Method for adjusting a digital hearing device, hearing device and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting a digital hearing device, a hearing device and a computer program product, the hearing device having an input transducer, a signal processing device and an output transducer, wherein the signal processing device is configured for forming an evaluation unit, a comparator unit and a preamplification unit, wherein during wearing of the hearing device by a hearing device wearer, an acoustic test signal is generated by means of an external test device, wherein by means of the input transducer a digital test input signal is generated depending on the acoustic test signal, wherein by means of the evaluation unit a test quantity related to the sound pressure is determined on the basis of the digital test input signal, wherein by means of the comparator unit a deviation between the test quantity related to the sound pressure and a reference quantity stored in the signal processing device is determined, and wherein the preamplification by the preamplification unit is adjusted depending on the determined deviation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a method for adjusting a digital hearing device having an input transducer, a signal processing device and an output transducer. Furthermore, the present application relates to a hearing device and to a computer program product. BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical hearing aids, which can be used to compensate for a hearing impairment, are generally referred to as hearing devices. Such hearing devices are used to supply hearing-impaired persons, i.e. persons whose hearing organ has a functional defect.

[0003] For a corresponding functional defect of the hearing organ, the hearing threshold in at least one frequency range or frequency band is usually changed, so that the associated hearing-impaired person perceives an acoustic signal in the corresponding frequency range only at a higher or increased sound pressure level. In order to compensate or at least partially compensate for such a hearing defect by means of a hearing device, the sound pressure level is therefore adjusted or changed in a targeted manner, so that an input-side level range at the input of the hearing device is mapped to an output-side level range at the output of the hearing device.

[0004] Here, in particular, digital hearing devices are widely used, such as described in DE 10 2016 221 692 B3 and DE 101 31 964 A1.

[0005] A digital hearing device usually has an input transducer, a signal processing device and an output transducer as main components. Here, a part of the input transducer is a sound-electric transducer, i.e. in particular a microphone, and an analog-digital converter. The output transducer, in turn, usually has a digital-analog converter and an electro-mechanical transducer, such as a bone conduction earpiece, or an electro-acoustic transducer, such as a micro-speaker, which is also referred to as "earpiece".

[0006] The previously described mapping of the input-side level range to the output-side level range is then carried out in a targeted manner by means of the previously mentioned signal processing device, which is usually implemented by means of an electronic circuit implemented on a printed circuit board. Here, such a signal processing device is usually configured for implementing the corresponding mapping in such a way that the digital input signal is processed by means of a plurality of data processing modules by the analog-digital converter, whereby a digital output signal is generated for the digital-analog converter. The data processing modules are usually programmable data processing modules, i.e. in particular software programs or software program modules.

[0007] Furthermore, the mapping is preferably carried out in such a way that the compression characteristic is displayed in a corresponding manner by the hearing device. That is to say, if the sound pressure level at the output of the hearing device is mapped graphically, then it is shown that, at least from a predefined threshold, the sound pressure level at the output, i.e. the output level, rises more slowly than the sound pressure level at the input, i.e. the input level. SUMMARY

[0008] Starting from this, the technical problem addressed by the present application is to specify an advantageous method for adjusting a digital hearing device. Furthermore, the technical problem addressed by the present application is to specify an advantageously designed hearing device and an advantageous computer program product.

[0009] According to the application, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by a method having the features of the application, a hearing device having the features of the application and a computer program product having the features of the application. Preferred refinements are obtained in the following description. The advantages and preferred design options listed in relation to the method can likewise be transferred to the hearing device and vice versa. Furthermore, the advantages and preferred design options listed in relation to the method can likewise be transferred to the computer program product and vice versa.

[0010] Here, the method according to the application is used to adjust a digital hearing device. Conversely, the digital hearing device according to the application is configured in such a way that it can be used to carry out the method according to the application. Here, the digital hearing device, also referred to below as simply the hearing device, is generally constructed in the manner of the hearing device described at the outset and has an input transducer, a signal processing device and an output transducer.

[0011] Here, the input transducer is used to generate a digital input signal on the basis of an acoustic input signal which reaches the hearing device on the input side. To this end, the input transducer has a piezoelectric transducer, i.e. in particular at least one microphone, and an analog-digital converter in each case. The respective digital input signal is processed in the signal processing device, wherein a digital output signal is generated on the basis of the digital input signal. Finally, an acoustic output signal is generated on the basis of the digital output signal by means of the output transducer and is output from the hearing device on the output side, more precisely in particular into the ear canal of the hearing device wearer. Here, the output transducer generally has a digital-analog converter and an electro-acoustic transducer, for example a loudspeaker.

[0012] Furthermore, the signal processing device is configured for forming an evaluation unit, a comparator unit and a preamplification unit. Here, the respective units, i.e. the evaluation unit, the comparator unit and the preamplification unit, are generally formed by means of a signal processing module or a data processing module, in particular a data processing module of the type mentioned at the outset, i.e. for example by means of a software program module.

[0013] In the course of carrying out the method according to the application, a first fitting session part is now carried out in order to fit the hearing device, i.e. the digital hearing device, to the hearing device wearer, in particular to the hearing device wearer mentioned at the outset. Here, an acoustic test signal is generated by means of an external test device, i.e. a test device which is not part of the hearing device. Here, the acoustic test signal is generated during the wearing of the hearing device by the hearing device wearer, i.e. in particular by the hearing device wearer for whom the hearing device is set up and to whom the hearing device is fitted. The hearing device wearer is thus in particular the so-called end customer.

[0014] A digital test input signal, i.e. a digital input signal which depends on the acoustic test signal, is then generated by means of the input transducer of the hearing device from the acoustic test signal. Here, the generated acoustic test signal generally leads to an acoustic input signal at the input of the hearing device, from which the digital input signal, i.e. the digital test input signal, is then generated by the input transducer.

[0015] It should be noted here that the generated acoustic test signal is produced for example by one loudspeaker or a plurality of loudspeakers of the external test device. The acoustic test signal is then in particular changed further by the spatial conditions, i.e. for example also by the head of the hearing device wearer and in particular by the shape of the outer ear of the hearing device wearer. The acoustic input signal which hits the hearing device on the input side is thus dependent on the generated acoustic test signal on the one hand and on the spatial conditions which are determined in particular also by the shape of the head of the hearing device wearer and in particular by the shape of the outer ear of the hearing device wearer on the other hand.

[0016] Furthermore, on the basis of the test input signal, a test quantity which is related to the sound pressure is determined by means of an evaluation unit of the signal processing device. This test quantity which is related to the sound pressure is then compared to a reference quantity which is stored in the signal processing device by means of a comparator unit, and a deviation between the test quantity which is related to the sound pressure and the reference quantity is determined. The preamplification is then adjusted by a preamplification unit on the basis of the determined deviation.

[0017] Here, the respective preamplification is determined together with the mapping of the level range of the input side to the level range of the output side of the hearing device described at the outset. The preamplification is however generally an additional amplification in addition to the prior art amplification described at the outset. The adjustment of the preamplification is thus preferably carried out independently of the hearing defect of the hearing device wearer. I.e. in the adjusted preamplification, the hearing defect of the hearing device wearer is not taken into account. The prior art amplification described at the outset is preferably additionally carried out by means of the main amplification by the main amplification unit.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a preamplification is implemented, by which the sound pressure level on the input side is increased by a predefined amount. In this case, a digital input signal is then first generated by the input transducer. This digital input signal represents a determined acoustic signal with a sound pressure level value detected by means of measurement technology or detected by means of measurement technology. This digital input signal is converted into a preamplified digital input signal by the preamplification, in which the sound pressure level, starting from the sound pressure level value detected by means of measurement technology, is increased by a predefined amount. This increase of the predefined amount takes place here independently of the value of the sound pressure level detected by means of measurement technology. Thus, a kind of shift offset is carried out on the sound pressure level when converting the digital input signal into the preamplified digital input signal. According to an alternative variant, the sound pressure level on the input side is increased by a factor, i.e. a preamplification factor, by the preamplification.

[0019] Depending on the application, the aforementioned test variable related to the sound pressure is for example a sound pressure level value. In this case, the reference variable is then given by the sound pressure level value in a targeted manner. According to an advantageous alternative, the test variable and / or the reference variable related to the circuit is a variable which can be derived from the corresponding sound pressure level value. According to a further alternative, the test variable related to the sound pressure is for example a mathematical function which assigns different sound pressure level values to different frequencies or which assigns a plurality of sound pressure level values to a plurality of frequency ranges.

[0020] Furthermore, the acoustic test signal is preferably given by a noise signal or a continuous noise signal sequence. Independently thereof, the acoustic test signal is preferably predefined with a sound pressure level value. Here, the predefinition of the sound pressure level value takes place for example on the basis of information in a predefined digital test signal, which is preferably used to generate the acoustic test signal by means of an external test device.

[0021] If the acoustic test signal is now predefined with a sound pressure level value, the sound pressure level value (SPL: sound pressure level) is preferably between 60 dB and 80 dB, i.e. for example 65 dB.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if only the aforementioned acoustic test signal with the predefined sound pressure level value is used to adjust the preamplification of the preamplification unit. It is then preferably dispensed with using a further acoustic test signal with a further sound pressure level value for this purpose. However, at least the use of a further sound pressure level value is preferably dispensed with. That is to say, if a plurality of acoustic test signals is used, it is preferred for all of these signals to be predefined with the same sound pressure level value.

[0023] In the first adjustment session part described above, it is generally not necessary to generate an acoustic output signal. Therefore, this is not done in some application cases. Irrespective of whether or not the hearing device generates an acoustic output signal in the first adjustment session part, it is preferred that the respective acoustic output signal is not detected by means of measurement technology, in particular by means of an external probe of the test device. That is, for example, it is not necessary to insert a microphone of the test device into the ear canal of the hearing device wearer.

[0024] It is furthermore advantageous if the digital hearing device is configured as a multi-channel hearing device. Here, it is preferred to realize 4 to 10 channels. In this design of the digital hearing device, the signal processing device first of all advantageously separates or decomposes the digital input signal in a channel-dependent, thus frequency-dependent manner into a plurality of sub-signals. Here, each sub-signal reproduces a frequency range of the digital input signal which is assigned to one channel. The resulting sub-signals are then further processed independently of one another, preferably in the respective channels, and finally combined into a digital output signal.

[0025] Alternatively, the separation or decomposition in a channel-dependent, thus frequency-dependent manner is carried out on the analog level, i.e. before the digitization by the analog-digital converter of the input converter mentioned above. In both cases, however, the digital sub-signals mentioned above are finally generated and subsequently further processed.

[0026] In an advantageous extension, an evaluation unit, a comparator unit and a preamplification unit of the type mentioned above are then realized for each channel, and further preferably the adjustment of the preamplification of the type mentioned above is carried out for each channel.

[0027] In particular in this case, the acoustic test signal or at least the underlying digital test signal preferably contains a component for each channel or at least a plurality of components for a plurality of channels. Here, each component is generally given by a noise signal in a predefined frequency band. These components are then arranged, for example, in sequence. Alternatively, a separate acoustic test signal is generated for each channel.

[0028] It is furthermore advantageous if a pre-fitting session is part of the method according to the invention. In such a pre-fitting session, a predefined digital test signal, in particular the digital test signal mentioned above, is then used to generate an acoustic reference signal by means of an external reference test device. Here, the respective reference test device is in turn not part of the hearing device and is furthermore preferably a device different from the external test device mentioned above. The reference test device generally has at least one loudspeaker and a test holding device, for example a support arm or a dummy head. During the generation of the acoustic reference signal, the digital hearing device is held by the test holding device.

[0029] The first adjustment session part and the pre-adjustment session are thus two method parts or sub-processes which are suitably performed in a time-shifted manner. Here, the pre-adjustment session is typically performed before the first adjustment session part. Furthermore, the pre-adjustment session is preferably carried out at the manufacturer of the digital hearing device, while the first adjustment session part is preferably carried out at a service provider such as a hearing device acoustics specialist. In addition to this, so-called laboratory conditions typically prevail in the pre-adjustment session, which are in particular also pre-given by the test holding device. In contrast, in the first adjustment session part, near-realistic conditions are simulated by the hearing device being worn by the hearing device wearer.

[0030] In the pre-adjustment session, a pre-given digital test signal is now used to generate an acoustic reference signal by means of the external reference test device. Furthermore, a digital reference input signal is then generated from the acoustic reference signal by means of the input transducer, i.e. a digital input signal which is based on the acoustic reference signal. Here, the acoustic reference signal produces an acoustic input signal at the input of the digital hearing device, which is dependent on the reference test device, and on the basis of which, by means of the input transducer, a digital input signal which is related to the acoustic reference signal, i.e. the digital reference input signal, is generated. Furthermore, on the basis of the digital reference input signal, the aforementioned reference quantity is determined by means of the evaluation unit, which is then stored in the signal processing device, i.e. in particular in the permanent memory.

[0031] Furthermore, the aforementioned pre-given digital test signal is typically used to produce an acoustic test signal by means of the external test device. This takes place in the course of the method which was previously referred to as the first adjustment session part. It should be noted here that the pre-given digital test signal typically produces a different acoustic input signal at the input of the hearing device in the pre-adjustment process than in the first adjustment session part. The reason for this is the difference in the existing conditions, which are determined by the devices used, i.e. on the one hand the reference test device and on the other hand the test device, and by the different environmental conditions of the hearing device. Thus, the hearing device is held by the test holding device at one time and worn by the hearing device wearer at one time.

[0032] Furthermore, variants of the method are advantageous in which a preamplification unit is arranged upstream of the evaluation unit. That is, in the order of the signal processing in the signal processing device, i.e. in the order of the individual processing steps or method steps of the signal processing, the amplification unit is applied to the signal first and the evaluation unit is applied only in the further course of the signal processing. It is thus preferable to carry out the preamplification first and then the evaluation. Depending on the application case, the preamplification is adjusted, for example, from a pre-set preamplification. In some cases, a kind of adjustment circuit is then implemented by means of which the preamplification is adjusted until the test quantity and the reference quantity coincide and no deviation is determined any more.

[0033] As already indicated above, it is also advantageous if the signal processing device is configured for forming a main amplification unit. This main amplification unit is typically also formed by a signal processing module or a data processing module, in particular a data processing module of the type mentioned at the outset, i.e. for example by a software program module. Furthermore, it is arranged downstream of the preamplification unit, i.e. in particular arranged downstream in terms of signal processing technology, and is preferably used to implement an amplification according to the prior art as described at the outset. The amplification carried out by the main amplification unit will be referred to in the following as main amplification.

[0034] In an advantageous extension, the preamplification unit and the main amplification unit work independently of one another. Here, the main amplification unit typically works in the manner of an amplification unit according to the prior art, however, wherein the preamplified signals are fed to the main amplification unit. These preamplified signals are then typically processed by the main amplification unit in the same way as the digital input signals are processed by an amplifier unit according to the prior art. The main amplification unit is therefore preferably unaware of the preamplification unit, so that the main amplification unit does not take into account the influence of the preamplification unit.

[0035] Irrespective thereof, the preamplification unit is preferably not operated in a compressive manner, whereas the main amplification unit is preferably operated in a compressive manner, i.e. exhibits a compression characteristic.

[0036] If now the main amplification unit described above is provided and implemented by the signal processing device, the method preferably has a further part or process, which is referred to in the following as second fitting-session part. In this second fitting-session part, the main amplification is preferably adjusted by the main amplification unit. Here, the second fitting-session part is expediently carried out after the end of the first fitting-session part. The adjustment of the main amplification is further preferably carried out in accordance with the hearing impairment of the hearing device wearer, so that the second fitting-session part typically corresponds to a general fitting session according to the prior art, at least in terms of the adjustment of the signal processing device.

[0037] The second fitting-session part is preferably carried out at one service provider, for example a hearing device acoustics specialist. Furthermore, the first fitting-session part is preferably carried out at one service provider, for example at a hearing device acoustics specialist. It is further preferred that both parts, i.e. the first fitting-session part and the second fitting-session part, are carried out at one service provider, for example a hearing device acoustics specialist, in particular at the same service provider. In contrast, the pre-adjustment session is preferably carried out at the manufacturer of the digital hearing device.

[0038] It is furthermore advantageous if the main amplification unit is arranged downstream of the evaluation unit, i.e. the main amplification unit is arranged downstream of the evaluation unit in terms of signal processing technology. Thus, the evaluation by the evaluation unit is then carried out, in particular the determination of the test quantity related to the circuit in the first adjustment session section before the main amplification, in particular thus also independently of the main amplification carried out by the main amplification unit.

[0039] It is furthermore advantageous if the test quantity related to the circuit is stored in the signal processing device, i.e. for example in a permanent memory of the signal processing device.

[0040] It is furthermore advantageous if the signal processing device automatically identifies which digital test signal is used during the first adjustment session section to generate the acoustic test signal, or at least automatically identifies whether a provided digital test signal is used. It is further advantageous in this case if the preamplification is only adjusted if the reference quantity related to the identified digital test signal is stored in the signal processing device. In this way, it can be avoided that a false signal is unintentionally used for the adjustment of the preamplification.

[0041] In an advantageous extension, a plurality of digital test signals is available and the reference quantities are stored in the signal processing device for the plurality of digital test signals accordingly. The hearing device is then preferably configured such that the signal processing device identifies which digital test signal from the selection is being used. As a result, the signal processing device then selects the reference quantity related to the identified digital test signal for adjusting the preamplification and uses this reference quantity for the comparison with the test quantity.

[0042] The method according to the application described above is used for adjusting a hearing device according to the application and is designed accordingly for this purpose. Conversely, the hearing device according to the application is configured for carrying out the method according to the application in at least one operating mode. For this purpose, the hearing device in particular has the signal processing device described above. The method steps of the method are then preferably carried out by means of the signal processing device, wherein for this purpose it is further preferred that an executable program is stored or installed in the signal processing device, which after starting automatically carries out the method steps of the method. The data processing modules mentioned above are preferably implemented by means of the program.

[0043] It is also possible to install or store the respective program after the fact by means of the computer program product according to the application. The computer program product is typically a file or a data carrier with a file, wherein the file contains the executable program, i.e. in particular suitable program code.

[0044] The implementation of the pre-amplification unit described above, and the adjustment of the pre-amplification in the course of the adjustment in the described first adjustment session, is advantageous not only in the implementation of the main function of the hearing device, i.e. the amplifier function, but also in known auxiliary functions in which the digital input signal is used in an arbitrary manner according to the prior art. If such an auxiliary function is implemented in a hearing device according to the application, it is preferred to adjust this auxiliary function in such a way that instead of the digital input signal, the pre-amplified digital input signal is used.

[0045] One example of such an auxiliary function is the so-called adaptive directivity. Here, for example, the pre-amplified digital input signal is used to activate and / or control a noise suppression algorithm. Such an algorithm is often based on an estimate of the ambient noise which can be distorted in the presence of a bias at the input side.

[0046] Another example of such an auxiliary function is the so-called microphone noise reduction (MNR), also known as low level expansion. This very simple algorithm is based on reducing the gain of the hearing device in very quiet situations, thereby substantially reducing the audible intrinsic noise. If the hearing device perceives a higher level, the gain must be restored very quickly to the desired level in order not to impair speech intelligibility. This algorithm is of course impaired in its function by individual biases of the input level.

[0047] Another example of such an auxiliary function is the so-called classification. It is a hearing device function which attempts to classify the acoustic environment and then changes the configuration / function of the hearing device depending on the acoustic class. In particular, this means, for example: If the hearing device recognizes from the input signal that it is located in a motor vehicle, the directivity of the hearing device is changed so that the main listening direction is no longer from the front, but is controlled to the side or to the rear. The so-called acoustic cues on which the classification is based depend partly on the spectral level of the input signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] In the following, embodiments of the application are explained in detail with the aid of the schematic drawings. Therein:

[0049] Figure 1 A digital hearing device in an external reference test device is shown in a block diagram,

[0050] Figure 2 A digital hearing device in an external test device is shown in a block diagram, and

[0051] Figure 3 Two amplification curves are shown in a graph.

[0052] Parts corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals in all the figures accordingly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In Figure 1 a hearing device 2, which will be exemplarily described in the following, is schematically shown. It is configured as a digital hearing device 2 and has an input transducer 4, a signal processing device 6 and an output transducer 8.

[0054] The input transducer 4 serves for generating a digital input signal on the basis of an acoustic input signal arriving at the hearing device 2 on the input side. For this purpose, the input transducer 4 has, in this embodiment, a microphone 10 and an analog-digital converter 12. The respective digital input signal is processed in the signal processing device 6, wherein a digital output signal is generated on the basis of the digital input signal. An acoustic output signal is generated on the basis of the digital output signal by the output transducer 8 and is outputted from the hearing device 2 on the output side. Here, the output transducer 8 is configured as a digital-analog converter 14 and a loudspeaker 16 in accordance with Figure 1

[0055] Furthermore, the signal processing device 6 is configured for forming a plurality of data processing modules or software program modules, namely an evaluation unit 18, a comparator unit 20, a preamplification unit 22 and a main amplification unit 24. Furthermore, the signal processing device 6 has a permanent memory 26.

[0056] For adjusting the hearing device 2, a method is used, which will be exemplarily described in the following, which comprises at least three parts, namely a pre-fitting session, a first fitting session part and a second fitting session part.

[0057] The pre-fitting session of the three parts is set in time to be performed first. It is preferably carried out at the manufacturer of the hearing device 2. For carrying out the pre-fitting session, a reference test device 28 is used, which has a loudspeaker 30 and a test holding device 32. Here, the test holding device 32 is formed for example by a dummy head. During the pre-fitting session, the hearing device 2 is held by the test holding device 32 as shown in Figure 1

[0058] ​​In the course of the pre-adjustment session, using the predefined digital test signal, an acoustic reference signal is generated by means of the loudspeaker 30 of the reference test device 28. Subsequently, a digital reference input signal is then generated by means of the input transducer 4 on the basis of the acoustic reference signal, i.e. a digital input signal is generated on the basis of the acoustic reference signal. Furthermore, on the basis of the digital reference input signal, a reference quantity is determined by means of the evaluation unit 18 of the signal processing device 6, which is then stored in the permanent memory 26 of the signal processing device 6.

[0059] The digital test signal, which is present for example as a file, is preferably a noise signal, in particular a noise signal with a predefined sound pressure level value of for example 65 dB. By reproducing the digital test signal by means of the loudspeaker 30 of the reference test device 28, a noise is then generated as an acoustic reference signal, which is based on the digital test signal and is influenced by the reference test device 28.

[0060] In this embodiment, the sound pressure level value of the noise is now determined by the evaluation unit 18 of the signal processing device 6 as a reference quantity in the course of the pre-adjustment session, wherein the sound pressure level value determined during the pre-adjustment session is influenced by the reference test device 28, i.e. the loudspeaker 30, the test holding device 32 and the remaining environment of the hearing device 2, and by components of the hearing device 2, for example the microphone 10.

[0061] In this embodiment, the other two parts of the method mentioned, i.e. the first adjustment session part and the second adjustment session part, are carried out at a service provider, for example a hearing device acoustics specialist. Here, the first adjustment session part is carried out first, and then the second adjustment session part. For at least carrying out the first adjustment session part, a test device 34 with a loudspeaker 36 is used, and during the first adjustment session part, the hearing device 2 is worn by a hearing device wearer 38.

[0062] In the course of the first adjustment session part, using the digital test signal, an acoustic test signal is generated by means of the loudspeaker 36 of the test device 34. Then, by means of the input transducer 4 of the hearing device 2, a digital test input signal, i.e. a digital input signal, is generated on the basis of the acoustic test signal, which is related to the acoustic test signal. Furthermore, on the basis of the digital test input signal, a test quantity related to the sound pressure is determined by means of the evaluation unit 18 of the signal processing device 6. Then, by means of the comparator unit 20, a deviation between the test quantity related to the sound pressure and the reference quantity stored in the permanent memory 26 of the signal processing device 6 is determined. Then, the preamplification by the preamplification unit 22 is adjusted on the basis of the determined deviation.

[0063] By means of the reproduction of the digital test signal by means of the loudspeaker 36 of the test device 34, a noise is generated as an acoustic test signal, which is based on the digital test signal and is influenced by the test device 34. This noise is then, in this embodiment, determined by the evaluation unit 18 of the signal processing device 6 in terms of a sound pressure level value of the sound pressure related test quantity during the course of the first adjustment session. The sound pressure level value determined during the first adjustment session is influenced by the test device 34, i.e. in particular the loudspeaker 36, by the remaining environment of the hearing device 2, i.e. by the hearing device wearer 38, and by components of the hearing device 2, such as the microphone 10.

[0064] Thus, it is said, during the pre-adjustment session and during the first adjustment session, the evaluation unit 18 of the signal processing device 6 determines two different sound pressure level values, although the same digital test signal is used. These two sound pressure level values are compared with each other and a kind of compensation is made, preferably by means of an adjustment of the preamplification by the preamplification unit 22 of the signal processing device 6. Here, the preamplification of the preamplification unit 22 is adjusted in such a way that the sound pressure level value determined during the first adjustment session is changed in the direction of the sound pressure level value determined during the pre-adjustment session.

[0065] The preamplification is an additional amplification in addition to the main amplification by the main amplification unit 24. Here, in this embodiment, the adjustment of the preamplification is made independently of the hearing defect of the hearing device wearer 38.

[0066] In contrast to the preamplification, the main amplification by the main amplification unit 24 is matched to the hearing defect of the hearing device wearer 38. This is done in the second adjustment session after the end of the first adjustment session.

[0067] Furthermore, it is purposeful if the digital hearing device 2 is configured as a multichannel hearing device. Here, then preferably 4 to 10 channels are realized. In this design of the hearing device 2, the signal processing device 6 separates or decomposes the digital input signal into a plurality of sub-signals, for example, at first in a channel-related, thus in a frequency-related manner. Here, each sub-signal reproduces one frequency range of the digital input signal associated with one channel. The sub-signals thus obtained are then further processed, further preferably independently of each other in the individual channels, and finally combined into a digital output signal.

[0068] In an advantageous expansion, then for each channel the previously described signal processing is realized by means of the evaluation unit 18, the comparator unit 20, the preamplification unit 22 and the main amplification unit 24. That is, then for each channel, the following is realized Figure 1 and Figure 2The data processing module shown in the signal processing device 6.

[0069] Irrespective thereof, the pre-amplification unit 22 is preferably arranged upstream of the evaluation unit 18 in terms of signal processing technology. That is, in terms of the sequence of signal processing in the signal processing device 6, that is, in terms of the sequence of the individual processing steps or method steps of the signal processing, the pre-amplification unit 22 is applied first and the evaluation unit 18 is applied only in further course of the signal processing. Furthermore, the main amplification unit 24 is preferably arranged downstream of the evaluation unit 18 in terms of signal processing technology.

[0070] Furthermore, in most cases, the signal processing device 6 is configured for forming an additional data processing module, that is, for carrying out a noise suppression 40. Here, the noise suppression 40 is preferably arranged downstream of the main amplification unit 24 in terms of signal processing technology.

[0071] In the following, the basic idea of the application is explained further by means of the schematic graph reproduced in Figure 3

[0072] Here, the sound pressure level L O , abbreviated as output level, at the output of the hearing device is shown in relation to the sound pressure level L I , abbreviated as input level, at the input of the digital hearing device. Here, the solid curve shown exemplarily shows two so-called inflection points at 50 dB and 65 dB.

[0073] For the sake of clarity, here the following simplified case is considered, in which the sound pressure level L I , that is, in particular, the sound pressure level L I , detected by the hearing device due to influences on the input side, for example due to the influence of a shadowing of the hearing device microphone, is 7 dB lower in magnitude than in the initial assumption, that is, in particular, in the laboratory conditions (hearing device fixed on a dummy head). Furthermore, in the following, only the difference of two different input levels is considered.

[0074] That is, now the solid curve shows the output level of the hearing device in relation to the input level. The hearing device works in a compressed manner, that is, there are specific points, here the two inflection points mentioned previously, from which the output level rises slowly compared to the input level. The inflection points are usually set such that for a specific input signal, for example noise of a simulated speech at low input levels and at intermediate input levels, the desired input level is achieved.

[0075] In the case considered here, due to the shadowing of the input side on the level detected by the hearing device, that is, in particular, in everyday conditions, now 7 dB lower than expected. In Figure 3 ​Four level values are exemplarily marked by dashed lines, namely two expected level values L I,E1 and L I,E2 and two actually detected level values L I,A1 and L I,A2 associated therewith. In both cases, the actually detected level values lie 7 dB below the expected level values due to the masking on the input side.

[0076] This leads to a deviation of the output level of the hearing device from the nominal or target value. However, due to the compression characteristic of the hearing device, this deviation DL is not constant. For low input levels, the deviation corresponds exactly in magnitude to the difference of the input, i.e. 7 dB in the case of L I,A1 and L I,E1 , whereas at intermediate input levels the deviation is significantly lower, i.e. 2.8 dB in the case of L I,A2 and L I,E2 . This is also the fundamental problem under the influence of the input side.

[0077] If only a single measurement is performed at the test level, the level dependency cannot be detected in all cases, then. Since one measurement is made at a low input level, it is determined that the output level of the hearing device is 7 dB low. If this deviation is now not compensated on the input side in accordance with the application, but on the output side in accordance with the prior art, i.e. by means of a standard amplification stage, i.e. in a linear manner, this leads to an overcompensation at intermediate levels. The compensation on the output side in accordance with the prior art moves the curve in Figure 3 in principle in the direction of the dashed line. In this example, the output level of the hearing device would be 4.2 dB high at intermediate levels, i.e. in the case of L I,A2 and L I,E2 .

[0078] That is to say, in general the output level of the hearing device would have to be measured at a plurality of input levels and, as a correction, the inflection point would be moved. However, this has a plurality of disadvantages. Thus, in particular the measurement outlay is relatively high. Furthermore, the repeatability of the measurement is low, in particular at low input levels. Furthermore, in principle a measurement at a high input level is required, which is uncomfortable for the hearing device wearer. However, it is particularly important that the movement of the inflection point only corrects the output level of the hearing device. This measure does not correct many adaptive algorithms, such as for example the control of the interference noise estimate or the directivity.

[0079] In contrast thereto, an additional (pre-) amplification stage before the (main) amplification stage with the compression characteristic produces a complete compensation of the influence on the input side. Here, the (pre-) amplification increases the actually detected level values, i.e. L I,A1 and L I,A2 , by 7 dB so that the output level of the hearing device corresponds exactly to the nominal or target value.moving to the expected level value, i.e. L I,E1 and L I,E2 and the hearing device works absolutely correctly in terms of the output level, but in particular also in terms of the adaptive signal processing algorithm related to the level.

[0080] It is thus in principle still only necessary to carry out a single measurement at a test signal level which on the one hand has a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio and on the other hand does not sound unpleasant. In the described method, the input of the hearing device is measured in this measurement and, if necessary, corrected. The measurement of the output of the hearing device can then be corrected by the linear amplification of the second amplification stage.

[0081] List of reference signs

[0082] 2 hearing device

[0083] 4 input transducer

[0084] 6 signal processing means

[0085] 8 output transducer

[0086] 10 microphone

[0087] 12 analog-digital converter

[0088] 14 digital-analog converter

[0089] 16 loudspeaker

[0090] 18 evaluation unit

[0091] 20 comparator unit

[0092] 22 preamplification unit

[0093] 24 main amplification unit

[0094] 26 permanent memory

[0095] 28 reference test means

[0096] 30 loudspeaker

[0097] 32 test holding means

[0098] 34 test means

[0099] 36 loudspeaker

[0100] 38 hearing device wearer

[0101] 40 noise suppression

[0102] L O output level

[0103] L I input level

[0104] L I,E1 expected level value 1

[0105] L I,E2 expected level value 2

[0106] L I,A1 detected level value 1

[0107] L I,A2 detected level value 2.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a digital hearing device (2), the hearing device having an input transducer (4), a signal processing apparatus (6) and an output transducer (8), wherein - the signal processing apparatus (6) is configured for forming an evaluation unit (18), a comparator unit (20), a preamplification unit (22) and a main amplification unit (24), the main amplification unit being arranged downstream of the preamplification unit (22), - during wearing of the hearing device (2) by a hearing device wearer (38), an acoustic test signal is generated by means of an external test apparatus (34), - a digital test input signal is generated by means of the input transducer (4) in dependence on the acoustic test signal, - a test quantity related to sound pressure is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the digital test input signal, - a deviation between the test quantity related to sound pressure and a reference quantity stored in the signal processing apparatus (6) is determined by means of the comparator unit (20), - the preamplification by the preamplification unit (22) is adjusted in dependence on the determined deviation, - the adjustment of the preamplification is carried out independently of a hearing defect of the hearing device wearer (38), and - the main amplification is adjusted by the main amplification unit (24) and in dependence on a hearing defect of the hearing device wearer (38).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein - an acoustic reference signal is generated by means of an external reference test apparatus (28) using a predefined digital test signal during holding of the hearing device (2) by a test holding apparatus (32), - a digital reference input signal is generated by means of the input transducer (4) in dependence on the acoustic reference signal, - the reference quantity is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the digital reference input signal, and - the reference quantity is stored in the signal processing apparatus (6).

3. The method according to claim 2, the acoustic test signal is generated by means of the external test apparatus (34) using the predefined digital test signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the preamplification unit (22) is arranged upstream of the evaluation unit (18).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the main amplification by the main amplification unit (24) is adjusted after the adjustment of the preamplification.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the main amplification unit (24) is arranged downstream of the evaluation unit (18).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the test quantity related to sound pressure is stored in the signal processing apparatus (6).

8. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein - the reference quantity is combined with an identification feature, the identification feature associating the reference quantity with the digital test signal on which it is based, and - the reference quantity and the identification feature related thereto are stored in the signal processing apparatus (6). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ wherein ​ ​ wherein ​ ​ wherein, ​ ​ wherein ​ ​ wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein - a test feature is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the digital test input signal, and - a deviation between the test quantity and the reference quantity is determined only when the identification feature is determined to be the test feature.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein - a plurality of pre-defined digital test signals are used in succession, respectively an acoustic reference signal is generated by means of the external reference test device (28) during the holding of the hearing device (2) by the test holding device (32) in accordance with the respective acoustic reference signal, - a digital reference input signal is generated by means of the input transducer (4) in accordance with the respective acoustic reference signal, - a reference quantity is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the respective digital reference input signal, and - each reference quantity is combined with an identification feature, which associates a reference quantity with the respective underlying digital test signal, and - the reference quantity and the identification feature associated therewith are stored in the signal processing device (6).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein - a digital test signal is selected from the pre-defined digital test signals, - the selected digital test signal is used to generate an acoustic test signal by means of the external test device (34), - a digital test input signal is generated by means of the input transducer (4) in accordance with the acoustic test signal, - a test quantity related to the sound pressure is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the test input signal, - a test feature is determined by means of the evaluation unit (18) on the basis of the test input signal, - the test feature is compared to the stored identification features by means of the comparator unit (20) and the identification feature corresponding to the test feature is determined, - a deviation between the test quantity and the reference quantity combined with the determined identification feature is determined by means of the comparator unit (20), and - the pre-amplification by the pre-amplification unit (22) is adjusted in accordance with the determined deviation.

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