(12) United States Patent
`Foo et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`US008526649B2
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ................................................ .. 381/312, 315
`See application file for complete search history.
`_
`References Clted
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`7,062,223 B2
`
`6/2006 Gerber et al.
`
`(54) PROVIDING NOTIFICATION SOUNDS IN A
`CUSTOMIZABLE MANNER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Edwin W. Foo, San Mateo, CA (US);
`Gregory F. Hughes, Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`Sub'ect to an disclaimer, the term of this
`3
`.
`y
`.
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 293 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/029,849
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb‘ 173 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/0213393 A1
`Aug. 23, 2012
`
`(51)
`
`Int Cl
`(2006 01)
`H021? 25/00
`.
`(52) US. CL
`USPC ......................................... .. 381/315; 381/312
`
`*
`
`8/2010 Larsen
`3/2009 Bradford etal.
`3/2010 Solum
`3/2010 Bergmarm et al.
`
`............ .. 381/312
`
`7’778’432 B2
`2009/0074214 A1*
`2010/0054512 A1
`2010/0067723 A1
`.
`.
`“ted by exammer
`Primary Examiner — Brian Ensey
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
`LLP
`
`.
`(57)
`.
`.
`ABSTRA.CT
`Broadly speaking,
`the
`embodiments disclosed herein
`describe an apparatus, system, and method that allow a user to
`perceive notifications (audible or otherwise) corresponding
`to an external event in any maimer deemed appropriate.
`16 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`HIMPP 1004
`
`HIMPP 1004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`S
`
`0
`
`3
`
`00
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`23:wWmm
`
`1.7|
`
`cl:3!o1:1W_t,wT.mmYUM...mm
`
`m....
`.EN....w
`
`m_
`
`u
`
`_.
`
`5:_Eaw_
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`.
`
`é
`
`,.
`
`..v.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
` F!(§'-.if
`«inset
`
`\'\'<,--‘$»'r£.?t2}::3t>£ixi2::
`
`éiiéfi}
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`zi2:€2¥:§.§.'
`
`:;a:;.::
`
`_,
`
`aii £353? 233%
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`:3 .52 i§.%T$&'.’.';:§.‘ :Z‘i;‘:$‘3”§E?:§3'~'§’}§ ;3:raz‘§‘§m2~zzva::az
`
`~»~»w,,,
`
`:é§f‘§:’:?.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`z;:==;b..»a.=-..+:i s.e;s:§;fé
`2§?<::.s=:r2:;:::i.::zsr;+.
`
`
`
`5é.’§3::t:z?2¢§::icias ’" 33:;
`
`
`m's:§.z=;.:‘:::a;:=as
`
`'*s*..==i§E§
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`?{3=€}
`
`§§z;'3§.s.%
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 8 of8
`
`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`‘£'}i,s.:.;.x%§ 21:}- ’ \\\\\\.\\\-\\-\\-\\-\\-\\x ‘\\x\\\\\\\\\\-\\-\\\\\.
`
`:§.§§'§'5;;‘.5£'’fiii$;‘.i.’v
`
`rm ~
`?..< 42. .
`
`1¥3:am~.:zjs-'
`
`
`
`
`,
`
`Z'§5»“r+'.j3s;iiz‘,‘,*.;~.‘¢'E<»:‘.%:r
`
`
`
`,--». E,
`
`.
`
`
`
`2%§i'.‘§’r}
`
`E i
`
`_Ff{T;§.
`
`ési’
`
`

`

`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`1
`PROVIDING NOTIFICATION SOUNDS IN A
`CUSTOMIZABLE MANNER
`
`FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The described embodiments relate to methods and appara-
`tus for processing and/or enhancing audio signals used by a
`hearing aid. In particular, a hearing assistance device, such as
`a hearing aid, can notify an individual having impaired hear-
`ing of an external event in a manner of their choosing.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
`
`A modern hearing aid can help to mitigate at least some of
`the problems associated with impaired hearing by amplifying
`ambient sound. A modern hearing aid can receive an input
`audio signal using an input converter. The audio input signal
`can in turn be converted into electrical input signals that are
`routed to a signal processing unit for further processing and
`amplification. The further processing and amplification can
`be used to compensate for the individual loss of hearing of a
`hearing aid wearer. The signal processing unit provides an
`electrical output signal which is fed via an output converter to
`the wearer of the hearing aid so the wearer perceives the
`output signal as an acoustic signal. Earpieces which generate
`an acoustic output signal are usually used as output convert-
`ers.
`
`Electronic circuitry used by hearing aids varies among
`devices, even ifthey are the same style. The circuitry falls into
`three categories based on the type of audio processing (Ana-
`log or Digital) and the type of control circuitry (Adjustable or
`Programmable). In one category, the audio circuit is analog
`having electronic components that can be adjusted. With
`these types ofhearing aids, a hearing professional (such as an
`audiologist or certified technician) determines the gain and
`other specifications required for the wearer, and then adjusts
`the analog components either with small controls on the hear-
`ing aid itself or by having a laboratory build the hearing aid to
`meet those specifications. After the adjustment is completed,
`the resulting audio processing does not change any further,
`other than possibly overall loudness that the wearer adjusts
`with a volume control. This type of circuitry is generally the
`least flexible.
`
`In another category, the audio circuit is analog but with
`additional electronic control circuitry that can be pro-
`grammed, sometimes with more than one program. The elec-
`tronic control circuitry can be fixed during manufacturing or
`in some cases, the hearing professional can use an external
`computer temporarily connected to the hearing aid to pro-
`gram the additional control circuitry. The wearer can change
`the program for different listening environments by pressing
`buttons either on the device itself or on a remote control or in
`
`some cases the additional control circuitry operates automati-
`cally. This type of circuitry is generally more flexible than
`simple adjustable controls.
`In yet another category, both the audio circuit and the
`additional control circuits are fully digital in nature. The
`hearing professional programs the hearing aid with an exter-
`nal computer temporarily connected to the device and can
`adjust all processing characteristics on an individual basis.
`Fully digital hearing aids can be programmed with multiple
`programs that can be invoked by the wearer, or that operate
`automatically and adaptively. These programs reduce acous-
`tic feedback (whistling), reduce background noise, detect and
`automatically accommodate different listemng environments
`(loud vs. soft, speech vs. music, quiet vs. noisy, etc.), control
`additional components such as multiple microphones to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`improve spatial hearing, transpose frequencies (shift high
`frequencies that a wearer may not hear to lower frequency
`regions where hearing may be better), and implement many
`other features. In some embodiments, the hearing aid wearer
`has almost complete control over the settings of most, but not
`all, settings. For example, in order to prevent unintended
`harm to the wearer, certain settings (such as gain) can only be
`changed within a well-defined range. Other settings, such a
`frequency response, can have more latitude but any allowed
`changes will nonetheless be restricted in order to prevent any
`changes to the audio processing that may be harmful to the
`hearing aid wearer.
`Fully digital circuitry can also include wireless hearing
`aids that allow control over wireless transmission capability
`for both the audio and the control circuitry. Control signals in
`a hearing aid on one ear can be sent wirelessly to the control
`circuitry in the hearing aid on the opposite ear to ensure that
`the audio in both ears is either matched directly or that the
`audio contains intentional differences that mimic the differ-
`
`ences in normal binaural hearing to preserve spatial hearing
`ability. Audio signals can be sent wirelessly to and from
`external devices through a separate module, often a small
`device worn like a pendant and commonly called a “streamer”
`that allows wireless connection to yet other external devices.
`In those embodiments where additional computational
`resources or sensor resources are required,
`the external
`devices can take the form of a portable computing device
`along the lines of a smart phone, tablet device, and portable
`media player.
`Programmable hearing aids that allow a user to adjust the
`hearing aid response to their own preference have been
`recently made available at reasonable cost. Using the pro-
`grammable hearing aid, for example, the frequency response
`ofthe hearing aid can be adjusted by the consumer in order to
`improve the overall user experience by accentuating certain
`frequencies or range of frequencies. In addition to program-
`mable hearing aids, wireless hearing aids have been devel-
`oped. For example, for a hearing impaired consumer using
`two hearing aids, an adjustment to one ofthe two hearing aids
`can be transmitted to the other hearing aid such that pressing
`one hearing aid’s program button simultaneously changes the
`corresponding settings on the other hearing aid such that both
`hearing aids change settings simultaneously.
`Therefore, with the advent of programmable hearing aids
`and other hearing assistance devices whose signal processing
`can at least be partially modified, what is desired is providing
`a hearing aid or hearing assistance device user the ability to
`modify the audio processing ofthe programmable hearing aid
`or hearing assistance device to provide information from the
`surrounding environment in a subtle and nuanced manner.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`the embodiments disclosed herein
`Broadly speaking,
`describe providing individualized notification to a hearing
`impaired person. More specifically, in one embodiment, a
`method performed by a processor for presenting an audible
`rendering of an event notification signal generated by a noti-
`fying device in response to an external event is described. The
`method is performed by carrying out at least the following
`operations: receiving the event notification signal at the pro-
`cessing device, processing the event notification signal by the
`processing device in accordance with a user preference to
`form the audible rendering of the event notification signal,
`passing the audible rendering of the event notification signal
`to an output device, and presenting the audible rendering of
`the event notification signal by the output device. In one
`
`

`

`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`3
`embodiment, the audible rendering of the event notification
`signal is remapped from the audible rendering of the event
`notification to a remapped audible rendering based upon a
`remapping user preference.
`A system arranged for providing hearing assistance
`includes at least a computing device. In one embodiment, the
`computing device is in communication with a hearing assis-
`tance device having an output arranged to provide an output
`suitable for being perceived by a user of the system and a
`processor that receives an event notification signal provided
`by a notifying device indicating that an event has occurred.
`The computing device processes the event notification signal
`in accordance with an audio processing profile to form an
`audible rendering of the event notification signal, passes the
`audible rendering ofthe event notification signal to the output
`device, and presents the audible rendering of the event noti-
`fication signal by the output device.
`Non-transitory computer readable medium for storing
`computer code executable by a processor in a hearing assis-
`tance device for presenting an audible version of an event
`notification signal includes at least computer code for receiv-
`ing the event notification signal at a processing device, pro-
`cessing the event notification signal by the processing device
`in accordance with a user preference to form the audible
`rendering of the event notification signal, passing the audible
`rendering of the event notification signal to an output device,
`and presenting the audible rendering of the event notification
`signal by the hearing aid output device. In one embodiment,
`the audible rendering of the event notification signal
`is
`remapped from the audible rendering ofthe event notification
`to a remapped audible rendering in accordance with a user
`remapping preference.
`A hearing assistance device for presenting an audible ver-
`sion of an event notification generated in response to at least
`one external event includes at least a processor, a data storage
`device arranged to store at least a hearing aid profile, an
`output device, and an interface in communication with the
`processor for receiving the event notification. In one embodi-
`ment, the processor processes the event notification signal to
`form the audible version of the event notification in accor-
`
`dance with the hearing aid profile, passes the audible version
`of the event notification signal to the output device, and
`presents the audible version ofthe event notification signal by
`the hearing aid output device.
`Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from
`the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
`the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of
`example, the principles of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The described embodiments will be readily understood by
`the following detailed description in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`designate like structural elements, and in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts representative hearing assistance system
`1 00 in accordance with the presently described embodiments.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a representative communication system
`in accordance with the described embodiments.
`
`FIG. 3 shows a representative computing device having a
`data storage device having a plurality of enhancement mod-
`ules stored therein.
`
`FIG. 4 shows an example of remapping in which each
`member of a group can perceive notification signal provided
`by a notifying device in a manner chosen by the member.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart detailing a process in accordance with
`the described embodiments.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart detailing a process for remapping an
`audible rendering of an event notification signal in accor-
`dance with the described embodiments.
`
`FIG. 7 is a block schematic showing another embodiment
`of a hearing assistance device in the form of a hearing aid.
`FIG. 8 is a representative computing system in accordance
`with the described embodiments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESCRIBED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the following detailed description, numerous specific
`details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding ofthe
`concepts underlying the described embodiments. It will be
`apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described
`embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these
`specific details. In other instances, well known process steps
`have not been described in detail in order to avoid unneces-
`
`sarily obscuring the underlying concepts.
`In an attempt to compensate for specific hearing loss cer-
`tain aspects of an audible environment can be augmented in
`such a way so as to provide additional notification of an event,
`or events. In some cases, an audible notification of an event
`associated with a device (a person ringing a doorbell or a
`telephone ringing) can be enhanced to compensate, at least
`partially, for an individual’s specific hearing impairment. In
`one embodiment, the notifying device can be in communica-
`tion with a computing device (portable or otherwise) that is in
`turn can be in communication with a hearing aid or other
`hearing assisting device, such as headphones. In one embodi-
`ment, the notifying device can be in direct communication
`with the hearing aid when the hearing aid includes appropri-
`ate built-in computing circuitry. The computing device can
`receive audible input from the device directly (such as the
`sound from the doorbell or phone ringer) and process the
`received sound to compensate for an individual’s particular
`hearing impairment.
`In one embodiment, the computing device can receive an
`indication not necessarily associated with an audible sound
`from the notifying device that an event has occurred. For
`example, for someone having little ability to hear any sound,
`it may not make sense for a smoke alarm to be associated with
`an audible notification event. In this situation, the smoke
`alarm can be audibly silent but nonetheless provide an indi-
`cation that a notifying event (i.e., detection of smoke) has
`occurred. The indication can take many forms such as a
`digital data file (such as a .WAV file, MP3 file, and so forth).
`In one embodiment, the indication can be a code or other
`indicia that can be used to identify a particular event. The code
`can be, for example, a data string that can include information
`specific to the notifying device, type of event, time of event,
`and so forth. In this way, an event database can be created
`providing a history of events. In one embodiment, the indi-
`cation received by the computing device from the notifying
`device can be used by the computing device to provide a
`notification of the event occurrence to an individual, or indi-
`viduals. The notification can take many forms. In those situ-
`ations where notifications are sent to a number of individuals,
`each notification can be customized for each individual, a
`group of individuals, and so on. In this way, the computing
`device can provide as many types of different notifications as
`there are individuals being notified.
`For example, a notification sent to one individual can be
`vibratory in nature whereas another notification sent
`to
`another individual can be visual in nature. In one embodi-
`
`ment, the notification can be simply an audible rendering of a
`sound associated with the event. For example, the notification
`
`

`

`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`5
`can take the form of a doorbell ringing or phone ringing
`neither of which may be audible to those having impaired
`hearing and must therefore be processed in such a way to
`enable those with impaired hearing to perceive the notifica-
`tion and to take action, if necessary. In some cases, the noti-
`fication can take the form of a sound not usually associated
`with the event but nonetheless associated with the event by
`the individual user. For example, a chirping sound can be
`associated with a doorbell ring instead ofthe sound generated
`by a bell or klaxon.
`However, in addition to merely replicating the sound gen-
`erated by the doorbell or the phone ringer, the computing
`device can render the sound the sound in any manner selected
`by the user. In one embodiment, the rendering can take the
`form of modifying audio characteristics of the sound to com-
`pensate for a specific individual’s hearing impairment. The
`modification can be based upon information associated with
`the individual’s specific hearing impairment. The inforrna-
`tion can be associated with a hearing aid (HA) profile used to
`configure the audio processing carried out by the individual’ s
`hearing aid. The HA profile can be stored in the hearing aid
`and/or in the computing device. In any case, the audio pro-
`cessing can be carried out in real time. In one embodiment,
`the HA profile can include a set of parameters that can rep-
`resent the context ofthe environment for which the HA profile
`is associated. The HA profile can be selected by the individual
`user to adjust the processing carried out by the audio circuitry
`on the audible sounds received from the external acoustic
`
`environment. In one embodiment, the HA profile can include
`a range of hearing aid parameters specific to the individual
`user. The parameters can be established by an audio techni-
`cian under the guidance of a certified audiologist (or by the
`audiologist directly). The HA profile can then be pro-
`grammed into the hearing aid and be used to adjust the pro-
`cessing of external audio by the audio circuitry in the hearing
`aid.
`
`For example, in the case of age related high frequency loss,
`the computing device can emphasize lower frequencies or
`ranges of frequencies most likely to be heard by the indi-
`vidual. The notification can be associated with a particular
`type of stimulation that can be associated with a particular
`event. For example, a smoke alarm can provide an indication
`to a smartphone of an occurrence of a smoke event. The
`smartphone can receive and process the indication of the
`smoke event to generate a notification customized for the
`current possessor of the smartphone. In one embodiment, the
`notification can be visual in nature in that the smartphone can
`flash brightly on an off and/or vibrate in order to get the
`attention of the user. In one embodiment, the smartphone can
`wirelessly send a notification to an individual’s hearing aid
`(either directly or to a processing unit in communication with
`the hearing aid) or hearing assisting device. In this way, the
`notification can be processed to generate an audible notifica-
`tion that can be passed by way ofthe hearing aid directly to the
`auditory system of the user.
`These and other embodiments are discussed below with
`reference to FIGS. 1-8. However, those skilled in the art will
`readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein
`with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
`invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
`FIG. 1 depicts representative hearing assistance system
`1 00 in accordance with the presently described embodiments.
`Hearing assistance system 100 can include aural presentation
`device 102 and external device 104. In a particularly useful
`configuration, aural presentation device 102 can take the form
`of hearing aid 102 and external device 104 can take the form
`of a computing device 104 such as a smartphone (such as an
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`iPhoneTM) or portable media player (such as an iPodTM) each
`manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In one
`embodiment, hearing aid 102 can be arranged to aurally
`present a notification message from within an auditory canal
`of a user. In addition, hearing aid 102 can be arranged to
`provide hearing aid functionality. Hearing aid 102 can be
`configured for placement at least partially within the auditory
`canal and includes housing 106. In one embodiment, housing
`106 can be configured for placement entirely within the audi-
`tory canal of the user. In accordance with this embodiment,
`notification messages can be presented in the auditory canal
`by way of output device 108 positioned within the housing,
`e.g., through one or more openings (represented by opening
`110) in housing 106. In one embodiment, housing 106 can be
`configured for placement external to the auditory canal, e.g.,
`in an exterior portion of the ear such as between the auricle of
`the ear and the head of the user.
`
`Receiver 112 positioned within housing 106 can be con-
`figured to receive signals, e.g., from computing device 104.
`Transmitter 114 configured to transmit communication sig-
`nals, e.g., to computing device 104, can be further positioned
`within housing 106. Receiver 112 and transmitter 114 can be
`independent or combined as a transceiver. Receiver 112 may
`be a data interface. Receiver 112 and/or transmitter 114 can
`
`communicate via a wired communication port 115 or wireless
`connection, e.g., using an infra-red (IR) LED or a radio fre-
`quency (RF) connection through an antenna 116. In one
`embodiment, computing device 104 and hearing aid 102 can
`be a single unit in which case wired communication port 115
`(or other appropriate wired connection) can be used to pass
`information between computing device 104 and hearing aid
`102.
`
`Processor 118 can be coupled to receiver 112 and transmit-
`ter 114 (if present). In addition, processor 118 can be coupled
`to output device 108 (e.g., via an amplifier 120), memory 122,
`optional counter 124, and optional clock 126. Processor 118
`can be configured to receive data via receiver 112, transmit
`data via the transmitter 114 (ifpresent), store and retrieve data
`from the memory 122, and interact with the counter 124
`and/or clock 126 (if present). In addition, processor 118 can
`be configured to process data from receiver 112, memory 122,
`counter 124, and/or clock 126 and is further configured to
`drive output device 108 (e.g., via amplifier 120) to aurally
`present predefined notification messages based on the pro-
`cessed data. Processor 118 can be further be configured to
`convert compressed audio signals into signals suitable for
`aural presentation. The audio signals can be compressed to
`reduce transmission bandwidth and/or to maximize use ofthe
`
`memory 122. An input device 128 such as a button may
`further be coupled to processor 118 and positioned on hous-
`ing 106 to receive feedback from a user. A suitable processor
`for use with the present invention will be understood by one of
`skill in the art.
`
`Hearing aid 102 can include components to provide hear-
`ing aid functionality. In the illustrated hearing aid 102, micro-
`phone 130 converts sound signals into electrical signals,
`amplifier 132 increases the amplitude ofthe electrical signals,
`and output device 108 changes the amplified electrical signal
`back into a form that can be used to convey audible informa-
`tion to the hearing air user. For example, when output device
`108 is a speaker, speaker 108 can provide sound energy that is
`directed into the auditory canal of the user. It should be noted
`that output 108 can take many forms depending upon the
`nature of hearing aid 102. For example, in one embodiment,
`output 108 can take the form of an acoustic transducer
`arranged to provide acoustic output in the form of sound
`waves. The acoustic output can then be transmitted in a con-
`
`

`

`US 8,526,649 B2
`
`7
`ventional manner to the hearing aid user’ s auditory system. In
`one embodiment, output 108 can be used to stimulate nerves
`in the hearing aid user’ s auditory system. In one embodiment,
`output 108 can be implanted into a bone near the hearing aid
`user’s auditory system. In this way, electrical energy gener-
`ated by output 108 can be transmitted through the bone and be
`used to stimulate certain auditory nerves. This type ofhearing
`aid is generally described in terms of a cochlear implant.
`Suitable microphones, amplifiers, and speakers/hearing
`aid receivers will be understood by one of skill in the art. The
`audio processing performed by the audio circuitry in a hear-
`ing aid can be based upon a number ofhearing aid parameters
`that can be changed by adjusting controls or by programming.
`Such hearing aid parameters can include frequency response
`(e.g., signal edge displacement, rise time in the low and high
`tone range), gain, starting point ofAGC, peak clipping, and so
`forth. For optimal performance, a particular audio environ-
`ment can have associated with it a particular range of hearing
`aid parameters that can be further adjusted for the individual
`user. However, in order to properly adjust the audio process-
`ing of the audio circuitry, a potentially large number of hear-
`ing aid controls must be adjusted on a real time basis. Since
`the user can only freely adjust relatively few parameters such
`as volume or gain, one of the described embodiments utilizes
`a hearing aid parameter profile, or more simply, HA profile.
`Computing device 104 can include transmitter 134 config-
`ured for transmitting signals to receiver 112 of hearing aid
`102. Computing device 104 can further include receiver 136
`configured for receiving signals from the transmitter 114 of
`hearing aid 102. Transmitter 134 and receiver 136 can be
`independent or combined as a transceiver. Transmitter 134
`and/or the receiver 136 can communicate via wired commu-
`
`through
`nication port 138 or wireless connection, e.g.,
`antenna 140. Signals transmitted between the computing
`device 104 and hearing aid 102 can include data identifying
`the source and/or desired destination of the transmitted sig-
`nals. This enables the use of one or more external devices
`
`(represented by computing device 104) with one or more
`aural presentation devices (represented by hearing aid 102) in
`the same vicinity. For example, a single external device may
`be used with a single aural presentation device, a single exter-
`nal device may be used with a plurality of aural presentation
`devices, a plurality of external devices may be used with a
`single aural presentation device, and a plurality of external
`devices may be used with a plurality of aural presentation
`devices.
`
`In one embodiment, a string of data may be included with
`each transmission from a first external device to a first aural
`
`identifies both the first external
`presentation device that
`device and the first aural presentation device. When the mes-
`sage is received at the first aural presentation device, the first
`aural presentation device checks the string of data and pro-
`cesses the transmission if the string of data indicates that the
`first aural presentation device is the intended recipient. Like-
`wise, an acknowledgement from the first aural presentation
`device to the first external device may include a similar string
`of data. When the acknowledgment is received at the first
`external device, the first external device checks the string of
`data and processes the transmission if the string of data indi-
`cates that the first external device is the intended recipient of
`the acknowledgment.
`Computing device 104 can be configured to receive data
`via one or more input devices (represented by input device
`142). One or more of the input devices may be incorporated
`into the computing device 104. The input devices may include
`a button, switch, keyboard, touch pad, touch screen, mouse,
`microphone, or essentially any device capable ofgenerating a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`signal conveying information. Input device 142 can also
`include sensors arranged to receive both sound energy (mi-
`crophone) and light energy (photometer). In this way, com-
`puting device 104 can receive information directly from the
`external environment in the form of sound and/or light. The
`input device 142 may be used to enter information and to
`receive feedback from a user with the aural presentation
`device positioned within their auditory canal. The computing
`device 104 may optionally be configured to receive and/or
`transmit communication signals via communication system
`144, such as a telephone system or the Internet. Communica-
`tion system 144 can enable an interested party, e.g., a relative,
`friend, or care provider, to initiate a notification message
`(sending email, calling on the phone, and so forth) and/or
`receive feedback from the hearing assistance system 100. For
`example, an interested party could contact the computing
`device 104 via communication system 144 using a cell phone,
`personal digital assistant (PDA), or essentially any commu-
`nication device and remotely cause a message to be aurally
`presented, e.g., by entering a number corresponding to a
`particular predefined notification message. Additionally, the
`communication system may receive audio and/or text notifi-
`cation messages. In embodiments where text notification
`messages are received,
`the computing device 104 may
`include a text to speech converter (not shown) to convert the
`text message to an aural notification message.
`Processor 146 within the computing device 104 can be
`coupled to transmitter 134 and to the receiver 136 (ifpresent).
`Processor 146 can be further coupled to memory 148, the
`input device 142, optional counter 150, optional clock 152,
`and communication system 144. Processor 146 can be con-
`figured to transmit data via the transmitter 134, receive data
`via the receiver 136 (if present), receive data via the input
`device 142, store and retrieve data from the memory 148, and
`interact with the counter 150 and/or clock 152 (if present).
`The transmitted and received data may include the data
`described above for identifying particular external devices
`and aural presentation devices. In addition, processor 146 can
`be configured to process data from communication system
`144, input device 142, memory 148, and counter 150 and/or
`clock 152 (if present), and is further configured to transmit
`data responsive to the processed data via transmitter 134. A
`suitable processor for use with the present invention will be
`understood by one of skill in the art.
`In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, communication sys-
`tem 144 can include wireless notifying devices 200 and wired
`communication devices 250. Wireless notifying devices 200
`can include at least doorbell 202, telephone 204, smoke alarm
`206, and microphone 208. In one embodiment, each of the
`wireless notifying devices 200 can generate a particular audio
`or notification signal each of which can be received and
`processed by computing device 104. Wired devices 250 can
`include audio equipment 252, microphone 254, a conven-
`tional wired telephone (sometimes referred to as a landline)
`256 and so forth. In this regard, wired input 138 can take the
`form ofa plurality ofwired inputs, namely a stereo input jack,
`as