Hearing device and method of adjusting side gain in a hearing device

Abstract

A hearing device and a method of adjusting a sidetone gain in a hearing device are disclosed, the hearing device (100) configured to adjust a sidetone gain. A hearing device comprises an input transducer (20), a transceiver (25), a processing unit (30) and an output transducer (40). The processing unit (30) comprises: a first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) arranged to be connected with the input transducer (20) and the transceiver (25) and configured to process the input signals (S1, S2, S3) to obtain processed input signals (S6, S7, S8); a second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) configured to receive the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) and to apply a model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) to determine a sidetone parameter (S12); and a third component (36) configured to adjust the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal (S1) based on the sidetone parameter (S12) to obtain an output signal (S13) with the adjusted sidetone gain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hearing devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hearing device configured to adjust a sidetone gain and a method of adjusting the sidetone gain in a hearing device. Background Art

[0002] Sidetone is the acoustic feedback of one's own speech that can be heard through a communication device, such as a hearing aid. Sidetone helps users of such hearing devices adjust their speaking volume and confirm that the device is working properly. Sidetone is also beneficial for people with hearing loss, helping them have more natural and comfortable conversations. A lack of sidetone can cause users to speak louder, while excessive sidetone can cause them to speak softly.

[0003] Over the past few years, hearing devices have been developed, and attempts have been made to help users of these hearing devices adjust their speech volume when using them. For example, models have been developed to assist users, such as ISO 532-1:2017(E) Acoustics – Methods for calculating loudness – Part 1: Zwicker method and ISO 532-2:2017(E) Acoustics – Methods for calculating loudness – Part 2: Moore-Glasberg method. However, there remains a need for improved hearing devices that allow for improved adjustment of sidetone, as well as improved methods for adjusting sidetone using such hearing devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hearing device is disclosed. The hearing device is configured to adjust a sidetone gain. The hearing device includes an input transducer. The input transducer is configured to receive an input sound and convert the input sound into an input signal. The hearing device includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive another input sound and convert the other input sound into another input signal. The hearing device includes a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to be connected to the input transducer and the transceiver. The processing unit is configured to receive an input signal from the input transducer and another input signal from the transceiver. The processing unit is configured to provide an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain. The hearing device includes an output transducer. The output transducer is arranged to be connected to the processing unit. The output transducer is configured to receive an output signal from the processing unit and convert the output signal into an output sound. The processing unit includes a first component. The first component is arranged to be connected to the input transducer and the transceiver. The first component is configured to receive the input signal and process the input signal to obtain a processed input signal. The processing unit includes a second component. The second component is arranged to be connected to the first component. The second component is configured to receive a processed input signal and apply a model to the processed input signal to determine a sidetone parameter. The processing unit includes a third component. The third component is arranged to be connected to the second component. The third component is configured to receive the sidetone parameter from the second component and receive a first portion of the input signal corresponding to the user's speech from the input transducer. The third component is configured to adjust a sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter to obtain an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0005] The hearing device may be configured to be worn by a user. The hearing device may be any type of hearing device, such as a headset. The hearing device may be configured to be worn on the user's head. For example, the headset may include a headband configured to be worn on the user's head. The headset may include at least one earphone unit. The earphone unit may be configured to be worn near / on / over / inside the user's ear. The headset may include two earphone units. The user may wear two earphone units, one earphone unit near / on / over / inside each ear. The earphone unit may be any type of earphone unit. The hearing device may be any other type of hearing device, such as semi-in-ear headphones (earbuds), a hearing aid, or another head-mounted hearing device.

[0006] The input transducer allows for receiving input sound. The input transducer can be a receiver or a microphone. The input transducer can include multiple input transducers, such as a boom arm microphone and a hearing device microphone. The boom arm microphone can be located on the arm of the hearing device. The hearing device microphone can be located within the hearing device, i.e., not on the arm. For example, the hearing device microphone can be located internally within the hearing device, e.g., within, next to, or on an earpiece unit.

[0007] The input sound may include the user's voice and sounds from the user's background. The background sound may correspond to, for example, a noisy environment, music playing in the background, ambient noise, and unwanted sounds. If the hearing device includes an arm microphone, the arm microphone may be configured to receive the user's voice. The arm microphone may also be configured to receive sounds from the user's background.

[0008] Another input sound may include far-end speech and sound. The term "far-end speech and sound" herein refers to speech and sound transmitted from the other end of the communication link to the hearing device and received by the hearing device. When the user wears the hearing device in its intended position, the far-end speech and sound can be heard by the user of the hearing device. Examples of far-end speech are the speech of participants in a conference call who are not physically in the same room as the user of the hearing device, that is, the speech of these participants is transmitted to the hearing device via the communication link and received by the hearing device worn by the user. Examples of far-end sound are acoustic echo sounds, sounds corresponding to a noisy environment in the far-end background, music playing in the far-end background, far-end ambient noise, and far-end unwanted sounds.

[0009] The transceiver may be configured to receive far-end signals corresponding to far-end voice and sound wirelessly or through a wired connection (eg, in the form of RF signals (Bluetooth, DECT, etc.) or electrical signals).

[0010] The output transducer allows the output signal to be converted into output sound. The output transducer can be a receiver or a speaker. The output transducer can transmit / deliver the output sound to the user's ear.

[0011] The first component allows for processing of an input signal. The first component may process the input signal by dereverberation and noise removal. When the user is not wearing the hearing device, the first component may process the input signal using a mathematical function (e.g., a transfer function) to estimate the sound pressure at the user's eardrum. The transfer function may be selected based on the input transducer. For example, if the input transducer is a boom microphone, the transfer function may be a mouth-to-ear transfer function. As another example, if the input transducer is a hearing device microphone, the transfer function may be a hearing device-to-ear transfer function.

[0012] The second component allows applying a model to the processed input signal to determine the sidetone parameters. The model may be a peripheral hearing model, which may allow emulating the spectral masking and temporal masking performed by the human auditory system.

[0013] Spectral masking can be referred to as simultaneous masking or frequency masking. Time domain masking can be divided into two types: pre-masking or backward masking and post-masking or forward masking. In pre-masking, a sound (the masked sound) may be less audible due to a subsequent sound (the masker sound). In post-masking, the perception of the sound (the masked sound) may be masked by a preceding sound (the masker sound). The model can be a loudness model. The loudness model can determine a loudness ratio. The loudness model can classify / categorize the processed input signal into different categories. The auditory loudness model can quantify the perceived loudness in a manner that simulates how humans perceive the loudness or level of sounds, and the loudness ratio can be a comparative difference in perceived loudness between two sounds.

[0014] The third component allows for adjusting a sidetone gain of a first portion of the input signal corresponding to the user's speech based on the sidetone parameter to obtain an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain. Adjusting the sidetone gain may include increasing the sidetone gain. Adjusting the sidetone gain may also include decreasing the sidetone gain. If the sidetone gain is neither too high nor too low, i.e., if the sidetone gain has an appropriate value, adjusting the sidetone gain may include not changing the sidetone gain.

[0015] Advantageously, the hearing device includes a processing unit configured to provide an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain. Thus, the hearing device allows the user of the hearing device to speak at a normal level, i.e., not too loud and not too soft. Furthermore, for example, when the user of the hearing device is in a meeting in an open area, the hearing device allows the user to communicate effectively without disturbing others around them.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the hearing device automatically provides an output signal with an adjusted sidetone gain. In other words, it is also advantageous if the hearing device includes a processing unit configured to automatically provide an output signal with an adjusted sidetone gain. Thus, the user does not need to adjust the sidetone level, for example, by adjusting a knob. Thus, the inventive concept of the present invention provides a simple, convenient, and user-friendly hearing device that does not require user interaction to adjust the sidetone gain.

[0017] In an embodiment, the hearing device is configured to be worn by a user. The hearing device can be placed at the user's ear, on the user's ear, over the user's ear, deep into the user's ear, deep into the user's ear canal, behind the user's ear, and / or in the user's outer ear. That is, the hearing device is configured to be worn in the user's ear, on the ear, over the ear, and / or at the user's ear. The user can wear two hearing devices, one hearing device at each ear. The two hearing devices can be connected, such as wirelessly and / or via a wired connection, such as in a binaural hearing aid system.

[0018] A hearing device may be hearable, such as a headset, headphones, earphones, loose-fitting earphones, a hearing aid, a personal sound amplification product (PSAP), an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing device, hearing protection, a universal hearing device, a custom-fit hearing device, or another head-worn hearing device. Hearing devices may include both prescription and non-prescription devices.

[0019] Hearing devices can be embodied in a variety of housing styles or form factors. Some of these form factors include behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing devices, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing devices, receiver-in-the-ear (RIE) hearing devices, or microphone-in-the-ear (MaRIE) hearing devices. These devices can include a BTE unit, configured to be worn behind a user's ear, and an in-the-ear (ITE) unit, configured to be partially or fully inserted into a user's ear canal. Typically, a BTE unit may include at least one input transducer, a power supply, and a processing unit. The term "BTE hearing device" refers to a hearing device in which the receiver (i.e., output transducer) is included in the BTE unit, and sound is directed to the ITE unit via an acoustic tube connecting the BTE and ITE units. The terms "RIE hearing device, RIC hearing device, and MaRIE hearing device" refer to hearing devices in which the receiver is included in an ITE unit, which is coupled to the BTE unit via a connector cable or wires configured to transmit electrical signals between the two units.

[0020] Some of these form factors are in-the-ear (ITE) hearing devices, completely in-the-canal (CIC) hearing devices, or invisible in-the-canal (IIC) hearing devices. These hearing devices may include an ITE unit; wherein the ITE unit may include at least one input transducer, a power supply, a processing unit, and an output transducer. These form factors may be custom devices, meaning that the ITE unit may include a housing having an outer shell made of a hard material (such as a hard polymer or metal) or a soft material (such as a rubbery polymer) and molded to have an outer shape that conforms to the shape of a specific user's ear canal.

[0021] Some of these form factors are loose-fitting earphones that sit on or over headphones. Those skilled in the art are familiar with different types of hearing devices and different options for placing a hearing device in, on, over, and / or at the ear of a hearing device wearer. A hearing device (or pair of hearing devices) can be custom-fit, standard-fit, open-fit, and / or closed-fit.

[0022] In an embodiment, a hearing device may include one or more input transducers. The one or more input transducers may include one or more microphones. The one or more input transducers may include one or more vibration sensors configured to detect bone vibrations. The one or more input transducers may be configured to convert an acoustic signal into a first electrical input signal. The first electrical input signal may be an analog signal. The first electrical input signal may be a digital signal. The one or more input transducers may be coupled to one or more analog-to-digital converters configured to convert the analog first input signal into a digital first input signal.

[0023] In an embodiment, a hearing device may include one or more antennas configured for wireless communication. The one or more antennas may include electrical antennas. The electrical antennas may be configured for wireless communication at a first frequency. The first frequency may be above 800 MHz, preferably with a wavelength between 900 MHz and 6 GHz. The first frequency may be between 902 MHz and 928 MHz. The first frequency may be between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. The first frequency may be between 5.725 GHz and 5.875 GHz. The one or more antennas may include a magnetic antenna. The magnetic antenna may include a magnetic core. The magnetic antenna may include a coil. The coil may be wound around the magnetic core. The magnetic antenna may be configured for wireless communication at a second frequency. The second frequency may be below 100 MHz. The second frequency may be between 9 MHz and 15 MHz.

[0024] In embodiments, a hearing device may include one or more wireless communication units. The one or more wireless communication units may include one or more wireless receivers, one or more wireless transmitters, one or more transmitter-receiver pairs, and / or one or more transceivers. At least one of the one or more wireless communication units may be coupled to one or more antennas. The wireless communication unit may be configured to convert a wireless signal received by at least one of the one or more antennas into a second electrical input signal. The hearing device may be configured for wired / wireless audio communication, for example, enabling a user to listen to media such as music or radio and / or enabling a user to make a telephone call.

[0025] In embodiments, the wireless signal may originate from one or more external sources and / or external devices, such as a companion microphone device(s), a wireless audio transmitter(s), a smart computer(s), and / or a distributed microphone array(s) associated with a wireless transmitter. The wireless input signal may originate from another hearing device (e.g., as part of a binaural hearing system) and / or from one or more accessory devices (such as a smartphone and / or a smartwatch).

[0026] In embodiments, a hearing device may include a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to process one or more first electrical input signals and / or second electrical input signals. Processing may include compensating for a user's hearing loss, i.e., applying frequency-dependent gain to the input signals based on the user's frequency-dependent hearing impairment. Processing may include performing feedback cancellation, beamforming, tinnitus reduction / masking, noise reduction, noise cancellation, speech recognition, bass adjustment, treble adjustment, and / or processing user input. The processing unit may be a processor, an integrated circuit, an application, a functional module, etc. The processing unit may be implemented in a signal processing chip or a printed circuit board (PCB). The processing unit may be configured to provide a first electrical output signal based on processing of the first electrical input signal and / or the second electrical input signal. The processing unit may be configured to provide a second electrical output signal. The second electrical output signal may be based on processing of the first electrical input signal and / or the second electrical input signal.

[0027] In embodiments, a hearing device may include an output transducer. The output transducer may be coupled to a processing unit. The output transducer may be a receiver. Note that in this context, the receiver may be a loudspeaker, while a wireless receiver may be a device configured to process wireless signals. The receiver may be configured to convert a first electrical output signal into an acoustic output signal. The output transducer may be coupled to the processing unit via a magnetic antenna. The output transducer may be included in an ITE unit or earphone of the hearing device, such as a receiver-in-the-ear (RIE) unit or a microphone-in-the-ear (MaRIE) unit. One or more input transducers may be included in the ITE unit or earphone.

[0028] In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit may be configured to convert the second electrical output signal into a wireless output signal. The wireless output signal may include synchronization data. The wireless communication unit may be configured to transmit the wireless output signal via at least one of the one or more antennas.

[0029] In an embodiment, the hearing device may comprise a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the first electrical output signal, the second electrical output signal and / or the wireless output signal into an analog signal.

[0030] In an embodiment, a hearing device may include a vent. A vent is a physical passage, such as a tube or conduit, that is primarily used to provide pressure equalization within a housing placed in the ear (such as an ITE hearing device, an ITE unit of a BTE hearing device, a CIC hearing device, a RIE hearing device, a RIC hearing device, a MaRIE hearing device, or an earplug head / ear mold). The vent may be a pressure vent with a small cross-sectional area that is preferably acoustically sealed. The vent may be an acoustic vent configured to eliminate obstruction. The vent may be an active vent that can be opened or closed during use of the hearing device. The active vent may include a valve.

[0031] In embodiments, a hearing device may include a power supply. The power supply may include a battery that provides a first voltage. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The battery may be a replaceable battery. The power supply may include a power management unit. The power management unit may be configured to convert the first voltage to a second voltage. The power supply may include a charging coil. The charging coil may be provided by a magnetic antenna.

[0032] In embodiments, the hearing device may include memory, including both volatile and non-volatile forms of memory.

[0033] In some embodiments, the input transducer includes a first input transducer. The first input transducer may be configured to receive a first portion of an input sound. The first input transducer may be configured to convert the first portion of the input sound into a first portion of an input signal. In some embodiments, the input transducer includes a second input transducer. The second input transducer may be configured to receive a second portion of the input sound. The second input transducer may be configured to convert the second portion of the input sound into a second portion of the input signal. The processing unit may be configured to receive a first portion of the input signal from the first input transducer, a second portion of the input signal from the second input transducer, and another input signal from the transceiver. The processing unit may be configured to provide an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0034] The first input transducer may be a boom microphone. The first portion of the input sound may correspond to the user's voice. The second input transducer may be a hearing device microphone. The second portion of the input sound may correspond to the user's background sounds. The first input transducer may be positioned at a first distance from the user's ear. The second input transducer may be positioned at a second distance from the user's ear. The first and second distances may be different, for example, the first input transducer may be closer to the user's mouth than the second input transducer. The first and second portions of the input sound may be obtained in a manner known in the art (e.g., using a method known in the art). Spatial filtering (e.g., beamforming) based on the first and second input transducers may be used. The processing unit, the first input transducer, and the second input transducer may form a directional microphone system. Various spatial filtering techniques, including beamforming, are known in the art, for example, to extract the speaker's voice or the user's own voice. As an example, the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer is widely used in microphone signal processing. Ideally, an MVDR beamformer preserves signals from the target direction while minimizing attenuation of sound signals from other directions. The generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) structure is an equivalent representation of an MVDR beamformer, which offers computational and numerical advantages over straightforward implementations of its original form. For example, MVDR beamformers are described in greater detail in paragraphs [0044-0060] of EP 3422736 B1 and US 10225674 B2. EP 3422736 B1 and US 10225674 B2 are incorporated herein as specific examples of spatial filtering for extracting a user's own speech. A first input transducer may be positioned at a first distance from the user's ear. A second input transducer may be positioned at a second distance from the user's ear. The first component may be configured to process a first portion of the input signal based on the first distance. The first component may be configured to process a second portion of the input signal based on the second distance to obtain a processed input signal. The term "portion" herein refers to a region, portion, or segment of the input sound in the time domain, frequency domain, or any other domain.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first component includes a first subcomponent. The first subcomponent may be arranged to be connected to the first input transducer. The first subcomponent may be configured to modify a first portion of an input signal. The third component may be configured to receive the modified first portion of the input signal. The third component may be configured to adjust a sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal based on a sidetone parameter to obtain an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0036] The first subcomponent can be configured to process the first portion of the input signal to improve the first portion of the input signal, for example, by dereverberation and denoising the first portion of the input signal. The first subcomponent can allow for obtaining an improved first portion of the input signal, for example, a cleaner first portion of the input signal that is free of noise or at least has less noise. Thus, the first subcomponent can allow for providing an improved output signal with an adjusted sidetone gain, for example, an improved output signal with an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0037] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for adjusting the sidetone gain in a hearing device is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving an input sound by an input transducer of the hearing device and receiving another input sound by a transceiver of the hearing device. The method further comprises the steps of converting the input sound into an input signal by the input transducer of the hearing device and converting the other input sound into another input signal by the transceiver of the hearing device. The method further comprises the step of processing the input signal by a first component of a processing unit of the hearing device to obtain a processed input signal. The method further comprises the step of applying a model to the processed input signal by a second component of the processing unit of the hearing device to determine a sidetone parameter. The method further comprises the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of a first portion of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter by a third component of the processing unit of the hearing device to obtain an output signal having the adjusted sidetone gain. The method further comprises the step of outputting the output signal to an output transducer of the hearing device.

[0038] This aspect of the invention may generally present the same or corresponding advantages as defined above according to the first aspect of the invention. The step of receiving the input sound by the input transducer of the hearing device may comprise receiving a first part of the input sound by the first input transducer of the hearing device and receiving a second part of the input sound by the second input transducer of the hearing device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the steps of converting the input sound into the input signal and converting another input sound into the other input signal include converting a portion of the input signal corresponding to the user's voice into a first portion of the input signal. In some embodiments, the steps of converting the input sound into the input signal and converting another input sound into the other input signal include converting a portion of the input signal corresponding to background sound into a second portion of the input signal. In some embodiments, the steps of converting the input sound into the input signal and converting another input sound into the other input signal include converting a portion of the other input signal corresponding to the far-end voice into a third portion of the input signal.

[0040] The steps of converting the input sound into an input signal and converting the other input sound into another input signal can be performed in a manner known per se in the art, such as signal processing or a trained neural network. The steps of converting the input sound into an input signal and converting the other input sound into another input signal can take into account a first distance between the first input transducer and the user's ear and / or a second distance between the second input transducer and the user's ear.

[0041] In some embodiments, the step of processing the input signal includes: improving each of the first part of the input signal, the second part of the input signal, and the third part of the input signal to obtain an improved first part of the input signal, an improved second part of the input signal, and an improved third part of the input signal, respectively.

[0042] Improving the first portion of the input signal may include enhancing (e.g., speech enhancement) the first portion of the input signal by dereverberation and denoising the first portion of the input signal. Improving the second portion of the input signal may include enhancing (e.g., speech enhancement) the second portion of the input signal by dereverberation and denoising the second portion of the input signal. Improving the third portion of the input signal may include enhancing (e.g., speech enhancement) the third portion of the input signal by dereverberation and denoising the third portion of the input signal.

[0043] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal comprises: adjusting, by a third component of the processing unit of the hearing device, the improved sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal to obtain an output signal having an adjusted sidetone gain. This may in turn allow for providing an improved output signal having the adjusted sidetone gain, for example, an improved output signal having an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0044] In some embodiments, processing the input signal further includes applying a first model to the modified first portion of the input signal to obtain a first processed input signal. In some embodiments, processing the input signal further includes applying a second model to the modified second portion of the input signal to obtain a second processed input signal. Applying the first model may include applying a first mathematical model (such as an mouth-to-ear transfer function) to the modified first portion of the input signal. Applying the second model may include applying a second mathematical model (such as a hearing device microphone-to-ear transfer function) to the modified second portion of the input signal. The first model may take into account a first distance between a receiving microphone (e.g., a boom microphone) and a user's ear, the shape of the user's head, the ear canal, etc. The second model may take into account a second distance between the receiving microphone (e.g., a hearing device microphone) and the user's ear, the shape of the user's head, the ear canal, etc.

[0045] The step of processing the input signal may include: improving each of the first part of the input signal, the second part of the input signal and the third part of the input signal, and applying the first model to the improved first part of the input signal, or applying the second model to the improved second part of the input signal.

[0046] The step of processing the input signal may include: improving each of the first part of the input signal, the second part of the input signal and the third part of the input signal, and applying the first model to the improved first part of the input signal and applying the second model to the improved second part of the input signal.

[0047] In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal includes determining a level of the first processed input signal. In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal includes comparing the level of the first processed input signal to a first threshold, a second threshold, a third threshold, and a fourth threshold to obtain a sidetone parameter. The thresholds can be obtained from conversations under different noise conditions, where people are communicating without being interrupted, and where they are interrupted by the person they are communicating with. People may only be wearing arm microphones so that their ability to hear themselves is not affected. These conversations can then be passed through the model to calculate natural distributions, and the thresholds can then be derived based on these distributions.

[0048] Determining the level of the first processed input signal may include calculating the level of the first processed input signal. Determining the level of the first processed input signal may include calculating using a loudness model / mask. Determining the level of the first processed input signal may be performed by a subcomponent of the third component. Comparing the level of the first processed input signal to the first, second, third, and fourth thresholds may be performed by another subcomponent of the third component. The applied step allows for categorizing / classifying the level of the first processed input signal to facilitate obtaining a sidetone parameter. The term "level" herein refers to perceived loudness. For example, the term "level of the first processed input signal" herein refers to the perceived loudness of a user's voice. The first, second, third, and fourth thresholds may refer to thresholds corresponding to four different levels of loudness of the user's voice. The loudness level of the user's voice may, in turn, depend on other speakers and / or background noise.

[0049] In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal comprises determining a level of a second processed input signal. In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal comprises comparing the level of the second processed input signal to a fifth threshold to obtain a sidetone parameter.

[0050] Determining the level of the second processed input signal may include calculating the level of the second processed input signal. Determining the level of the second processed input signal may include calculating using a loudness model / mask. Determining the level of the second processed input signal may be performed by another subcomponent of the third component. Comparing the level of the second processed input signal to the fifth threshold may be performed by another subcomponent of the third component. Alternatively, comparing the level of the second processed input signal to the fifth threshold may be performed by the same component of the third component that compares the level of the first processed input signal to the first, second, third, and fourth thresholds. Applying allows the level of the second processed input signal to be categorized / classified to facilitate obtaining the sidetone parameter. The fifth threshold may be a threshold corresponding to the level of the loudness of background sound. Applying allows the level of the second processed input signal to be categorized / classified to facilitate obtaining the sidetone parameter.

[0051] In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal comprises determining a level of a third processed input signal. In some embodiments, applying the model to the processed input signal comprises comparing the level of the third processed input signal to a sixth threshold to obtain a sidetone parameter.

[0052] Determining the level of the third processed input signal may include calculating the level of the third processed input signal. Determining the level of the third processed input signal may include calculating using a loudness model / mask. Determining the level of the third processed input signal may be performed by another subcomponent of the third component. Comparing the level of the third processed input signal to the sixth threshold may be performed by another subcomponent of the third component. Alternatively, comparing the level of the third processed input signal to the sixth threshold may be performed by the same component of the third component that compares the level of the second processed input signal to the fifth threshold. Applying allows the level of the third processed input signal to be categorized / classified to facilitate obtaining a sidetone parameter. The sixth threshold may be a threshold corresponding to the loudness level of far-end speech. Applying allows the level of the third processed input signal to be categorized / classified to facilitate obtaining a sidetone parameter.

[0053] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the first threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the first threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above a first threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is below a fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is below a sixth threshold.

[0054] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the first threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the first threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above the first threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is below the fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is below the sixth threshold.

[0055] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the second threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the second threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above the second threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is above the fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is below the sixth threshold.

[0056] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the second threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the second threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above the second threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is above the fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is below the sixth threshold.

[0057] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the third threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the third threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above a third threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is below a fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is above a sixth threshold.

[0058] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the third threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the third threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above a third threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is below a fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is above a sixth threshold.

[0059] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the fourth threshold or a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the fourth threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above a fourth threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is above a fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is above a sixth threshold.

[0060] In some embodiments, the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal includes increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level of the first processed input signal and the fourth threshold or by a ratio between the level of the first processed input signal and the fourth threshold when the level of the first processed input signal is above a fourth threshold, when the level of the second processed input signal is above a fifth threshold, and when the level of the third processed input signal is above a sixth threshold.

[0061] The sidetone gain can be increased by a factor that can range from 1 to 4, corresponding to 0 dB to 12 dB.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first threshold may be in the range of 70 phon to 80 phon. In some embodiments, the second threshold may be in the range of 75 phon to 85 phon. In some embodiments, the third threshold may be in the range of 80 phon to 90 phon. In some embodiments, the fourth threshold may be in the range of 85 phon to 95 phon. In some embodiments, the fifth threshold may be up to 40 phon. In some embodiments, the sixth threshold may be up to 40 phon.

[0063] The present invention relates to different aspects, including the hearing devices and methods described above and below, as well as corresponding device parts, each device part resulting in one or more benefits and advantages described in conjunction with the first-mentioned aspect, and each device part having one or more embodiments corresponding to the embodiments described in conjunction with the first-mentioned aspect and / or disclosed in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The above and other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] Figure 1 An exemplary hearing device 100 is schematically shown.

[0066] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An overview and a detailed view of components of the hearing device 100 are schematically shown, respectively.

[0067] Figure 4 The steps of a method 200 of adjusting the sidetone gain in a hearing device 100 are schematically illustrated.

[0068] Figure 5 Graphs corresponding to the loudness of the user's voice under four different conditions a, b, c, and d are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals denote like elements throughout. Therefore, like elements will not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended to serve as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the illustrated embodiments need not have all of the illustrated aspects or advantages. An aspect or advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and may be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not so illustrated or if not so explicitly described.

[0070] Figure 1 A hearing device 100 is schematically shown. The hearing device 100 is configured to adjust a sidetone gain. The hearing device 100 may comprise a headband 50. The hearing device 100 may comprise an arm 52. The hearing device 100 comprises an input transducer 20. The input transducer 20 may comprise a plurality of input transducers 20. Figure 1 It is shown that the input transducer 20 comprises an arm microphone 1 and a hearing device microphone 5. The hearing device 100 further comprises a transceiver 25. The hearing device further comprises a processing unit 30. The hearing device further comprises an output transducer 40.

[0071] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An overview and detailed views of the components of the hearing device 100 are shown, respectively. The input transducer 20 is configured to receive an input sound and convert the input sound into input signals S1 and S2. The input transducer 20 may include a first input transducer 1. The first input transducer 1 may be configured to receive a first portion of the input sound. The first input transducer 1 may be configured to convert the first portion of the input sound into a first portion of the input signal S1. The input transducer 20 may include a second input transducer 5. The second input transducer 5 may be configured to receive a second portion of the input sound. The second input transducer 5 may be configured to convert the second portion of the input sound into a second portion of the input signal S2. The transceiver 25 is configured to receive another input sound and convert the other input sound into another input signal S3. The processing unit 30 is arranged to be connected to the input transducer 20 and the transceiver 25.

[0072] The processing unit 30 is configured to receive input signals S1 and S2 from the input transducer 20 and another input signal S3 from the transceiver 25. The processing unit 30 can be configured to receive a first portion S1 of the input signal from the first input transducer 1. The processing unit 30 can be configured to receive a second portion S2 of the input signal from the second input transducer 5. The processing unit 30 is configured to provide an output signal S13 having an adjusted sidetone gain. The output transducer 40 is arranged to be connected to the processing unit 30. The output transducer 40 is configured to receive the output signal S13 from the processing unit 30 and convert the output signal S13 into output sound.

[0073] Figure 2 and Figure 3The processing unit 30 is shown to include a first component 32. The first component 32 may include a plurality of subcomponents 2, 3, 6, 8, 9. The first components 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 are arranged to be connected to the input transducer 20 and the transceiver 25. The first components 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 are configured to receive input signals S1, S2, S3. The first components 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 are configured to process the input signals S1, S2, S3 to obtain processed input signals S6, S7, S8. The first components 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 may include a first subcomponent 2 arranged to be connected to the first input transducer 1. The first subcomponent 2 may be configured to improve 232 the first portion S1 of the input signal. The processing unit 30 includes a second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11. The second component 34 may include a plurality of subcomponents 4, 7, 10, 11. The second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11 is arranged to be connected to the first component 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9. The second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11 is configured to receive the processed input signal S6, S7, S8. The second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11 is configured to apply the model to the processed input signal S6, S7, S8 to determine the sidetone parameter S12. The processing unit 30 includes a third component 36. The third component 36 is arranged to be connected to the second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11. The third component 36 is configured to receive the sidetone parameter S12 from the second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11. The third component 36 is configured to receive a first portion S1 of the input signal corresponding to the user's voice from the input transducer 20. The third component 36 is configured to adjust the sidetone gain of the first portion S1 of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter S12 to obtain an output signal S13 having the adjusted sidetone gain. The third component 36 may be configured to receive the modified first portion S4 of the input signal. The third component 36 may be configured to adjust the sidetone gain of the modified first portion S4 of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter S12 to obtain an output signal S13 having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0074] Figure 4The steps of a method 200 for adjusting the sidetone gain in a hearing device 100 are schematically shown. The method 200 comprises the steps of receiving 210 an input sound by an input transducer 20 of the hearing device 100 and receiving another input sound via a transceiver 25 of the hearing device 100. The method 200 comprises the steps of converting 220 the input sound into input signals S1, S2 via the input transducer 20 of the hearing device 100 and converting the other input sound into another input signal S3 via the transceiver 25 of the hearing device 100. The method 200 comprises the steps of processing 230 the input signals S1, S2, S3 via a first component 32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 of a processing unit 30 of the hearing device 100 to obtain processed input signals S6, S7, S8. The step of processing 230 the input signals S1, S2, S3 may include improving 232 each of the first portion S1 of the input signal, the second portion S2 of the input signal, and the third portion S3 of the input signal to obtain an improved first portion S4 of the input signal, an improved second portion S5 of the input signal, and an improved third portion S6 of the input signal, respectively. The step of processing 230 the input signals S1, S2, S3 may also include applying 234 a first model to the improved first portion S4 of the input signal to obtain a first processed input signal S7. The step of processing 230 the input signals S1, S2, S3 may also include applying 234 a second model to the improved second portion S5 of the input signal to obtain a second processed input signal S8.

[0075] The method 200 further comprises applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, S8 by the second component 34, 4, 7, 10, 11 of the processing unit 30 of the hearing device 100 to determine a sidetone parameter S12. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, S8 may comprise determining 242 a level S9 of the first processed input signal S7. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, S8 may comprise comparing 244 the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 to a first threshold L1, a second threshold L2, a third threshold L3, and a fourth threshold L4 to obtain the sidetone parameter S12. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, S8 may comprise determining 242 a level S10 of the second processed input signal S8. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, and S8 may include comparing 244 the level S10 of the second processed input signal S8 with a fifth threshold value T1 to obtain a sidetone parameter S12. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, and S8 may include determining 242 the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6. Applying 240 the model to the processed input signals S6, S7, and S8 may include comparing 244 the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6 with a sixth threshold value T2 to obtain a sidetone parameter S12. The method 200 further includes adjusting 250, by the third component 36 of the processing unit 30 of the hearing device 100, the sidetone gain of the first portion S1 of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter S12 to obtain an output signal S13 having the adjusted sidetone gain. The method 200 further includes outputting 260 the output signal S13 to the output transducer 40 of the hearing device 100.

[0076] Figure 5 A graph corresponding to the loudness of the user's voice under four different conditions (a, b, c, and d) using a loudness model is shown. Adjusting 250 the sidetone gain of the modified first portion S4 of the input signal may include increasing the sidetone gain of the modified first portion S4 of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the first threshold L1 or a ratio between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the first threshold L1 when the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 is above a first threshold L1, when the level S10 of the second processed input signal S8 is below a fifth threshold T1, and when the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6 is below a sixth threshold T2. The factor may correspond to a sidetone parameter S12. The factor may be the sidetone parameter S12.

[0077] The step of adjusting 250 the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal may include increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the second threshold L2 or a ratio between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the second threshold L2 when the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 is above the second threshold L2, when the level S10 of the second processed input signal S8 is above the fifth threshold T1, and when the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6 is below the sixth threshold T2. The factor may correspond to a sidetone parameter S12. The factor may be the sidetone parameter S12.

[0078] The step of adjusting 250 the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal may include increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the third threshold L3 or a ratio between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the third threshold L3 when the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 is above the third threshold L3, when the level S10 of the second processed input signal S8 is below the fifth threshold T1, and when the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6 is above the sixth threshold T2. The factor may correspond to a sidetone parameter S12. The factor may be the sidetone parameter S12.

[0079] The step of adjusting 250 the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal may include increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first portion S4 of the input signal by a factor determined by a difference between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the fourth threshold L4 or a ratio between the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 and the fourth threshold L4 when the level S9 of the first processed input signal S7 is above a fourth threshold L4, when the level S10 of the second processed input signal S8 is above a fifth threshold T1, and when the level S11 of the third processed input signal S6 is above a sixth threshold T2. The factor may correspond to a sidetone parameter S12. The factor may be the sidetone parameter S12.

[0080] While certain features have been shown and described, it will be understood that these features are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

[0081] project:

[0082] 1. A hearing device (100) configured to adjust a sidetone gain, the hearing device comprising:

[0083] - an input transducer (20) configured to receive input sound and convert the input sound into an input signal (S1, S2);

[0084] - a transceiver (25) configured to receive another input sound and convert the other input sound into another input signal (S3);

[0085] - a processing unit (30) arranged in connection with the input transducer (20) and the transceiver (25), the processing unit (30) being configured to receive an input signal (S1, S2) from the input transducer (20) and another input signal (S3) from the transceiver (25), and being configured to provide an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain; and

[0086] - an output transducer (40) arranged to be connected to the processing unit (30), the output transducer (40) being configured to receive the output signal (S13) from the processing unit (30) and convert the output signal (S13) into an output sound;

[0087] The processing unit (30) includes:

[0088] - a first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) arranged in connection with the input transducer (20) and the transceiver (25) and configured to receive an input signal (S1, S2, S3) and process the input signal (S1, S2, S3) to obtain a processed input signal (S6, S7, S8);

[0089] - a second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) arranged in connection with the first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) and configured to receive the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) and to apply the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) to determine a sidetone parameter (S12); and

[0090] - a third component (36) arranged in connection with the second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) and configured to receive the sidetone parameter (S12) from the second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) and receive a first portion of the input signal (S1) corresponding to the user's voice from the input transducer (20), and configured to adjust the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal (S1) based on the sidetone parameter (S12) to obtain an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0091] 2. A hearing device (100) according to item 1, wherein the input transducer (20) comprises: a first input transducer (1) configured to receive a first part of the input sound and convert the first part of the input sound into a first part of the input signal (S1); and a second input transducer (5) configured to receive a second part of the input sound and convert the second part of the input sound into a second part of the input signal (S2), and wherein the processing unit (30) is configured to receive the first part (S1) of the input signal from the first input transducer (1), the second part (S2) of the input signal from the second input transducer (5) and another input signal (S3) from the transceiver (25), and is configured to provide an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0092] 3. A hearing device (100) according to item 2, wherein the first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) comprises a first subcomponent (2) arranged to be connected to the first input transducer (1) and configured to improve (232) a first portion of the input signal (S1), and wherein the third component (36) is configured to receive the improved first portion of the input signal (S4) and to adjust a sidetone gain of the improved first portion of the input signal (S4) based on a sidetone parameter (S12) to obtain an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain.

[0093] 4. The hearing device (100) of item 2, wherein the hearing device (100) comprises an earphone configured to be arranged at an ear of a user; wherein the first input transducer (1) is arranged at a first distance from the ear of the user, and the second input transducer (5) is arranged at a second distance from the ear of the user.

[0094] 5. The hearing device (100) according to item 4, wherein the first component (32) is configured to process the first input signal based on the first distance and to process the second input signal based on the second distance to obtain a processed input signal.

[0095] 6. A method (200) for adjusting a sidetone gain in a hearing device (100), the method (200) comprising the following steps:

[0096] - receiving (210) an input sound by an input transducer (20) of the hearing device (100) and receiving another input sound by a transceiver (25) of the hearing device (100);

[0097] - converting (220) an input sound into an input signal (S1, S2) by an input transducer (20) of the hearing device (100), and converting another input sound into another input signal (S3) by a transceiver (25) of the hearing device (100);

[0098] - processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) by a first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) of a processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to obtain a processed input signal (S6, S7, S8);

[0099] - applying (240) the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) by a second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to determine a sidetone parameter (S12);

[0100] - adjusting (250) a sidetone gain of a first portion of the input signal (S1) corresponding to the user's speech, by a third component (36) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100), based on the sidetone parameter (S12), to obtain an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain; and

[0101] - outputting (260) the output signal (S13) to the output transducer (40) of the hearing device (100).

[0102] 7. The method (200) according to item 6, wherein the step of converting (220) an input sound into an input signal (S1, S2) and converting another input sound into another input signal (S3) comprises:

[0103] - converting (220) a portion of the input signal (S1, S2) corresponding to the user's speech into a first portion of the input signal (S1);

[0104] - converting (220) a portion of the input signal (S1, S2) corresponding to the background sound into a second portion of the input signal (S2);

[0105] - converting (220) a portion of the further input signal (S3) corresponding to the far-end speech into a third portion of the input signal (S3).

[0106] 8. The method (200) according to any one of items 6-7, wherein the step of processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) comprises:

[0107] - improving (232) each of the first portion (S1) of the input signal, the second portion (S2) of the input signal, and the third portion (S3) of the input signal to obtain an improved first portion of the input signal (S4), an improved second portion of the input signal (S5), and an improved third portion of the input signal (S6), respectively.

[0108] 9. The method (200) according to item 8, wherein the step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the first portion of the input signal (S1) comprises: adjusting the sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal (S4) by a third component (36) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to obtain an output signal (S13) having the adjusted sidetone gain.

[0109] 10. The method (200) according to item 8 or 9, wherein the step of processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) further comprises:

[0110] - applying (234) the first model to the modified second portion of the input signal (S4) to obtain a first processed input signal (S7); and

[0111] - applying (234) the second model to the modified second part of the input signal (S5) to obtain a second processed input signal (S8).

[0112] 11. The method (200) according to item 10, wherein the step of applying (240) a model, optionally a loudness model, to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises:

[0113] - determining (242) a level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7);

[0114] - comparing (244) the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) with a first threshold (L1), a second threshold (L2), a third threshold (L3) and a fourth threshold (L4) to obtain a sidetone parameter (S12).

[0115] 12. The method (200) according to any one of items 10 or 11, wherein the step of applying (240) the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises:

[0116] - determining (242) a level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8);

[0117] - comparing (244) the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) with a fifth threshold (T1) to obtain a sidetone parameter (S12).

[0118] 13. The method (200) according to any one of items 10-12, wherein the step of applying (240) the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises:

[0119] - determining (242) a level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6);

[0120] - comparing (244) the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) with a sixth threshold (T2) to obtain a sidetone parameter (S12).

[0121] 14. The method (200) according to any one of items 9-13, wherein the step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal (S4) comprises:

[0122] - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is above the first threshold (L1), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is below the fifth threshold (T1), and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is below the sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the modified first part of the input signal (S4) by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the first threshold (L1) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the first threshold (L1).

[0123] 15. The method according to any of items 11-14, wherein the step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal (S4) comprises:

[0124] - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is higher than the second threshold (L2), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is higher than the fifth threshold (T1), and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is lower than the sixth threshold (T2), the sidetone gain of the improved first part of the input signal (S4) is increased by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the second threshold (L2) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the second threshold (L2).

[0125] 16. The method (200) according to any one of items 11-15, wherein the step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal (S4) comprises:

[0126] - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is above the third threshold (L3), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is below the fifth threshold (T1), and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is above the sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part of the input signal (S4) by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the third threshold (L3) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the third threshold (L3).

[0127] 17. The method (200) according to any one of items 11-16, wherein the step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion of the input signal (S4) comprises:

[0128] - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is higher than a fourth threshold (L4), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is higher than a fifth threshold (T1), and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is higher than a sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part of the input signal (S4) by a factor determined by a difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the fourth threshold (L4) or a ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the fourth threshold (L4).

[0129] 18. The method (200) according to any one of items 11-16, wherein:

[0130] - the first threshold (L1) is in the range of 70 phon to 80 phon;

[0131] - The second threshold (L2) is in the range of 75 phon to 85 phon;

[0132] - The third threshold (L3) is in the range of 80 phon to 90 phon;

[0133] - The fourth threshold (L4) is in the range of 85 phon to 95 phon;

[0134] - The fifth threshold (T1) is up to 40 phons; and

[0135] - The sixth threshold (T2) is up to 40 phon.

[0136] Reference Symbol List

[0137] 1First input transducer

[0138] 2The first subcomponent of the first component

[0139] 5 Second input transducer

[0140] 20 input transducers

[0141] 25 transceivers

[0142] 30 processing units

[0143] 32 first component

[0144] 34 Second component

[0145] 36 Third component

[0146] 40 output transducer

[0147] 52 arms

[0148] 100 hearing aids

[0149] 200 How to adjust the sidetone level

[0150] 210 Method Steps: Receiving

[0151] 220 Method Steps: Conversion

[0152] 230 Methods and Steps: Processing

[0153] 232 Method Sub-step: Improvement

[0154] 234 Method Sub-step: Application

[0155] 240 Method Steps: Application

[0156] 242 Method Sub-step: Determine

[0157] 244 Method Substep: Comparison

[0158] 250 Method Steps: Adjustment

[0159] 260 Method Steps: Output

[0160] L, B, F levels

[0161] L1 first threshold

[0162] L2 second threshold

[0163] L3 third threshold

[0164] L4 fourth threshold

[0165] T1 fifth threshold

[0166] T2 sixth threshold

[0167] S1, S2, S3 input signals

[0168] Processed input signals of S6, S7, and S8

[0169] S9 The level of the first processed input signal S7

[0170] S10 The level of the second processed input signal S8

[0171] S11 The level of the third processed input signal S6

[0172] S12 sidetone parameters

[0173] S13 output signal.

Claims

1. A hearing device (100) configured to adjust a sidetone gain, the hearing device comprising: - an input transducer (20) configured to receive input sound and convert the input sound into an input signal (S1, S2); - a transceiver (25) configured to receive another input sound and convert the another input sound into another input signal (S3); - a processing unit (30) arranged in connection with the input transducer (20) and the transceiver (25), the processing unit (30) being configured to receive the input signal (S1, S2) from the input transducer (20) and the further input signal (S3) from the transceiver (25), and the processing unit being configured to provide an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain; as well as - an output transducer (40) arranged to be connected to the processing unit (30), the output transducer (40) being configured to receive the output signal (S13) from the processing unit (30) and convert the output signal (S13) into output sound; Wherein, the processing unit (30) includes: - a first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) arranged to be connected to the input transducer (20) and the transceiver (25), and configured to receive an input signal (S1, S2, S3) and to process the input signal (S1, S2, S3) to obtain a processed input signal (S6, S7, S8); a second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) arranged in connection with the first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) and configured to receive the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) and to apply a model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) to determine a sidetone parameter (S12); and - a third component (36) arranged to be connected to the second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11), and the third component is configured to receive the sidetone parameter (S12) from the second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) and the first part (S1) of the input signal corresponding to the user's voice from the input transducer (20), and the third component is configured to adjust the sidetone gain of the first part (S1) of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter (S12) to obtain the output signal (S13) with the adjusted sidetone gain.

2. The hearing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The input transducer (20) comprises: a first input transducer (1) configured to receive a first part of the input sound and convert the first part of the input sound into the first part (S1) of the input signal; and a second input transducer (5) configured to receive a second part of the input sound and convert the second part of the input sound into the second part (S2) of the input signal, and wherein the processing unit (30) is configured to receive the first part (S1) of the input signal from the first input transducer (1), the second part (S2) of the input signal from the second input transducer (5) and the further input signal (S3) from the transceiver (25), and the processing unit is configured to provide the output signal (S13) having the adjusted sidetone gain.

3. The hearing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein The first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) comprises a first subcomponent (2) arranged in connection with the first input transducer (1) and configured to improve (232) the first portion (S1) of the input signal, and wherein the third component (36) is configured to receive the improved first portion (S4) of the input signal and to adjust the sidetone gain of the improved first portion (S4) of the input signal based on the sidetone parameter (S12) to obtain the output signal (S13) having the adjusted sidetone gain.

4. A method (200) for adjusting a sidetone gain in a hearing device (100), the method (200) comprising the following steps: - receiving (210) an input sound via the input transducer (20) of the hearing device (100) and receiving another input sound via the transceiver (25) of the hearing device (100); - converting (220) the input sound into input signals (S1, S2) via the input transducer (20) of the hearing device (100), and converting the further input sound into another input signal (S3) via the transceiver (25) of the hearing device (100); - processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) by a first component (32, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) of a processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to obtain a processed input signal (S6, S7, S8); - applying (240) a model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) by a second component (34, 4, 7, 10, 11) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to determine a sidetone parameter (S12); - adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the first portion (S1) of the input signal corresponding to the user's speech based on the sidetone parameter (S12) by a third component (36) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to obtain an output signal (S13) having an adjusted sidetone gain; and - outputting (260) the output signal (S13) to the output transducer (40) of the hearing device (100).

5. The method (200) according to claim 4, wherein The steps of converting (220) the input sound into the input signal (S1, S2) and converting the other input sound into the other input signal (S3) include: - converting (220) a portion of the input signal (S1, S2) corresponding to the user's speech into the first portion (S1) of the input signal; - converting (220) a portion of the input signal (S1, S2) corresponding to the background sound into a second portion (S2) of the input signal; - converting (220) a portion of the further input signal (S3) corresponding to the far-end speech into a third portion (S3) of the input signal.

6. The method (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein: The step of processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) comprises: - improving (232) each of the first portion (S1) of the input signal, the second portion (S2) of the input signal and the third portion (S3) of the input signal to obtain an improved first portion (S4) of the input signal, an improved second portion (S5) of the input signal and an improved third portion (S6) of the input signal, respectively.

7. The method (200) according to claim 6, wherein The step of adjusting the sidetone gain of the first part (S1) of the input signal comprises adjusting the sidetone gain of the improved first part (S4) of the input signal by the third component (36) of the processing unit (30) of the hearing device (100) to obtain the output signal (S13) having the adjusted sidetone gain.

8. The method (200) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The step of processing (230) the input signal (S1, S2, S3) further comprises: - applying (234) a first model to the modified first part (S4) of the input signal to obtain a first processed input signal (S7); and - applying (234) a second model to the modified second part of the input signal (S5) to obtain a second processed input signal (S8).

9. The method (200) according to claim 8, wherein The step of applying (240) the model, optionally a loudness model, to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises: - determining (242) a level (S9) of said first processed input signal (S7); - comparing (244) the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) with a first threshold (L1), a second threshold (L2), a third threshold (L3) and a fourth threshold (L4) to obtain the sidetone parameter (S12).

10. The method (200) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein The step of applying (240) the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises: - determining (242) a level (S10) of said second processed input signal (S8); - comparing (244) the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) with a fifth threshold (T1) to obtain the sidetone parameter (S12).

11. The method (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The step of applying (240) the model to the processed input signal (S6, S7, S8) comprises: - determining (242) a level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6); - comparing (244) the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) with a sixth threshold (T2) to obtain the sidetone parameter (S12).

12. The method (200) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein The step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion (S4) of the input signal comprises: - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is above a first threshold (L1), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is below a fifth threshold (T1) and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is below a sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part (S4) of the input signal by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the first threshold (L1) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the first threshold (L1).

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein The step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion (S4) of the input signal comprises: - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is higher than a second threshold (L2), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is higher than a fifth threshold (T1) and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is lower than a sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part (S4) of the input signal by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the second threshold (L2) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the second threshold (L2).

14. The method (200) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein: The step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion (S4) of the input signal comprises: - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is higher than a third threshold (L3), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is lower than a fifth threshold (T1) and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is higher than a sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part (S4) of the input signal by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the third threshold (L3) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the third threshold (L3).

15. The method (200) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein The step of adjusting (250) the sidetone gain of the modified first portion (S4) of the input signal comprises: - when the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) is higher than a fourth threshold (L4), when the level (S10) of the second processed input signal (S8) is higher than a fifth threshold (T1) and when the level (S11) of the third processed input signal (S6) is higher than a sixth threshold (T2), increasing the sidetone gain of the improved first part (S4) of the input signal by a factor determined by the difference between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the fourth threshold (L4) or the ratio between the level (S9) of the first processed input signal (S7) and the fourth threshold (L4).

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