Method for controlling the sound output of a hearing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a sound output of a hearing device, wherein the hearing device comprises basic modifiers adjustable by a user of the hearing device, each basic modifier having a range of basic modifier values ​​selectable by the user, and each basic modifier modifies a sound processing of the hearing device according to the corresponding basic modifier value. The method comprises: receiving a macro modifier value for a macro modifier, wherein the macro modifier is associated with a subset of basic modifiers, and wherein the macro modifier value is selected by the user from the range of macro modifiers; calculating a basic modifier value for each basic modifier in the subset, wherein the basic modifier value is calculated using a predefined function based on the macro modifier value; applying the calculated basic modifier value to the basic modifier, so that the sound processing of the hearing device is performed based on the basic modifier adjusted using the calculated basic modifier value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method, a computer program, a computer readable medium and a hearing system for controlling the sound output of a hearing device. Background Art

[0002] Hearing devices are usually small and complex devices. They can include a processor, microphone, speaker, memory, housing, and other electronic and mechanical components. Some examples of hearing devices are Behind-The-Ear (BTE) devices, Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) devices, In-The-Ear (ITE) devices, Completely-In-Canal (CIC) devices, and Invisible-In-The-Canal (IIC) devices. Based on hearing loss, aesthetic preferences, lifestyle needs, and budget, users may prefer one of these hearing devices over another.

[0003] Hearing devices often have a function (or so-called modifier) ​​for manually adjusting the sound output of the hearing device. For example, the overall volume, treble and bass may be adjustable by such a modifier. For many users and most situations they are in, this may be sufficient.

[0004] However, there are situations where a user may want to modify more than just one modifier at a time. For example, some users may also want to switch their hearing device between clear mode and comfort mode, which would involve modifying other modifiers besides just volume. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to improve the selection and modification of sound modifiers implemented in hearing devices.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling a sound output of a hearing device. The hearing device may be a hearing aid adapted to compensate for a hearing loss of a user. The hearing device may comprise basic modifiers adjustable by a user, each basic modifier having a range of basic modifier values ​​selectable by the user, and each basic modifier modifies a sound processing of the hearing device according to the respective basic modifier value.

[0008] The basic modifier may be a sound modifier, for example, for modifying the overall volume, the volume of a low frequency, a mid frequency or a high frequency range, noise cancellation, dynamics, speech focus, etc. The basic modifier may be adjustable by selecting one of a range of at least two different basic modifier values. For example, the basic modifier value may include a maximum value, a minimum value and / or a neutral value. In addition, the basic modifier value may include an interpolation step between at least two different values ​​(e.g., between a maximum value, a minimum value and / or a neutral value).

[0009] The sound processing may comprise the following steps: receiving a sound signal, e.g. from a microphone and / or via wireless radio transmission; amplifying and / or filtering the sound signal based on the selected basic modifier value; outputting the amplified and / or filtered sound signal to the ear of the user of the hearing device, e.g. via a loudspeaker and / or a so-called receiver. The sound signal may be amplified and / or filtered depending on frequencies comprised in the sound signal.

[0010] The methods described above and below may be automatically performed by a hearing device (or alternatively, by a mobile device in data communication with the hearing device).

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises: receiving a macro modifier value for a macro modifier, wherein the macro modifier is associated with a subset of basic modifiers, and wherein the macro modifier value is selected by a user from a range of macro modifiers; calculating a basic modifier value for each basic modifier in the subset, wherein the basic modifier value is calculated using a predefined function based on the macro modifier value; applying the calculated basic modifier value to the basic modifier, so that sound processing of the hearing device is performed based on the basic modifier adjusted using the calculated basic modifier value.

[0012] The subset of basic modifiers may include at least two different basic modifiers. Thus, a macro modifier may be a modifier for modifying at least two different basic modifiers at once. In other words, by selecting or modifying one macro modifier value, at least two basic modifier values ​​are selected or calculated based on a predefined function. The predefined function may be a function that defines a set of basic modifier values ​​depending on the selected macro modifier value, for example by mathematically calculating the basic modifier values ​​in an input / output operation, or by selecting these basic modifier values ​​in a stored lookup table (the lookup table contains an array of indexed basic modifier values).

[0013] Any existing values ​​of these base modifiers may be overwritten by applying the calculated or selected base modifier values ​​to the corresponding base modifiers.

[0014] The base modifiers and / or macro modifiers may be adjustable via a suitable interface, such as an application on a mobile device with suitable base modifier and / or macro modifier control elements, or dedicated buttons and / or sliders on the hearing device itself. The base modifier values ​​and / or macro modifier values ​​may be displayed to the user as numerical values, such as on a scale of intervals from -n to +n, or as nominal values ​​such as "less", "more", "wide", "narrow", "soft", "loud", "minimum", "neutral" and "maximum".

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined function is a mathematical function and / or a value is selected from a lookup table. The mathematical function and / or the lookup table may be stored in the hearing device. For example, the lookup table may be pre-calculated and stored in a static program storage device, calculated or pre-fetched as part of a program initialization phase (also referred to as memorization), or stored in hardware in a dedicated platform. In general, the mathematical function may be determined by a curve that may be defined by a set of points. The values ​​between these points may then be determined by interpolation. The predefined function may be, for example, a linear function or a function that finds an approximate value based on human perception. This embodiment may allow efficient calculation of the basic modifier values. In particular, by using a lookup table, i.e., by retrieving the basic modifier values ​​from a memory, the savings in processing time may be significant.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the macro modifier range is divided into a first range between a first value and a neutral value and a second range between a neutral value and a second value. In general, the first value and the second value may describe opposite extreme values, such as "maximum comfort" relative to "maximum clarity" or "soft" relative to "loud". For example, as already mentioned above, the first value may be a minimum value, while the second value may be a maximum value. The first range may include only negative values, while the second range may include only positive values. Alternatively, both ranges may include negative and / or positive values. The neutral value may be considered as a reference or starting point for any modification of the macro modifier. Therefore, the neutral value may be zero. For example, the neutral value may correspond to a neutral preset of the basic modifier value. The first range and the second range may both have the same number of discrete values ​​or steps. Alternatively, the first range and the second range may have different numbers of steps. In addition, the values ​​between the steps may be interpolated based on a linear approximation or a perceptual approximation, which may depend on the number and / or range of the steps.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, when a macro modifier value is selected from a first range, the base modifier value is calculated using a first predefined function. Additionally or alternatively, when a macro modifier value is selected from a second range, the base modifier value may be calculated using a second predefined function. For example, the two functions may be used to look up the base modifier value in different lookup tables, or may describe different curves for calculating the base modifier value. It is also possible that the first function is a linear function and the second function is a non-linear function, or vice versa. This embodiment allows asymmetric sound processing depending on the selected range.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a macro modifier value is selected from a first range, the value of at least one volume modifier is reduced and / or the value of at least one additional basic modifier is increased. In addition or alternatively, when a macro modifier value is selected from a second range, the value of at least one volume modifier can be increased and / or the value of at least one additional basic modifier can be reduced. The volume modifier can modify the total volume or specify the volume of a specific frequency band such as a treble range, a middle volume range or a bass range. The additional basic modifier can modify dynamics (e.g., emphasizing soft sounds and / or limiting loud sounds), noise cancellation or beamforming, which can be used to focus on speech. For example, when a macro modifier value is selected from a first range, the total volume can be reduced, while the limit on loud sounds can be increased. Conversely, when a macro modifier value is selected from a second range, the total volume can be increased, while the limit on loud sounds can be reduced, in order to emphasize soft sounds. This can allow simple frequency-dependent volume control.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a macro modifier value is selected from the second range, the value of at least one other additional basic modifier is increased. For example, when the limitation on loud sounds is reduced in order to emphasize soft sounds, speech focus and / or noise cancellation can be increased accordingly. In this way, the clarity of the output sound signal can be improved.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the additional basic modifier is a dynamic modifier for emphasizing soft sounds and / or limiting loud sounds. Additionally or alternatively, other additional basic modifiers may be noise cancellation modifiers and / or speech focus modifiers. As exemplarily described above, this may have the advantage of improving intelligibility by selecting a single (macro modifier) ​​value.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a macro modifier value is selected from a first range, the value of the total volume and / or the value of the treble volume and / or the value of the middle volume is reduced. Additionally or alternatively, when a macro modifier value is selected from a second range, the value of the total volume may be increased and / or not modified, and / or the value of the treble volume and / or the value of the middle volume may be increased. The total volume may be the total amplification level of the sound signal. The treble volume may be a frequency-dependent volume of a high frequency range including frequencies above 4kHz. The middle volume may be a frequency-dependent volume of an intermediate frequency range including frequencies between 2kHz and 4kHz. This may allow the frequency-dependent volumes to be modified by selecting a macro modifier value.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: providing a user interface to a mobile device of the user, wherein the user interface comprises a macro modifier control element changeable by the user for selecting a macro modifier value; when the user has selected a macro modifier value: sending the selected macro modifier value from the mobile device to the hearing device. The mobile device may be a device carried by the user, such as a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop. The user interface may be part of an application provided by the mobile device. The present application may be considered as a computer program for adjusting parameters in a hearing device. The user interface may comprise a graphical interface for operating the computer program. The mobile device may be connectable to the hearing aid via a wired or wireless data communication network (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a mobile Internet connection) in order to transmit the selected macro modifier value. Optionally, the mobile device itself may be configured to calculate a basic modifier value based on the selected macro modifier value and send the calculated basic modifier value to the hearing device. The macro modifier control element may be a button, a slider or an input field for inputting a macro modifier value. This may allow for a user-friendly configuration of the sound output of the hearing device. Another advantage may be that the user interface is easy to update.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: presenting a user interface to a mobile device of the user, wherein the user interface comprises a basic modifier control element changeable by the user for selecting a basic modifier value; when the user has selected the basic modifier value: sending the selected basic modifier value from the mobile device to the hearing device and overwriting the calculated basic modifier value that has been calculated based on the macro modifier value. Similar to the macro modifier control element, the basic modifier control element may be a button, a slider or an input field for inputting a basic modifier value.

[0024] For example, the user interface may provide both macro modifier control elements and basic modifier control elements for maximum configurability of the sound output of the hearing device. In this case, the basic modifier control elements may change visually according to changes in the macro modifier control elements. This enables the user to see how changes in the macro modifiers affect the basic modifiers.

[0025] The user interface may provide a locked mode in which the base modifier control element is locked so that the base modifier may only be changed via the macro modifier control element (ie, via calculation based on a selected macro modifier value and a predefined function).

[0026] The user interface may also provide an unlocked mode, in which the base modifier control elements are unlocked so that the base modifiers may be changed manually and / or by macro modifier control elements. In this case, the base modifier values ​​resulting from the manual change of the corresponding base modifier control elements may overwrite the previously calculated base modifier values. For example, the user interface may also provide a reset function to reset the base modifiers to the previously calculated base modifier values.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program which, when executed in a processor, is adapted to perform the steps of the method described above and in the following.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer readable medium in which such a computer program is stored. Generally speaking, the computer readable medium can be a floppy disk, a hard disk, a USB (universal serial bus) storage device, a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory) or a flash memory. The computer readable medium can also be a data communication network (e.g., the Internet) that allows downloading program code. Generally speaking, the computer readable medium can be a non-transitory medium or a temporary medium.

[0029] For example, the computer program may be executed in a processor of a hearing device, which hearing device may be carried behind the ear of a user, for example. The computer readable medium may be a memory of the hearing device. The computer program may also be at least partially executed by a processor of a mobile device. The computer readable medium may be a memory of the mobile device. It may be that some steps of the method as described above and below are performed by the hearing device, while some other steps of the method as described above and below are performed by the mobile device.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a hearing system adapted to perform the method as described above and below. The hearing system may comprise a hearing device and optionally a mobile device providing a user interface as described above. The hearing device and / or the mobile device may comprise a processor and a memory in which a computer program is stored. The hearing device may comprise a microphone for acquiring sound signals, which sound signals are processed using the method as described above and below.

[0031] It has to be understood that features of the method as described above and below may be features of the computer program, the computer readable medium and the hearing system as described above and below, and vice versa.

[0032] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 A hearing system according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.

[0035] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a macro modifier for controlling dynamic volume Figure 1 User interface.

[0036] Figure 3 Schematic showing a macro modifier for controlling comfort and clarity Figure 1 User interface.

[0037] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a method for controlling sound output of a hearing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] The reference numerals used in the figures and their meanings are listed in summary form in the list of reference numerals. In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a hearing system 100 having a hearing device 102 in the form of a behind-the-ear device and a mobile device 104. It has to be noted that the hearing device 102 is a specific embodiment and the methods described herein may also be performed by other types of hearing devices, such as in-ear devices.

[0040] The hearing device 102 includes a housing 106 placed behind the ear of the user, a dome tip inserted into the external auditory canal of the ear, and a tubular body 110 connecting the housing 106 with the dome tip 108. In the housing 106, a microphone 111, a sound processor 112, and a sound output device 114, such as a speaker or a receiver, are provided. The housing 106 may also contain a battery. The microphone 111 may acquire ambient sound and generate a sound signal accordingly. The sound processor 112 may amplify the sound signal. The sound output device 114 may generate sound, which is guided into the ear canal of the user through the tubular 110 and the dome tip 108.

[0041] The hearing device 102 may further comprise a processor 116 adapted to adjust parameters of the sound processor 112. These parameters control frequency-dependent and / or volume-dependent amplification of the sound signal. The parameters may comprise, among other examples, basic modifier parameters for modifying the sound signal using different basic modifiers, such as volume, bass, treble, noise cancellation, speech focus, dynamics, etc.

[0042] The parameters may be determined by a computer program running in the processor 116. The housing 106 may have a button 118 (e.g., a knob) for selecting a base modifier and a level and / or value of the selected base modifier. These levels and / or values ​​may then be applied to the sound signal by the sound processor 112. The function may be implemented as a computer program stored in the memory 120 of the hearing device 102. The computer program may be executed by the processor 116.

[0043] The hearing device 102 may further comprise a transmitter / receiver 122 for wireless data communication with, for example, a transmitter / receiver 124 of a mobile device 104, which may be a smartphone or a tablet. The above-mentioned basic modifiers and / or their levels and / or values ​​may also be adjusted using the mobile device 104. This may be performed using a computer program running in a processor 126 of the mobile device 104 and stored in a memory 128 of the mobile device 104. The computer program may provide a graphical user interface 130 on a display 132 of the mobile device 104.

[0044] To adjust the base modifier, the user interface 130 may include, for example, Figure 1 , which is used to select a macro modifier value 136 of the macro modifier. A macro modifier is associated with a subset of the basic modifiers to be adjusted. The selected macro modifier value 136 can then be sent to the hearing device 102. Alternatively or additionally, the user can select the macro modifier value 136 using the hearing device 102 itself, for example via the button 118.

[0045] Macro modifier value 136 may be selected from a macro modifier range 138 that includes a first range 139 between first value 140 and neutral value 142 and a second range 143 between neutral value 142 and second value 144. The three values ​​140, 142, 144 are each indicated by a vertical line.

[0046] Based on the macro modifier value 136, the hearing device 102 may calculate the parameters of each elementary modifier in the subset using a predefined function and correspondingly change the parameters of the sound processor 112. Parameters corresponding to the macro modifier values ​​136 between the three values ​​140, 142, 144 may be interpolated by the mobile device 104. The interpolation region of the macro modifier range 138 may be indicated by two facing arrows.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device 104 may calculate the parameters of each basic modifier in the subset using a predefined function based on the macro modifier value 136. In this case, the calculated parameters may be sent to the hearing device 102, which may then change the parameters of the sound processor 112 accordingly.

[0048] The user interface 130 may also include several base modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152, each of which may be used to manually select a base modifier value 154 for a corresponding base modifier. The base modifier value 154 may be considered as a parameter of the base modifier. The manually selected base modifier value 154 may then be sent to the hearing device 102, which may correspondingly change the parameters of the sound processor 112. In particular, the hearing device 102 may overwrite the previously calculated parameters for the base modifier with the manually selected base modifier value 154.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, base modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152 may be changed using macro modifier control element 134. In this case, based on selected macro modifier value 136, mobile device 104 may calculate base modifier value 154 for each of the base modifiers controlled by base modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152, and optionally, change the position of base modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152 accordingly.

[0050] Adjustment of the base modifier using the mobile device 104 will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a macro modifier for controlling dynamic volume Figure 1130. In this example, the macro modifiers are associated with the following subset of four different basic modifiers: volume (controlled by basic modifier element 146), noise cancellation (controlled by basic modifier element 148), speech focus (controlled by basic modifier element 150), and dynamics (controlled by basic modifier element 152). Figure 2 Different positions of the basic modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152 are shown, depending on whether the user sets the macro modifier to the first value 140, the neutral value 142, or the second value 144. Figure 2 , the neutral value 142 corresponds to an intermediate dynamic volume, while the first value 140 corresponds to a minimum dynamic volume ("soft"), and the second value 144 corresponds to a maximum dynamic volume ("loud").

[0052] When the user selects a neutral value 142 for the macro modifier, volume and dynamics may both be set to a neutral position, while noise cancellation and speech focus may be set to different positions between the neutral position and the minimum position.

[0053] When the user selects the first value 140 for the macro modifier, the volume may be reduced to a position between the middle position and the minimum position, while the dynamics may be increased to the maximum position, which means that loud sounds are now limited.

[0054] Conversely, when the user selects a second value 144 for the macro modifier, the volume may be increased to a position between the middle position and the maximum position, while the dynamics may be reduced to the minimum position, which means that soft sounds are now emphasized. Noise cancellation and speech focus may both remain unchanged. The adjustment to the base modifier value 154 resulting from the change in position of the macro modifier control element 134 is indicated by an arrow.

[0055] A change in position of a macro modifier control element 134 may be considered an adjustment of a corresponding macro modifier and / or a selection of a corresponding macro modifier value 136. A change in position of a base modifier control element 146, 148, 150, 152 may be considered an adjustment of a corresponding base modifier and / or a selection of a corresponding base modifier value 154. Base modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152 may be changed directly and / or individually and / or with macro modifier control element 134.

[0056] When the user selects a macro modifier value 136 between the three values ​​140, 142, 144, the corresponding base modifier value 154 may be interpolated by linear approximation or perceptual approximation. Figure 2 The macro modifier range 138 shown in FIG. 1 may, for example, have a step size of −4 (minimum dynamic volume, “soft”) to +4 (maximum dynamic volume, “loud”).

[0057] Figure 3 Schematic showing a macro modifier for controlling comfort and clarity Figure 1 The user interface 130. Figure 2 In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , the user interface 130 includes three volume modifier control elements 300, 302, 304 for selecting volume modifier values ​​306 for bass volume, mid volume, and treble volume. The volume modifier values ​​306 are indicated by short horizontal lines. The volume modifier control elements 300, 302, 304 can be considered as basic modifier control elements for controlling basic modifiers. Therefore, the volume modifier values ​​306 can be controlled by macro modifiers in the same manner as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The basic modifier value 154 is adjusted in the same manner as described.

[0058] In this example, the first value 140 corresponds to maximum comfort, while the second value 144 corresponds to maximum clarity.

[0059] When the user selects the neutral value 142, the volume, noise cancellation, voice focus, and dynamics can all be set to a neutral position. More precisely, the volume and dynamics can all be set to a middle position, while the noise cancellation and voice focus can be set to different positions between the middle position and the minimum position. In addition, the bass volume, the middle volume, and the treble volume can all be set to a middle position.

[0060] When the user selects the first value 140, the volume may be slightly reduced to a position between the middle position and the minimum position, while noise cancellation, voice focus, and dynamics may all be increased. More precisely, noise cancellation and dynamics may both be set to the maximum position, while voice focus may be only slightly increased to a position between the middle position and the minimum position. Furthermore, the treble volume may be slightly reduced to a position between the middle position and the minimum position, while both the bass volume and the middle volume may remain unchanged.

[0061] When the user selects the second value 144, the volume can remain unchanged, while noise cancellation and voice focus can be increased to different positions between the middle position and the maximum position, and the dynamics can be reduced to a position between the middle position and the minimum position. More precisely, compared to when the user selects the first value 140, noise cancellation can be increased less and voice focus can be increased more. In addition, the middle volume and treble volume can be increased to different positions between the middle position and the maximum position, while the bass volume can remain unchanged. More precisely, the treble volume can be increased more than the middle volume.

[0062] like Figure 2As shown in FIG, adjustments to base modifier value 154 and volume modifier value 306 resulting from changes in position of macro modifier control element 134 are indicated by arrows. Changes in position of volume modifier control elements 146, 148, 150, 152 may be viewed as adjustments to corresponding volume modifiers and / or selections of corresponding volume modifier value 306.

[0063] When the user selects a macro modifier value 136 between the three values ​​140 , 142 , 144 , the corresponding volume modifier value 306 may be interpolated by a linear approximation or a perceptual approximation.

[0064] The user interface 130 may provide a means for switching between different macro editor modes, such as in Figure 2 The first macro modifier mode for controlling dynamic volume as described in Figure 3 1 and 2 for controlling comfort and clarity. When the user selects the first macro modifier mode, the base modifier value 154 of each base modifier associated with the macro modifier can be calculated based on a first set of functions, and when the user selects the second macro modifier mode, the base modifier value 154 of each base modifier associated with the macro modifier can be calculated based on a second set of functions that is different from the first set of functions. Therefore, depending on which macro modifier mode is selected, the same macro modifier value 136 can result in different base modifier values ​​154.

[0065] Different macro modifier modes may include different subsets of basic modifiers associated with the macro modifier, ie, different numbers and different kinds of basic modifiers.

[0066] Figure 4 A flow chart of a method 400 for controlling the sound output of a hearing device is shown. The method 400 may be implemented using Figure 1 The hearing system 100 is implemented.

[0067] In step 410, the user interface 130 is provided with the mobile device 104 and the macro modifier control element 134 is shown to the user. The user may then select a macro modifier value 136 from the macro modifier range 138. When the user has selected the macro modifier value 136, the macro modifier value 136 is sent from the mobile device 104 to the hearing device 102.

[0068] Alternatively, the user may select the macro modifier value 136 with a user interface of the hearing device 102 , such as the button 118 .

[0069] Finally, the macro modifier value 136 is received in a computer program executed in the hearing device 102 which performs the following steps.

[0070] The macro modifier value 136 received in the hearing device 102 may be regarded as a requirement for adjusting different basic modifiers at once.

[0071] The method continues at step 420 when macro modifier value 136 is selected from first range 139 included in macro modifier range 138 , or continues at step 430 when macro modifier value 136 is selected from second range 143 included in macro modifier range 138 .

[0072] In step 420, base modifier values ​​154 for the subset of base modifiers associated with the macro modifier may be calculated using a first set of predefined functions based on the selected macro modifier value 136. The functions may vary from base modifier to base modifier.

[0073] In step 430, base modifier value 154 may be calculated using a second set of predefined functions based on selected macro modifier value 136. The second set of functions may be different than one or more functions of the first set and, further, may vary from base modifier to base modifier.

[0074] When the user has selected the first macro modifier mode as described above, steps 420 and 430 may be performed. Alternatively, when the user has selected the second macro modifier mode, the method may continue in step 420' or 430'.

[0075] In step 420', base modifier value 154 may be calculated using a third set of predefined functions based on selected macro modifier value 136. The functions of the third set may be different from one or more functions of the first and / or second sets. In addition, the functions of the third set may vary from base modifier to base modifier.

[0076] In step 430', base modifier value 154 may be calculated using a fourth set of predefined functions based on selected macro modifier value 136. The functions of the fourth set may be different from one or more functions of the third set. Additionally, the functions of the fourth set may be different from one or more functions of the first and / or second sets and / or may vary from base modifier to base modifier.

[0077] The function used in steps 420 , 420 ′, 430 , 430 ′ may be a mathematical function for calculating base modifier value 154 using sound processor 112 and / or a lookup function for selecting base modifier value 154 from one or more lookup tables stored in memory 120 .

[0078] The calculated basic modifier value 154 is applied to the corresponding basic modifier in step 440. This means, for example, that the calculated basic modifier value 154 is used to set the parameters of the sound processor 112 so that the sound signal output by the sound output device 114 is modified accordingly.

[0079] For example, when the macro modifier value 136 is increased in the first macro modifier mode, a demand may be received to increase the overall volume of the output sound signal and / or reduce the dynamics of the output sound signal (i.e., emphasize the soft sound of the output sound signal). Conversely, when the macro modifier value 136 is decreased in the first macro modifier mode, a demand may be received to reduce the overall volume of the output sound signal and / or increase the dynamics of the output sound signal (i.e., limit the loud sound of the output sound signal).

[0080] Additionally or alternatively, when the macro modifier value 136 is increased in the second macro modifier mode, a request to increase noise cancellation and / or speech focus and / or mid volume and / or treble volume of the output sound signal, and / or a request to reduce the dynamics of the output sound signal may be received. Conversely, when the macro modifier value 136 is decreased in the second macro modifier mode, a request to reduce the overall volume and / or treble volume and / or speech focus of the output sound signal, and / or a request to increase noise cancellation and / or dynamics of the output sound signal may be received.

[0081] Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art who practice the claimed invention based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may implement the functions of several items recorded in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recorded in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any figure marks in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

[0082] Reference numerals list

[0083] 100 Hearing System

[0084] 102 Hearing equipment

[0085] 104 Mobile devices

[0086] 106 Housing

[0087] 108 Dome Tip

[0088] 110 Tube

[0089] 112 Sound Processor

[0090] 114 Sound output devices

[0091] 116 Processor for hearing aids

[0092] 118 Button

[0093] 120 Memory for hearing aids

[0094] 122 Transmitters / receivers for hearing aids

[0095] 124 Transmitter / Receiver for Mobile Devices

[0096] 126 Processors for mobile devices

[0097] 128 Memory of mobile device

[0098] 130 User Interface

[0099] 132 Display

[0100] 134 Macro Modifier Control Elements

[0101] 136 Macro modifier value

[0102] 138 Macro Modifier Range

[0103] 139 First Range

[0104] 140 First value

[0105] 142 Neutral value

[0106] 143 Second Range

[0107] 144 Second value

[0108] 146 Basic Modifier Control Elements

[0109] 148 Basic Modifier Control Elements

[0110] 150 Basic modifier control elements

[0111] 152 Basic Modifier Control Elements

[0112] 154 Basic modifier values

[0113] 300 Volume Modifier Control Elements

[0114] 302 Volume modifier control element

[0115] 304 Volume modifier control element

[0116] 306 Volume modifier value

[0117] 400 Method for controlling the sound output of a hearing device

[0118] 410 Steps to receive macro modifier value

[0119] 420 Steps for calculating basic modifier values ​​based on the first set of predefined functions

[0120] 430 Steps for calculating basic modifier values ​​based on the second set of predefined functions

[0121] 420' Steps for calculating basic modifier values ​​based on the third set of predefined functions

[0122] 430' Steps for calculating basic modifier values ​​based on the fourth set of predefined functions

[0123] 440 To apply basic modifier values

Claims

1. A method for controlling a sound output of a hearing device, wherein the hearing device comprises basic modifiers adjustable by a user of the hearing device, each basic modifier having a range of basic modifier values ​​selectable by the user, and each basic modifier modifies a sound processing of the hearing device according to a respective basic modifier value; The method comprises: receiving a macro modifier value for a macro modifier, wherein the macro modifier is associated with a subset of the base modifiers, and wherein the macro modifier value is selected by the user from a range of macro modifiers; calculating a base modifier value for each base modifier in the subset, wherein the base modifier value is calculated using a predefined function based on the macro modifier value; applying the calculated base modifier value to the base modifier such that the sound processing of the hearing device is performed based on the base modifier adjusted using the calculated base modifier value; wherein the macro modifier range is divided into a first range between a first value and a neutral value and a second range between the neutral value and a second value; wherein when said macro modifier value is selected from said first range, the value of at least one volume modifier is decreased and the value of at least one additional base modifier is increased; and Wherein when said macro modifier value is selected from said second range, the value of at least one volume modifier is increased and the value of at least one additional basic modifier is decreased.

2. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the predefined function is a mathematical function and / or a value is selected from a look-up table.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the macro modifier value is selected from the first range, the base modifier value is calculated using a first predefined function; and / or Wherein when the macro modifier value is selected from the second range, the base modifier value is calculated using a second predefined function.

4. The method according to claim 1, Wherein when said macro modifier value is selected from said second range, a value of at least one other additional basic modifier is increased.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the additional basic modifier is a dynamic modifier for emphasizing soft sounds and / or limiting loud sounds; and / or The other additional basic modifiers are a noise cancellation modifier and / or a speech focus modifier.

6. The method according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein when the macro modifier value is selected from the first range, the value of the total volume and / or the value of the treble volume and / or the value of the mid volume is reduced; and / or Wherein when the macro modifier value is selected from the second range, the value of the overall volume is increased or not modified, and / or the value of the treble volume and / or the value of the mid volume are increased.

7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: providing a user interface to a mobile device of the user, wherein the user interface includes a macro modifier control element changeable by the user for selecting the macro modifier value; When the user has selected the macro modifier value: sending the selected macro modifier value from the mobile device to the hearing device.

8. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: providing a user interface to a mobile device of the user, wherein the user interface includes a base modifier control element changeable by the user for selecting a base modifier value; When the user has selected a base modifier value: sending the selected base modifier value from the mobile device to the hearing device and overwriting the calculated base modifier value that has been calculated based on the macro modifier value.

9. A computer program product for controlling the sound output of a hearing device, said computer program product being adapted to perform the method according to one of the preceding claims when executed by a processor.

10. A computer readable medium having stored therein the computer program product according to claim 9.

11. A hearing system comprising a hearing device, Wherein the hearing system is adapted to perform the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The hearing system according to claim 11, Wherein the hearing system comprises a mobile device providing a user interface for selecting the macro modifier value and / or the base modifier value.

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