Hearing aids for alarms and other sounds

Abstract

Implementations generally relate to hearing aids. In some implementations, a method includes receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm. The method further includes determining a type of the alarm. The method further includes generating a notification based on the type of alarm.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 693,139, entitled "HEARING AID FOR ALARMS AND OTHER SOUNDS," filed Mar. 11, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. 020699-119500US / Client Docket No. SYP346746US01), which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 693,142, entitled "HEARING AID IN-EAR ANNOUNCEMENTS," filed on March 11, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. 020699-119600US / Client Docket No. SYP346747US01), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 693,145, entitled "HEARING AID FOR COGNITIVE HELP USING SPEAKER RECOGNITION," filed on March 11, 2022 (Attorney Docket No. 020699-119700US / Client Docket No. SYP346748US01), which applications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth in this application. [Background technology]

[0003] Hearing aids assist users with hearing impairments by amplifying sounds to a level that the user can hear. Hearing aids usually detect ambient sounds and amplify all detected ambient sounds. However, some sounds may still be missed. For example, if the original sound is too quiet, the hearing aid may not be able to pick up the sound well enough and amplify it to a level that the user can hear. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Implementations generally relate to hearing aids. In some implementations, a system includes one or more processors and logic encoded in one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media for execution by the one or more processors. The logic, when executed, is operable to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm, determining a type of the alarm, and generating a notification based on the type of alarm.

[0005] Further, of the system, in some implementations, generating the notification is based on urgency. In some implementations, the logic, when executed, is further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including providing the notification at a time based on urgency. In some implementations, the logic, when executed, is further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including playing the alarm on a speaker of the hearing aid. In some implementations, the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm. In some implementations, the notification is an audible message. In some implementations, the notification includes haptic feedback.

[0006] In some implementations, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided having program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, are operable to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm, determining a type of the alarm, and generating a notification based on the type of alarm.

[0007] Further, with respect to the computer-readable storage medium, in some implementations, generating the notification is based on urgency. In some implementations, the instructions, when executed, are further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including providing the notification at a time based on urgency. In some implementations, the instructions, when executed, are further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including playing the alarm on a speaker of the hearing aid. In some implementations, the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm. In some implementations, the notification is an audible message. In some implementations, the notification includes haptic feedback.

[0008] In some implementations, the method includes receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm; determining a type of the alarm; and generating a notification based on the type of alarm.

[0009] Further to the method, in some implementations, generating the notification is based on urgency. In some implementations, the method further includes providing the notification at a time based on urgency. In some implementations, the method further includes playing the alarm on a speaker of the hearing aid. In some implementations, the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm. In some implementations, the notification is an audible message.

[0010] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular implementations disclosed herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example hearing aid and environment for allowing a user to hear alarms and other sounds through the hearing aid that can be used for the implementations described herein. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 illustrates an image of an exemplary hearing aid that can be used for the implementations described herein. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates an image of a hearing aid worn on an ear, according to some implementations. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 illustrates an image of an exemplary hearing aid that can be used for the implementations described herein. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 shows an image of a hearing aid placed in the canal of an ear, according to some implementations. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an example flow diagram for facilitating a user to hear alarms and other sounds through a hearing aid, according to some implementations. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example network environment that can be used for some implementations described herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computer system that can be used for some implementations described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Implementations described herein enable and facilitate a user to hear alarms and other sounds through a hearing aid. As described in more detail herein, in various implementations, a system receives a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm. The system further determines a type of alarm. The system further generates a notification to the user of the hearing aid based on the type of alarm.

[0013] Implementations allow a user to receive such notifications in real time as they are walking around their home or other locations (e.g., around town). In various implementations, the system provides in-ear notifications so that the hearing aid user hears the notification but others nearby do not hear the notification, thus discreetly notifying the user without disturbing others or interrupting a conversation between the user and others.

[0014] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary hearing aid 100 and environment for allowing a user to hear alarms and other sounds through the hearing aid that can be used for the implementations described herein. As shown, the environment includes a hearing aid 100, which includes a system 102, a microphone 104, and a speaker 106.

[0015] In various implementations, the system 102 of the hearing aid 100 can communicate with the Internet directly or through a mobile device such as a smartphone, computer, etc. By enabling the hearing aid 100 to connect to a mobile device that connects to the Internet or other networks, the hearing aid 100 can continuously stream audio to the Internet for analysis by a web server. The system 102 can communicate with the Internet or another device, such as a mobile device, through any suitable communication network, such as a Bluetooth network, a Wi-Fi network, etc.

[0016] As described in more detail herein, the system 102 of the hearing aid 100 receives external sounds, including various types of sounds from the surrounding environment. The hearing aid 100 may generally amplify and / or attenuate the detected sounds according to implementations described herein. In various implementations, the sounds may include alarm sounds. In various implementations, the system 102 provides a notification to a user wearing the hearing aid 100. The notification may provide information about the alarm, such as the type of alarm, any urgency associated with the alarm, etc.

[0017] In some implementations, the system 102 attenuates the detected sound to allow a user wearing the hearing aid 100 to better hear any alarm information provided by the system 102. Further implementations regarding the operation of the hearing aid 100 are described in more detail herein, for example in relation to FIG.

[0018] For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows one block for each of the system 102, microphone 104, and speaker 106. The blocks 102, 104, and 106 can represent multiple systems, microphones, and speakers, depending on the particular implementation. In other implementations, the hearing aid 100 may not have all the components shown, and / or may have other elements, including other types of elements, instead of or in addition to the components shown herein. Also, although some implementations are described herein in the context of a single hearing aid, these implementations also apply to multiple hearing aids. For example, in some scenarios, a user may wear a single hearing aid on one ear. In some scenarios, a user may wear a hearing aid on one ear and a second hearing aid on the other ear.

[0019] Although the system 102 performs the implementations described herein, in other implementations, any suitable component or combination of components associated with the system 102, or any suitable processor or processors associated with the system 102, may facilitate performing the implementations described herein.

[0020] Figure 2A is an image of an example hearing aid 200 that can be used for implementations described herein. Figure 2B is an image of the hearing aid 200 worn on an ear 202, according to some implementations. As shown, the hearing aid 200 is worn on the outside of the ear 202 and wraps around the top of the ear 202. In various implementations, the hearing aid receiver is inserted into the ear canal of the ear.

[0021] FIG 3A is an image of an exemplary hearing aid 300 that can be used for implementations described herein. FIG 3B is an image of a hearing aid 300 placed in the ear canal of an ear 302, according to some implementations. As shown, the hearing aid 300 is difficult to see when inserted in the ear canal of the ear 302. The hearing aids shown in FIGS 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are exemplary implementations of hearing aid hardware. The specific type of hearing aid hardware can vary depending on the implementation.

[0022] 4 is an example flow diagram for facilitating a user to hear alarms and other sounds via a hearing aid, according to some implementations. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the method begins at block 402, where a system, such as system 102, receives a sound at a hearing aid. In various implementations described herein, the sound is an alarm. Although various implementations are described herein in the context of an alarm sound, the sound can refer to any sound that may require the attention of a user wearing the hearing aid.

[0023] In various implementations, a hearing aid such as hearing aid 100 detects sounds, including very faint or barely perceptible sounds that may not be noticed by a user. In various implementations, examples of sounds detected and received by hearing aid 100 include fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, end of cycle chimes / alarms from a washer or dryer, end of cooking cycle sounds from a microwave, whistling of a kettle, fire engine sirens, police sirens, emergency alert messages, car horns, the user's car alarm going off, a baby crying, a dog barking, a cat meowing, a knock on the door, a doorbell, a motor sound, glass breaking, a security alarm, splashes (e.g., when a child is around a pool), crashes, moans, cries, squeals, a person's name, a ringtone or chime from the user's cell phone, etc. These are examples of sounds, and hearing aid 100 can detect other types of sounds.

[0024] At block 404, the system determines the type of alarm based on the sound of the alarm. In various implementations, the system can be configured to listen for certain types of alarms that the user considers important and may not otherwise hear (e.g., fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, etc.). The system can allow the user to configure such sounds via a software application on a device, such as a mobile device that controls the hearing aid. In various implementations, the system can detect and distinguish new sounds and record samples of such sounds. The system can then analyze the sounds locally and / or transmit the sounds over the Internet for further processing and analysis.

[0025] In block 406, the system generates a notification based on the type of alarm. In various implementations, the system generates and / or provides an in-ear announcement at a moment based on one or more predefined notification policies. For example, in various implementations, the predefined policy may be that the system generates a notification based on urgency. In some implementations, the predefined notification policy may be that an emergency message is delivered immediately. For example, the system may determine that a particular sound is a fire alarm, which has a high urgency. Once generated, the system may provide the notification based on the notification policy, as described below.

[0026] In various implementations, as a predefined policy, the system can provide notifications at times based on urgency. In various implementations, the system can allow a user to configure the system to provide an emergency alert immediately. In the fire alarm example, the system can provide an immediate notification to the user so that the user can take immediate action (e.g., leave the building, call the fire department, etc.).

[0027] In some implementations, a predefined notification policy may be to deliver non-urgent messages at a delayed time (e.g., on the hour, during a conversation, etc.). For example, the system may determine that a particular sound is the sound of a dryer, which may have a low urgency. In various implementations, the system may allow a user to configure the system to provide less urgent alarms immediately or with a delayed time. In the example of an alarm indicating that a dryer cycle has completed, the system may provide an immediate notification to the user if the user so desires.

[0028] In some implementations, a predefined notification policy may be that the system provides a notification when the hearing aid does not detect any other sounds (e.g., speech, etc.). For example, if the user is having a conversation with another person, the system may wait for a gap in the conversation before delivering a particular alarm (e.g., a non-emergency alarm, etc.). In another example, the system may provide a notification at the following time. The particular delay may vary depending on the particular implementation.

[0029] In various implementations, as a given annunciation policy, the system may estimate the distance of a given alarm sound. For example, an indoor fire alarm may be estimated to be close because it is loud. The system may assign the fire alarm a high urgency and deliver the alarm and / or alarm notification accordingly (e.g., immediately). In another example, a fire truck siren may be estimated to be quiet and therefore far away. The system may assign the fire truck siren a low urgency and deliver the alarm and / or alarm notification accordingly (e.g., delayed, marked as non-emergency, etc.).

[0030] In various implementations, the system plays the alarm on the hearing aid speaker. In various implementations, the system can increase the volume of the alarm to a level louder than other non-alarm sounds. The alarm played can simply be louder or significantly louder than other sounds to better alert the user in a timely manner. In some implementations, the alarm sound can be played in such a way that the alarm sound is simply amplified. In some implementations, the alarm sound can be played in such a way that the alarm sound is recorded and then played immediately or at a delayed time.

[0031] In various implementations, the notification is a second alarm that is derived from the alarm. For example, rather than amplifying or recording a given sound or alarm, the system can determine the type of alarm and generate a second alarm that represents the first alarm. For example, if the system determines that the alarm is a fire alarm, it can generate a second alarm that is a verbal announcement (e.g., "Fire!", "Evacuate! Fire!", etc.). This is an example of a notification being an audible message.

[0032] In various implementations, the system can provide the user with a lexicon of sounds that the user can assign to specific types of sounds detected. The system can also allow the user to customize verbal messages to assign to specific types of sounds. For example, if the alarm is a microwave, the system can generate an appropriate second alarm, which is also a verbal announcement (e.g., "food is ready"). Alternatively, for any given type of alarm, the system can generate a second alarm that is a special sound. For example, the second alarm for a microwave can be one type of sound (e.g., a ding). The second alarm for a doorbell can be another type of sound (e.g., a doorbell sound).

[0033] In various implementations, the notification includes haptic feedback. For example, the system can be used in conjunction with motion and / or orientation sensors. If the user wears the sensor while sleeping, the hearing aid worn by the user can wake the user using haptic feedback (e.g., vibration, pulse, etc.), optionally in combination with sound, to wake the user and enable the user to address the emergency situation.

[0034] In another example, the system can be configured to respond to a person's name. The person's name can be the name of the hearing aid user / wearer. For example, if another person is calling out to the hearing aid user, the system detects the user's name. The system can amplify the user's name or make a sound corresponding to the user's name to get the user's attention. The system can be trained on the person's name using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Other detectable names are possible. For example, a hearing aid user may want to hear if another user is calling out the name of another person or pet for various reasons.

[0035] In some implementations, the system may attenuate or filter certain sounds that may not be important for the user to hear. For example, the system may attenuate background noises such as wind and traffic. This allows the user to more easily distinguish between important sounds (e.g., alarms, notifications, announcements, etc.) and less important sounds (e.g., wind, traffic, etc.). The system may utilize any suitable frequency attenuation or noise cancellation technique.

[0036] In some implementations, if a user wears hearing aids in both ears, the system may provide alarms, notifications, announcements, etc. to the user in one hearing aid but not in the other, allowing the system to provide different types of information simultaneously. In such a scenario, the system may increase the volume of alarms, notifications, and announcements to a level higher than other ambient sounds.

[0037] As mentioned above, the system can also establish communication between the hearing aid and the mobile device and access the Internet via the mobile device, thus allowing the hearing aid to send and receive data to and from the Internet via the mobile device, which is beneficial in that the hearing aid can utilize the power and other resources of the mobile device.

[0038] In some implementations, the hearing aid, when connected to a mobile device and the Internet, can facilitate the mobile device receiving emergency broadcast system alerts, such as evacuation notices during natural disasters, that may be transmitted to the hearing aid. Also, in some implementations, the hearing aid can be configured to listen for a specific safe word (e.g., "Help!"). Such a safe word can trigger a call to emergency services via the mobile device (e.g., a smartphone). This may be the case if the user falls and is unable to reach the phone to call emergency services.

[0039] Although steps, operations, or computations may be presented in a particular order, this order may be changed in particular implementations. Other orders of steps are possible, depending on the particular implementation. In some particular implementations, multiple steps shown sequentially herein may be performed simultaneously. Also, some implementations may not have all steps shown and / or may have other steps instead of or in addition to the steps shown herein.

[0040] The implementations described herein provide a variety of benefits, for example, they enable and facilitate a user to hear alarms and other sounds through a hearing aid, and they also determine the type of alarm and provide a notification to the user.

[0041] 5 is a block diagram of an example network environment 500 that can be used for some implementations described herein. In some implementations, the network environment 500 includes a system 502 that includes a server device 504 and a database 506. For example, the system 502 can be used to implement a system of mobile devices in communication with the hearing aids described herein and to perform the implementations described herein.

[0042] The network environment 500 also includes client devices 510 and 520, which may represent two hearing aids worn by the user U1. For example, one client device may represent a hearing aid for the right ear and the other client device may represent a hearing aid for the left ear. The client devices 510 and 520 may communicate with the system 502 and / or may communicate with each other directly or via the system 502. The network environment 500 also includes a network 550 over which the system 502 and the client devices 510 and 520 communicate. The network 550 may be any suitable communication network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth network, the Internet, etc.

[0043] Although system 502 is shown separate from client devices 510 and 520, variations of system 502 may be integrated into client device 510 and / or client device 520, allowing each of client devices 510 and 520 to communicate directly with the Internet or another network.

[0044] For ease of explanation, Figure 5 shows one block for each of system 502, server device 504, and network database 506. Blocks 502, 504, and 506 may represent multiple systems, server devices, and network databases. Also, there may be any number of client devices. In other implementations, environment 500 may not have all of the components shown and / or may have other elements, including other types of elements, instead of or in addition to the components shown herein.

[0045] The server device 504 of the system 502 performs the implementations described herein, although in other implementations any suitable component or combination of components associated with the system 502, or any suitable processor or processors associated with the system 502, may facilitate performing the implementations described herein.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 600 that can be used for some implementations described herein. For example, computer system 600 can be used to implement server device 504 of FIG. 5 and / or system 102 of FIG. 1 as well as to perform implementations described herein. In some implementations, computer system 600 can include a processor 602, an operating system 604, a memory 606, and an input / output (I / O) interface 608. In various implementations, processor 602 can be used to implement various functions and features described herein as well as to perform implementations of methods described herein. Although processor 602 is described as performing implementations described herein, any suitable component or combination of components of computer system 600, or any suitable processor or processors associated with computer system 600 or any suitable system, can perform the steps described. The implementations described herein can be performed on a user device, a server, or a combination of both.

[0047] Computer system 600 also includes software applications 610, which may be stored in memory 606 or any other suitable storage location or computer-readable medium. The software applications 610 provide instructions that enable processor 602 to perform implementation and other functions described herein. The software applications 610 may also include engines, such as a network engine, for performing various functions associated with one or more networks and network communications. The components of computer system 600 may be implemented by one or more processors or any combination of hardware devices, and any combination of hardware, software, firmware, etc.

[0048] 6 illustrates one block for each of processor 602, operating system 604, memory 606, I / O interfaces 608, and software applications 610. These blocks 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610 may represent multiple processors, operating systems, memories, I / O interfaces, and software applications. In various implementations, computer system 600 may have less than all of the components illustrated and / or may have other elements including other types of components instead of or in addition to the components illustrated herein.

[0049] Although described in connection with specific implementations, these specific implementations are merely exemplary and not limiting, and the concepts illustrated in the examples may be applied to other examples and implementations.

[0050] In various implementations, the software is encoded on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media for execution by one or more processors, and when executed by the one or more processors, the software is operable to perform the implementations and other functions described herein.

[0051] Any suitable programming language may be used to implement the routines of a particular implementation, including C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, assembly language, etc. Different programming techniques may be used, such as procedural or object-oriented. The routines may be executed on a single processing device or multiple processors. Although steps, operations, or computations may be presented in a particular order, this order may be changed in different particular implementations. In some particular implementations, multiple steps shown as sequential in this specification may be executed simultaneously.

[0052] Certain implementations may be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (also referred to as a machine-readable storage medium) for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Certain implementations may be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic, when executed by one or more processors, is operable to perform the implementations and other functions described herein. For example, a tangible medium such as a hardware storage device may be used to store the control logic, which may include executable instructions.

[0053] Particular implementations may be implemented using programmable general-purpose digital computers and / or using application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nano-engineered systems, components and mechanisms. In general, the functionality of particular implementations may be achieved by any means known in the art. Distributed, networked systems, components and / or circuits may be used. Communication or transfer of data may be by wire, wireless, or any other means.

[0054] A "processor" may include any suitable hardware and / or software system, mechanism, or component that processes data, signals, or other information. A processor may include a system including a general-purpose central processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuits for implementing functions, or other systems. Processing need not be limited to a geographic location or have time constraints. For example, a processor may perform its functions in "real-time," "offline," "batch mode," etc. Portions of processing may be performed at different times and in different locations by different (or the same) processing systems. A computer may be any processor in communication with a memory. The memory may be any suitable data storage, memory, and / or non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, including electronic storage, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage (such as hard disk drives), flash, optical storage (such as CDs, DVDs), magnetic or optical disks, or other tangible media, suitable for storing instructions (e.g., program or software instructions) for execution by a processor. For example, a tangible medium, such as a hardware storage device, may be used to store control logic, which may include executable instructions. The instructions may also be included in and provided as electronic signals, for example in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS) delivered from a server (eg, a distributed system and / or a cloud computing system).

[0055] It will also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the drawings / figures may be implemented in a more separate or integrated manner, or in some cases deleted or rendered inoperative, as may be useful depending on the particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that may be stored on a machine-readable medium to cause a computer to perform any of the methods described above.

[0056] As used in this description and in the claims that follow, the words "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in this description and in the claims that follow, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0057] Thus, while specific implementations have been described herein, it will be understood that freedom of modification, various changes, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure, and that in some cases, some features of a specific implementation may be used without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementation. Accordingly, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or subject matter to the substantial scope and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100 Hearing aids 102 System 104 Microphone 106 Speaker 200 Hearing aids 202 Ear 300 Hearing aids 302 Ear 402 A sound is received by a hearing aid. The sound is a type of alarm. 404 Determine the alarm type 406 Generate notifications based on alarm type 500 Network environment 502 System 504 Server device 506 Database 510,520 Client Device 550 Network 600 Computer Systems 602 Processor 604 Operating Systems 606 Memory 608 Input / Output (I / O) Interface 610 Software Applications U1 User

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: one or more processors; logic encoded in one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media for execution by the one or more processors, the logic being operable, upon execution, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations; and the operation includes: receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm; Determining a type of alarm; generating a notification based on the type of the alarm; Including, A system characterized by:

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the generation of the notification is based on urgency.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic, when executed, is further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform actions, the actions including providing the notification at a time based on an urgency.

4. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic, when executed, is further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including playing the alarm on a speaker of the hearing aid.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm.

6. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is an audible message.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises haptic feedback.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions, the program instructions being operable, when executed by one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations including: receiving a sound at a hearing aid, the sound being an alarm; Determining a type of alarm; generating a notification based on the type of the alarm; Including, A computer-readable storage medium comprising:

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein generating the notification is based on urgency.

10. 9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed, are further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform actions, the actions including providing the notification at a time based on an urgency.

11. 9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed, are further operable to cause the one or more processors to perform an action, the action including playing the alarm on a speaker of the hearing aid.

12. 9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm.

13. 10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the notification is an audible message.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the notification comprises haptic feedback.

15. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a sound at the hearing aid, the sound being an alarm; determining a type of alarm; generating a notification based on the type of the alarm; Including, A method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the notification is based on urgency.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing the notification at a time based on urgency.

18. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of playing the alarm through a speaker of the hearing aid.

19. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the notification is a second alarm derived from the alarm.

20. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the notification is an audible message.

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