568 results about "Hearing apparatus" patented technology

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

A hearing system comprises a hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid or a headset, configured to be worn by a user. The hearing device comprises at least one input transducer for providing at least one electric input signal representative of sound in the environment of the hearing device, wherein said at least one electric input signal comprises a target signal component assumed to be of current interest to the user, and a noise component. The hearing device further comprises a noise control system configured to provide an estimate of said target signal component and an estimate of said noise component and to apply a statistical structure to said noise component to thereby provide a modified noise component comprising said statistical structure; and to determine a modified estimate of said target signal component in dependence of said modified noise component. Thereby an improved segregation of sound sources may be provided.

A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing device comprises a housing configured for deployment behind an ear of a user of the hearing device. A power source, audio components, a communication device, and a controller are respectively disposed in the housing. A cable assembly comprises a cable, a receiver disposed at a distal end of the cable, and a connector disposed at a proximal end of the cable and configured to attach to the housing. An optical sensor is disposed in the connector and configured to generate a proximity signal based on proximity of the optical sensor to skin at or near the user's ear. The controller is configured to operate the hearing device in a nominal power mode in response to the proximity signal exceeding a threshold and to operate the hearing device in a low power mode in response to the proximity signal falling below the threshold.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus for processing audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus for processing audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

A fitting apparatus for a hearing device includes a memory, the memory having stored thereon a plurality of embedding vectors and related solutions for possible hearing issues with a hearing or computing device. The fitting apparatus is configured to:receive, via a user interface, a first signal indicative of a natural language input indicative of an issue experienced by a user;determine an embedding based on the natural language input;generate, based on the embedding, a first embedding vector;determine a closest match between the first embedding vector and an embedding vector of the plurality of embedding vectors; andsend, to the user interface, a second signal indicative of a reply output, the reply output comprising information related to a solution of the related solutions for the issue experienced by the user.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for providing a conversation bridge for ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving, at a central device, a first wireless signal from one or more first hearing devices configured to be worn by a first user via a first wireless connection, and a second wireless signal from one or more second hearing devices configured to be worn by a second user via a second wireless connection. The central device transmits to the one or more first hearing devices and the one or more second hearing devices, one or more audio packets based on the received first and second wireless signals.

The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus to improve a user's understanding of speech in real-time conversations by processing the audio through a neural network contained in a hearing device. The hearing device may be a headphone or hearing aid. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus to enhance incoming audio signal. The apparatus includes a controller to receive an incoming signal and provide a controller output signal; a neural network engine (NNE) circuitry in communication with the controller, the NNE circuitry activatable by the controller, the NNE circuitry configured to generate an NNE output signal from the controller output signal; and a digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to receive one or more of controller output signal or the NNE circuitry output signal to thereby generate a processed signal; wherein the controller determines a processing path of the controller output signal through one of the DSP or the NNE circuitries as a function of one or more of predefined parameters, incoming signal characteristics and NNE circuitry feedback.

The present disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a first radar sensor configured for obtaining first radar data indicative of a shape of a first pinna of the first ear of a user. A processing unit of the hearing device is configured to receive the first radar data from the first radar sensor, and determine, based on the first radar data, a shape of the first pinna.

A hearing system having a hearing device, including a receiver antenna assembly with a receiver core having a relatively high magnetic permeability and a receiver coil wound around the receiver core, operably connected to a rechargeable power source, and a hearing device charger, including a transmitter antenna assembly, with a transmitter core having a relatively high magnetic permeability and a transmitter coil wound around the transmitter core, operably connected to a power supply. The respective configurations of the hearing device and the hearing device charger may be such that when the hearing device is in a charging position on the hearing device charger, the receiver core and the transmitter core together provides a closed loop path for magnetic flux.

A self-check is initiated via an audio processor circuit of the hearing device. In response to the self-check, a transfer function of a feedback path is measured between a receiver of the hearing device to at least one microphone of the hearing device. An anomaly is determined in the transfer function via comparison with example feedback path characterization data. An abnormality associated with the hearing device is predicted based on the anomaly. An indication of the abnormality is presented via a user interface of the hearing device.

The invention relates to a method and to a device (30) for setting signal processing of a plurality of hearing systems (2), each hearing system (2) having at least one hearing device (4) which can be parameterized by a plurality of signal processing parameters (pi). An initial setting (Pin) of a signal processing parameter (pi) is performed in each of a plurality of hearing systems (2) in a test group (42) consisting of the plurality of hearing systems (2), and a final setting (Pend) of the signal processing parameter (pi) is obtained by one or more changes of the parameter setting. Vectors (D) in a parameter space covered by the signal processing parameter (pi) are determined as a function of a difference between a final setting (Pend) and an initial setting (Pin) of the signal processing parameter (pi), each vector (D) being provided with language information characterizing a particular language. The change vectors are assigned to the same language or a language group containing the language according to the language information to which the change vectors belong, and the centers of gravity of the change vectors (D) in the parameter space are determined as change centers of gravity (lt; dgt; ). In the subsequent setting of one of the hearing systems (2) in the test group (42) or a further hearing system (2), the change center of gravity (lt; dgt; ).

A system for evaluating an ear seal between an earphone of a hearing device and an ear canal includes a first transducer configured to play a sound in response to an electrical signal including a reference frequency component and a test frequency component below the reference frequency. A second transducer receives the sound in the ear canal. A controller is configured to calculate at least one electrical signal level difference between the reference frequency component and the test frequency component of the electrical signal, measure the sound levels of the reference frequency component and the test frequency component of the sound in the ear canal, calculate an acoustic signal level difference between the measured sound levels of the reference frequency component and the test frequency component, calculate a normalized acoustic difference value by subtracting the electrical signal level difference from the acoustic signal level difference, and determine a measurement result of the ear seal based on the normalized acoustic difference value.

An ear-worn hearing device is disclose and includes a body portion with a sound-producing transducer acoustically coupled to a sound passage of a nozzle. A physiological or activity sensor is located at a side of the body portion, and a resilient lobe extends from or is disposed at least partially about the body portion. The resilient lobe has greater stiffness on a side of the body portion opposite the side at which the sensor is located, wherein the resilient lobe biases the sensor toward ear tissue when the hearing device is worn by a user.

Presented herein are a system and a method comprising obtaining one or more electrophysiological measures of acoustic hearing associated with a hearing device recipient, obtaining one or more hearing performance measures of the recipient, analyzing the one or more electrophysiological measures with respect to the one or more hearing performance measure, and generating an output based on the analyzing the one or more electrophysiological measures with respect to the one or more hearing performance measures.

A method for operating a hearing device that include a microphone and a receiver that are signal-connected by way of a signal processing unit. A signal component that includes a specific frequency is selected from an input signal. A further signal at a further specific frequency is provided, and an output signal is created on a basis of the signal component and the further signal. The output signal is output by the receiver to create a sound. The further signal is configured such that first time intervals and second time intervals arise, with hair cells associated with a specific frequency assigned region of a basilar membrane of a user being excited on account of an interference during the first time intervals and there being no excitation of the hair cells during the second time intervals. There is also described a corresponding hearing device.

An exemplary hearing device may be configured to be inserted at least partially within an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The hearing device may include a first temperature sensor configured to detect ear canal temperature within the ear canal, a second temperature sensor configured to detect ambient temperature outside of the ear canal, and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine a work status of the user indicative of an activity level of the user and determine a core body temperature of the user based on the ear canal temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, the ambient temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, and the work status of the user.

A hearing system comprises a hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid or a headset, configured to be worn by a user. The hearing device comprises at least one input transducer for providing at least one electric input signal representative of sound in the environment of the hearing device, wherein said at least one electric input signal comprises a target signal component assumed to be of current interest to the user, and a noise component. The hearing device further comprises a noise control system configured to provide an estimate of said target signal component and an estimate of said noise component and to apply a statistical structure to said noise component to thereby provide a modified noise component comprising said statistical structure; and to determine a modified estimate of said target signal component in dependence of said modified noise component. Thereby an improved segregation of sound sources may be provided.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for wireless communication with hearing devices. A method includes configuring, using a first hearing device configured to be worn or implanted in a first ear of a user, a first device parameter data. The method further includes transmitting, from the first hearing device via a wireless connection to a second hearing device configured to be worn or implanted in a second ear of the user, the first device parameter data. The method also includes receiving, at the second hearing device via the wireless connection, the first device parameter data from the first hearing device, and configuring the second hearing device for coordinated binaural operations with the first hearing device using the first device parameter data.

An illustrative hearing system may be configured to receive, from an input transducer included in a hearing device configured to be worn by a user, audio data representative of one or more audio signals presented to the user and acquire motion data representative of head movements of the user while the user wears the hearing device and / or own-voice data representative of an own-voice activity of the user. The hearing system may be further configured to determine, based the motion data and / or own-voice data, a listening state of the user with respect to the one or more audio signals and perform, based on the listening state, an operation associated with the hearing device.

An accessory device includes: an antenna; a processing unit; and a memory storing a first accessory device parameter; wherein the processing unit is configured to: obtain the first accessory device parameter, obtain a first hearing device parameter received via the antenna of the accessory device, determine a first criterion value based on the first hearing device parameter and the first accessory device parameter, and perform a comparison between a received signal strength indicator and the first criterion value, the received signal strength indicator indicating or being associated with a radiated power transmitted from a hearing device and received at the accessory device; and wherein the processing unit is configured to perform a pairing action if a result of the comparison satisfies a criterion.

Disclosed is a system comprising a hearing device and a charging device. The hearing device comprises a hearing device antenna, a hearing device wireless communication unit, the hearing device wireless communication unit being coupled to the hearing device antenna, the hearing device wireless communication unit and the hearing device antenna being configured for transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals at a first frequency. The hearing device further comprises a rechargeable battery configured to be charged by the charging device. The charging device being configured to receive the hearing device to enable charging of the hearing device. The charging device comprises a charging device wireless communication unit, the charging device wireless communication unit being interconnected with a coupling structure. The coupling structure comprises a conducting element and a ground plane, the ground plane being positioned within a first distance of the conducting element. The coupling structure is configured so that upon reception of the hearing device in the charging device, a frequency response of the conducting element is modified thereby enabling near-field coupling of the hearing device antenna to the conducting element.

The disclosure relates to a method of adjusting a configuration of a hearing device configured to be worn at an ear of a user to the individual needs of the user, wherein the hearing device (110, 210) is communicatively coupled to a communication device (150, 410, 510), the method comprising - initiating querying of a user command to be entered by the user via a user interface (157, 428) included in the communication device (150, 410, 510), the user command indicative of an adjustment desired by the user of at least one configuration parameter indicative of a current configuration of the hearing device (110, 210); and - adjusting, depending on the user command, the configuration parameter. The disclosure further relates to a hearing system configured to perform the method. To provide for a user-friendlier adjustability of a current configuration of the hearing device, the disclosure proposes that the method further comprises - receiving image information (711) representative of a facial expression (621, 622) of the user; and - initiating presenting, depending on the facial expression (621, 622), an input support (613, 662, 671, 672) to the user facilitating inputting of the user command.

Illustrative communication interfaces and protocols for multi-service data communication between a hearing device and an accessory are described herein. For example, an example hearing system may include a hearing device configured to be worn by a recipient, an accessory configured to interoperate with the hearing device while worn separately by the recipient, and a communication interface between the hearing device and the accessory. The communication interface may include two physical conductors configured to carry differential signaling generated in accordance with a frame protocol that defines a data frame configured to communicate a first dataset and a second dataset. The first dataset is associated with a first data service performed in accordance with a first quality-of-service. The second dataset is associated with a second data service performed in accordance with a second quality-of-service different from and incompatible with the first quality-of-service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.