FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to providing feedback to a user regarding the positioning of a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing assistance device around the user's ear. As described herein, the BTE portion of the hearing assistance device includes at least one sensor for measuring acceleration due to gravity. Based on the measured acceleration due to gravity, one or more of the hearing assistance device or a user device in communication with the hearing assistance device provides feedback to the user regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around the user's ear. This feedback helps the user properly don the hearing assistance device.

BACKGROUND

A direct-to-consumer market for hearing assistance devices reduces and essentially eliminates a user visiting an audiologist. As such, the user may not receive one-on-one training regarding how the device works and how to properly don the device. A hearing assistance device should be properly donned in order for the user to realize the benefits of the device. Most hearing assistance devices include one or more microphones. When the hearing assistance device is not properly positioned on the user, the microphone or microphone array may detect the user's voice and negatively impact the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal to be amplified. Further, properly donning a hearing assistance device provides long-term comfort to the user and stability of the device. Thus, methods to help a user properly position a hearing assistance device is desired.

SUMMARY

All examples and features mentioned herein can be combined in any technically possible manner.

Aspects generally describe using a sensor positioned on the BTE portion of a hearing assistance device to measure the acceleration due to gravity when the hearing assistance device is on the ear of a user. Based on the measured acceleration due to gravity, the hearing assistance device, or a user device coupled to the hearing assistance device, provides the user feedback regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned. In aspects, the user receives guidance or coaching to help the user adjust the positioning of the hearing assistance device around the user's ear to more properly don the device.

According to aspects, a method is performed by a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing assistance device. The method comprises measuring acceleration due to gravity using an accelerometer positioned on a BTE portion of the hearing assistance device and taking one or more actions to provide feedback to a user regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around an ear of the user based, at least in part, on the measured acceleration.

In aspects, the feedback comprises an audio output indication, provided by an audio output transducer of the hearing assistance device, of how the hearing assistance device is positioned. In aspects, the audio output transducer outputs a first audio indication when the hearing assistance device is properly positioned around the user's ear and outputs a second audio indication when the hearing assistance device is not properly positioned around the user's ear.

In aspects, taking the one or more actions comprises transmitting information associated with the measured acceleration to a user device in wireless communication with the hearing assistance device, receiving, from the user device, information regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around the ear of the user, and outputting, by an audio output transducer of the hearing assistance device, an audio indication of how the hearing assistance device is positioned based on the received information.

In aspects, taking the one or more actions comprises transmitting information associated with the measured acceleration to a user device in wireless communication with the hearing assistance device to assist in providing the feedback.

In aspects, measuring the acceleration comprises measuring the acceleration using the accelerometer as the position of the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear. In aspects, taking the one or more actions comprises iteratively providing the feedback calculated based on the measured acceleration as the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear.

In aspects, the measuring comprises measuring acceleration due to gravity in one of an x, y, z direction, or any combination thereof. In aspects, the measured acceleration due to gravity is input into a pre-trained classifier that outputs that the hearing assistance device is one: of properly positioned about the user's ear or not properly positioned about the user's ear.

Aspects provide a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing assistance device comprising at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory including instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the hearing assistance device to measure acceleration due to gravity using an accelerometer positioned on a BTE portion of the hearing assistance device and take one or more actions to provide feedback to a user regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around an ear of the user based, at least in part, on the measured acceleration.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to provide the feedback by instructing an audio output transducer of the hearing assistance device to output an indication of how the hearing assistance device is positioned. In aspects, the instructions cause the device to take the one or more actions by instructing the audio output transducer to output a first audio indication when the hearing assistance device is properly positioned around the user's ear and output a second audio indication when the hearing assistance device is not properly positioned around the user's ear.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to take the one or more actions by transmitting information associated with the measured acceleration to a user device in wireless communication with the hearing assistance device, receiving, from the user device, information regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around the ear of the user, and outputting, by an audio output transducer of the hearing assistance device, an audio indication of how the hearing assistance device is positioned based on the received information.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to take the one or more actions by transmitting information associated with the measured acceleration to a user device in wireless communication with the hearing assistance device to assist in providing the feedback.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to measure by measuring the acceleration using the accelerometer as the position of the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear and the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to take the one or more actions by iteratively providing the feedback calculated based on the measured acceleration as the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to measure the acceleration by measuring the acceleration due to gravity in one of an x, y, z direction, or any combination thereof.

In aspects, the instructions further cause the hearing assistance device to input the measured acceleration due to gravity into a pre-trained classifier that outputs that the hearing assistance device is one: of properly positioned about the user's ear or not properly positioned about the user's ear.

Certain aspects provide an audio system which includes a BTE hearing assistance device in communication with an application running on a wireless user device. The hearing assistance device comprises a BTE portion coupled to an audio output transducer, and an accelerometer. The BTE portion also comprises at least one microphone, a processor, a memory, and a wireless communication unit, each in the BTE portion of the hearing assistance device, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to cause the hearing assistance device to: measure acceleration due to gravity using the accelerometer when the hearing assistance device is positioned around an ear of a user and transmit the measured acceleration to the application. The application provides feedback to the user regarding how the hearing assistance device is positioned around the user's ear based, at least in part, on the measured acceleration.

In aspects, the feedback provided by the application coaches the user on how to adjust the positioning of the hearing assistance device.

In aspects, the instructions further cause the hearing assistance device to: measure the acceleration using the accelerometer as the position of the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear and transmit, to the application, the measured acceleration as the position of the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear. In aspects, the application provides the feedback by iteratively providing the feedback calculated based on the measured acceleration as the hearing assistance device is adjusted around the user's ear.

In aspects, the instructions cause the hearing assistance device to measure the acceleration due to gravity by measuring the acceleration in one of an x, y, z direction, or any combination thereof. The application inputs the measured acceleration due to gravity into a pre-trained classifier that outputs, via the application, that the hearing assistance device is one: of properly positioned about the user's ear or not properly positioned about the user's ear. Some advantages of the methods described herein include not interacting with an audiologist or other person to learn how to don the device and receiving real time feedback regarding the positioning of the BTE portion of the device in addition to benefitting the user's long-term comfort and stability of the device.

