Patent Application
20250184675
The present disclosure relates to a program, a control device, a hearing aid, a communication device, a hearing aid system, and a control method.
When wearing a hearing aid for the first time, a person with a hearing loss may feel annoyed since the hearing aid makes the person to hear sound that has not been heard so far suddenly at a large volume. This is due to a phenomenon in which the brain of the person with a hearing loss is accustomed to a state of a hearing loss and sound amplified by the hearing aid makes the person feel bothered. That is, the person with a hearing loss needs to continue wearing the hearing aid and perform training for improving hearing.
The training is commonly called auditory rehabilitation. The person with a hearing loss has needed to start the training at a sound pressure of 60% to 70% of a target sound pressure set at the start of wearing the hearing aid. The sound pressure needs to be gradually increased over several months to adjust the sound pressure to the target sound pressure. Therefore, the person with a hearing loss has been inconveniently required to visit a hospital or a specialized shop many times.
According to Patent Literature 1, it is known that sound image localization can be achieved by individually optimizing a head related transfer function (HRTF).
It is conceivable to virtually perform auditory rehabilitation with reference to Patent Literature 1 above. Unfortunately, there is a problem that appropriate output data to be used for a hearing aid cannot be generated.
The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a program, a control device, a hearing aid, a communication device, a hearing aid system, and a control method capable of generating appropriate output data to be used for the hearing aid.
In order to solve the above problems, a program according to the present disclosure is the program to be executed by a control device including a processor, the program causes the processor to execute: acquiring a first sound signal; outputting, to a user, the first sound signal and a second sound signal obtained by applying a hearing aid function to the first sound signal at different pieces of timing; acquiring first hearing information of the user to the first sound signal and second hearing information of the user to the second sound signal; and generating output data on wearing of a hearing aid of the user based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information.
Also, a control device includes a first acquisition unit that acquires a first sound signal; an output unit that outputs, to a user, the first sound signal and a second sound signal obtained by applying a hearing aid function to the first sound signal at different pieces of timing; a second acquisition unit that acquires first hearing information of the user to the first sound signal and second hearing information of the user to the second sound signal; and a generation unit that generates output data on wearing of a hearing aid of the user based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information.
Also, a hearing aid includes: the above control device; a sound collection unit that collects external sound and generates a voice signal; and a signal processing unit that amplifies the voice signal.
Also, a hearing aid includes: the above control device; a sound collection unit that collects external sound and generates a voice signal; and a signal processing unit that amplifies the voice signal.
Also, a hearing aid system includes: a hearing aid allowed to be worn by a user; and a communication device allowed to communicate with the hearing aid, wherein the communication device includes: a first acquisition unit that acquires a first sound signal; an output control unit that causes the hearing aid to output, to the user, the first sound signal and a second sound signal obtained by applying a hearing aid function to the first sound signal at different pieces of timing; a second acquisition unit that acquires first hearing information of the user to the first sound signal and second hearing information of the user to the second sound signal; and a generation unit that generates output data on wearing of a hearing aid of the user based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information.
Also, a control method to be executed by a control device including a processor, the processor execute: acquiring a first sound signal; outputting, to a user, the first sound signal and a second sound signal obtained by applying a hearing aid function to the first sound signal at different pieces of timing; acquiring first hearing information of the user to the first sound signal and second hearing information of the user to the second sound signal; and generating output data on wearing of a hearing aid of the user based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information.
Embodiments for conducting the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by the following embodiments. Furthermore, each figure referred to in the following description merely schematically illustrates a shape, a size, and a positional relation to such an extent that the contents of the present disclosure can be understood. That is, the present disclosure is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relation in each figure. Moreover, in the descriptions of the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference signs. In addition, a hearing aid system including a pair of right and left air conduction hearing aids of an ear hole type will be described as one example of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure.
A hearing aid system 1 in
Note that, although, in one embodiment, a case of the hearing aids 2 of an air conduction type will be described, this is not a limitation. For example, those of a bone conduction type can be applied. Moreover, although, in one embodiment, a case of the hearing aids 2 of an ear hole type will be described, this is not a limitation. For example, those of an ear hook type, a headphone type, and a pocket type can be applied. In addition, although, in one embodiment, a case of the hearing aids 2 of a binaural type will be described, this is not a limitation. Those of a monaural type in which a hearing aid 2 is worn on one of right and left ears. In the following description, a hearing aid 2 worn on a right ear is referred to as a hearing aid 2R. A hearing aid 2 worn on a left ear is referred to as a hearing aid 2L. When a hearing aid 2 worn on one of right and left ears is noted, the hearing aid 2 is simply referred to and described as a hearing aid 2.
First, a configuration of a hearing aid 2 will be described.
As illustrated in
The sound collection unit 20 includes a microphone 201 and an A/D converter 202. The microphone 201 collects external sound, generates an analog sound signal (acoustic signal), and outputs the analog sound signal to the A/D converter 202. The A/D converter 202 performs A/D conversion processing on the analog sound signal input from the microphone 201, and outputs a digital voice signal to the signal processing unit 21.
The signal processing unit 21 performs predetermined signal processing on the digital sound signal input from the sound collection unit 20, and outputs the digital sound signal to the output unit 22 under the control of the hearing aid control unit 29. Here, the predetermined signal processing includes filtering processing of performing separation for each predetermined frequency on a sound signal, amplification processing of performing amplification in a predetermined amplification amount for each predetermined frequency at which the filtering processing has been performed, noise reduction processing, and howling cancellation processing. The signal processing unit 21 includes a memory and a processor having hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP).
The output unit 22 includes a D/A converter 221 and a receiver 222. The D/A converter 221 performs D/A conversion processing on the digital sound signal input from the signal processing unit 21, and outputs the digital sound signal to the receiver 222. The receiver 222 outputs output sound corresponding to the analog sound signal input from the D/A converter 221. The receiver 222 includes, for example, a speaker.
The clocking unit 23 clocks date and time, and outputs the clocking result to the hearing aid control unit 29. The clocking unit 23 includes a timing generator and a timer having a clocking function.
The operation unit 24 receives input of an activation signal for activating the hearing aid 2, and outputs the received activation signal to the hearing aid control unit 29. The operation unit 24 includes a push type switch, a button, and a touch panel.
The battery 25 supplies power to each unit constituting the hearing aid 2. The battery 25 includes a rechargeable secondary battery, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The battery 25 is charged by power supplied from the charging device 3 via the connection unit 26.
When the hearing aid 2 is housed in the charging device 3 to be described later, the connection unit 26 is connected to the connection unit of the charging device 3, receives power and various types of information from the charging device 3, and outputs the various types of information to the charging device 3. The connection unit 26 includes a plurality of pins.
The communication unit 27 bidirectionally communicates with the charging device 3 or the communication device 4 via a network NW in accordance with a predetermined communication standard under the control of the hearing aid control unit 29. Here, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are assumed as the predetermined communication standard. The communication unit 27 includes a communication module.
The recording unit 28 records various types of information on the hearing aid 2. The recording unit 28 includes a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a memory card. The recording unit 28 includes a program recording unit 281 that records a program executed by the hearing aid 2 and various types of data being processed by the hearing aid 2.
The hearing aid control unit 29 controls each unit constituting the hearing aid 2. The hearing aid control unit 29 includes a memory and a processor having hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a DSP. The hearing aid control unit 29 reads and executes a program recorded in the program recording unit 281 in a work area of the memory, and controls each component and the like through the execution of the program performed by the processor, so that the hardware and software cooperate with each other to achieve a functional module matching a predetermined purpose.
Next, a configuration of the charging device 3 will be described.
As illustrated in
The display unit 31 displays various states related to the hearing aid 2 under the control of the charge control unit 36. For example, the display unit 31 displays information indicating that the hearing aid 2 is being charged and information indicating that various types of information are being received from the communication device 4. The display unit 31 includes a light emitting diode (LED).
The battery 32 supplies power to each unit constituting the hearing aid 2 and the charging device 3 housed in the housing unit 33 via a connection unit 331 provided in the housing unit 33 to be described later. The battery 32 includes a secondary battery, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Note that, in the first embodiment, a power supply circuit that supplies power to the hearing aid 2 by DC/DC conversion may be further provided in addition to the battery 32. In the DC/DC conversion, AC power supplied from the outside is converted into DC power, and then converted into a predetermined voltage.
The housing unit 33 individually stores the right and left hearing aids 2. Furthermore, the connection unit 331 is provided in the housing unit 33. The connection unit 331 can be connected to the connection unit 26 of the hearing aid 2.
When the hearing aid 2 is housed in the housing unit 33, the connection unit 331 is connected to the connection unit 26 of the hearing aid 2, transmits power from the battery 32 and various types of information from the charge control unit 36, receives various types of information from the hearing aid 2, and outputs the information to the charge control unit 36. The connection unit 331 includes a plurality of pins.
The communication unit 34 communicates with the communication device 4 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard via the network NW under the control of the charge control unit 36. The communication unit 34 includes a communication module.
The recording unit 35 includes a program recording unit 351 that records various programs executed by the charging device 3. The recording unit 35 includes a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and a memory card.
The charge control unit 36 controls each unit constituting the charging device 3. For example, when the hearing aid 2 is housed in the housing unit 33, the charge control unit 36 supplies power from the battery 32 via the connection unit 331. The charge control unit 36 includes a memory and a processor having hardware such as a CPU or a DSP. The charge control unit 36 reads and executes a program recorded in the program recording unit 351 in a work area of the memory, and controls each component and the like through the execution of the program performed by the processor, so that the hardware and software cooperate with each other to achieve a functional module matching a predetermined purpose.
Next, a configuration of the communication device 4 will be described.
As illustrated in
The input unit 41 receives inputs of various operations from a user, and outputs a signal in accordance with the received operation to the device control unit 47. The input unit 41 includes a switch and a touch panel.
The communication unit 42 communicates with the charging device 3 or the hearing aid 2 via the network NW under the control of the device control unit 47. The communication unit 42 includes a communication module.
The imaging unit 43 generates imaging data by imaging a predetermined subject, and outputs the imaging data to the device control unit 47. The imaging unit 43 includes an optical system and an image sensor. The optical system includes one or a plurality of lenses. The image sensor includes a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor that receives light of a subject image collected by the optical system.
The output unit 44 outputs a volume at a predetermined sound pressure level for each predetermined frequency under the control of the device control unit 47. The output unit 44 includes a speaker.
The display unit 45 displays various types of information on the communication device 4 and information on the hearing aid 2 under the control of the device control unit 47. The display unit 45 includes a liquid crystal display and an organic electroluminescent (EL) display.
The recording unit 46 records various types of information on the communication device 4. The recording unit 46 includes a program recording unit 461 and a hearing measurement result recording unit 462. The program recording unit 461 records various programs executed by the communication device 4. The hearing measurement result recording unit 462 records information on an audiogram, a hearing measurement result, and the like. The recording unit 46 includes a recording medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and a memory card.
The device control unit 47 controls each unit constituting the communication device 4. The device control unit 47 includes a memory and a processor having hardware such as a CPU. The device control unit 47 reads and executes a program recorded in the program recording unit 461 in a work area of the memory, and controls each component and the like through the execution of the program performed by the processor, so that the hardware and software cooperate with each other to achieve a functional module matching a predetermined purpose. Specifically, the device control unit 47 includes an imaging control unit 471, a first acquisition unit 472, a processing unit 473, an output control unit 474, a second acquisition unit 475, a generation unit 476, a determination unit 477, a decision unit 478, and a display control unit 479. Note that, in one embodiment, the device control unit 47 functions as a control device.
The imaging control unit 471 controls imaging of the imaging unit 43. Specifically, the imaging control unit 471 causes the imaging unit 43 to perform imaging and generate imaging data in accordance with an operation of the input unit 41.
The first acquisition unit 472 acquires a head-related transfer function (HRTF) optimized for an ear of the user from the server 5 via the network NW and the communication unit 42.
The processing unit 473 generates an inspection sound signal for measuring a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user by using the head-related transfer function (HRTF) optimized for the user, which has been acquired by the first acquisition unit 472 from the server 5.
The output control unit 474 transmits the imaging data generated by the imaging unit 43 to the server 5 via the network NW and the communication unit 42. Furthermore, the output control unit 474 outputs the inspection sound signal generated by the processing unit 473 to the hearing aid 2 via the network NW and the communication unit 42, and causes the hearing aid 2 to reproduce sound corresponding to the inspection sound signal.
The second acquisition unit 475 acquires first hearing information of the user for a first sound signal to which the hearing aid 2 does not apply the hearing aid function and second hearing information of the user for a second sound signal to which the hearing aid 2 has applied the hearing aid function, and records the acquired first hearing information and second hearing information in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462.
The generation unit 476 generates output data at the time when the user wears the hearing aid 2 based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462. Specifically, the generation unit 476 generates, as output data, an audiogram based on the first hearing information and the second hearing information. The audiogram is output data at the time when the user wears the hearing aid 2. The first hearing information is a wearing threshold for each frequency recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462. The second hearing information is an unaided ear threshold.
The determination unit 477 determines whether or not measurements for all frequencies at the time when an ear of the user is unaided have been completed. The determination unit 477 determines whether or not the user has performed the measurement through both ears by using hearing aids 2.
The decision unit 478 decides a parameter value for hearing aid adjustment of the hearing aid 2 as a wearing threshold of the hearing aid 2 based on the hearing measurement result generated by the generation unit 476. The decision unit 478 outputs the parameter value for hearing aid adjustment of the hearing aid 2 to the hearing aid 2 via the network NW and the communication unit 42. Furthermore, the decision unit 478 decides a volume of the current frequency output from the hearing aid 2 as a hearing level at the time when the ear of the user is unaided or when the user wears the hearing aid 2.
The display control unit 479 causes the display unit 45 to display an audiogram measurement screen for the user to generate the wearing threshold of the hearing aid 2. Moreover, the display control unit 479 causes the display unit 45 to display an audiogram measurement result.
Next, a functional configuration of the server 5 will be described.
The server 5 calculates a head-related transfer function for the user based on imaging data, including an ear of the user, received from the communication device 4 via the network NW by using a learned model in which a head-related transfer function (HRTF) for the ear is output in a case where an image including a video of the ear is input. The server 5 transmits the calculated head-related transfer function to the communication device 4.
The hearing aid system 1 configured as described above can generate appropriate output data to be used for the hearing aid 2. Specifically, a doctor or an expert has needed to appropriately adjust and set a sound pressure to a level which a person with a hearing loss can barely tolerate at the time when the person starts to wear the hearing aid 2. An index of the adjustment is measurement of the wearing threshold of the hearing aid 2. Since a dedicated place and device are necessary for measuring the wearing threshold of the hearing aid 2, the person with a hearing loss has been inconveniently required to visit a hospital or a specialized shop many times. In contrast, the hearing aid system 1 can generate appropriate output data to be used for the hearing aid 2 by virtually reproducing an environment for measuring the wearing threshold in a pseudo manner using processing performed by the communication device 4 to be described later. As a result, the person with a hearing loss can easily obtain the wearing threshold since the person does not need to visit the hospital or the specialized shop many times.
Next, processing performed by the communication device 4 will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the output control unit 474 transmits the imaging data generated by the imaging unit 43 to the server 5 via the communication unit 42 (Step S102).
Thereafter, the first acquisition unit 472 acquires a head-related transfer function (HRTF) optimized for the ear of the user from the server 5 via the communication unit 42 (Step S103).
Subsequently, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not the user has completed imaging through both the ears (Step S104). Specifically, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for both the ears are recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462. When the head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for both the ears are recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462, the determination unit 477 determines that the user has completed the imaging through both the ears. When the determination unit 477 determines that the imaging through both the ears has been completed (Step S104: Yes), the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S105 to be described later. In contrast, when the determination unit 477 determines that the user has not completed the imaging through both the ears (Step S104: No), the communication device 4 returns to Step S101 above.
Thereafter, the display control unit 479 causes the display unit 45 to display an audiogram measurement screen for the user to generate the wearing threshold of the hearing aid 2 (Step S105). In this case, the display control unit 479 causes the display unit 45 to display a message instructing the user to wear the hearing aid 2 together with a hearing measurement screen. Of course, the display control unit 479 may cause the output unit 44 to output voice instructing the user to wear the hearing aid 2.
After Step S105, the processing unit 473 generates an inspection sound signal for measuring a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user by using the head-related transfer function (HRTF) optimized for the user, which has been acquired by the first acquisition unit 472 from the server 5 (Step S106). Specifically, when the receiver 222 of the hearing aid 2 performs acoustic reproduction, the processing unit 473 generates an inspection sound signal in which a head-related transfer function is convolved with a sound signal for measuring a wearing threshold. The head-related transfer function is used so that a sound image is heard so as to be localized at a virtual sound image fixed position assumed for the receiver 222. For example, the processing unit 473 generates a signal based on MPEG-H 3D Audio as an inspection sound signal by using a head-related transfer function (HRTF) acquired by the first acquisition unit 472 from the server 5 and optimized for the user.
After Step S106, the communication device 4 executes unaided ear threshold measuring processing for virtually measuring a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user in a state in which an ear of the user is unaided (Step S107). Here, in the state in which an ear of the user is virtually unaided, a hearing aid function of the hearing aid 2 is not applied. That is, in the state in which the hearing aid function of the hearing aid 2 is not applied, a voice signal is amplified by the signal processing unit 21 of the hearing aid 2 at an amplification factor of one, and an output sound is output to the output unit 22. After Step S107, the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S108 to be described later.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the output control unit 474 adjusts a volume of a sound signal, having a predetermined frequency, output from the hearing aid 2 to the minimum volume (Step S202). Specifically, the output control unit 474 outputs, to the hearing aid 2, an instruction signal to reduce the volume of a sound signal, having a predetermined frequency, output from the output unit 22 of the hearing aid 2 with time. This causes the hearing aid 2 to gradually reduce an output sound corresponding to a currently reproduced sound signal of a frequency.
Thereafter, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S203). When the determination unit 477 determines that the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S203: Yes), the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S204 to be described later. In contrast, When the determination unit 477 determines that the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has not been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S203: No), the communication device 4 returns to Step S202 above.
In Step S204, the decision unit 478 decides a volume of the current frequency output from the hearing aid 2 as a hearing level (first hearing information) at the time when the ear of the user is unaided. The decision unit 478 records the hearing level at the time of the unaided ear in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462 in association with the current frequency.
Subsequently, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not measurements for all the frequencies at the time when an ear of the user is unaided have been completed (Step S205). For example, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not measurement of a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user has been completed in a state of the unaided ear at each of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. When the determination unit 477 determines that measurements for all the frequencies have been completed (Step S205: Yes), the communication device 4 returns to the main routine in
In Step S108, the communication device 4 executes wearing time threshold measuring processing for measuring a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user in a state in which the hearing aid function of the hearing aid 2 is applied. After Step S108, the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S109 to be described later.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the output control unit 474 adjusts a volume of a sound signal, having a predetermined frequency, output from the hearing aid 2 to the minimum volume (Step S302). Specifically, the output control unit 474 outputs, to the hearing aid 2, an instruction signal to reduce the volume of a sound signal, having a predetermined frequency, output from the output unit 22 of the hearing aid 2 with time. This causes the hearing aid 2 to gradually reduce an output sound corresponding to a currently reproduced sound signal of a frequency.
Thereafter, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S303). When the determination unit 477 determines that the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S303: Yes), the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S304 to be described later. In contrast, when the determination unit 477 determines that the icon A3 on the hearing measurement screen P1 displayed by the display unit 45 has not been operated via the input unit 41 (Step S303: No), the communication device 4 returns to Step S302 above.
In Step S304, the decision unit 478 decides a volume of the current frequency output from the hearing aid 2 as a hearing level (second hearing information) at the time when the ear of the user is unaided. The decision unit 478 records the hearing level at the time of the unaided ear in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462 in association with the current frequency.
Subsequently, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not measurements for all the frequencies at the time when an ear of the user is unaided have been completed (Step S305). For example, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not measurement of a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user has been completed in a state of the unaided ear at each of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. When the determination unit 477 determines that measurements for all the frequencies have been completed (Step S305: Yes), the communication device 4 returns to the main routine in
Returning to
In Step S109, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not the user has completed measurement through both the ears by using hearing aids 2. Specifically, the determination unit 477 determines whether or not a threshold at a wearing time in a state in which the hearing aids 2 are worn on both the ears is recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462. When the threshold at a wearing time in a state in which the hearing aids 2 are worn on both the ears is not recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462, the determination unit 477 determines that the user has not completed the measurement through both the ears by using hearing aids 2. When the determination unit 477 determines that the user has performed measurement through both the ears by using the hearing aids 2 (Step S109: Yes), the communication device 4 proceeds to Step S110 to be described later. In contrast, when the determination unit 477 determines that the user has not completed the measurement through both the ears by using the hearing aids 2 (Step S109: No), the communication device 4 returns to Step S107 above.
In Step S110, the generation unit 476 generates a hearing measurement result as output data based on a hearing level B1 (first hearing information) and a hearing level B2 (second hearing information). The hearing level B1 is a wearing threshold for each frequency recorded in the hearing measurement result recording unit 462. The hearing level B2 is an unaided ear threshold.
Subsequently, the display control unit 479 outputs the hearing measurement result generated by the generation unit 476 to the display unit 45 or the hearing aid 2 (Step S111). After Step S111, the communication device 4 ends the processing.
Next, hearing aid setting processing executed by the communication device 4 will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the decision unit 478 generates a parameter value for hearing aid adjustment of the hearing aid 2 based on the hearing measurement result acquired from the hearing measurement result recording unit 462 (Step S402). Specifically, the decision unit 478 first calculates the functional gain F1 (e.g., see
Thereafter, the decision unit 478 outputs the parameter value for hearing aid adjustment of the hearing aid 2 to the hearing aid 2 via the communication unit 42 (Step S403). This enables the hearing aid 2 to set a parameter value for hearing aid adjustment in which a wearing threshold of the user is set. After Step S403, the communication device 4 ends the processing.
Next, audiogram output processing executed by the communication device 4 will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the generation unit 476 generates an audiogram based on the hearing measurement result acquired from the hearing measurement result recording unit 462 (Step S502). The audiogram is output data at the time when the user wears the hearing aid 2.
Thereafter, the display control unit 479 outputs the hearing measurement result generated by the generation unit 476 to the display unit 45 (Step S503). This enables the user to grasp his/her hearing level for each frequency by checking the audiogram displayed by the display unit 45. After Step S503, the communication device 4 ends the processing.
According to one embodiment described above, the generation unit 476 generates output data based on the first hearing information of the user for the first sound signal acquired by the second acquisition unit 475 and the second hearing information of the user for the second sound signal to which the hearing aid 2 has applied the hearing aid function, so that appropriate output data to be used for the hearing aid 2 can be generated.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the generation unit 476 generates, as output data, an audiogram at the time when the user wears the hearing aid 2, so that the user can start to use the hearing aid 2 in an appropriate state, and obtain a parameter for hearing aid adjustment for auditory rehabilitation by himself/herself.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the processing unit 473 generates an inspection sound signal for measuring a wearing threshold of a hearing level of the user by using a head-related transfer function (HRTF), optimized for the user, acquired by the first acquisition unit 472 from the server 5, so that the user does not need to go to an inspection facility for hearing measurement, and the user himself/herself can perform measurement for an audiogram of the hearing aid 2 anywhere.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the communication device 4 generates an audiogram suitable for the user, so that the audiogram can be measured regardless of the type of the hearing aid 2.
Note that, although, in one embodiment, the device control unit 47 is provided with the functions of the imaging control unit 471, the first acquisition unit 472, the processing unit 473, the output control unit 474, the second acquisition unit 475, the generation unit 476, the determination unit 477, the decision unit 478, and the display control unit 479, this is not a limitation. The hearing aid control unit 29 may be provided with the functions of the imaging control unit 471, the first acquisition unit 472, the processing unit 473, the output control unit 474, the second acquisition unit 475, the generation unit 476, the determination unit 477, the decision unit 478, and the display control unit 479, and caused to function as a control device of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, in one embodiment, the charge control unit 36 may be provided with the functions of the imaging control unit 471, the first acquisition unit 472, the processing unit 473, the output control unit 474, the second acquisition unit 475, the generation unit 476, the determination unit 477, the decision unit 478, and the display control unit 479, and caused to function as a control device of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, although, in one embodiment, the communication device 4 serves for both the ears of the user, this is not a limitation. For example, the communication device 4 may serve for one ear.
Next, a variation of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In one embodiment described above, the communication device 4 measures the hearing of the user by using the hearing aids 2 of a binaural type. In the variation of one embodiment, the communication device 4 measures the hearing of the user by using a hearing aid of a monaural type. Therefore, processing executed by the communication device 4 will be described below. Note that the same configurations as those of the hearing aid system 1 according to one embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference signs to omit detailed descriptions thereof.
In
According to the variation of one embodiment described above, effects similar to those in one embodiment described above are exhibited even in a case of the hearing aid 2 of a monaural type.
Note that, although, in the variation of one embodiment, processing performed in a case where the communication device 4 is the hearing aid 2 of a monaural type has been described, this is not a limitation. In a case of the hearing aids 2 of a binaural type, the above-described processing in
Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the hearing aid system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure described above. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components described in the hearing aid system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure described above. Moreover, the components described in the hearing aid system according to one embodiment described above may be appropriately combined.
Furthermore, in the hearing aid system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described “unit” can be replaced with “means”, “circuit”, or the like. For example, a control unit can be replaced with a control means or a control circuit.
Furthermore, a program to be executed by the hearing aid system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a USB medium, and a flash memory, as file data in an installable format or an executable format.
Furthermore, the program to be executed by the hearing aid system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network.
Note that, although, in the descriptions of the flowcharts in the present specification, the context of pieces of processing between steps is clearly indicated by using expressions such as “first”, “thereafter”, and “subsequently”, the order of pieces of processing necessary for conducting the present invention is not uniquely defined by such expressions. That is, the order of pieces of processing in the flowcharts described in the present specification can be changed within a range without inconsistency.
Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples. The present disclosure can be implemented in other forms to which various modifications and improvements have been made based on knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in sections of the present disclosure.
Note that the present technology can also have the configurations as follows.
(1)
A program to be executed by a control device including a processor, the program causing the processor to:
The program according to (1),
The program according to (1) or (2),
The program according to (3),
The program according to any one of (1) to (4),
The program according to any one of (1) to (5), causing the processor to execute
The program according to any one of (1) to (6),
The program according to (6), causing the processor to execute:
A control device comprising:
A hearing aid comprising:
A communication device comprising:
A hearing aid system comprising:
The hearing aid system according to (12),
The hearing aid system according to (12) or (13), further including
The hearing aid system according to (14),
The hearing aid system according to any one of (12) to (15),
The hearing aid system according to any one of (12) to (16), further including
The hearing aid system according to any one of (12) to (17),
The hearing aid system according to (17), further including
A control method to be executed by a control device including a processor, the control method comprising,
The control method according to (20),
The control method according to (20) or (21), including,
The control method according to (22),
The control method according to any one of (20) to (23),
The control method according to any one of (20) to (24), including,
The control method according to any one of (20) to (25),
The control method according to (25), including,
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-041498 | Mar 2022 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2023/003892 | 2/7/2023 | WO |
