The present subject matter relates generally to an improved user interface for input and output of information used in fitting systems for hearing aids, and in particular to a user interface using ribbons for hearing aid fitting systems.
Wearers of hearing aids undergo a process called “fitting” to adjust the hearing aid to their particular hearing and use. In such fitting sessions the wearer may select one setting over another, much like selecting one setting over another in an eye test. Other types of selections include changes in level, which can be a preferred level. A hearing aid fitting session may involve several attempts at fitting the aids or may be uneventful.
The process of fitting a hearing aid can involve the selection of several parameters. Software for performing the fitting can have several menus and can serve to be a tedious and complicated data entry task for the clinician or audiologist. Thus, there is a need in the art for improved data access and entry for hearing aid fitting systems.
Disclosed herein, among other things, is an improved user interface for input and output of information used in fitting systems for hearing aids, and in particular to a user interface using ribbons for hearing aid fitting systems. In various embodiments, dynamic buttons on the ribbon are used to show past or present setting information. In various embodiments, the dynamic buttons are adapted to depict graphical information associated with settings of the hearing aid, audiogram information, or other graphical depictions of the settings.
This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject matter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The present subject matter includes an improved user interface for input and output of information used in fitting systems for hearing aids, and in particular to a user interface using ribbons for hearing aid fitting systems. A ribbon is a programming concept introduced in products such as Microsoft's Office 2007. The introduction of the ribbon provides one or more of the following: live preview of an action before it is taken via Gallery functionality, elimination of dialogs to perform major operations, categorization of major functions into functional areas—(e.g., Home, Insert, Page Layout, Review, View), and an increase in data density to allow “all in one views” of major functional areas. These ribbon concepts greatly enhance workflow and presentation of data in a fitting system for hearing aids. Further examples of ribbon style guidelines and gallery features can be found in the “2007 Office System Document: UI Style Guide for Solutions and Add Ins” dated May of 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.
In an example embodiment, the fitting software uses a ribbon interface.
Not illustrated is additional settings data that could be shown in the ribbon interface. For example, Instrument section 212 lists the device “Destiny 1600 ITE.” In various embodiments, above the device name a picture of the device is shown. Above “Memory 1” in Memories section 214 a visual of the memory status is displayed (e.g., enabled, disabled, environment, tones). Above “Channel 1” in Channels section 216 a representation of the compression ration in that channel is displayed.
Further illustrated in
In various embodiments the elements illustrated in interface 202 provide users with drop down menus (e.g., element 222) that show all adjustment that can be made to the functional part of the hearing aid. For example, clicking on the “Channel 1” element will show a list of adjustments that can be made for Channel 1 of memory 1. In an embodiment, slider adjustments for “Memory 1” are custom patient, per memory hearing aid response adjustments. Adjustments for the “Destiny 1600 ITE” include one or more of the following: battery beep tone levels, telephone beep tone levels, and voice language. Adjustments for “Memory 1 Normal” include one or more of the following: virtual volume control, feedback cancellation, gain reduction, and band adjustments. Additional adjustments for each element may be added without departing from the present subject matter. In various embodiments the drop down menus are implemented as dynamic buttons allowing a user to see past settings for each of the categories. In various embodiments, dynamic buttons on the ribbon are used to show past or present setting information. In various embodiments, the dynamic buttons are adapted to depict graphical information associated with settings of the hearing aid, audiogram information, or other graphical depictions of the settings.
In various embodiments, the use of a ribbon interface helps to solve problems that exist within current fitting software such as organizing adjustments without navigating to multiple screens and providing an overview status of the entire hearing aid including response status or response data. In various embodiments the response data includes diagnostic details and response curves of a hearing aid (e.g., as a function of frequency). Using a ribbon interface in an audiological system allows a user uninterrupted flow to many core functions that a user currently has to interrupt the fitting flow to navigate to. In various embodiments the ribbon may be customized by adding, removing, or moving settings depicted on a ribbon interface.
In an embodiment, memory operations are done using a “memory operations” tab on a ribbon interface. The memory operations allow memories to be moved, copied, and linked. The operations are done without leaving the memory operations tab and the tab allows adjustments to be made to the response.
In various embodiments, a ribbon interface in an audiological fitting system enables modeling and response operations to occur in the main work area without interrupting the workflow for operations not related to the modeling and response. The main work area may serve other functions of a fitting system beyond displaying information of hearing aid responses. In various embodiments, these functions include activation of media playback, use of expert assistant, roll up of target display/modification, and real time functions like speech mapping.
In, various embodiments, the ribbon interface is located in different positions relative to the work area. For example, the ribbon interface may be located above, left, right, or below the main work area. In another embodiment, the ribbon is a free standing floating window movable by a user's input (e.g., touch or mouse).
In various embodiments, preferences associated with the fitting system are available in a tab in the ribbon interface. Providing the preferences on the ribbon allows a user a seamless way to edit preferences without interrupting the flow of the overall fitting system
In various embodiments, third party software can be used to generate interfaces, including, but not limited to the Infragistics NetAdvantage for Windows Presentation Foundation xamRibbon component. Other third party software can be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
The present subject matter is demonstrated in the fitting of hearing aids, including but not limited to, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aids. It is understood that behind-the-ear type hearing aids may include devices that reside substantially behind the ear or over the ear. Such devices may include hearing aids with receivers associated with the electronics portion of the behind-the-ear device, or hearing aids of the type having receivers in the ear canal of the user. The present subject matter can also be used in hearing assistance devices generally, such as cochlear implant type hearing devices. It is understood that other hearing assistance devices not expressly stated herein may be used in conjunction with the present subject matter.
This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.