EP3349482A1 - Hearing aid and method for operating a hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a hearing device (2) is specified. The hearing aid (2) can be worn by a user and has a number of programs which are each assigned to a noise situation. A current noise situation is detected both location-dependent and time-dependent, and that of the programs is selected and set, which is assigned to the current noise situation. Furthermore, a corresponding hearing aid (2) is specified.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing device and such a hearing aid.

A hearing aid is usually used to care for a hearing impaired or hearing impaired user to allow him to improve hearing. The user of a hearing aid wears this regularly in or on the ear. The hearing aid picks up sounds, i. all kinds of sound or sound from the environment amplifies it and outputs it as amplified audio signals to the user. In addition or as an alternative to reinforcement, machining, e.g. a filtering. In general, the hearing aid thus has a number of operating parameters, which are usually set individually for the user in order to suitably modify a recorded sound.

At different locations, different soundscapes often prevail, which is why it is expedient to change the operating parameters as a function of the current noise situation.

In the US 2015/0003652 A1 For example, a hearing aid is described which automatically detects a noise situation and sets the operating parameters as a function of the detected noise situation. In this case, the geographical position of the user, ie the place where it is located, is included in the detection of the noise situation. It makes use of the fact that the noise situation at a certain location remains the same over a longer period of time. To determine the location, for example, a GPS system is used. If the location can not be determined directly in this way, other information will be helpful evaluated, for example, a calendar of the user, which is then taken from where the user probably resides.

The object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1 and by a hearing aid with the features of claim 15.Vorteilhafte refinements, developments and variants are the subject of the dependent claims. The explanations in connection with the method also apply mutatis mutandis to the hearing aid and vice versa.

The method is used to operate a hearing aid and is preferably used for this purpose. The hearing aid can be worn by a user. In particular, the method is carried out when the hearing device is also worn by the user. The user is regularly a person with impaired hearing. The hearing aid has a number of programs, which are each assigned to a noise situation or noise environment. The programs are in each case in particular a collection of specific settings for a number of operating parameters of the hearing device. An operating parameter is, for example, the gain. In addition, the hearing device has in particular at least one microphone for recording noises, as well as a receiver, for the output of modified noises. By "noise" is generally understood "sound" or "sound signal". The hearing device also has a control unit which sets the programs. The hearing aid regularly has one or two hearing aid units and in the latter variant is in particular a binaural hearing aid.

The hearing aid can be switched between different programs in order to ensure optimum adjustment of the operating parameters of the hearing aid in different noise situations. A respective noise situation is characterized by a number of situation parameters, usually at least one volume level. Each program takes account of at least one specific noise situation in order to ensure optimal compensation of the user's hearing impairment in the respective noise situation. For this purpose, a program has certain specifications for the operating parameters, so that when activating, ie setting a corresponding program the operating parameters are set accordingly.

In the method, a current noise situation is detected both location-dependent and time-dependent and that of the programs selected and set, which is assigned to the current noise situation. In other words, the noise situation is determined by determining both location and time, which are two parameters by which it is recognized which noise situation exists. Thus, a location determination and a time determination are carried out and based on the result, a specific noise situation is assumed. The optimum program for this noise situation is then selected and set. The selection and in particular the setting are preferably carried out automatically. The place is for example a restaurant, an apartment, a street or a workplace. The time is for example the time of day, for example characterized by the current hour or additionally by the current minute, the current weekday, the current month or a date, characterized for example by day and month or additionally by the current year.

An advantage of the invention is, in particular, that at a certain location the optimal program is immediately selected and set without first having to carry out a possibly time-consuming analysis. In principle, it is conceivable to detect a noise situation by analyzing the existing noises, ie sound signals. However, such an analysis requires first recording sounds and then processing. This is correspondingly time-consuming. In contrast, in the present case, time and place are determined in order to infer the current noise situation. When detecting the noise situation, in particular a recording of noises or ambient noise is dispensed with, ie the noise situation is determined exclusively dependent on location and time. In other words, a location and a time are determined and the noise situation is recognized solely on the basis of time and place. In this case, preference is given to a classification of ambient noise, especially in the location and time determination. In a variant, on the other hand, an additional classification, in particular of ambient noise, is made in order to more reliably determine the location or the time or both.

Another advantage is, in particular, that the selection and setting is not only location-dependent, but also just time-dependent. In the present case, it has been recognized that the noise situation at a certain location is not necessarily constant and that a location-dependent adjustment of the hearing device alone is not always expedient, but rather that the noise situation at a location often changes over time. For example, a restaurant is visited at different times of the day to different degrees, so that the volume level at this location varies depending on the time. The same applies to a road that is traveling at different speeds at different times and is therefore different loud. A program, for example, at noon, a high level of noise considered, then, for example, in the afternoon, when it is quiet, unsuitable. In general, therefore, the additional time dependence of the noise situation at the same location may lead to unfavorable settings. This is avoided in the present case by the additional time-dependent detection of the noise situation.

The location-dependent selection of the program is thus advantageously improved by an additional time-dependent selection at a specific location. The program is thus selected in two stages, so to speak. First, a location is determined, in particular the location of the user. Subsequently, a time is determined, in particular the current time, and then one of several programs selected for the location as a function of time, thereby refining the selection for that same location. It is assumed that different programs are better suited for a given location at different times. The program is thus selected on the whole with two parameters, time and place, not just a parameter. Thus, the method described here also differs from such methods, in which first a program is selected on the basis of a parameter, eg the location, and then subsequently an adaptation to a possibly changed noise situation takes place in a dynamic manner during operation and over time. Rather, in the present case, a program is selected directly on the basis of two parameters, ie an initial selection is made, which is more accurate from the outset, since both location and time are taken into account here.

Preferably, the current noise situation is detected as a function of location by determining at which location the user is currently located, preferably by means of a GPS system. As a result, exactly that noise situation is detected, which is relevant for the user with regard to his whereabouts. For this purpose, a location sensor is used, preferably a GPS system. This is for example integrated in the hearing aid. Alternatively, the location sensor is integrated into an external device, which the user expediently also carries with him, suitably a smartphone. The external device is then wirelessly connected to the hearing device, for example, to connect the location, i. the location information, to convey. Alternatively or additionally, a transmitter is set up at the location, which transmits the current location.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the current noise situation is determined location-dependent and time-dependent by means of a noise map. The noise map is also referred to as a parameter map or sound map. The noise map thus generally contains the noise situation at a specific location as a function of time and is therefore in particular a data record or a catalog. In the present case, "function" is also understood to mean a tabular assignment. The noise situation itself does not have to be stored directly in the noise map, but rather it is essential that the noise map for a given location and for a given time contains information for determining the noise situation, ie a parameter that is related to the noise situation. The parameter is also referred to as a situation parameter, which can be determined on the basis of the concrete value of the parameter, the associated noise situation. Alternatively or additionally, the noise situation itself is location-dependent and time-dependent as information in the noise map. Due to the noise map is at the appropriate place the Noise situation at different, especially at any time according to directly or indirectly stored and thus previously known. The noise situation can then be determined with knowledge of the current time from the noise map. For this purpose, preferably previously collected experiences are utilized, ie the knowledge of what time at which place which noise situation exists. This knowledge then allows an immediate optimal choice of program, especially if the user has never entered a certain place at a certain time before.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the location is determined by coordinates, so that the program is selected location-dependent on the basis of the specific location of the user. The location is characterized in particular by two coordinates, preferably geographical longitude and latitude. In one variant, the place is additionally characterized by a height and thus by a total of three coordinates. The coordinates are preferably GPS coordinates or similar.

Alternatively or additionally, the location is a location type, so the program is then selected depending on the type or type of location. It does not necessarily depend on the specific coordinates. Rather, like locations are also recognized as being similar, i. as the same place type, and the same program is selected for such similar places. Examples of such types of places are a street, a small room, a church, a theater, a vehicle interior, a workplace, an open space, etc. Various types of places differ in at least one situation parameter and are therefore distinguishable from each other. The noise situation is then determined location-dependent in an expedient embodiment by first performing a location typing in which a current location type is determined, i. where the current location is typed. The noise situation is then determined time-dependent in a noise map for the current location type.

The situation parameter is suitably a map information, a reverberation time, a noise, a frequency spectrum or one derived therefrom Size. Other situation parameters are also conceivable and suitable. In the map information of the type of location is determined by a map on which special places, such as sights, streets, etc. are already marked. The location type is then determined based on the map in combination with the location of the user. In the reverberation time, the location type is determined based on the reverberation time of the location, this is either measured or given, for example, by an information system at the place. In particular in public places or in public buildings, the local reverberation time is regularly provided by an information system with which the hearing aid can be connected, in particular via a wireless connection. Places can also be distinguished by noise, for example by a noise level, ie the volume of local noise, or by a noise frequency. The location is then generally determined by determining what type of noise is present. The same applies to the determination of the location on the basis of a frequency spectrum.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, multiple noise maps of multiple locations together form a map map, i. a record of noise maps. The map is preferably multi-dimensional. The noise situation is parameterized by the two parameters time and place. The location is preferably as described above two-dimensional or in a likewise suitable variant three-dimensional. The time is preferably one-dimensional, but in a likewise suitable variant multidimensional. Overall, the map is thus corresponding three or four-dimensional, the dimension of the noise situation is not included. The noise situation is thus stored in a multi-dimensional map map and parameterized by time and place. This results in a comprehensive database from which is selected with high accuracy at a particular location and at a particular time suitable program for the hearing aid.

The determination of the location based on the current location of the user is not necessarily clearly possible. For example, when determining the location using GPS, it is difficult to distinguish between superimposed locations. It is understood by "superimposed places" that several Although places have the same or similar, in particular two-dimensional coordinates, but are arranged at different heights. In such places, however, different noise situations may be present which require different programs for the hearing aid. For example, a building, such as a church, arranged above a subway station or in a high-rise are arranged on different floors rooms with different functions, such as a bedroom and a study. In an expedient refinement, the current noise situation is then recognized as a function of location by determining a location of the user, in particular by means of GPS in a two-dimensional space, and by additionally using an auxiliary variable, by means of which different locations at the location are distinguished. The auxiliary size is also referred to as auxiliary parameter. The location recognition is thus advantageously supported by the use of the auxiliary size. This serves above all the more precise determination of the place, which may not be clearly determinable.

The auxiliary quantity is preferably a parameter as described above in connection with the determination of the location type, e.g. a map information, a reverberation time, a noise, a frequency spectrum, or a quantity derived therefrom. The auxiliary size is determined in particular during operation and in particular as needed. The auxiliary size represents additional information which advantageously enables decision-making in the case of insufficient or ambiguous location information. Such decision-making is expediently also carried out, preferably when several places or types of places come into question.

Particularly suitable is a development in which the noise map is assigned a location and in which ebendieses noise map is used to detect the noise situation when the user is staying at that location, which is assigned to the noise map. In other words, a separate noise map is stored for each location, which is then used when the user enters the corresponding location. In the method, the location is then first determined and then depending on the location of the corresponding Noise map selected. In addition, the time is determined and then determines the noise situation in the selected noise map, which is assigned to the determined time, ie which is stored for the determined time.

Preferably, the noise map is provided by an external device. In other words, the noise map is stored outside the hearing aid and on an external device. The external device is preferably a server or a smartphone. An external device has the particular advantage that it has significantly more space than the hearing aid and also has a higher computing capacity and also has a larger power supply. As a result, the hearing aid is advantageously relieved in terms of space and energy consumption. In a first variant, the external device merely serves as a memory for one or more noise maps and then transmits this / these to the hearing aid. The transmission takes place in particular when required, for example when entering the location whose noise map is subsequently transmitted. For example, a restaurant has a noise map on its own server and sends it to users as soon as they enter the restaurant. Also, a cloud solution with a centralized server, which then keeps noise maps stored for multiple locations, is suitable. From this server, in particular several users can query the respectively required noise maps as needed. For this purpose, the hearing aid, for example, via the Internet directly connected to the server or indirectly, for example. via a smartphone. In this way, it is also advantageously possible for the user, in recourse to the noise maps, to determine in advance those locations which are particularly quiet or fulfill other user-specific requirements.

Suitably, to determine the location, to determine the time, to recognize the current noise situation or for a combination thereof, an external device is used, which is connected to the hearing aid for data exchange. The external device is in particular the external device described above. To determine the noise situation on the basis of a noise map, which is stored, stored or provided on an external device, either the noise map is suitably transmitted to the hearing aid or time and place are transmitted to the external device and this then determines the current noise situation and transmits it to the hearing aid. The external device is, as already mentioned above, in particular a smartphone, especially for locating. Alternatively or additionally, the external device is a server. Such is particularly suitable for time determination and to detect the noise situation.

The noise map has been determined in advance in particular, for example by the user himself by the hearing aid regularly determines the noise situation, for example via a noise analysis as mentioned above, and then provides and stores this noise situation with a place stamp and a time stamp. Appropriately, this is done automatically by the hearing aid. Several such measurements are then assembled into a noise map and are available for later retrieval.

In the noise map is generally stored the noise situation. The noise situation is stored in an expedient embodiment in the form of a situational parameter depending on location and time. More precisely, in the noise map, several values of the situation parameter are stored at different locations and at different times, that is, depending on location and time. In particular, exactly one value is stored for a given location and time. The noise map thus contains a specific parameter relevant to the selection of the optimal program. The noise situation is then determined by first determining the location and time, then locating in the noise map of the situation parameters as a function of time and location, and then determining the noise situation on the basis of the situation parameter. Accordingly, the noise situation is then parameterized in a location-dependent and time-dependent manner.

The situation parameter, in a suitable embodiment, is a noise situation or program for the hearing aid, i. in the noise map directly the location and time-dependent noise situation or the program suitable for this purpose is stored. However, this embodiment is not mandatory, but rather a single parameter is often sufficient to characterize the noise situation. In a suitable variant, the situation parameter is therefore a concrete property of sound situations in general and noises or locations in particular. Such properties are in particular volume, i. Level, frequency spectrum, transitivity, i. Duration, reverberation time, noise power and the like. Based on the situation parameter then the noise situation is determined and the appropriate program selected.

In a suitable embodiment, a volume level as a function of time is stored in the noise map as a situation parameter. In the noise map is so dependent on location and time, the volume level, in short the volume stored. The noise map thus shows the time-dependent volume level at a particular location. The location-dependent and time-dependent determination of the noise situation then corresponds to a determination of the volume at a given location at a given time via a particularly known data record, namely the noise map. A volume measurement on site is not necessary and therefore such a volume measurement for the selection of the program is preferably omitted. Depending on the detected, i. From the noise map determined volume level then a suitable program for the hearing aid is selected and set.

Preferably, the situation parameter is stored two-dimensionally with respect to time as a function of the time of day and the day of the week. The noise map then forms a map with two timelines and with the situation parameter on a third axis. Overall, there is a height profile, in which can be distinguished in an advantageous manner already purely visually by the user quiet periods of loud periods. The two-dimensional design takes into account in particular the consideration that even a daytime-dependent detection of the noise situation can still potentially be faulty. By a separate consideration of time of day and day of the week is the detection of the noise situation then significantly improved. For example, this advantageously takes into account that at certain locations on weekends different noise situations prevail than on working days.

Suitably, the hearing aid measures a situation parameter, whereby a measured value is generated, and this measured value is provided with a local stamp and a time stamp and stored in one, in particular the noise map. In this way noise maps are generated for later use. As mentioned above, the situation parameter is preferably the volume level. This is measured in particular with a microphone. The microphone is expediently a microphone of the hearing device, so that therefore the noise map is populated directly by means of the hearing aid with data. The user thus contributes in particular continuously to improving the noise map in those places, which he visited as regularly as possible. The time stamp and the place stamp are each also generated by the hearing aid or by an external device or both.

It is particularly expedient, alternatively or in addition to the hearing aid, to use other sources for measuring and equipping the noise characteristic field. In a suitable embodiment, the noise map is composed of a plurality of measurements obtained from other hearing aids, i. in particular hearing aids of other users, and / or measured by other sources. In this case, other sources are advantageously used as the hearing aid of the user and thus significantly increases the amount of data in the noise map. Other sources generally include devices with a microphone, such as cash machines or traffic lights, and especially smartphones and surveillance cameras. The aim is generally a comprehensive collection of measured values of the situation parameter in order to obtain the most accurate noise map for a given location.

A hearing aid according to the invention can be operated by means of one of the methods described above and is preferably also operated with such a method. The hearing aid, in particular as also already described above, has a control unit which is designed such that a current noise situation is detected both location-dependent and time-dependent, and that of the programs is selected and set, which is assigned to the current noise situation.

Fig. 1

ein Hörgerät und externe Geräte,

Fig. 2

ein Geräuschkennfeld für einen bestimmten Ort, und

Fig. 3

ein Verfahren zum Betrieb des Hörgeräts.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In each case schematically show:

Fig. 1

a hearing aid and external devices,

Fig. 2

a noise map for a specific location, and

Fig. 3

a method for operating the hearing aid.

In Fig. 1 a hearing aid 2 is shown, which is carried by a user, not shown, and which is connected to external devices 4, 6 connected to the data exchange, namely with a smartphone 4 and a server 6. The arrangement and connection of the devices shown here is only one Example. The hearing device 2 and the smartphone 4 each have a microphone 8.

The hearing device 2 also has a control unit 10, which automatically switches the hearing aid between different programs. In the process, a current noise situation is first recognized and then a suitable program is selected and set.

The noise situation is determined by time and place dependent on a noise map 12. An exemplary noise map 12 is shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown. This contains for a specific location a situation parameter S, here the volume level at this location, as a function of time Z1, Z2. In Fig. 2 the time Z1, Z2 is represented two-dimensionally, namely as time of day Z1 and as day of the week Z2. It can thus be determined from the noise map 12 at which time of day Z1 and on what day of the week Z2 it is as loud at the corresponding location.

This also gives the noise situation, e.g. as loud or quiet. With regard to this noise situation, a suitable program is then selected and set in order to ensure an optimal supply of the user in the specific noise situation.

In Fig. 3 the course of a method for operating the hearing device 2 is shown schematically. First, a location determination S1, in which it is determined at which location the user resides. Based on the location, ie location-dependent, a noise map 12 is selected in a selection step S3, which is assigned to the location and contains the noise situation at different times Z1, Z2. In addition, a time determination S2, in which the current time Z1, Z2 is determined, for example, as the time of day Z1 and day Z2. Based on the determined time Z1, Z2 takes place in a recognition step S4 from the noise map 12 of the situation parameter S at the given time Z1, Z2 determined and thus the current noise situation detected. Based on this, a suitable program is then selected and set in a setting step S5.

A respective noise map 12 is generated by the situation parameter S is repeatedly measured and provided with a location and timestamp and stored. A noise map 12 is generated, for example, by the user himself by regularly determining the noise situation with his hearing device 2, for example via a noise analysis, and then providing and storing this noise situation with a location stamp and a time stamp. Several such measurements are then merged into a noise map 12 and are then available for later retrieval. The noise map is stored for example on the hearing aid 2 and / or on an external device 4, 6.

In this way, noise maps 12 are generated for later use. In the example shown, the situation parameter S is the volume level. This is measured with a microphone 8, which is a microphone 8, for example, the hearing aid 2 or the smartphone 4 or another device. When using the Microphones 8 of the hearing aid 2, the user contributes even continuously to improve the noise map 12 at those places, which he visits regularly. In this case, the time stamp and the place stamp are also each generated by the hearing device 2 and / or by an external device 4, 6. When using the microphone 8 of the smartphone 4 or generally another source for measuring and for equipping the noise map 12 other sources are used as the hearing device 2 of the user and thus the amount of data in the noise map 12 significantly increased. Alternatively or in addition to the smartphone 4, other sources include ATMs, traffic lights or surveillance cameras. The aim is generally a comprehensive collection of measured values of the situation parameter S, in order to obtain the most accurate noise map 12 for a given location.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

hearing Aid

4

Smartphone

6

server

8th

microphone

10

control unit

12

Noise map

S

situation parameters

S1

localization

S2

timing

S3

selection step

S4

recognition step

S5

adjusting

Z1

daytime

Z2

weekday

Claims (15)

Method for operating a hearing device (2) which can be worn by a user and which has a number of programs which are each assigned to a noise situation, - Where a current noise situation is detected both location-dependent and time-dependent, and - Wherein the one of the programs is selected and set, which is assigned to the current noise situation. Method according to the preceding claim,
characterized,
that the current sound situation is recognized depending on the location, by determining at what location the user is staying current, preferably by means of a GPS system. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the current sound situation is determined by means of a location and time-dependent noise characteristic field (12) containing the noise situation at a particular location as a function of time (Z1, Z2). Method according to the preceding claim,
characterized,
that the noise situation is determined location-dependent by a location typing is performed, in which a current location type is determined, and
that the noise situation in a noise map (12) for the current location type is determined time-dependent. Method according to one of claims 3 or 4,
characterized,
a plurality of noise maps (12) of several locations together form a map of the map. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5,
characterized,
that the current sound situation is recognized depending on the location by a location of the user is determined especially by means of GPS in two-dimensional space and by an auxiliary variable is used in addition, by means of which different places distinguished at the site. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6,
characterized,
that the noise map (12) is associated with a place, and that the noise map (12) is used for the detection of the noise situation, if the user is present at that place is assigned to the noise map (12). Method according to one of claims 3 to 7,
characterized,
that the noise map (12) is provided from an external device (4, 6). Method according to one of claims 3 to 8,
characterized,
in that for determining the location, for determining the time (Z1, Z2), for recognizing the current noise situation or for a combination thereof, an external device (4, 6) is used, which is connected to the hearing device (2) for data exchange. Method according to one of claims 3 to 9,
characterized,
that in the noise map (12) a situation parameter (S) is stored in a location-dependent and time-dependent manner,
in that the noise situation is determined by first determining the location and time (Z1, Z2), then locating in the noise map (12) of the situation parameters (S) in a location-dependent and time-dependent manner and then determining the noise situation on the basis of the situation parameter (S). Method according to one of claims 3 to 10,
characterized,
that is stored in the noise map (12) as a position parameter (S) is a volume level as a function of time (Z1, Z2). Method according to one of claims 10 or 11,
characterized,
that the situation parameter (S) two-dimensionally as a function of time of the day in terms of time (Z1) and the weekdays (Z2) is stored. Method according to one of claims 3 to 12,
characterized,
in that the hearing aid (2) measures a situation parameter (S), preferably volume level, whereby a measured value is generated, and that the measured value is provided with a local stamp and a time stamp and is stored in a noise map (12). Method according to one of claims 3 to 13,
characterized,
that the noise map (12) is composed of a plurality of measurement values which of other hearing aids (2) and / or (4) of other sources were measured. Hearing aid (2) which can be operated by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims and which comprises a number of programs which are each associated with a noise situation, with a control unit (10) which is designed such that a current noise situation is detected both location-dependent and time-dependent, and that of the programs is selected and set, which is assigned to the current noise situation.

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