Method and device for configuring a user-specific hearing system

0001The present invention relates to a method for configuring a user-specific hearing system. Such a hearing system conventionally comprises a receiving unit for receiving sound events, an amplification unit for frequency-dependent variable amplification of the received sound events and a reproduction unit for reproducing the amplified sound events on the hearing organ of a user.

0002In order to enable users with reduced hearing to hear better, complex hearing systems are nowadays available which amplify sound events and make the amplified sound signals available to the user on one or both sides of the ear. To optimize the supported hearing, it is necessary that the amplification characteristic of the hearing system is adapted to the user-specific hearing damage, since there is usually a frequency-dependent deterioration in natural hearing, so that a linear amplification of all sound events would not lead to the desired result. Modern hearing systems permit frequency-dependent amplification by means of a parameter setting, which is preferably carried out by a hearing care professional during an initial configuration of the hearing system.

0003In the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1746859B1"><text>EP 1 746 859 B1</text></patcit> describes a method for configuring a hearing aid for a person. For this purpose, an audiometer generating test tones and open headphones worn by the patient and connected to the audiometer are used to transmit the test tones. During configuration, the user wears his hearing aid and the open headphones. The hearing aid is configured to frequency-amplify the signal emitted by the audiometer via the headphones until the patient's hearing threshold is reached. In practice, however, it has been shown that the configuration of a hearing system by frequency-specific amplification does not lead to satisfactory results until the hearing threshold of the user is reached. During the configuration of the hearing system, it is difficult for the user to precisely identify the occurrence of an amplified signal at the hearing threshold.

0004From the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE102007054152A1"><text>DE 10 2007 054 152 A1</text></patcit> a method for assessing the hearing ability of people and for programming hearing aids is known. A test person is positioned in a test room at a distance from a loudspeaker array, whereupon test tones are reproduced by the loudspeaker array which represent virtual sound sources spatially by means of wave field synthesis. The test person should then express himself about the perceived volume of the test tones heard in order to determine a hearing picture of the test person. The subjective perception of the test subjects with regard to the test tones is compared with the hearing perception of a normal hearing person and an auditory image of the test patient is determined.

0005The <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="DE102011104536A1"><text>DE 10 2011 104 536 A1</text></patcit> describes a method and an apparatus for selecting and configuring a hearing aid for a patient. The patient is first subjected to a general screening to determine his hearing threshold. Subsequently, the patient is equipped with a hearing aid and sonicated in a free sound field with increasing increasing volume of the signals until he recognizes that he has perceived signals. The hearing aid is preset on the basis of these findings. Threshold values ​​for the hearing threshold, the pleasant listening area and the discomfort area are then set on the hearing aid.

0006In the <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6201875B1"><text>US 6,201,875 B1</text></patcit> describes a method for fitting a hearing aid. Here, among other things, a stimulus set of pulses is provided, which comprises a large number of volume levels for a large number of the frequencies. In a process step, each volume level for each frequency is compared with respect to the perceived equality. The sounds to be compared are provided by the hearing aid and not by a loudspeaker arrangement that simulates environmental conditions.

0007The <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="WO2004054318A1"><text>WO 2004/054318 A1</text></patcit> shows a method for adapting a transportable communication device for hearing impaired users. The user is presented with two stimulus levels of different frequency bands of a perception frequency band, the loudness of which is to be assessed and compared.

0008In the <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="EP1538868A2"><text>EP 1 538 868 A2</text></patcit> shows an audio amplification device and a method for setting this device by adapting a frequency-dependent amplification. One method step provides that several frequencies are made available to an output converter. In a further method step, the stimulus levels or levels of each frequency are adapted in such a way that they correspond to a predefined loudness level or a detection threshold of a user. A stimulus set with a narrow bandwidth is presented to the user. The user judges the loudness of the stimuli. The loudness of each stimulus is compared to the loudness of a reference stimulus, the reference stimulus having a selected specific frequency. Various stimuli are played to the user, which are compared with the constant reference stimulus and are adjusted in level according to the user's estimates until the loudness is equal to the loudness of the reference stimulus.

0009The <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US20060140418A1"><text>US 2006/0140418 A1</text></patcit> describes a method for compensating audio frequency response characteristics of a portable sound system. A reference tone (1000 Hz) and an associated sound pressure level (0 to 120 dB) are defined. The reference tone and a pure tone of a different frequency are reproduced alternately by both hearing aids, whereby a sound pressure level of the same loudness is obtained for the reference tone and the pure tone.

0010The <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US20020040254A1"><text>US 2002/0040254 A1</text></patcit> shows a device and a method that use an interactive process to improve the listening experience. The sound of the left and right headphones are adjusted by the user, with a frequency being reproduced first by one and then by the other headphone and then centered.

0011In the <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="US20100310101A1"><text>US 2010/0310101 A1</text></patcit> describes a method and a device for acoustically adapting a hearing aid. A large number of audible tones, each with a predetermined frequency, are reproduced via headphones for the user. The tones have specific sound pressures per ear. The user changes the sound pressure to such an extent that the perceived direction of the tones lies in front of the user.

0012The <patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="WO2011014906A1"><text>WO 2011/014906 A1</text></patcit> relates to a method for adapting a sound processing device or hearing system for a user using improved sounds, the user being presented with one or more sounds or notes by the sound processing device. Each note comprises a collection of two or more harmonically related tones, which are spectrally positioned around the frequency of interest. It is also described that the user hears a sequence of musical tones of different frequencies and is instructed to adjust the loudness of the individual notes until they are equally loud and pleasant.

0013Starting from the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved method which allows a configuration of a user-specific hearing system, so that the hearing experience of the user is optimized after the configuration. The method should be designed to be as simple as possible in order to enable use in conventional companies of hearing aid acousticians and in order not to overwhelm the user during the configuration.

0014This object is achieved by a method according to the appended claim 1.

0015The invention is initially based on the approach that two adjacent sound events are compared, which are reproduced in succession for the user. The first and the second sound event are evaluated by the user and the hearing system is adapted by the converter unit using at least one conversion factor, so that the loudness of the first sound event is perceived by the user of the hearing system as the loudness of the second sound event. Only when adjacent frequencies are used, for example at intervals of 1 kHz (+/- 100 Hz), is the user's hearing system improved in configuration.

0016A device for configuring a user-specific hearing system comprises a sound generator for generating sound events (hereinafter also referred to as sound signals) and a control unit. At least one loudspeaker spaced from the user of the hearing system is preferably provided for reproducing the sound events. Alternatively, the sound events can also be generated and reproduced by the hearing system. The control unit causes the sound generator, which can be formed by the hearing system in certain applications, to generate a plurality of sound events with different frequencies in a predetermined sequence. These can be narrow-band sine signals or sound signals with a wider bandwidth. The generated sound events are controlled by the control unit in a predetermined manner, in particular amplified, and are sent to the loudspeaker unit for reproduction as sound events with the same loudness or are reproduced directly by the hearing system. The control unit receives evaluation data via an operator interface, which represent a loudness difference perceived by the user between sound events that are adjacent in the frequency range. The control unit is thus signaled via the operator interface whether the user perceives the sound events reproduced with the same loudness with different frequencies with the same loudness or differently loudly. The control unit then generates correction values ​​which are output and can be used on the hearing system in order to configure its converter unit in such a way that the perceived loudness difference is reduced or preferably eliminated.

0017In contrast to a system such as that in the <patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="DE102007054152A1"><text>DE 10 2007 054 152 A1</text></patcit> according to the present invention, the loudspeaker or loudspeakers are placed at a distance of preferably 2 m from the user of the hearing system. A speaker array is not required for the implementation of the invention, although possible. It is also not necessary to record a sound audiogram for the implementation of the invention. While conventional systems mostly only aim to fine-tune the hearing systems, the invention directly permits the complete configuration of the hearing system. In contrast to the prior art, a previous basic setting of the hearing system is not necessary. A previous measurement of the audiological characteristics can also be dispensed with.

0018Known systems, such as from the <patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="DE102011104536A1"><text>DE 10 2011 104 536 A1</text></patcit> known, used noises that are close to the hearing threshold. When hearing systems with such signals near the threshold are set, there is the disadvantage that many parameters in the hearing system can result in the results being falsified. In addition, it is very difficult for the user to compare tones close to one another. Instead, the present invention uses clearly above-threshold sound signals, which are therefore clearly audible for the normally hearing user. Sound signals with a level of 45-80 dB are preferably used.

0019According to a preferred embodiment, the sound events are generated by the sound generator as sine tones, thirds or narrow-band noise.

0020The operator interface preferably comprises an input unit and a display unit, which can be combined, for example, in a single device such as a tablet PC.

0021According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a temporary data connection between the control unit and the hearing system, so that the correction values ​​can be transmitted directly to the hearing system. The data connection can be wired or can be formed by wireless transmission systems. Alternatively, the correction values ​​can of course also be programmed into the hearing system via a further operator interface.

0022The method according to the invention for configuring a user-specific hearing system starts with the step of playing back a first sound event with a first frequency and a predetermined loudness on a loudspeaker, preferably on an at least two-channel loudspeaker unit which has at least two loudspeakers spaced apart from one another and from the user of the hearing system. In the next step, a second sound event is reproduced with a second neighboring frequency that deviates from the first frequency and has the same loudness as in the first sound event via the loudspeaker unit or the individual loudspeaker. Taking into account a difference in loudness perceived by the user between the two sound events, at least one conversion factor of the converter unit of the hearing system is subsequently changed, so that the loudness of the first sound event is perceived by the user of the hearing system equal to the loudness of the second sound event.

0023The aim of the method is achieved when all frequencies still audible by the user have been adjusted to the curves of the same volume.

0024The aforementioned steps are preferably repeated several times using different, respectively adjacent frequencies of the sound events to be compared in each case, so that the hearing system can be configured over a predetermined frequency range, so that all sound events are subsequently perceived by the user with the same loudness. The neighboring sound events that are compared with each other are spaced from each other by approximately 500 to 1200 Hz, ie they preferably each differ by approximately 1 kHz ± 200 Hz, particularly preferably in each case by 1 kHz ± 100 Hz, although other differences in the range mentioned are of course also possible. The differences are preferably selected in accordance with the parameter ranges of the hearing system to be set. In the lower frequency range, ie below 1 kHz, the distances between adjacent sound events should preferably be chosen to be smaller, so that several sound events with different, adjacent frequencies can also be included in the configuration loop in this area. In the higher frequency range, ie Above 6 kHz, the distances between adjacent sound events should preferably be chosen larger in order to be able to configure in this area with a manageable number of sound events with different, adjacent frequencies.

0025According to a modified embodiment, there is a multiple change between the frequencies of the reproduced sound events during the configuration and / or a step-by-step approach to the loudness of adjacent frequencies to the same level.

0026In an expanded embodiment, the device is fully automated. The procedure is adapted so that the acoustician no longer has to make any special entries on the hearing system. Instead, only the results are read in according to the loudness perception of the user and implemented directly in the hearing system.

0027In order to calibrate the device, the space in which the loudspeakers are installed and the sound events are reproduced can be measured with a white noise using a level meter and a frequency analyzer. The aim is to match the loudspeakers to the environment so that each loudspeaker outputs exactly the same levels up to the usual tolerances at the end of the calibration. If a reduced setup with only one speaker is used, this must be calibrated in the same way. If all speakers are leveled accordingly, the individual sound or frequency bands are leveled using a level meter, preferably according to the ISO 226: 2003 standard. The aim of the calibration is a high reproducibility in all room sizes.

0028According to a further modified embodiment, the sound events can also be generated and reproduced by the hearing system itself. The hearing system made available to the user can thus itself be the sound generator. In this variant, the free sound field is dispensed with, since the reproduction of the sound events via the loudspeaker system is omitted, but this leads to a particularly simple construction of the device.

0029Further details, modifications and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawing. Show it:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1:</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for configuring a user-specific hearing system;</dd><dt>Fig. 2:</dt><dd>a simplified flow chart of a first embodiment of a method according to the invention for configuring a user-specific hearing system;</dd><dt>3a - 3c:</dt><dd>a simplified flow chart of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the device for configuring a user-specific hearing system.</dd></dl>

0030In the <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> The basic illustration shown illustrates essential components of the device for configuring a user-specific hearing system and their interaction. The user-specific hearing system 01, which as such does not belong to the device, comprises one or two hearing aids as subsystems, each of which has a receiving unit for receiving sound events, a converter unit for frequency-dependent variable adaptation of the received sound events and a playback unit for reproducing the amplified sound events to the hearing organ of a user 02 include.

0031For example, the hearing system 01 is so-called deep-fit ​​earmolds or deep-fit ​​CIC hearing aids. The ear canal of the user is closed as far as possible by an inserted otoplastic, so that only the sound events amplified by the hearing system 01 are fed to the inner hearing organ of the user 02. In such systems, the converter unit is formed by an amplification unit, which amplifies the received sound events in a frequency-dependent manner.

0032However, modified embodiments of hearing systems can also be configured. The received sound events are not necessarily amplified by such modified hearing systems but processed / adapted in the broader sense and, for example, delivered to the hearing organ as electrical signals.

0033The device further comprises a sound generator 03, which in the exemplary embodiment shown consists of a system computer and an amplifier. The sound generator 03 generates sound events (sound signals) and forwards them to a loudspeaker unit 04, through which sound events are emitted. The loudspeaker unit 04 is constructed in two or more channels in the embodiment shown and here has at least two loudspeakers which are positioned at a distance from one another and at a distance from the user 02. The distance ratios preferably lead to a position of the user in the free sound field suitable for a realistic stereo listening experience. The user 02 is thus in the free sound field, so that the sound events reach him as in a natural noise environment.

0034In the case of modified, simple embodiments, the sound events can also be reproduced by only a single loudspeaker.

0035Finally, the device comprises a control unit 05. The control unit 05 causes the sound generator 03 to generate a plurality of sound signals with different frequencies in a predetermined sequence. The generated sound signals are amplified in a predetermined manner and sent to the loudspeaker unit for reproduction as sound events with the same loudness. Standardized measurement methods for loudness measurement are given, for example, in DIN 45631 and ISO 532 B.

0036In the simplest case, the user is thus given a first sound event with a frequency of, for example, 2 kHz and a loudness of 65 dB via the loudspeaker unit and immediately afterwards a second sound event with an adjacent frequency of 3 kHz and the same loudness. A user with normal hearing would perceive the two sound events to be the same, while a user with hearing impairment in the frequency range concerned registers a difference in loudness. The sound events are reproduced specifically above the hearing threshold of the user, in a range of normal ambient volume, for example with 45 to 80 dB. A loudness difference perceived by the user is entered either by user 02 or by a hearing care professional 06 carrying out the configuration via a user interface on control unit 05. The control unit 05 determines correction values ​​from the received evaluation data for the loudness difference and outputs them in order to adapt the converter unit of the hearing system 01 in such a way that the loudness difference is reduced or preferably completely eliminated. The correction values ​​can either be fed directly into a programming unit 07, which sets the frequency-dependent amplification of the hearing system 01. As an alternative to this, the correction values ​​can be displayed to the hearing aid acoustician, so that he or she can manually enter the corresponding corrections into the programming unit 07 via an additional interface. The correction can be carried out successively in several steps.

0037A further modified embodiment uses the hearing system itself as a sound generator and for the reproduction of the sound events. There is no need for the speaker system.

0038In <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> the essential steps for executing a method according to the invention for configuring a user-specific hearing system are shown in the form of a program flow chart. Before the actual configuration begins, the hearing system can be adjusted with the basic settings of the manufacturer (First Fit), without additional exposure to frequency-dependent amplification parameters. If the user is provided with hearing systems on both ears, these are coupled and with the two-channel loudspeaker unit, only the side that is closest to the user's better hearing ear is initially exposed to a sound event. The actual configuration then begins with the reproduction of a first sound event with a first frequency, for example 2 kHz, at a clearly perceivable volume, for example with a loudness of 65 dB, initially only on one channel of the two-channel loudspeaker unit, on the side of better hearing of the Users. Immediately following this, a second sound event with a second, adjacent frequency, for example 3 kHz and the same loudness is reproduced, also on the side of better hearing. The user registers either the same loudness or a loudness difference despite the objectively existing identical loudness between the two reproduced sound events. A perceived loudness difference in the form of evaluation data of the control unit of a corresponding device can be entered via an operator interface, in the simplest case only by selecting the sound event which the user perceives as louder.

0039If the loudness difference is determined, in the next step an amplification factor of the amplification unit (or a corresponding adaptation parameter of a modified converter unit) of the hearing system is changed, so that the loudness of the first sound event is perceived by the user of the hearing system like the loudness of the second sound event. The hearing system is thus configured for the frequency range between the frequencies of the two reproduced, adjacent sound events.

0040The hearing system is preferably configured not only for two sound events that are spaced apart from one another, that is to say adjacent to one another, but for a plurality of sound events that each differ in frequency from one another by a predetermined amount, that is to say are adjacent to one another, for example with a frequency spacing in each case in the range between 500 and 1200 Hz. <figref idref="f0003 f0004 f0005">3a-3c</figref> show a correspondingly modified embodiment of the method for configuring a user-specific hearing system, in which the configuration is carried out using more than two sound events.

0041The in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3a</figref> The section "Adaptation of a better ear" corresponds to the steps already explained <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, whereby several sound events with different frequencies are used. The user's hearing aids are initially operated in the basic setting, adaptive parameters are switched off. If the user uses two hearing aids, these are coupled and one side (a subsystem) is switched off. In the next step, a first sound event with, for example, 2 kHz, 65 dB is reproduced, so that the user perceives this first sound event with a clear loudness. In the next step, the user is given a second sound event with an adjacent frequency of, for example, 3 kHz and the same loudness as the first sound event. The user can directly compare the two sound events with neighboring frequencies and the same loudness and specify whether the second sound event is perceived to be louder or quieter. In the event of a deviation in the subjectively perceived loudness, a correction value / amplification factor is applied so that the user then perceives approximately the same loudness. The correct gain factor can be selected successively in several sub-steps. This is followed by a further comparison between adjacent frequencies, for example 3 and 4 kHz, 4 and 5 kHz, 5 and 6 kHz and 6 and 8 kHz, correction values ​​for the hearing aid being determined in each case, which are used to perceive the two sound events of adjacent frequencies with the same Lead loudness. Further steps in the lower frequency range by comparing sound events at 2 and 1 kHz as well as 1 kHz and 500 Hz can follow.

0042In the following sections of the schedule <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 3b</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">3c</figref> it also shows the steps that are necessary for the configuration of the second hearing system (on the second ear) (section "Two-sided comparison") and for a final setting of the hearing systems in relation to the setting of the perception threshold and the setting of the maximum amplification of the hearing systems can also be executed. Both hearing systems of the user are preferably coordinated binaurally with one another by mutually offering the sound events.

0043How out <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 3b</figref> can be seen, the coupling of the two hearing aids is first switched off in the section "bilateral adjustment". In this section, all other gain settings are only made on the connected side (hearing aid). A sound event with 2 kHz, 65 dB is first offered to the connected second hearing aid. This is followed by the adjustment in all other frequencies, as previously described.

0044This is followed by final settings in the "Volume adjustment" section, in the "Loud level" section and in the "Output level" section (<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 3c</figref>).

0045<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 4</figref> shows a modified embodiment of the device for configuring a user-specific hearing system 01a. The hearing system itself is used here as a sound generator and for the reproduction of the sound events. In this case, the adapted user-specific hearing system 01a also comprises one or two hearing aids as subsystems, each of which comprises a receiving unit for receiving sound events, a converter unit for frequency-dependent variable adaptation of the received sound events and a playback unit for playing the amplified sound events to the hearing organ of a user 02 . The hearing system 01a or each subsystem an integrated unit that works as a sound generator and is activated by the control unit 05. The integrated sound generator generates sound events and reproduces them directly using the playback unit of the hearing system 01a. The control unit 05 causes the hearing system to generate a plurality of sound signals with different frequencies in a predetermined sequence and to reproduce them with the same loudness. A loudness difference perceived by the user 02 is input either by the user or by a hearing care professional 06 performing the configuration via an operator interface on the control unit 05. The control unit 05 determines correction values ​​from the received evaluation data for the loudness difference and outputs them in order to adapt the converter unit of the hearing system 01 in such a way that the loudness difference is reduced or preferably completely eliminated. In this case, the correction values ​​are supplied directly from the control unit 05, which also takes over the function of the programming unit, to the hearing system 01.

<u>Reference list</u>

0046<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>01 -</dt><dd>Hearing system</dd><dt>02 -</dt><dd>Users</dd><dt>03 -</dt><dd>Sound generator</dd><dt>04 -</dt><dd>Speaker unit</dd><dt>05 -</dt><dd>Control unit</dd><dt>06 -</dt><dd>Hearing aid acousticians</dd><dt>07 -</dt><dd>Programming unit</dd></dl>