HEARING AID SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hearing aid systems and more particularly, relates to a

method and a system for upgrading/downgrading and fitting a hearing aid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hearing aid systems include hearing aid devices which patients use to pick up desired

sounds, process them, and direct them into their ears to facilitate their hearing. The

processing system of the hearing aid device is normally adjusted to fit a specific hearing

loss.

Adjustment of hearing aid devices to fit a patient is labourious and time intensive.

A hearing professional who is engaged in the fitting of hearing aid devices must, during a

session with a patient, have on hand equipment to adjust the hearing aid devices. Such

equipment could include programming hardware and software, interface hardware and

software, connector cables and the like.

Hearing aid devices come with many different features and thus, there are a number

of different parameters which are possible to adjust in a hearing aid. A problem which can

arise is that the wearer of the hearing aid may, through time, find that the hearing aid is not

properly adjusted and in order to make such adjustments, the wearer must return to the

specialist. Naturally, this is both time consuming and expensive for the hearing aid user.

A frequent problem which arises is that the patient, upon being diagnosed with a

hearing problem, will purchase a very low end model of hearing aid, the low end model

having few advanced features. However, over time, the patient may require or desire further

features and accordingly, this requires the purchase of an upgraded model. The patient must

go through the process of arranging several appointments for the purchase and the fitting of

the new hearing aid device.

A still further problem which can arise is that when the patient goes to the hearing

professional for adjustment of the hearing aid, the availability of many different types of

hearing aid devices may mean that the hearing professional is not well versed in the

adjustment of a particular model. In such a case, the hearing professional must contact the

manufacturer and obtain assistance over the phone in adjusting the device or return the

hearing device to the manufacturer for adjustment.

A still further problem associated with the fitting of a hearing aid for an individual is

that the individual may not know what features, either alone or in combination, may be most

comfortable for the individual. Normally, this would entail the trying out of different

models in order to have a first hand experience of the various features which are available in

higher end models. However, this also involves return visits to the hearing professional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid system which includes

a hearing aid device which is upgradeable/downgradeable through the use of the internet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid system wherein

adjustment of the hearing aid device may be done remotely through the internet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid system and a

method wherein a setup can be employed either for general or specific learning and training

purposes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a hearing aid,

the improvement wherein the hearing aid includes a plurality of modules, each of the

modules having the necessary firmware, hardware and software for enhancing at least one

characteristic of the hearing aid, and means permitting selective activation and deactivation

of each of the modules such that upon activation, operating parameters associated with the

module can be remotely adjusted. The firmware and software could also be upgraded

allowing the hearing aid to receive new modules and/or algorithms through an internet

connection.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for

fitting a hearing aid, the method comprising the steps of supplying a hearing aid which

includes a plurality of modules, each of the modules having the necessary firmware,

hardware and software for enhancing at least one characteristic of the hearing aid, and

means permitting selective activation and deactivation of each of the modules, and

activating at least one of the modules by means of an internet connection, and adjusting the

parameters of the activated module.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided

a business method for selling hearing aids, the method comprising the step of supplying a

hearing aid to a user, the hearing aid including a plurality of modules, each of the modules

having the necessary firmware, hardware and software for enhancing at least one

characteristic of the hearing aid, and subsequently remotely activating at least one of the

modules to thereby upgrade the hearing aid.

As aforementioned, one aspect of the business method would involve the

manufacturer supplying only a single model of a hearing aid insofar as the capabilities

thereof are concerned. This hearing aid would have all the necessary modules thereon, and

which modules could only be activated by the manufacturer, either directly or through a

hearing aid professional. When the user decides that additional modules are necessary or

desired, the manufacturer or hearing aid professional or the user himself (if authorized)

could then upgrade the hearing aid through an internet connection while payment could also

be effected by the internet.

As set forth above, the present invention allows for the provision of a hearing aid

which has incorporated therein all the necessary hardware, firmware and software for a

number of different modules. As used herein, the term "module" refers to a certain optional

capability incorporated in the hearing aid. These capabilities may include for example a

plurality of microphones in order to permit omnidirectional capability, different channels,

noise reduction, feedback reduction, custom filters, etc. Each module will have associated

therewith the necessary firmware, hardware and software as is known in the art.

The hearing aid will include one or more algorithms which permit the activation or

deactivation of any module. Once activated, the particular parameters associated with that

module can be adjusted.

The hearing aid of the present invention can thus be provided as a basic model.

However, when it is desired to upgrade or offer further features, the user does not have to

return the hearing aid and purchase another model. Rather, the user will be able to either go

to the hearing aid professional who can then activate and adjust the necessary parameters of

any module or alternatively, the user can, with proper authorization, connect via the internet

to the hearing aid professional or a corporate entity to accomplish the same.

A further advantage of the hearing aid of the present invention is that the hearing aid

professional and/or user can also connect to the manufacturer for technical assistance in

adjusting the hearing aid. Thus, if the hearing aid professional and/or user is not familiar or

knowledgeable about a particular hearing aid, then it is only necessary that the hearing aid

professional and/or user connect the hearing aid via a suitable interface such that a factory

representative may adjust the same.

It will be understood that wireless technology could also be utilized in the practice of

the present invention.

The hearing aid of the present invention also limits the practice of a business method

wherein the hearing aid having the various modules on board can be upgraded to add desired

modules by the hearing aid professional or user or manufacturer or other entity. This offers

the manufacturer or hearing aid professional and/or user the opportunity to upgrade at a

substantially lower cost than the option of replacing the hearing aid with the desired

modules on board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the

accompanying drawing illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system for adjustment of a hearing aid device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, and as shown in Figure 1, there may be

provided an arrangement wherein there is provided a first server generally designated by

reference numeral 10 comprising a monitor 12, and a keyboard 14. Naturally, other input

devices apart from keyboard 14 may be utilized. For example input devices as pointing

devices and/or verbal commands could equally well be employed as is well known in the art.

The customer computer is generally designated by reference numeral 20 and will also

include a keyboard 22 and/or other suitable input devices as is well known in the art. An

internet connection 30 is provided for communication between the two computers. The

customer computer 20 could be located at the office of a hearing professional who has sold

the hearing aid device to the patient. However, the computer could also be one which the

user of the hearing aid device would employ. The internet connection may be provided by

any suitable means as is well know in the art.

In greater detail, the hearing aids 32, 34 may be connected to a suitable interface

device 26 such that the computer 20 will be able to adjust various parameters of the hearing

aid devices and as well, to upgrade/downgrade the hearing device with new features.

In the instance wherein the connection is between a hearing aid device manufacturer

(and/or any other knowledgeable person) the setup may be used to serve as a training means

for the person on the other end. Thus, the setup could be employed either for general

learning and training purposes, or for training via the manufacturer showing how to program

a specific hearing aid device.

As aforementioned, the setup described above could also be used such that a patient

may upgrade/downgrade the standard of model to one having different capabilities. Thus,

the manufacturer may build the capabilities into the hearing aid device and from a remote

computer, a technician or the like may install an upgrade or downgrade or make other

changes. The transaction could be carried out completely on the internet including payment

for the upgrade/downgrade.

As used in this application, it will be understood that the term "manufacturer" will

include any person or entity involved with the hearing aid. For example, a service provider

may act in the place of the manufacturer. Similarly, the term "patient" will include any user

of the hearing aid and the term "professional" will include any person or entity dealing with

the hearing aid.

It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of

illustration only and changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from

the spirit and scope of the invention.