Monitoring and configuring hearing aid using charger

Abstract

A method (100) for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid (10) is provided. The method (100) comprises steps of: establishing (S110) a connection between the computing device (20) and a charger (30); detecting (S120) that the hearing aid (10) has been placed in the charger (30); transmitting (S130) an identification code from the hearing aid (10) to the computing device (20) via the charger (30); setting (S140) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) in pairing mode; pairing (S150) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) using a wireless connection; and monitoring and / or configuring (S160) the hearing aid (10) using the wireless connection. A system (40) for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid (10) and a method (200) for establishing a wireless connection are further provided.

Description

[0001] MONITORING AND CONFIGURING HEARING AID USING CHARGER

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present inventive concept relates to monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid using a charger. In particular, the present inventive concept relates to monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid using a charger to assist with pairing with a computing device.

[0004] Background

[0005] During fitting of hearing aids, a hearing care professional (HCP) needs to select which hearing aid(s) to connect to. When connecting through a wireless connection there is the risk of selecting a hearing aid different from what you intend. With increased range and if there are several HCPs fitting at the same time, the risk of errors increases as the number of hearing aids to choose from increases, making it harder to identify the correct hearing aid.

[0006] In a service situation the problem is the same, but the number of available hearing aids are usually even higher in numbers.

[0007] During use, the hearing aids are sometimes connected wirelessly to other devices such as computers and / or mobile phones.

[0008] Summary

[0009] It is thereby an object of the present inventive concept to improve the process of connecting to a hearing aid. This and other objects are achieved by the features set out in the appended independent claims, with embodiments set out in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, a first aspect of the inventive concept is provided by a method for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid using a computing device. The method comprises steps of: establishing a connection between the computing device and a charger; detecting that the hearing aid has been placed in the charger; transmitting an identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger; setting the hearing aid and the computing device in pairing mode; pairing the hearing aid and the computing device using a wireless connection; and monitoring and / or configuring the hearing aid using the wireless connection. The hearing aid may be part of a set of two hearing aids.

[0011] The computing device may be a computer, smartphone, a processing circuit, or some other suitable device.

[0012] The wireless connection may e.g. be Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi or other suitable fast, low energy alternatives.

[0013] The charger may be configured to fully enclose the hearing aid while charging. The charger may have a galvanic connection to the hearing aid. The charger may be configured to behave differently depending on how many hearing aids are connected to the charger. For example, if only one hearing aid is connected to the charger and the charger is connected to a computing device, the computing device may automatically pair with that hearing aid using the charger.

[0014] The pairing mode may comprise being ready to connect with another device.

[0015] Pairing the hearing aid and the computing device may comprise putting the hearing aid and the computing device into connection with each other.

[0016] The identification code may be a serial number or any other identifier. The identification code may be unique.

[0017] The hearing aid may be maintained in a powered mode during the monitoring and / or configuring step.

[0018] This may enable further functions and controls when monitoring and / or configuring.

[0019] The method may comprise setting the side identity of the hearing aid using the computing device after the pairing step.

[0020] The side identity may be left ear or right ear.

[0021] Some hearing aids may detect their side identity based on what receiver (speaker) is attached. Based on this information, the computing device may set the correct side identity automatically, which may further affect monitoring and configuring.

[0022] The connection between the computing device and the charger may be wired.

[0023] Wired connections are simple and intuitive.

[0024] The charger may act as a passive gateway when transmitting the identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger.

[0025] This way the charger does not require any substantial memory or processing power. The hearing aid may remain in the charger while monitoring and / or configuring the hearing aid using the wireless connection.

[0026] This further simplifies the process of monitoring and / or configuring and enables monitoring and / or configuring while the battery of the hearing aid is depleted and while the charger charges the hearing aid.

[0027] A second aspect of the inventive concept is provided by a system for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid. The system comprises: a hearing aid; a charger comprising a galvanic connection for transferring battery charging energy to the hearing aid; and a computing device connected to the charger; wherein the hearing aid is configured to transmit an identification code to the computing device via the charger using the galvanic connection; wherein the hearing aid and the computing device are configured to connect wirelessly to each other after the identification code is transmitted and received; and wherein the computing device is configured to monitor and / or configure the hearing aid wirelessly.

[0028] Improvements and alternatives to the first aspect of the inventive concept apply mutatis mutandis to the second aspect of the inventive concept.

[0029] The computing device may be connected to the charger using a wired connection.

[0030] Wired connections are simple and intuitive.

[0031] The charger may be configured to act as a passive gateway when transmitting the identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger.

[0032] This way the charger does not require any substantial memory or processing power.

[0033] The hearing aid may be configured to remain in the charger while configuring and / or monitoring the hearing aid.

[0034] This further simplifies the process of monitoring and / or configuring and enables monitoring and / or configuring while the battery of the hearing aid is depleted while the charger charges the hearing aid.

[0035] A third aspect of the inventive concept is a method for establishing a wireless connection between a hearing aid and a computing device. The method comprises steps of: establishing a connection between the computing device and a charger; detecting that the hearing aid has been placed in the charger; transmitting an identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger; setting the hearing aid and the computing device in pairing mode; and pairing the hearing aid and the computing device to establish a wireless connection.

[0036] The same alternatives and benefits of the first aspect may apply to the third aspect mutatis mutandis.

[0037] The hearing aid may be maintained in a powered mode during the pairing step.

[0038] This may enable further control and efficiency when pairing.

[0039] The hearing aid may remain in the charger while establishing a wireless connection.

[0040] This further simplifies the process of establishing a wireless connection and enables establishing a wireless connection while the battery of the hearing aid is depleted and while the charger charges the hearing aid.

[0041] The invention will be described in further detail with reference to preferred aspects and the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a system for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid according to an embodiment;

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method of monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid system according to an embodiment; and

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for establishing a wireless connection between a hearing aid and a computing device according to an embodiment. of embodiments

[0045] In the following, terms such as a / an / the and comprising are intended to be interpreted as non-limiting. Any processor or computing unit may be implemented as an electronic circuit and electronic connections may be wired or wireless unless otherwise explicitly stated. Unless explicitly specified, a wireless connection may be implemented in any number of standards known to a person skilled in the art, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, Zigbee, 4G / LTE, 5G and so one.

[0046] Fig. 1 a shows an embodiment of a system 40 for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid 10. The system 40 comprises two hearing aids 10, a computing device 20, and a charger 30. The charger 30 is configured to receive the hearing aids 10 and comprise a galvanic connection 32 for transferring battery charging energy to the hearing aid 10.

[0047] The charger 30 is connected to the computing device 20. In Fig. 1a it is a wired connection.

[0048] The hearing aids 10 are configured to transmit an identification code to the computing device 20 via the charger 30 using the galvanic connection 32. The charger 30 is connected to the computing device 20 and the charger 30 may act as a passive gateway when transmitting the identification code from the hearing aid 10 to the computing device 20 via the charger 30.

[0049] The identification code is unique to each hearing aid 10 and are shown as XXXX and YYYY in Fig. 1a. In Fig. 1a, the right hearing aid 10 is inserted into the charger 30 and the left hearing aid 10 is not. Consequently, the right hearing aid 10 is identified by the computing device 20. The computing device 20 is displaying the the identification code from the right hearing aid (YYYY) and have thereby received the identification code from the hearing aid 10 via the charger 30.

[0050] The computing device 20 has further in Fig. 1 a identified the right hearing aid 10 as the right hearing aid 10. This may be based on the insertion into the charger 30 or based on information provided by the hearing aid 10.

[0051] A side identity of the hearing aid 10 may thereby be set by the computing device 20 using information received from the hearing aid 10 via the charger 30.

[0052] The hearing aid 10 and the computing device 20 may then be set in pairing mode and paired using a wireless connection, using the identification code to facilitate the pairing.

[0053] The hearing aid 10 and the computing device 20 may be configured to connect wirelessly to each other after the identification code is transmitted and received.

[0054] The computing device 20 may be configured to use the identification core and / or side identity or other information provided by the hearing aid 10 (via the charger 30) to monitor and / or configure the hearing aid 10 wirelessly according to e.g. audiogram data.

[0055] The hearing aid(s) 10 may be configured to remain in the charger 30 during monitoring and / or configuring.

[0056] The hearing aid(s) 10 may be configured to be maintained in a powered mode during monitoring and / or configuring. There is no risk for the battery to drain while the hearing aid(s) 10 are in the charger 30 so this may facilitate a faster and more stable connection.

[0057] Fig. 1 b shows a similar embodiment of a system 40 for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid 10 as in Fig. 1 a. Fig. 1 b shows a different computing device 20 than in Fig. 1a, however they each perform a similar function.

[0058] Fig.1 b shows the system 40 slightly later in time than the system 40 in Fig. 1 a, after the identification code has been received and the computing device 20 is paring with the hearing aid with identification code YYYY.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 100 for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid 10 using a computing device 20. The flowchart shows a number of steps that may be performed by different devices, in any order or simultaneously. Optional steps are shown with dashed lines.

[0060] The first step shown in Fig. 2 is establishing S110 a connection between a computing device and a charger. This may be done e.g. by connecting the charger to the computing device using a wired or wireless connection.

[0061] Next in Fig. 2 is a step of detecting S120 that a hearing aid has been placed in the charger. This may be done by the charger detecting a galvanic or capacitive coupling by the hearing aid after it has been inserted.

[0062] Next in Fig. 2 is a step of transmitting S130 an identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger. The charger may act as a passive gateway in this step.

[0063] Next in Fig. 2 is a step of setting S140 the hearing aid and the computing device in pairing mode. This may correspond to activating a wireless connection using software or hardware, depending on the type of wireless connection. For example, software pairing may be used for a Bluetooth connection.

[0064] Next in Fig. 2 is a step of pairing S150 the hearing aid and the computing device using a wireless connection. This may correspond to establishing a wireless connection using software or hardware, depending on the type of wireless connection. For example, software pairing may be used for a Bluetooth connection.

[0065] Next in Fig. 2 is a step of monitoring and / or configuring S160 the hearing aid using the wireless connection. This may comprise fitting or servicing the hearing aid.

[0066] The hearing aid may be maintained in a powered mode during this step.

[0067] The hearing aid may remain in the charger during this step. Next in Fig. 2 is an optional step of setting S170 a side identity of the hearing aid using the computing device after the pairing step. The side identity corresponds to being a left or right hearing aid.

[0068] Each ear of a user may require different processing and / or amplification, as such each hearing aid is prog ram med / fitted to a specific ear. This side identity may be intrinsic to the hearing aid upon manufacturing, e.g. because of a choice of speaker in the hearing aid or a shape of a mold of the hearing aid. Consequently, by setting the side identity automatically using the computing device, human error is removed, and the fitting process is simplified and made more accurate.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for establishing a wireless connection between a hearing aid 10 and a computing device 20. The flowchart shows a number of steps that may be performed by different devices, in any order or simultaneously. Optional steps are shown with dashed lines.

[0070] The first step shown in Fig. 3 is establishing S210 a connection between a computing device and a charger. This may be done e.g. by connecting the charger to the computing device using a wired or wireless connection.

[0071] Next in Fig. 3 is a step of detecting S220 that a hearing aid has been placed in the charger. This may be done by the charger detecting a galvanic or capacitive coupling by the hearing aid after it has been inserted.

[0072] Next in Fig. 3 is a step of transmitting S230 an identification code from the hearing aid to the computing device via the charger. The charger may act as a passive gateway in this step.

[0073] Next in Fig. 3 is a step of setting S240 the hearing aid and the computing device in pairing mode. This may correspond to activating a wireless connection using software or hardware, depending on the type of wireless connection. For example, software pairing may be used for a Bluetooth connection.

[0074] Next in Fig. 3 is a step of pairing S120 the hearing aid and the computing device to establish a wireless connection. This may correspond to establishing a wireless connection using software or hardware, depending on the type of wireless connection. For example, software pairing may be used for a Bluetooth connection.

[0075] The preceding description has been a non-exhaustive disclosure of different exemplifying embodiments of the present inventive concept. This is not to be misconstrued as limiting the scope of the protection sought for the inventive concept, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method (100) for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid (10) using a computing device (20), the method (100) comprising steps of: establishing (S110) a connection between the computing device (20) and a charger (30); detecting (S120) that the hearing aid (10) has been placed in the charger (30); transmitting (S130) an identification code from the hearing aid (10) to the computing device (20) via the charger (30); setting (S140) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) in pairing mode; pairing (S150) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) using a wireless connection; and monitoring and / or configuring (S160) the hearing aid (10) using the wireless connection.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hearing aid (10) is maintained in a powered mode during the monitoring and / or configuring step (S160).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising setting (S170) the side identity of the hearing aid (10) using the computing device (20) after the pairing step (S150).

4. The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the connection between the computing device (20) and the charger (30) is wired.

5. The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the charger (30) acts as a passive gateway when transmitting the identification code from the hearing aid (10) to the computing device (20) via the charger (30).

6. The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the hearing aid (10) remains in the charger (30) while monitoring and / or configuring the hearing aid (10) using the wireless connection.

7. A system (40) for monitoring and / or configuring a hearing aid (10), the system (40) comprising: a hearing aid (10); a charger (30) comprising a galvanic connection (32) for transferring battery charging energy to the hearing aid (10); and a computing device (20) connected to the charger (30); wherein the hearing aid (10) is configured to transmit an identification code to the computing device (20) via the charger (30) using the galvanic connection (32); wherein the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) are configured to connect wirelessly to each other after the identification code is transmitted and received; and wherein the computing device (20) is configured to monitor and / or configure the hearing aid (10) wirelessly.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computing device (20) is connected to the charger (30) using a wired connection.

9. The system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the charger (30) is configured to act as a passive gateway when transmitting the identification code from the hearing aid (10) to the computing device (20) via the charger (30).

10. The system according to anyone of claims 7-9, wherein the hearing aid (10) is configured to remain in the charger (30) while configuring and / or monitoring the hearing aid (10).11 . A method (200) for establishing a wireless connection between a hearing aid (10) and a computing device (20), the method (200) comprising steps of: establishing (S210) a connection between the computing device (20) and a charger (30); detecting (S220) that the hearing aid (10) has been placed in the charger (30); transmitting (S230) an identification code from the hearing aid (10) to the computing device (20) via the charger (30); setting (S240) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) in pairing mode; andpairing (S250) the hearing aid (10) and the computing device (20) to establish a wireless connection.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the hearing aid (10) is maintained in a powered mode during the pairing step (S250).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the hearing aid (10) remains in the charger (30) while establishing a wireless connection.

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