Method and apparatus for suppressing transient sounds in hearing assistance devices

An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds.

Method and apparatus for suppressing transient sounds in hearing assistance devices

An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication

A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.

Packet loss concealment techniques for phone-to-hearing-aid streaming

Embodiments of packet loss concealment for phone-to-hearing-aid streaming are generally described herein. A method for packet loss concealment can include receiving a first frame at a hearing assistance device, determining, at the hearing assistance device, that a second frame was not received within a predetermined time, and determining a first set of sequential samples that match the first frame. The method can include cross-fading the first frame and the first set of sequential samples to create a first cross-faded frame and extrapolating a third frame to replace the second frame using the first set of sequential samples and an autoregressive model.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING TRANSIENT SOUNDS IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING TRANSIENT SOUNDS IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

An audio system includes a transient suppression circuit that rectifies an input signal representing target sounds and transient sounds and produces a threshold envelope of the rectified input signal. The transient suppression circuit accumulates the difference between the rectified input signal and the threshold envelope, and normalizes the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal. A gain is calculated using this normalized accumulated difference and applied to the input signal to suppress the transient sounds without substantially affecting the target sounds. 120-. (canceled)21. A hearing aid for use by a listener , comprising:a microphone;a processing circuit configured to receive an input signal from the microphone, rectify the input signal, generate an envelope of the rectified input signal, accumulate a difference between the rectified input signal and the envelope, determine an applied gain based on the accumulated difference, and produce an output signal by applying the applied gain to the input signal; anda speaker configured to receive the output signal from the processing circuit and produce output sounds based on the output signal,wherein the hearing aid is configured to be worn by the listener to compensate for hearing loss of the listener.22. The hearing aid of claim 21 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to decimate the input signal before the rectification of the input signal.23. The hearing aid of claim 22 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to normalize the accumulated difference using the rectified input signal.24. The hearing aid of claim 23 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to calculate a target gain using the normalized accumulated difference and determine the applied gain based on the target gain.25. The hearing aid of claim 24 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to scale the envelope by multiplying the envelope by a threshold shift before the ...

Systems and methods for new battery identification and derived battery capacity

The present subject matter includes systems and methods for detecting a new hearing aid battery and estimating hearing aid battery life by analyzing changes in battery voltage signatures during the hearing aid device booting process. The analysis may include analyzing a boot signature voltage drop occurring upon initial application of a higher load. The analysis may include analyzing a boot signature voltage slope occurring during sustained application of a higher load. The analysis may also include analyzing a boot signature voltage droop occurring throughout application of a lower load and application of a higher load.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE AS VOICE CONTROLLER

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command. 1. A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer and to receive and process sounds , comprising: a first communication circuit configured to receive a command signal from the hearing assistance device via a wireless communication link, the command signal representative of a voice command detected from the processed sounds by the hearing assistance device; and', 'a control signal generator configured to generate one or more control signals based on the voice command; and, 'a gateway device includingone or more automation controllers communicatively coupled to the gateway device and communicatively coupled to the one or more remotely controllable devices, the one or more automation controllers configured to receive the one or more control signals and control the one or more remotely controllable devices using the one or more control signals.2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the hearing assistance device claim 1 , the hearing assistance device including:one or more microphones configured to receive sounds and produce one or more microphone signals representative of the sounds;an audio processor including a voice command detector configured to detect a voice command from the one or more microphone signals and produce the command signal representative of the voice command; anda second communication circuit configured to transmit the command signal to the ...

Digital automatic gain control

Systems, devices, and methods are provided to inhibit apparent amplitude modulation in non-linear processing that causes distortion in a processed signal. One aspect of the invention includes a hearing aid. The hearing aid includes a microphone to receive an input signal, a speaker to reproduce the input signal, and a processor. The processor processes the input signal using a gain. The processor includes an inhibitor, which inhibits distortions, and an adjuster, which adjusts the gain. The inhibitor acts to smooth an envelope of the input signal to inhibit undesired modulation. The adjuster adjusts the gain if the envelope is either above or below a threshold.

Hearing assistance device with dynamic computational resource allocation

A hearing assistance device for use by a listener includes a microphone, a receiver, and a processing circuit including a plurality of functional modules to process the sounds received by the microphone for producing output sounds to be delivered to the listener using the receiver. The processing circuit detects one or more auditory conditions demanding one or more functional modules of the plurality of functional modules to each performed at a certain level, and dynamically allocates computational resources for the plurality of functional modules based on one or more auditory conditions.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NEW BATTERY IDENTIFICATION AND DERIVED BATTERY CAPACITY

The present subject matter includes systems and methods for detecting a new hearing aid battery and estimating hearing aid battery life by analyzing changes in battery voltage signatures during the hearing aid device booting process. The analysis may include analyzing a boot signature voltage drop occurring upon initial application of a higher load. The analysis may include analyzing a boot signature voltage slope occurring during sustained application of a higher load. The analysis may also include analyzing a boot signature voltage droop occurring throughout application of a lower load and application of a higher load. 1. A method for identifying hearing aid battery state , the method comprising:executing a boot sequence on a hearing aid;detecting a battery voltage signature during one or more portions of the boot sequence, each portion of the boot sequence having an associated battery load sequence;determining one or more voltage signature characteristics within the battery voltage signature; andidentifying a hearing aid battery state for a hearing aid battery based on the one or more voltage signature characteristics.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the hearing aid battery state includes comparing the one or more voltage signature characteristics against one or more voltage signature characteristic thresholds.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:the boot sequence includes a high battery load portion;determining the one or more voltage signature characteristics includes determining a boot signature voltage slope based on the high battery load portion of the boot sequence.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein identifying the hearing aid battery state includes:comparing the boot signature voltage slope to a slope threshold;determining the boot signature voltage slope is below the slope threshold; andidentifying the hearing aid battery as a new battery.5. The method of claim 2 , wherein:the boot sequence further includes a low battery load portion and an ...

Method and apparatus for using hearing assistance device as voice controller

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

PARALLEL POWER SWITCH FOR HEARING AID

Described is state switch for a hearing aid that provides an input to the hearing aid's processing circuitry indicating that battery power has been disconnected by a power switch. The state switch and power switch are configured to operate in parallel. The state switch may provide a signal to a GPIO (general purpose input-output) of the processing circuitry indicating that the battery has been disconnected. Immediately after the battery is disconnected, voltage is maintained for a brief period due to the capacitance of the circuitry, which enables the processing circuitry to take certain steps to avoid device misbehaviors. 1. A hearing aid , comprising:a microphone for converting an audio input into an input signal;processing circuitry for processing the input signal to produce an output signal in a manner that compensates for a patient's hearing deficit;a speaker for converting the output signal into an audio output;a battery for supplying power to the hearing aid;a power switch for disconnecting the battery from a power bus that conveys power to the hearing aid;a state switch for providing a signal to the processing circuitry indicating that the battery has been disconnected; and,wherein the power switch and state switch are configured to operate in parallel such that actuation of the power switch actuates the state switch.2. The hearing aid of wherein the state switch provides a signal to a GPIO (general purpose input-put) of the processing circuitry indicating that the battery has been disconnected.3. The hearing aid of further comprising:a housing for containing components of the hearing aid;a battery compartment within the housing for containing the battery and having a battery door; and,wherein the battery compartment and battery door are configured such that opening the battery door actuates the power switch and the state switch.4. The hearing aid of wherein the power switch and the state switch each comprise a pair of contacts mounted on the battery door ...

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE WITH DYNAMIC COMPUTATIONAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION

A hearing assistance device for use by a listener includes a microphone, a receiver, and a processing circuit including a plurality of functional modules to process the sounds received by the microphone for producing output sounds to be delivered to the listener using the receiver. The processing circuit detects one or more auditory conditions demanding one or more functional modules of the plurality of functional modules to each performed at a certain level, and dynamically allocates computational resources for the plurality of functional modules based on one or more auditory conditions. 1. A hearing assistance device for use by a listener , comprising:a microphone configured to receive sounds from an environment of the hearing assistance device and produce a microphone signal representative of the sounds;a receiver configured to produce output sounds based on an output signal and transmit the output sounds to the listener; and a plurality of functional modules;', 'an auditory condition detector configured to detect one or more auditory condition values indicative of one or more auditory conditions each related to an amount of computation needed by one or more functional modules of the plurality of functional modules to each perform at an acceptable level; and', 'a computational resource allocator configured to dynamically adjust one or more calculation rates each associated with a functional module of the plurality of functional modules based on the one or more auditory condition values., 'a processing circuit configured to produce the output signal by processing the microphone signal, the processing circuit including2. The hearing assistance device of claim 1 , comprising a hearing aid including the microphone claim 1 , the receiver claim 1 , and the processing circuit claim 1 , and wherein the plurality of functional modules are configured to produce the output signal for compensating for hearing loss of the listener.3. The hearing assistance device of claim 1 , ...

SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE SETTINGS USING DETECTED SOUND ENVIRONMENT

The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to a system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment. Various examples of a hearing assistance device and method using actual use and hypothetical use logs are provided. Such logs provide a dispenser or audiologist the ability to see how a device is operating with actual settings and how the device would have operated had hypothetical settings been used instead. In various examples, the system allows for collection of statistical information about actual and hypothetical use which can assist in parameter setting determinations for a specific user. The settings may be tailored to that user's commonly experienced sound environment. Wireless communications of usage logs is discussed. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. 110-. (canceled)11. A method , comprising:saving an actual usage log in a hearing assistance device;saving a hypothetical usage log in the hearing assistance device; andtransferring at least portion of information from the actual usage log or the hypothetical usage log to a second device.12. The method of claim 11 , comprising:comparing information in the actual usage log to information in the hypothetical usage log; andchanging one or more actual usage parameters based on the comparing.13. The method of claim 11 , comprising:saving a second set of hypothetical usage log information in the hearing assistance device.14. The method of claim 13 , comprising:comparing information in the second hypothetical usage log to information in the actual usage log.15. The method of claim 14 , comprising:comparing information in the second hypothetical usage log to information in the hypothetical usage log.16. The method of claim 14 , comprising:changing one or more actual usage parameters based on the comparing of information ...

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES WITH ECHO CANCELLATION

According to various embodiment of a method of operating a hearing instrument, an acoustic signal pathway is provided from a microphone through a signal processor to a hearing instrument (HI) receiver in an acoustic mode of operation. An RF transmit signal pathway is provided from the microphone to an RF transmitter, and an RF receive signal pathway is provided from the RF receiver through the signal processor to the HI receiver in an RF mode of operation. An input signal representative of sound detected by the microphone is adaptively filtered. A first adaptation rate is used for the acoustic mode of operation and a second adaptation rate is used for the RF mode of operation. The second adaptation rate is faster than the first adaptation rate. 1a microphone;a hearing instrument (HI) receiver;a signal processor; andan RF antenna, an RF receiver, and an RF transmitter;wherein the hearing instrument is configured to operate in an acoustic mode and an RF mode;wherein in the acoustic mode, the signal processor processes a signal representative of a sound detected by the microphone into a processed signal, and the HI receiver outputs an audio signal representative of the processed signal;wherein in the RF mode, the RF transmitter transmits, using the antenna, a signal representative of a sound detected by the microphone, the signal processor processes a signal representative of a signal received by the RF receiver using the antenna, and the HI receiver outputs an audio signal representative of the processed signal.. A hearing instrument, comprising: This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,849, entitled filed on Mar. 12, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.This application relates generally to hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to cancelling, removing or diminishing echo in hearing assistance devices.Examples of hearing ...

DIGITAL AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL

Systems, devices, and methods are provided to inhibit apparent amplitude modulation in non-linear processing that causes distortion in a processed signal. One aspect of the invention includes a hearing aid. The hearing aid includes a microphone to receive an input signal, a speaker to reproduce the input signal, and a processor. The processor processes the input signal using a gain. The processor includes an inhibitor, which inhibits distortions, and an adjuster, which adjusts the gain. The inhibitor acts to smooth an envelope of the input signal to inhibit undesired modulation. The adjuster adjusts the gain if the envelope is either above or below a threshold. 1. A digital analog gain control , comprising:a detector to detect an envelope of an input signal using Hilbert filters;an adder to provide a difference between the envelope and a threshold; andan adjuster that adjust a gain if the difference is one of two conditions, wherein the two conditions includes being greater than zero and being less than zero.2. The digital analog gain control of claim 1 , further comprising a filter that removes low frequencies claim 1 , wherein the filter receives the input signal claim 1 , removes frequencies less than about 100 Hertz from the input signal claim 1 , and presents the input signal to the detector.3. The digital analog gain control of claim 2 , further comprising a digital delay element that receives the input signal and presents a delayed input signal.4. The digital analog gain control of claim 3 , further comprising a first Hilbert filter and a second Hilbert filter claim 3 , wherein the first Hilbert filter receives the delayed input signal and filters the delayed input signal to form the first filtered input signal claim 3 , and wherein the second Hilbert filter receives the input signal and filters the input signal to form the second filtered input signal.539.-. (canceled)40. The digital analog gain control of claim 4 , further comprising:a first multiplier and ...

OUTPUT PHASE MODULATION ENTRAINMENT CONTAINMENT FOR DIGITAL FILTERS

Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a sensor to receive sound and convert it to an electrical signal;an analog-to-digital converter to convert the electrical signal into a digital signal;a frequency analysis module to produce frequency domain subband signals from the digital signal;a summing node receiving the frequency domain subband signals and acoustic feedback compensation subband signals AFC(k) adapted to correct for acoustic feedback received by the sensor, the summing node providing error subband signals E(k) by subtraction of the received signals;a complex multiplier producing a gradually phase shifted version of the error subband signals E′(k);a hearing aid signal processing module to process the phase shifted error subband signals E′(k);a time synthesis module to produce time domain, processed, digital signals;a digital-to-analog converter providing an analog version of the processed, digital signals; anda receiver to produce processed sound from the analog version;wherein the processed, digital signals are passed through a bulk delay and converted back into frequency domain signals to be used for acoustic feedback cancellation by an adaptive filter which produces the acoustic feedback compensation subband signals AFC(k).2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multiplier receives a gradually shifted phase signal from a phase shifter claim 1 , and the phase shifter module resets when reaching an aggregate phase of 360 degrees.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the ...

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES WITH ECHO CANCELLATION

According to various embodiment of a method of operating a hearing instrument, an acoustic signal pathway is provided from a microphone through a signal processor to a hearing instrument (HI) receiver in an acoustic mode of operation. An RF transmit signal pathway is provided from the microphone to an RF transmitter, and an RF receive signal pathway is provided from the RF receiver through the signal processor to the HI receiver in an RF mode of operation. An input signal representative of sound detected by the microphone is adaptively filtered. A first adaptation rate is used for the acoustic mode of operation and a second adaptation rate is used for the RF mode of operation. The second adaptation rate is faster than the first adaptation rate. 1a microphone;a hearing instrument (HI) receiver;a signal processor; andan RF antenna, an RF receiver, and an RF transmitter;wherein the hearing instrument is configured to operate in an acoustic mode and an RF mode;wherein in the acoustic mode, the signal processor processes a signal representative of a sound detected by the microphone into a processed signal, and the HI receiver outputs an audio signal representative of the processed signal;wherein in the RF mode, the RF transmitter transmits, using the antenna, a signal representative of a sound detected by the microphone, the signal processor processes a signal representative of a signal received by the RF receiver using the antenna, and the HI receiver outputs an audio signal representative of the processed signal.. A hearing instrument, comprising: This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/554,506, filed Jul. 20, 2012, which application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,849, filed on Mar. 12, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,229,147, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE AS VOICE CONTROLLER

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command. 1. A method for controlling an automation system including one or more remotely controllable devices , the method comprising:detecting a voice command using a hearing device configured to be worn by a wearer;transmitting a command signal wirelessly from the hearing deice to a gateway device, the command signal representative of the voice command;producing one or more control signals based on the received command signal using the gateway device; andtransmitting the one or more control signals from the gateway device to the automation system, the one or more control signals controlling at least one device of the one or more remotely controllable devices.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:receiving one or more feedback signals from the automatic system using the gateway device, the one or more feedback signals indicative of one or more effects of transmitting the one or more control signals to the automation system; andproducing one or more notifications based on the one or more feedback signals using the gateway device, the one or more notifications informing the wearer of the one or more effects.3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising transmitting the one or more notifications from the gateway device wirelessly to the hearing device.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein transmitting the one or more control signals from the gateway device to the automation system comprises transmitting the one or more control signals wirelessly from the gateway ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING HEARING INSTRUMENTS VIA WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps. 1. A hearing assistance system , comprising: a master clock;', 'a master synchronization circuit configured to generate master time stamps for specified events using the master clock; and', 'a master device radio circuit configured to transmit the master time stamps via a wireless link; and, 'a first hearing instrument being a master device and including a slave device radio circuit configured to receive the master time stamps via the wireless link;', 'a slave clock; and', 'a slave synchronization circuit configured to generate slave time stamps for specified events using the slave clock and adjust the slave clock for synchronization with the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps., 'a second hearing instrument being a slave device and including;'}2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first hearing instrument comprises a first hearing aid claim 1 , and the second hearing instrument comprises a second hearing aid.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first hearing aid comprises:a first microphone;a first receiver;the master device radio circuit; anda first control circuit coupled to the first microphone, the first receiver, and the master device radio circuit, the first control circuit including the master clock and the master synchronization circuit,and the second hearing ...

MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER SWITCH FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for micromachined ultrasonic transducer switches for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, hearing assistance electronics within the housing, and a micromachined ultrasonic transducer connected to the hearing assistance electronics. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to switch upon detection of proximity or touch by the wearer. In various embodiments, the micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes one ultrasonic transmitter and one ultrasonic receiver. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments. 1. A hearing assistance device for a wearer , comprising:a housing;hearing assistance electronics within the housing; anda micromachined ultrasonic transducer connected to the hearing assistance electronics, wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to switch upon detection of proximity or touch by the wearer.2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes one ultrasonic transmitter and one ultrasonic receiver.3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing assistance electronics.4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to turn the device on and off.5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to mount in or about an ear of a person.6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hearing assistance electronics include a wireless communication unit.7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is approximately 1 mm square.8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to operate using less than approximately 10 μW power.9. The device of claim 1 , wherein further comprising ...

ENVIRONMENT DETECTION AND ADAPTATION IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a microphone;an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter connected to convert analog sound signals received by the microphone into time domain digital data; a frequency analysis module to convert the time domain digital data into subband digital data;', 'a feature extraction module to determine features of the subband data;', 'an environment detection module to determine one or more sources of the subband data based on a plurality of possible sources identified by predetermined classification parameters;', 'an environment adaptation module to provide adaptations to processing using the determination of the one or more sources of the subband data;', 'a subband signal processing module to process the subband data using the adaptations from the environment adaptation module; and', 'a time synthesis module to convert processed subband data into the time domain digital output., 'a processor connected to process the time domain digital data and to produce time domain digital output, the processor including2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter connected to receive the time domain digital output and convert ...

Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication

A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.

OUTPUT PHASE MODULATION ENTRAINMENT CONTAINMENT FOR DIGITAL FILTERS

Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a sensor to receive sound and convert it to an electrical signal;an analog-to-digital converter to convert the electrical signal into a digital signal;a frequency analysis module to produce frequency domain subband signals from the digital signal;a summing node receiving the frequency domain subband signals and acoustic feedback compensation subband signals AFC(k) adapted to correct for acoustic feedback received by the sensor, the summing node providing error subband signals E(k) by subtraction of the received signals;a complex multiplier producing a gradually phase shifted version of the error subband signals E′(k);a hearing aid signal processing module to process the phase shifted error subband signals E′(k);a time synthesis module to produce time domain, processed, digital signals;a digital-to-analog converter providing an analog version of the processed, digital signals; anda receiver to produce processed sound from the analog version;wherein the processed, digital signals are passed through a bulk delay and converted back into frequency domain signals to be used for acoustic feedback cancellation by an adaptive filter which produces the acoustic feedback compensation subband signals AFC(k).2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multiplier receives a gradually shifted phase signal from a phase shifter claim 1 , and the phase shifter module resets when reaching an aggregate phase of 360 degrees.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the ...

PACKET LOSS CONCEALMENT TECHNIQUES FOR PHONE-TO-HEARING-AID STREAMING

Embodiments of packet loss concealment for phone-to-hearing-aid streaming are generally described herein. A method for packet loss concealment can include receiving a first frame at a hearing assistance device, determining, at the hearing assistance device, that a second frame was not received within a predetermined time, and determining a first set of sequential samples that match the first frame. The method can include cross-fading the first frame and the first set of sequential samples to create a first cross-faded frame and extrapolating a third frame to replace the second frame using the first set of sequential samples and an autoregressive model. 1. A method for packet loss concealment , comprising:receiving a first frame of a wireless transmission at a hearing assistance device;determining, at the hearing assistance device, that a second frame was not received within a predetermined time;determining a first set of sequential samples that match the first frame;cross-fading the first frame and the first set of sequential samples to create a first cross-faded frame; andextrapolating a third frame to replace the second frame using the first set of sequential samples and an autoregressive model.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first frame is received from a mobile device.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising playing the first cross-faded frame.4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising playing the third frame after the first cross-faded frame.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third frame includes a second set of samples claim 1 , and wherein the second set of samples include samples starting one frame after the first set of sequential samples.6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising determining claim 5 , at the hearing assistance device claim 5 , that a fourth frame was not received within a predetermined time.7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising cross-fading the third frame with the second set of samples to create a second ...

Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication

A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.

Method and apparatus for using hearing assistance device as voice controller

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

ENTRAINMENT AVOIDANCE WITH AN AUTO REGRESSIVE FILTER

A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment, the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone and adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal. 1. A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment , the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone , the method comprising:using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone; andadjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion includes updating a plurality of coefficients of the autoregressive portion.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion claim 1 , the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal includes deriving the predictive estimate of the input signal.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein deriving the predicted estimate of the input signal includes sampling the input signal using delay elements.5. The method of claim 3 , wherein deriving the predictive estimate of the input signal includes smoothing the predictive estimate of the input signal.6. The method of ...

Method and apparatus for a hearing assistance system with adaptive bulk delay

A hearing assistance system having adjustable bulk delay for cancellation of a time varying acoustic feedback path. The hearing assistance system including an FIR filter, coefficient update module, and delay rules module for programmable adaptive filtering. The hearing assistance system adjustable for continuous bulk delay adjustments. The hearing assistance system providing a number of coefficient update routines, including, but not limited to an LMS coefficient update process and a normalized LMS coefficient update process.

Entrainment avoidance with an auto regressive filter

A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment, the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone and adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal.

Method and apparatus for using hearing assistance device as voice controller

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

Method and apparatus for using hearing assistance device as voice controller

A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

Environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices

Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

System for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment

The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to a system for evaluating hearing assistance device settings using detected sound environment. Various examples of a hearing assistance device and method using actual use and hypothetical use logs are provided. Such logs provide a dispenser or audiologist the ability to see how a device is operating with actual settings and how the device would have operated had hypothetical settings been used instead. In various examples, the system allows for collection of statistical information about actual and hypothetical use which can assist in parameter setting determinations for a specific user. The settings may be tailored to that user's commonly experienced sound environment. Wireless communications of usage logs is discussed. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices

Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices

Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Parallel power switch for hearing aid

Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters

Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Hearing assistance device with dynamic computational resource allocation

Hearing assistance device with dynamic computational resource allocation

A hearing assistance device for use by a listener includes a microphone, a receiver, and a processing circuit including a plurality of functional modules to process the sounds received by the microphone for producing output sounds to be delivered to the listener using the receiver. The processing circuit detects one or more auditory conditions demanding one or more functional modules of the plurality of functional modules to each performed at a certain level, and dynamically allocates computational resources for the plurality of functional modules based on one or more auditory conditions.

Parallel power switch for hearing aid

Described is state switch for a hearing aid that provides an input to the hearing aid's processing circuitry indicating that battery power has been disconnected by a power switch. The state switch and power switch are configured to operate in parallel. The state switch may provide a signal to a GPIO (general purpose input-output) of the processing circuitry indicating that the battery has been disconnected. Immediately after the battery is disconnected, voltage is maintained for a brief period due to the capacitance of the circuitry, which enables the processing circuitry to take certain steps to avoid device misbehaviors.

Entrainment avoidance with an auto regressive filter

A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment, the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone and adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal.

Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters

Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Micromachined ultrasonic transducer switch for hearing assistance devices

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for micromachined ultrasonic transducer switches for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, hearing assistance electronics within the housing, and a micromachined ultrasonic transducer connected to the hearing assistance electronics. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to switch upon detection of proximity or touch by the wearer. In various embodiments, the micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes one ultrasonic transmitter and one ultrasonic receiver. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments.

Entrainment avoidance with an auto regressive filter

A method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing aid to avoid entrainment, the hearing aid including a receiver and a microphone, the method comprising using an adaptive filter to measure an acoustic feedback path from the receiver to the microphone and adjusting an adaptation rate of the adaptive filter using an output from a filter having an autoregressive portion, the output derived at least in part from a ratio of a predictive estimate of the input signal to a difference of the predictive estimate and the input signal.

Environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices

Method and apparatus for environment detection and adaptation in hearing assistance devices. Performance of feature extraction and environment detection to perform adaptation to hearing assistance device operation for a number of hearing assistance environments. The system detecting various noise sources independent of speech. The system determining adaptive actions to take place based on predicted sound class. The system providing individually customizable response to inputs from different sound classes. In various embodiments, the system employing a Bayesian classifier to perform sound classifications using a priori probability data and training data for predetermined sound classes. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Hearing assistance devices with echo cancellation

According to various embodiment of a method of operating a hearing instrument, an acoustic signal pathway is provided from a microphone through a signal processor to a hearing instrument (HI) receiver in an acoustic mode of operation. An RF transmit signal pathway is provided from the microphone to an RF transmitter, and an RF receive signal pathway is provided from the RF receiver through the signal processor to the HI receiver in an RF mode of operation. An input signal representative of sound detected by the microphone is adaptively filtered. A first adaptation rate is used for the acoustic mode of operation and a second adaptation rate is used for the RF mode of operation. The second adaptation rate is faster than the first adaptation rate.

Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters

Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Method and apparatus to reduce entrainment-related artifacts for hearing assistance systems

A system providing method and apparatus to detect occurrence of an entrainment artifact and address it. The system analyzing a feedback canceller filter for certain characteristics that are associated with an entrained filter. When an entrained filter is detected, the feedback canceller filter is reset to a good filter that ideally represents the current approximate external acoustic feedback path without the characteristics of the entraining signal.

SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING THE SETTINGS OF A HEARING DEVICE USING A DETECTED SOUND ENVIRONMENT

Method and apparatus for synchronizing hearing instruments via wireless communication

A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.