1210results about "Deaf aid adaptation" patented technology

An electronic translator translates input speech into multiple streams of data that are simultaneously delivered to the user, such as a hearing impaired individual. Preferably, the data is delivered in audible, visual and text formats. These multiple data streams are delivered to the hearing-impaired individual in a synchronized fashion, thereby creating a cognitive response. Preferably, the system of the present invention converts the input speech to a text format, and then translates the text to any of three other forms, including sign language, animation and computer generated speech. The sign language and animation translations are preferably implemented by using the medium of digital movies in which videos of a person signing words, phrase and finger spelled words, and of animations corresponding to the words, are selectively accessed from databases and displayed. Additionally the received speech is converted to computer-generated speech for input to various hearing enhancement devices used by the deaf or hearing-impaired, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, or other output devices such as speakers, etc. The data streams are synchronized utilizing a high-speed personal computer to facilitate sufficiently fast processing that the text, video signing and audible streams can be generated simultaneously in real time. Once synchronized the data streams are presented to the subject concurrently in a method that allows the process of mental comprehension to occur. The electronic translator can also be interfaced to other communications devices, such as telephones. Preferably, the hearing-impaired person is also able to use the system's keyboard or mouse to converse or respond.

A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.

A method of generating a personalized sound system hearing profile for a user. The method begins by selecting an initial profile, based on selected factors of user input. In an embodiment, the initial profile is selected based on demographic factors. Then the system identifies one or more alternate profiles, each having a selected relationship with the initial profile. The relationship between alternate profiles and the initial profile can be based on gain as a function of frequency, one alternate profile having a higher sensitivity at given frequencies and the other a lower sensitivity. The next step links at least one audio sample with the initial and alternate profiles and then plays the selected samples for the user. The system then receives identification of the preferred sample from the user; and selects a final profile based on the user's preference. An embodiment offers multiple sound samples in different modes, resulting in the selection of multiple final profiles for the different modes. Finally, the system may apply the final profile to the sound system.

The method for manufacturing an adjusted hearing device (1b) comprises the step of using first data (16a) obtained from a first hearing device (1a) adjusted to the preferences of a first user (5a) for adjusting a second hearing device (1b) of a second user (5b). This may comprise converting for compensating for differences between a hearing loss of said first user and a hearing loss of said second user and / or converting for compensating for differences between said first hearing device and said second hearing device. Preferably, said first data comprise fitting data (16). The system comprises a first hearing device (1a), a second hearing device (1b) and a converting system (15) operationally connectable to said first and said second hearing devices, adapted to converting first data (16a) from said first hearing device into second data (16b) for adjusting said second hearing device. Preferably, the system also comprises a communication link (7) between said first hearing device and said second hearing device. The invention allows different hearing device users to share their fitting data.

Systems, structures, and methods are provided to fit, program, or upgrade a hearing aid system to a patient. One embodiment includes the use of a mobile device to interact with the hearing aid system through a short-range network. The mobile device is also adapted to communicate with a server through a long-range wireless network. The server may reside on the Internet.

A fitting setup for hearing aids (1), wherein a cell phone (1) is the input device. The cell phone is used to communicate with a server so as to change the fitting setup for the hearing aid to an optimal setting. The cell phone may also be used to communicate personalized data to the network, as well as to update resident software programs on the hearing aid.

A hearing system (1) capable of assisting a user of the hearing system (1) to find a location where satisfactory hearing performance is achievable is described. The hearing system (1) comprises at least one hearing device (11, 12) with an input transducer (20), an output transducer (40), and a processing unit (30) operatively connected to the input transducer (20) as well as to the output transducer (40). The hearing system (1) further comprises a first means (50) for determining from a signal of the input transducer (20) at least one parameter (60) representative of a current acoustic environment at a current location, and a second means (40, 200, 201) for indicating to a user of the hearing system (1) a degree of suitability of the current location to achieve satisfactory hearing performance based on the at least one parameter (60).

A technique allows a web site visitor, or other user of a consumer electronics device that is remote from a hearing test server, to measure their hearing loss in an efficient and consistent way which is self-administered, and to store the measurements as a hearing profile which can be used for customizing audio products. The technique includes a method for conducting a hearing test using a computer program. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a remote device and server in a communication network. A first component of the computer program is executed on the server, and a second component of the computer program is executed at the remote device. The computer program according to the invention comprises a routine to manage interaction via an interface on the remote device, and adaptively select stimuli based upon the interaction to be produced at the remote device according to a convergent process to determine a hearing characteristic. The interaction comprises an N-alternative forced choice interaction in one embodiment. The convergent process comprises a staircase function or a maximum likelihood function in alternative embodiments of the invention.

A system for use with an audio reproduction system that corrects for distortion caused by the system as well as any hearing impairment suffered a listener. Test signals are introduced into the input of the system to produce test sounds that are perceptible by the listener. Using a pushbutton, the listener indicates when a test signal of progressively increasing volume reaches an audible level. The resulting measured values of the listener's threshold of hearing at different frequencies is compared with comparable data for a normal listener to generate correction values that are used to program an equalizer which compensates for not only the listener's hearing impairments but also any distortion produced by system components or room acoustics.

A method for fitting a hearing compensation device comprises selecting a plurality of loudness levels for a plurality of frequencies and comparing each loudness level for each frequency for perceived sameness. The loudness levels may then be adjusted as needed to achieve perceived sameness across the frequency spectrum. A gain curve for each frequency is calculated from the selected plurality of loudness levels.

A mobile phone or other personal communication device includes resources applying measures of an individual's hearing profile, personal choice profile, and induced hearing loss profile, separately or in combination, to build the basis of sound enhancement. A personal communication device thus comprises a transmitter / receiver coupled to a communication medium for transmitted receiving audio signals, control circuitry that controls transmission, reception and processing of call and audio signals, a speaker, and a microphone. The control circuitry includes logic applying one or more of a hearing profile of the user, a user preference related hearing, and environmental noise factors in processing the audio signals. The control circuitry may includes instruction memory and an instruction execution processor such as a digital signal processor.

A digital hearing aid according to the present invention is capable of measuring its own performance. The measurement and initialization capability may be entirely integral to the hearing aid, or an external processor may be used to download the measurement program and the run time program, and assist in computing the parameters. The hearing aid includes a test signal generator for feeding a test signal into the hearing aid amplifier. The response to the test signal is acquired at a specific point in the hearing aid, depending upon what aspect of performance is to be measured. Various elements of the hearing aid and / or the hearing aid feedback may be bypassed. The hearing aid further includes the capability of initializing hearing aid parameters based upon the performance measurements.

The hearing device is operable in a fitting mode and in a listening mode and comprises a transducer for receiving, in the fitting mode, audio test signals, and for converting the audio test signals into signals to be perceived by the user in the fitting mode. It comprises a parameter memory means for storing parameter settings, which parameter settings are obtained from user input received through a user interface in response to the signals perceived by the user in the fitting mode. And it comprises a signal processor using the parameter settings for correcting audio signals at least in the listening mode. The user interface is comprised in the hearing device and the hearing device comprises an audio signal source, in which audio signal source the audio test signals are stored or generated.

Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices.

The present invention relates to a hearing aid logging data and learning from these data. The hearing aid (10, 100) comprises an input unit (12) converting an acoustic environment to an electric signal; an output unit (16) converting an processed electric signal to a sound pressure; a signal processing unit (14) interconnecting the input and output unit, and generating the processed electric signal from the electric signal according to a setting; a user interface (18) converting user interaction to a control signal thereby controlling the setting; and finally a memory unit (20) comprising a control section storing a set of control parameters associated with the acoustic environment, and a data logger section receiving data from the input unit (12), the signal processing unit (14), and the user interface (18); and wherein said signal processing unit (14) configures the setting according to the set of control parameters and comprises a learning controller adapted to adjust the set of control parameters according to the data in the data logging section.

A personal listening device in a handheld form factor includes an input port for receiving an audio signal, a processor for selecting equalizer settings responsive to a selected hearing profile, an equalizer for equalizing the audio signal according to the equalizer settings, and an output port for outputting the equalized audio signal to a speaker, headphone, or other audio output device. The personal listening device also includes a tone generator and user input device coupled to the processor, configured to administer a sequence of tones, generate audio instructions, and receive user input, thereby administering a hearing test and generating a user hearing profile. The device may be operated to administer multiple tests and store multiple hearing profiles, and to provide hearing profiles to other devices.

A three-dimensional imaging method and system illuminates an object to be imaged with a light pattern that is formed from two or more light sub-patterns. The sub-patterns can each encompass the visible light spectrum or can be spatially varying intensity sub-patterns that each correspond to a red, green, or blue component. The light pattern is generated by a slotted planar member or an optical filter.

A hearing aid having a rechargeable battery and a charger for charging the battery include means for transferring data means for transferring data unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the hearing aid and the charger using either a magnetic field, light, or sound. The hearing aid includes means for detecting the charge state of a battery and for sending a signal to the charger indicative of the charge state. For acoustic coupling, the charger includes a microphone and a speaker and also includes a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the hearing aid.

The invention discloses a programmable implantable hearing aid including built-in electronics being in wireless communications with a hand-held programmer. The programmer transmits digital code signals of the type including RF, infrared and ultrasonic, based on selected parameter settings. A receiver accepts the signals for transmission to an input transducer in the middle ear. The input transducer collects the middle ear's response to the signals and transmits it to a circuit in the implanted hearing aid. The circuit searches for specific programming patterns and decodes the signals to effectuate the desired adjustment in the hearing aid. The conditioned signals are then transferred to an output transducer to operate the device at the adjusted signal level and condition. The invention enables both a patient and doctor to make unlimited number of adjustments in the implanted hearing aid without invasive surgery.

An electronic device with audio output, such as a television, is adjusted to the customized listening profile of a user with a user interface module 100 and a control module 110. A user sets the level of amplification for the center or test frequency of a number of audio frequency bands. The control module generates tones at the test frequencies and the user adjusts the amplification of each tone until the user is satisfied with hearing that tone. The other frequencies in the band are adjusted by the same amount as the test tone.

A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises placing the hearing instrument in situ includes receiving an audiogram of the user, determining a target gain for the hearing instrument as a function of the audiogram, exposing a reference sensor located adjacent the hearing instrument to an external speech signal, measuring an external sound pressure level (SPL) via the reference sensor, exposing a probe sensor coupled to the inside of the ear to the output of the hearing instrument while the hearing instrument is in situ, measuring an internal sound pressure level (“SPL”) inside the ear of the user via the probe sensor, determining an offset gain as a function of the external SPL, the target gain and the internal SPL, and automatically adjusting a gain of the hearing instrument according to the offset gain. A system for automatically fitting a hearing impaired person with a digital hearing aid in situ includes a digital hearing aid, a reference volume sensor, a probe sensor, a sound mapping module and a parameter control module.

Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram / acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.

A programmable hearing aid including means for receiving and transmitting data wirelessly from and to a portable module being in proximity to said hearing aid. Said portable module has means for transmitting audio signals, fitting data or special instructions to the hearing aid processor and including means for receiving data transmitted from said hearing aid, including data representing a monitoring of real-time signal processing parameters in the hearing aid. A preferred embodiment of the hearing aid / portable module combination utilizes Miller-coded direct sequence spread-spectrum radio signal transmitters and receivers for transmitting and receiving data between the heading aid and the portable module. This enables remote controlling or monitoring of, transmitting audio to, or programming of a hearing aid without the need for external connectors.

Fitting a sound processing device for an individual is automated using a computer. Fitting and customisation is carried out using natural sounds without specialised audiometric equipment or audiological expertise. Software for this purpose is downloaded from an internet portal. The computer plays back acoustic signals, and obtains user input reflecting the user's perceptions of the acoustic signals, from which a hearing map is derived, representing the user's hearing. An algorithm updates the device fitting based on the hearing map. Also provided is pre-sale virtual device fitting, whereby a virtual signal processing path is established in the computer, reflecting a signal processing function of a sound processing device of interest to the user. An algorithm updates parameters of the virtual processing path, based on the hearing map. Audio signals passed through the virtual processing path are played back to the user, giving the user an acoustic indication of future device performance.

A method for fitting a hearing compensation device comprises selecting a plurality of loudness levels for a plurality of frequencies and comparing each loudness level for each frequency for perceived sameness. The loudness levels may then be adjusted as needed to achieve perceived sameness across the frequency spectrum. A gain curve for each frequency is calculated from the selected plurality of loudness levels.

An in-the-ear (ITE) physiological measurement device (2) includes a structure (4) formed to be easily inserted into ear canals of various shapes and sizes. An inflatable balloon (6) surrounds the end of the structure (4) to be placed in the ear. Optionally, a mushroom-shaped tip (22) is attached to the end of the structure (4) and carries a plurality of sensors (8). Inflation of the balloon (6) radially expands the tip (22) to place the sensor (8) adjacent to the vascular tissue in the ear canal. Once in place, one or more sensors (8) sense physiological signals from vascular tissue and bone structures.

A personal communication device provides hearing support, and includes an input receiving an audio signal, a programmable processor, and an output outputting the processed signal. The programmable processor performs a filtering operation on a digital version of the audio signal in a first signal path based on parameter settings and provides control logic that determines the parameter settings based on information on user preferences, on audiological information and on information on the listening situation to provide hearing loss compensation. The programmable processor has a second signal path in parallel with the first signal path that receives the digital version of the audio signal and parameter settings and determining the filter coefficients of the filtering operation based on the parameter settings and the digital version of the audio signal.