Hearing-aid with stored,individual frequency response and related adaptation method

The present invention relates to a hearing device with a Storage device, stored in the data read are. Moreover, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for adjusting a hearing aid for a Wearers.

A hearing aid is in principle to the hearing aid wearer respectively customize. Methods make use of certain Preferences. These presets are for example in the form of value tables created for a device type are stored in the hearing aid. Based on these stored values ​​can now fine tune the hearing aid be carried out more quickly.

For the adjustment of a hearing aid, it is helpful if the Hearing aid frequency response in advance, at least approximately known is. For this reason, for many types of hearing aids at determines the production of the type-specific frequency response and provided with appropriate software. With the help of for the hearing device type specific frequency response can then Fine adjustment can be performed more quickly.

Some hearing aids are the type-specific frequency response data but still only very rough guidelines. This is particularly IDO in hearing aids is the case, in which the sound tubes in the hearing due to the individual designs the ear devices always have different lengths, even if it concerns the same types of hearing aids.

In this context, for example, from the publication EP 0681411 discloses a programmable hearing, can be stored in the hearing aid characteristics. To this end, is an appropriate memory provided in the hearing aid, the can be read as needed.

The object of the present invention is thus, improve the matching of individual hearing aids.

This is achieved by a hearing device with a present invention, Storage device, stored in the data read are, the stored data frequency response data the individually measured for the present hearing aid frequency response include.

In addition, the invention provides a method to adjust a hearing aid for a hearing device wearer by Reading frequency response data on the needs for the This hearing aid frequency response measured from a memory the hearing device and adjust the hearing aid using the individual frequency response data.

The advantage of the invention is thus that the each individual frequency response of the hearing aid directly can be read, so that an adaptation carried out quickly can be.

Preferably, the frequency response is measured in situ, so that the frequency response data indirect information about the ear canal of the hearing aid include. For this measurement Although a microphone or measuring tube in the ear canal necessary but the advantage is that the frequency response under Considering the specific acoustic conditions Ear canal of the carrier already covered and stored in the hearing aid is so that readjustments can be made faster.

The frequency response should be at least in the range of 100 Hz be stored up to 10 kHz. Thus, the hearing aid usual frequency range covered.

In a preferred embodiment, the frequency response is 10 to 200 samples stored. This number of samples is sufficient to meet the individual frequency response of the be able to detect corresponding circumstances exactly.

The frequency response data should also in a standardized be stored format. This ensures that the hearing aids are read with different software can.

The present invention will now reference to the accompanying explained drawings, in which:<dl tsize="5"><dt>1 shows</dt><dd>Frequency response of hearing aids with different Sound tube lengths and</dd><dt>FIG 2</dt><dd>a schematic diagram for measuring an individual Frequency response.</dd></dl>

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in more detail below a preferred embodiment of the present invention represent.

The frequency response of a hearing aid is typically in the range measured from 100 Hz to 10 kHz, as in the example of is shown in Fig. 1 Here are the frequency responses of two amplification stages represented. In each the two gain stages varies the frequency response in Depending on the length of the sound tube between the Listeners and the ITE hearing aid output. The length of the sound tube directly depends on the shape of the ear device. The sound tube lengths call different resonances produce, which is reflected in the frequency responses. So finds For example, when the measured in FIG 1 hearing aid the maximum gain in a sound tube length of 17 mm in the vicinity of about 2400 Hz, while the maximum gain at a sound tube length of 3 mm in the vicinity is 3000 Hz. In addition, the level difference is between the two hearing aids with 17 mm and 3 mm Hose length at 4.3 kHz around 11 dB. This significant difference in level makes himself understood in adapting noticeable.

The invention therefore provides that the individual Frequency response of a hearing aid is placed in this. To is a laboratory measurement or optionally an in-situ measurement carried out as outlined in Fig. 2 there an ITE hearing device HG is inserted into an ear canal OK. The End of a measuring tube M or a microphone located in the space between the eardrum and the hearing aid HG TF, so that the output sound of the hearing aid HG in the personalization shaped ear canal can be measured. The hearing aid HG is to record the frequency response of a measuring instrument MG is controlled via a control line SL. After surveying the individual frequency response by the meter MG is the frequency response of a memory S of the hearing aid HG stored. For this memory S of the frequency response at any time For example, for a readjustment of the hearing aid HG transferable to the programmer an acoustician. Of the Storage S in the hearing aid HG is eg in the form of a EEPROM realized.

The audiologist or customers need for the adaptation of a Hearing only the software for the programming interface. Current Frequency response data and updates this data must by the inventive solution not to the acoustician Customers are distributed. Rather, the frequency-specific Hearing aids curves for each hearing aid directly in the each hearing filed. This means that, at different Hearing aid types or versions, but also in Changes in the parameters to the hearing aid programming software can remain unchanged. A corresponding software distribution action can the relevant user therefore omitted. In particular, older software for newer Hearing aids are used.

The taking of the individual frequency response in to the hearing aid but also opens up the possibility that any combinations of be fitted hearing aid component in the hearing aid. Each these components, in particular also affect the listener the individual frequency response, but now stored in concrete terms is. Ultimately, getting the actual component combination measured and the corresponding frequency response stored in the hearing aid.