearing corrections may be generated
`from a difference between a selected hearing aid profile and a
`level corresponding to no hearing correction using an algo-
`rithm for defining intermediate profiles based on a variable
`such as time or user-requested increments. FIG. 1 is a graph
`1 00 ofa representative example ofdecibel level (in dB) versus
`frequency (in Hertz) depicting an embodiment of a represen-
`tative hearing sensitivity threshold, a representative user’s
`hearing deficit, and a series of incremental adjustments to
`advance the user’s hearing from the user’s hearing deficit
`level to an adjusted hearing level associated with a hearing aid
`profile. A normal hearing sensitivity threshold is represented
`on the graph 100 by a straight line at a -20 dB level, which is
`generally indicated at 102. Any hearing sensitivity at or above
`hearing sensitivity threshold 102 would be considered “nor-
`mal" on an audiogram. The user’s actual hearing levels are
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`represented on the graph 100 by a hearing loss line 106.
`Hearing loss line 106 represents a particular user’s actual
`hearing sensitivity, i.e., the user’s uncompensated hearing.
`Under normal operating conditions, hearing aid 202 (de-
`picted in FIG. 2) would apply a selected hearing aid profile
`that is customized to compensate for the user’s hearing
`impairment to correct the user’s hearing so that the user’s
`hearing sensitivity would correspond to hearing aid profile
`correction line 108. In other words, hearing aid profile cor-
`rection line 108 represents a desired (final or fully compen-
`sated) hearing correction for the user, which can be achieved
`by applying a selected hearing aid profile to sound signals
`using a processor of a hearing aid.
`The graph 100 also includes a plurality of intermediate
`hearing sensitivity levels that fall within a range between
`hearing loss line 106 and hearing aid profile correction line
`108, which intermediate hearing sensitivity levels are
`achieved by applying hearing correction filters to the selected
`hearing aid profile and/or by applying incremental hearing
`corrections to the audio signal to provide incremental (pro-
`gressive) hearing adjustments. Each ofthe intermediate hear-
`ing sensitivity lines 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 represents
`one or more adjustments to enhance the user’s hearing sen-
`sitivity by applying an incremental hearing filter the selected
`hearing aid profile, reducing its hearing correction by a pre-
`determined amount. In the illustrated example, the plurality
`of incremental hearing corrections (or hearing correction fil-
`ters) are applied in a sequence to produce hearing sensitivity
`lines 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118, over a period of time,
`gradually adjusting the hearing correction from the user’s
`uncompensated hearing level at hearing loss line 106 to the
`desired hearing level represented by the hearing aid profile
`correction line 108.
`
`in the illustrated example, the hearing sensitivity lines 110,
`112, 114, 116, and 118 appear to indicate that the incremental
`hearing corrections adjust selected frequencies to the desired
`hearing level while providing less of an enhancement to other
`frequencies. However,
`it should be understood that other
`incremental hearing corrections could be used. For example,
`in one particular instance, the incremental hearing correction
`could dampen or otherwise apply filters to the selected hear-
`ing aid profile to incrementally adjust the hearing correction
`across the entire range of frequencies substantially evenly. In
`another instance, the incremental hearing correction could
`adjust selected frequencies by different amounts, providing a
`non-uniform hearing correction.
`In a particular example, the user or an audiologist may
`select a hearing aid profile, such as the hearing aid profile
`associated with correction line 108, to configure a hearing
`aid, such as hearing aid 202 depicted in FIG. 2. The hearing
`aid profile is applied by a processor of the hearing aid to
`modulate the audio output signal to compensate for the user’ s
`hearing impairment represented by the user’s hearing loss
`line 106, which indicates impairment of the user’s acoustic
`sensitivity at higher frequencies. In conventional hearing
`aids, the hearing aid would immediately apply the hearing aid
`profile to correct the user’s hearing up to hearing aid profile
`correction lien 108.
`
`in embodiments of the hearing aid system
`However,
`described below, instructions executable by a processor of
`computing device 222, hearing aid 202, or another system
`may be used to produce multiple correction levels, which can
`be applied to the selected hearing aid profile, to make the
`hearing compensation more gradual to allow time for the user
`to become accustomed to the hearing aid and its audio com-
`pensation, easing the user into hearing aid by compensating
`
`

`

`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`5
`the audio output a little bit at a time, reducing the potential
`shock from a drastic change in hearing conditions.
`In this example, a first incremental hearing correction may
`be applied initially to provide a hearing sensitivity corre-
`sponding to intermediate hearing line 110. After a period of 5
`time has passed or a trigger is received, hearing aid 202
`applies a second incremental hearing correction, resulting in
`correction up to a second intermediate l1earing line 112, fur-
`ther increasing the users hearing experience. The hearing aid
`continues applying the incremental hearing corrections to
`provide progressively enhanced hearing sensitivity as indi-
`cated intermediate hearing lines 112 and 114 and so on until
`the desired correction level of the selected hearing aid profile
`is reached, as indicated by hearing aid profile line 108.
`By gradually adjusting the hearing correction over time
`through the sequential application of incremental hearing
`corrections (or through sequential application ofhearing cor-
`rection filters to the selected hearing aid profile), the hearing
`aid allows the user to gradually become acclimated to each
`acoustic adjustment before a next adjustment is applied,
`increasing the likelihood that the user will accept and con-
`tinue to use the hearing aid. It shouldbe understood that graph
`100 in FIG. 1 depicts only a few hearing sensitivity levels
`corresponding to a few incremental hearing corrections cor-
`responding to increments up to a particular hearing aid pro-
`file; however, any number of increments may be provided,
`depending on a number of factors including the specific
`implementation, the magnitude of the difference between the
`user’s hearing level 106 and the hearing aid profile line 108,
`a pre-configured setting, or any number of other factors.
`Further, hearing correction filters can be applied to each hear-
`ing aid profile to produce a plurality of incremental hearing
`corrections for a give hearing aid profile. Thus, in operation,
`if hearing aid is switched from a first hearing aid profile to a
`second hearing aid profile, the currently selected hearing
`correction filter can be applied to the second hearing aid
`profile to continue to provide the desired, gradually progres-
`sive hearing adjustment.
`Additionally, it should be appreciated that graph 100 rep-
`resents an illustrative example only, and that other hearing aid
`profiles and other, more complex, incremental hearing cor-
`rection lines (patterns or curves) may be used. Further, it
`should be understood that the filter or correction used to
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`achieve the correction lines and ultimately the hearing aid
`profile is composed of a plurality of coefficients, parameters,
`or other settings that are applied by a processor ofthe hearing
`aid to alter various characteristics of the sounds to modulate
`
`them to compensate for the user’s hearing impairment.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system
`200 including a hearing aid 202 adapted to communicate with
`a computing device 252, either ofwhich orboth ofwhich may
`be adapted to provide an incremental adjustment to a selected
`hearing aid profile. Hearing aid 202 includes a transceiver 216
`that is configured to communicate with computing device 252
`through a communication channel, which can be wired or
`wireless. In some instances, the communication channel can
`be a Bluetooth® communication channel. In some embodi-
`
`ments, transceiver 216 may be configurable to connect to a
`network 230 for receiving hearing aid profiles, filters, adjust-
`ment modules updates,
`incremental hearing corrections,
`other data, or any combination thereof. Hearing aid 102 also
`includes a processor 210 connected to transceiver device 216
`and to a microphone 212 and a speaker 214. Hearing aid 202
`further includes a memory 204 connected to processor 210
`and configured to store processor executable instructions
`(signal processing instructions), parameter adjustment logic,
`one or more hearing aid profiles 218, one or more hearing
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`6
`correction filters 220, incremental adjustment logic 222, and
`incremental hearing corrections 224.
`Computing device 252 is a personal digital assistant
`(PDA), smart phone, portable computer, tablet computer or
`other computing device adapted to send and receive radio
`frequency signals according to any protocol compatible with
`hearing aid 202. Representative examples of computing
`device 252 include the Apple iPhone®, which is commer-
`cially available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. and the
`Blackben'y®, available from Research In Motion Limited of
`Waterloo, Ontario. Other types of mobile telephone devices
`with short range wireless capability can also be used.
`Computing device 252 includes a transceiver 264, which is
`connected to a processor 260, such that processor 260 may
`send and receive data packets to and from hearing aid 202 via
`transceiver device 264. Processor 260 is connected to a dis-
`
`play interface 258 for displaying information to a user and to
`an input interface 256 for receiving user input. In some
`embodiments, a touch screen display may be used, in which
`case display interface 258 and input interface 256 are com-
`bined. Computing device 252 further includes a network
`interface 266 that is configurable to connect to a network,
`such as the Internet. In an example, a user may interact with
`input interface 256 to cause computing device 252 to interact
`with the network, for example, to download hearing aid pro-
`files, hearing correction filters, updated incremental adjust-
`ment instructions, and/or incremental hearing corrections
`from a remote device, such as a computer server.
`Computing device 252 includes a memory 254, which is
`accessible by a processor 260, Memory 254 stores a plurality
`of instructions that are executable by processor 260, includ-
`ing graphical user interface (GUI) generator instructions.
`Memory 254 further includes a plurality of hearing aid pro-
`files 270, hearing correction filters 272, incremental adjust-
`ment module 274, and incremental hearing corrections 276.
`Memory 254 may store a larger number ofhearing aid profiles
`270, hearing correction filters 272, and incremental hearing
`corrections 276 than memory 204, and processor 260 may
`selectively provide a desired hearing aid profile, hearing cor-
`rection filter and/or incremental hearing correction to hearing
`aid 202 through the communication charmel.
`In an example, hearing aid 202 stores a selected hearing aid
`profile 218 and one or more hearing correction filters 220 in
`memory 204. In this instance, processor 210 selectively
`applies each a selected one of the hearing correction filters
`220 to the selected hearing aid profile 218 to provide an
`incremental hearing correction for a period of time before
`advancing to a next incremental hearing correction by apply-
`ing a next hearing correction filter 220 in a sequence. Thus,
`processor 210 selectively provides incremental hearing
`improvements to progressively enhance the user’s hearing
`experience.
`In a second example, hearing aid 202 stores the selected
`hearing aid profile 218 and one or more incremental hearing
`corrections 224. In this instance, processor selectively applies
`a selected one of the incremental hearing corrections 224 to
`provide an incremental hearing adjustment for a period of
`time before advancing to a next one of the incremental hear-
`ing corrections 224 in a sequence. Thus, processor 210 selec-
`tively provides incremental hearing improvements to pro-
`gressively enhance the user’s hearing experience.
`In a third example, hearing aid 202 stores the selected
`hearing aid profile 218 and data related to the user’s hearing
`impairment. During operation, processor 210 dynamically
`calculates a number of increments based on a difference
`
`between a normal hearing level and a hearing level associated
`with the user. The processor 210 then uses the number of
`
`

`

`US 8,654,999 B2
`
`7
`increments to subdivide the difference into adjustment incre-
`ments. Processor 210 can use the adjustment increments to
`dynamically generate incremental hearing corrections, each
`ofwhich can be applied for a period of time before advancing
`to a next incremental hearing correction in a sequence. Thus,
`processor 210 selectively provides incremental hearing
`improvements to progressively enhance the user’s hearing
`experience.
`In a fourth example, hearing aid 202 receives a trigger from
`computing device 252 through the communication charmel.
`In response to the trigger, processor 210 either selects an
`incremental hearing correction 224, selects a filter from hear-
`ing correction filters 222 for application to a selected hearing
`aid profile 218 to produce an incremental hearing correction,
`or extracts an incremental hearing correction from the trigger.
`Once the incremental hearing correction is determined, pro-
`cessor 210 applies the incremental hearing correction to
`modulate an output signal to a hearing sensitivity level that is
`between an uncompensated hearing level and a normal hear-
`ing level. Processor 210 may receive subsequent triggers and
`perform a similar operation to progressively advance the out-
`put level toward normal hearing levels.
`Thus, hearing aid 202 eases the user into the desired hear-
`ing level provided by the selected hearing aid profile over a
`period of time, reducing the psychological shock to the user
`of an abrupt change and reducing the probability that the user
`will reject the use of hearing aids altogether. In an altemative
`example, processor 210 or 260 may begin with the user’s
`hearing level and dynamically generate incremental hearing
`corrections until a level associated with a selected hearing aid
`profile is reached. By dynamically creating each of the incre-
`mental hearing correction profiles for easing the user into
`normal hearing levels, the memory consumption is reduced
`and a wider range of increments can be provided, that can be
`more narrowly tailored to the user’s actual hearing ability.
`In general, either hearing aid 202 or computing device 252
`may monitor the incremental hearing corrections. In a first
`embodiment, processor 210 in hearing aid 202 will monitor a
`clock in hearing aid 202 and record the number of cycles in
`memory 204, thus establishing and tracking a time base. Once
`the number of dock cycles stored in memory 204 exceeds a
`preset limit (or threshold), processor 210 generates a trigger,
`causing processor 210 to apply a next hearing correction in
`the sequence and to reset the clock counter. In a second
`embodiment, processor 210 may generate a trigger based on
`a calendar, such as a number of hours, days, weeks, or a
`specific date. For example, processor 210 may generate a
`trigger every day, every week, every Tuesday, every 12 hours,
`or periodically with respect to some other time increment.
`The length of each period in this case could be programmed
`by the user using input interface 256 of computing device,
`providing more user-control and allowing the user to custom-
`ize the adjustment process.
`In an alternative example, processor 260 in computing
`device 252 generate triggers and send a signal including the
`trigger to hearing aid 202 through the communication chan-
`nel, causing processor 210 to apply the incremental hearing
`correction profile. Processor 260 may, as described above
`with respect to processor 210, monitor a number of clock
`cycles during which hearing aid 202 is inuse or use a calendar
`to determine when to generate a trigger for hearing aid 202,
`for example, based on numbers of days, weeks, hours, etc. By
`utilizing processor 260 instead of processor 210 in hearing
`aid 102, substantial processing and memory storage can be
`offloaded to computing device 252, saving space, battery life,
`and processing power for hearing aid 202. Further, processor
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`15
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`25
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`8
`260 may provide the incremental hearing correction to hear-
`ing aid 202 as part of the trigger.
`Additionally, computing device 252 may utilize display
`interface 258 and input interface 256 to allow a user to gen-
`erate the trigger. In this embodiment, the user selects an icon,
`menu item, or other selectable element to launch an applica-
`tion that produces a graphical user interface (GUI) and pro-
`vides it to display interface 258. The user interacts with the
`GUI through input interface 256 to cause computing device
`252 to communicate the trigger to hearing aid 202 so that the
`hearing aid 202 applies the next incremental hearing correc-
`tion.
`
`As mentioned above, a trigger is a command executable by
`processor 210 of hearing aid 202, causing processor 210 to
`apply the next incremental hearing correction profile to shape
`sound. In some instances, the trigger may also include the
`incremental hearing correction to be applied. For example, if
`the incremental hearing corrections are stored in memory 254
`on computing device 252, processor 260 may transmit a
`selected one of the incremental hearing corrections 276 to
`hearing aid 202 through the communication channel. Either
`hearing aid 202 or computing device 252 may keep a record
`of which incremental hearing correction is next
`in the
`sequence.
`Once a trigger is received by hearing aid 202, processor
`210 obtains the next incremental hearing correction either
`from hearing aid corrections 224 in memory 204 or from the
`trigger received from computing device 252.
`In some
`instances, hearing aid 202 may signal computing device 252
`to retrieve the next incremental hearing correction from incre-
`mental hearing corrections 276 in memory 254.