EP3461148B1 - Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme - Google Patents

Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3461148B1
EP3461148B1 EP18195310.0A EP18195310A EP3461148B1 EP 3461148 B1 EP3461148 B1 EP 3461148B1 EP 18195310 A EP18195310 A EP 18195310A EP 3461148 B1 EP3461148 B1 EP 3461148B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
voice
wearer
hearing assistance
microphone
assistance device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18195310.0A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3461148A3 (de
EP3461148A2 (de
Inventor
Ivo Merks
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Starkey Laboratories Inc
Original Assignee
Starkey Laboratories Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=53879441&utm_source=***_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP3461148(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from US14/464,149 external-priority patent/US9219964B2/en
Application filed by Starkey Laboratories Inc filed Critical Starkey Laboratories Inc
Publication of EP3461148A2 publication Critical patent/EP3461148A2/de
Publication of EP3461148A3 publication Critical patent/EP3461148A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3461148B1 publication Critical patent/EP3461148B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/552—Binaural
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/407—Circuits for combining signals of a plurality of transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/405—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic by combining a plurality of transducers

Definitions

  • This application relates to hearing assistance systems, and more particularly, to hearing assistance systems with own voice detection.
  • Hearing assistance devices are electronic devices that amplify sounds above the audibility threshold to is hearing impaired user. Undesired sounds such as noise, feedback and the user's own voice may also be amplified, which can result in decreased sound quality and benefit for the user. It is undesirable for the user to hear his or her own voice amplified. Further, if the user is using an ear mold with little or no venting, he or she will experience an occlusion effect where his or her own voice sounds hollow ("talking in a barrel"). Thirdly, if the hearing aid has a noise reduction/environment classification algorithm, the user's own voice can be wrongly detected as desired speech.
  • One proposal to detect voice adds a bone conductive microphone to the device.
  • the bone conductive microphone can only be used to detect the user's own voice, has to make a good contact to the skull in order to pick up the own voice, and has a low signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Another proposal to detect voice adds a directional microphone to the hearing aid, and orients the microphone toward the mouth of the user to detect the user's voice.
  • the effectiveness of the directional microphone depends on the directivity of the microphone and the presence of other sound sources, particularly sound sources in the same direction as the mouth.
  • Another proposal to detect voice provides a microphone in the ear-canal and only uses the microphone to record an occluded signal.
  • Another proposal attempts to use a filter to distinguish the user's voice from other sound.
  • Document US2012128187 relates to a hearing aid with left and right hearing assistance devices, wherein each hearing assistance device comprises two microphones, and wherein all the four microphone signals are connected to an own-speech detector.
  • the present subject matter provides apparatus and methods to use a hearing assistance device to detect a voice of the wearer of the hearing assistance device.
  • Embodiments use an adaptive filter to provide a self-correcting voice detector, capable of automatically adjusting to accommodate changes in the wearer's voice and environment.
  • Examples are provided, such as an apparatus configured to be worn by a wearer who has an ear and an ear canal.
  • the apparatus includes a first microphone adapted to be worn about the ear of the person, a second microphone adapted to be worn about the ear canal of the person and at a different location than the first microphone, a sound processor adapted to process signals from the first microphone to produce a processed sound signal, and a voice detector to detect the voice of the wearer.
  • the voice detector includes an adaptive filter to receive signals from the first microphone and the second microphone.
  • an apparatus includes a housing configured to be worn behind the ear or over the ear, a first microphone in the housing, and an ear piece configured to be positioned in the ear canal, wherein the ear piece includes a microphone that receives sound from the outside when positioned near the ear canal.
  • Various voice detection systems employ an adaptive filter that receives signals from the first microphone and the second microphone and detects the voice of the wearer using a peak value for coefficients of the adaptive filter and an error signal from the adaptive filter.
  • the present subject matter also provides methods for detecting a voice of a wearer of a hearing assistance device where the hearing assistance device includes a first microphone and a second microphone.
  • An example of the method is provided and includes using a first electrical signal representative of sound detected by the first microphone and a second electrical signal representative of sound detected by the second microphone as inputs to a system including an adaptive filter, and using the adaptive filter to detect the voice of the wearer of the hearing assistance device.
  • the present subject matter further provides apparatus and methods to use a pair of left and right hearing assistance devices to detect a voice of the wearer of the pair of left and right hearing assistance devices.
  • Embodiments use outcome of detection of the voice of the wearer performed by the left hearing assistance device and the outcome of detection of the voice of the wearer performed the right hearing assistance device to determine whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer.
  • Various embodiments disclosed herein provide a self-correcting voice detector, capable of reliably detecting the presence of the user's own voice through automatic adjustments that accommodate changes in the user's voice and environment.
  • the detected voice can be used, among other things, to reduce the amplification of the user's voice, control an anti-occlusion process and control an environment classification process.
  • the present subject matter provides, among other things, an "own voice" detector using two microphones in a standard hearing assistance device.
  • standard hearing aids include behind-the-ear (BTE), over-the-ear (OTE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices.
  • BTE behind-the-ear
  • OFT over-the-ear
  • RIC receiver-in-canal
  • RIC devices have a housing adapted to be worn behind the ear or over the ear.
  • the RIC electronics housing is called a BTE housing or an OTE housing.
  • one microphone is the microphone as usually present in the standard hearing assistance device, and the other microphone is mounted in an ear bud or ear mold near the user's ear canal.
  • the microphone is directed to detection of acoustic signals outside and not inside the ear canal.
  • the two microphones can be used to create a directional signal.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a hearing assistance device with a voice detector according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
  • the figure illustrates an ear with a hearing assistance device 100, such as a hearing aid.
  • the illustrated hearing assistance device includes a standard housing 101 (e.g. behind-the-ear (BTE) or on-the-ear (OTE) housing) with an optional ear hook 102 and an ear piece 103 configured to fit within the ear canal.
  • a first microphone (MIC 1) is positioned in the standard housing 101
  • a second microphone (MIC 2) is positioned near the ear canal 104 on the air side of the ear piece.
  • FIG. 1B schematically illustrates a cross section of the ear piece 103 positioned near the ear canal 104, with the second microphone on the air side of the ear piece 103 to detect acoustic signals outside of the ear canal.
  • the first microphone (M1) is adapted to be worn about the ear of the person and the second microphone (M2) is adapted to be worn about the ear canal of the person.
  • the first and second microphones are at different locations to provide a time difference for sound from a user's voice to reach the microphones. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the sound vectors representing travel of the user's voice from the user's mouth to the microphones are different.
  • the first microphone (MIC 1) is further away from the mouth than the second microphone (MIC 2). Sound received by MIC 2 will be relatively high amplitude and will be received slightly sooner than sound detected by MIC 1. And when the wearer is speaking, the sound of the wearer's voice will dominate the sounds received by both MIC 1 and MIC 2. The differences in received sound can be used to distinguish the own voice from other sound sources.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a hearing assistance device according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
  • the illustrated device 305 includes the first microphone (MIC 1), the second microphone (MIC 2), and a receiver (speaker) 306.
  • each microphone is an omnidirectional microphone.
  • each microphone is a directional microphone.
  • the microphones may be both directional and omnidirectional.
  • Various order directional microphones can be employed.
  • Various embodiments incorporate the receiver in a housing of the device (e.g. behind-the-ear or on-the-ear housing).
  • a sound conduit can be used to direct sound from the receiver toward the ear canal.
  • Various embodiments use a receiver configured to fit within the user's ear canal. These embodiments are referred to as receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices.
  • RIC receiver-in-canal
  • a digital sound processing system 308 processes the acoustic signals received by the first and second microphones, and provides a signal to the receiver 306 to produce an audible signal to the wearer of the device 305.
  • the illustrated digital sound processing system 308 includes an interface 307, a sound processor 308, and a voice detector 309.
  • the illustrated interface 307 converts the analog signals from the first and second microphones into digital signals for processing by the sound processor 308 and the voice detector 309.
  • the interface may include analog-to-digital converters, and appropriate registers to hold the digital signals for processing by the sound processor and voice detector.
  • the illustrated sound processor 308 processes a signal representative of a sound received by one or both of the first microphone and/or second microphone into a processed output signal 310, which is provided to the receiver 306 to produce the audible signal.
  • the sound processor 308 is capable of operating in a directional mode in which signals representative of sound received by the first microphone and sound received by the second microphone are processed to provide the output signal 310 to the receiver 306 with directionality.
  • the voice detector 309 receives signals representative of sound received by the first microphone and sound received by the second microphone.
  • the voice detector 309 detects the user's own voice, and provides an indication 311 to the sound processor 308 regarding whether the user's own voice is detected. Once the user's own voice is detected any number of possible other actions can take place.
  • the sound processor 308 can perform one or more of the following, including but not limited to reduction of the amplification of the user's voice, control of an anti-occlusion process, and/or control of an environment classification process. Those skilled in the art will understand that other processes may take place without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
  • the voice detector 309 includes an adaptive filter.
  • adaptive filters include Recursive Least Square error (RLS), Least Mean Squared error (LMS), and Normalized Least Mean Square error (NLMS) adaptive filter processes.
  • the desired signal for the adaptive filter is taken from the first microphone (e.g., a standard behind-the-ear or over-the-ear microphone), and the input signal to the adaptive filter is taken from the second microphone. If the hearing aid wearer is talking, the adaptive filter models the relative transfer function between the microphones.
  • Voice detection can be performed by comparing the power of the error signal to the power of the signal from the standard microphone and/or looking at the peak strength in the impulse response of the filter.
  • the amplitude of the impulse response should be in a certain range in order to be valid for the own voice. If the user's own voice is present, the power of the error signal will be much less than the power of the signal from the standard microphone, and the impulse response has a strong peak with an amplitude above a threshold (e.g. above about 0.5 for normalized coefficients). In the presence of the user's own voice, the largest normalized coefficient of the filter is expected to be within the range of about 0.5 to about 0.9. Sound from other noise sources would result in a much smaller difference between the power of the error signal and the power of the signal from the standard microphone, and a small impulse response of the filter with no distinctive peak
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a voice detector according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
  • the illustrated voice detector 409 includes an adaptive filter 412, a power analyzer 413 and a coefficient analyzer 414.
  • the output 411 of the voice detector 409 provides an indication to the sound processor indicative of whether the user's own voice is detected.
  • the illustrated adaptive filter includes an adaptive filter process 415 and a summing junction 416.
  • the desired signal 417 for the filter is taken from a signal representative of sound from the first microphone, and the input signal 418 for the filter is taken from a signal representative of sound from the second microphone.
  • the filter output signal 419 is subtracted from the desired signal 417 at the summing junction 416 to produce an error signal 420 which is fed back to the adaptive filter process 415.
  • the illustrated power analyzer 413 compares the power of the error signal 420 to the power of the signal representative of sound received from the first microphone. According to various embodiments, a voice will not be detected unless the power of the signal representative of sound received from the first microphone is much greater than the power of the error signal. For example, the power analyzer 413 compares the difference to a threshold, and will not detect voice if the difference is less than the threshold.
  • the illustrated coefficient analyzer 414 analyzes the filter coefficients from the adaptive filter process 415. According to various embodiments, a voice will not be detected unless a peak value for the coefficients is significantly high. For example, some embodiments will not detect voice unless the largest normalized coefficient is greater than a predetermined value (e.g. 0.5).
  • a predetermined value e.g. 0.5
  • FIGS. 5-7 illustrate various processes for detecting voice that can be used in various embodiments of the present subject matter.
  • the power of the error signal from the adaptive filter is compared to the power of a signal representative of sound received by the first microphone.
  • the threshold is selected to be sufficiently high to ensure that the power of the first microphone is much greater than the power of the error signal.
  • voice is detected at 523 if the power of the first microphone is greater than the power of the error signal by a predetermined threshold, and voice is not detected at 524 if the power of the first microphone is greater than the power of the error signal by a predetermined threshold.
  • coefficients of the adaptive filter are analyzed.
  • voice is detected at 623 if the largest normalized coefficient is greater than a predetermined value, and voice is not detected at 624 if the largest normalized coefficient is not greater than a predetermined value.
  • the power of the error signal from the adaptive filter is compared to the power of a signal representative of sound received by the first microphone.
  • voice is not detected at 724 if the power of the first microphone is not greater than the power of the error signal by a predetermined threshold. If the power of the error signal is too large, then the adaptive filter has not converged.
  • the coefficients are not analyzed until the adaptive filter converges.
  • coefficients of the adaptive filter are analyzed if the power of the first microphone is greater than the power of the error signal by a predetermined threshold.
  • the largest normalized coefficient is greater than a predetermined value, such as greater than 0.5.
  • voice is not detected at 724 if the largest normalized coefficient is not greater than a predetermined value.
  • Voice is detected at 723 if the power of the first microphone is greater than the power of the error signal by a predetermined threshold and if the largest normalized coefficient is greater than a predetermined value.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the present subject matter with an "own voice detector" to control active noise canceller for occlusion reduction.
  • the active noise canceller filters microphone M2 with filter h and sends the filtered signal to the receiver.
  • the microphone M2 and the error microphone M3 (in the ear canal) are used to calculate the filter update for filter h.
  • the own voice detector which uses microphone M1 and M2, is used to steer the stepsize in the filter update.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the present subject matter offering a multichannel expansion, compression and output control limiting algorithm (MECO) which uses the signal of microphone M2 to calculate the desired gain and subsequently applies that gain to microphone signal M2 and then sends the amplified signal to the receiver. Additionally, the gain calculation can take into account the outcome of the own voice detector (which uses M1 and M2) to calculate the desired gain. If the wearer's own voice is detected, the gain in the lower channels (typically below 1 KHz) will be lowered to avoid occlusion. Note: the MECO algorithm can use microphone signal M1 or M2 or a combination of both.
  • MECO multichannel expansion, compression and output control limiting algorithm
  • FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the present subject matter which uses an "own voice detector" in an environment classification scheme. From the microphone signal M2, several features are calculated. These features together with the result of the own voice detector, which uses M1 and M2, are used in a classifier to determine the acoustic environment. This acoustic environment classification is used to set the gain in the hearing aid.
  • the hearing aid may use M2 or M1 or M1 and M2 for the feature calculation.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a pair of hearing assistance devices according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
  • the pair of hearing assistance devices includes a left hearing assistance device 1105L and a right hearing assistance device 1105R, such as a left hearing aid and a right hearing aid.
  • the left hearing assistance device 1 105L is configured to be worn in or about the left ear of a wearer for delivering sound to the left ear canal of the wearer.
  • the right hearing assistance device 1105R is configured to be worn in or about the right ear of the wearer for delivering sound to the right ear canal of the wearer.
  • the left and right hearing assistance devices 1105L and 1105R each represent an embodiment of the device 305 as discussed above with capability of performing wireless communication between each other and uses voice detection capability of both devices to determine whether voice of the wearer is present.
  • the illustrated left hearing assistance device 1105L includes a first microphone MIC 1L, a second microphone MIC 2L, an interface 1107L, a sound processor 1108L, a receiver 1106L, a voice detector 1109L, and a communication circuit 1 130L.
  • the first microphone MIC 1L produces a first left microphone signal.
  • the second microphone MIC 2L produces a second left microphone signal.
  • the first microphone MIC 1L is positioned about the left ear or the wearer
  • the second microphone MIC 2L is positioned about the left ear canal of wearer, at a different location than the first microphone MIC 1L, on an air side of the left ear canal to detect signals outside the left ear canal.
  • Interface 1107L converts the analog versions of the first and second left microphone signals into digital signals for processing by the sound processor 1 108L and the voice detector 1109L.
  • the interface 1107L may include analog-to-digital converters, and appropriate registers to hold the digital signals for processing by the sound processor 1108L and the voice detector 1109L.
  • the sound processor 1108L produces a processed left sound signal 1110L.
  • the left receiver 1106L produces a left audible signal based on the processed left sound signal 1110L and transmits the left audible signal to the left ear canal of the wearer.
  • the sound processor 1 108L produces the processed left sound signal 1110L based on the first left microphone signal.
  • the sound processor 1108L produces the processed left sound signal 1110L based on the first left microphone signal and the second left microphone signal.
  • the left voice detector 1109L detects a voice of the wearer using the first left microphone signal and the second left microphone signal. In one embodiment, in response to the voice of the wearer being detected based on the first left microphone signal and the second left microphone signal, the left voice detector 1 109L produces a left detection signal indicative of detection of the voice of the wearer. In one embodiment, the left voice detector 1109L includes a left adaptive filter configured to output left information and identifies the voice of the wearer from the output left information. In various embodiments, the output left information includes coefficients of the left adaptive filter and/or a left error signal. In various embodiments, the left voice detector 1109L includes the voice detector 309 or the voice detector 409 as discussed above.
  • the left communication circuit 1130L receives information from, and transmits information to, the right hearing assistance device 1105R via a wireless communication link 1132.
  • the information transmitted via wireless communication link 1132 includes information associated with the detection of the voice of the wearer as performed by each of the left and right hearing assistance devices 1105L and 1105R.
  • the illustrated right hearing assistance device 1105R includes a first microphone MIC 1R, a second microphone MIC 2R, an interface 1107R, a sound processor 1108R, a receiver 1106R, a voice detector 1109R, and a communication circuit 1130R.
  • the first microphone MIC 1R produces a first right microphone signal.
  • the second microphone MIC 2R produces a second right microphone signal.
  • the first microphone MIC 1R is positioned about the right ear or the wearer
  • the second microphone MIC 2R is positioned about the right ear canal of wearer, at a different location than the first microphone MIC 1R, on an air side of the right ear canal to detect signals outside the right ear canal.
  • Interface 1107R converts the analog versions of the first and second right microphone signals into digital signals for processing by the sound processor 1108R and the voice detector 1109R.
  • the interface 1107R may include analog-to-digital converters, and appropriate registers to hold the digital signals for processing by the sound processor 1108R and the voice detector 1109R.
  • the sound processor 1108R produces a processed right sound signal 1110R.
  • the right receiver 1 106R produces a right audible signal based on the processed right sound signal 1110R and transmits the right audible signal to the right ear canal of the wearer.
  • the sound processor 1108R produces the processed right sound signal 1110R based on the first right microphone signal.
  • the sound processor 1108R produces the processed right sound signal 1110R based on the first right microphone signal and the second right microphone signal.
  • the right voice detector 1109R detects the voice of the wearer using the first right microphone signal and the second right microphone signal. In one embodiment, in response to the voice of the wearer being detected based on the first right microphone signal and the second right microphone signal, the right voice detector 1109R produces a right detection signal indicative of detection of the voice of the wearer. In one embodiment, the right voice detector 1109R includes a right adaptive filter configured to output right information and identifies the voice of the wearer from the output right information. In various embodiments, the output right information includes coefficients of the right adaptive filter and/or a right error signal. In various embodiments, the right voice detector 1109R includes the voice detector 309 or the voice detector 409 as discussed above.
  • the right communication circuit 1130R receives information from, and transmits information to, the right hearing assistance device 1105R via a wireless communication link 1132.
  • At least one of the left voice detector 1109L and the right voice detector 1109R is configured to detect the voice of wearer using the first left microphone signal, the second left microphone signal, the first right microphone signal, and the second right microphone signal.
  • signals produced by all of the microphones MIC 1L, MIC 2L, MIC 1R, and MIC 2R are used for determining whether the voice of the wearer is present.
  • the left voice detector 1109L and/or the right voice detector 1109R declares a detection of the voice of the wearer in response to at least one of the left detection signal and the second detection signal being present.
  • the left voice detector 1109L and/or the right voice detector 1109R declares a detection of the voice of the wearer in response to the left detection signal and the second detection signal both being present. In one embodiment, the left voice detector 1109L and/or the right voice detector 1109R determines whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer using the output left information and output right information.
  • the output left information and output right information are each indicative of one or more detection strength parameters each being a measure of likeliness of actual existence of the voice of wearer. Examples of the one or more detection strength parameters include the difference between the power of the error signal and the power of the first microphone signal and the largest normalized coefficient of the adaptive filter.
  • the left voice detector 1109L and/or the right voice detector 1109R determines whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer using a weighted combination of the output left information and the output eight information.
  • the weighted combination of the output left information and the output right information can include a weighted sum of the detection strength parameters.
  • the one or more detection strength parameters produced by each of the left and right voice detectors can be multiplied by one or more corresponding weighting factors before being added to produce the weighted sum.
  • the weighting factors may be determined using a priori information such as estimates of the background noise and/or position(s) of other sound sources in a room.
  • the detection of the voice of the wearer is performed using both the left and the right voice detectors such as detectors 1109L and 1109R.
  • whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer may be determined by each of the left voice detector 1109L and the right voice detector 1109R, determined by the left voice detector 1109L and communicated to the right voice detector 1109R via wireless link 1132, or determined by the right voice detector 1109R and communicated to the left voice detector 1109L via wireless link 1132.
  • the left voice detector 1109L transmits an indication 1111L to the sound processor 1108L
  • the right voice detector 1109R transmits an indication 1111R to the sound processor 1108R.
  • the sound processors 1108L and 1108R produce the processed sound signals 1110L and 1110R, respectively, using the indication that the voice of the wearer is detected.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a process for detecting voice using a pair of hearing assistance devices including a left hearing assistance device and a right hearing assistance device, such as the left and right hearing assistance devices 1105L and 1105R.
  • voice of a wearer is detected using the left hearing assistance device.
  • voice of a wearer is detected using the right hearing assistance device.
  • steps 1241 and 1242 are performed concurrently or simultaneously. Examples for each of steps 1241 and 1242 include the processes illustrated in each of FIGS. 5-7 .
  • whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer is determining using an outcome of both of the detections at 1241 and 1242.
  • the left and right hearing assistance devices each include first and second microphones. Electrical signals produced by the first and second microphones of the left hearing assistance device are used as inputs to a voice detector of the left hearing assistance device at 1241.
  • the voice detector of the left hearing assistance device includes a left adaptive filter. Electrical signals produced by the first and second microphones of the right hearing assistance device are used as inputs to a voice detector of the right hearing assistance device at 1242.
  • the voice detector of the right hearing assistance device includes a right adaptive filter.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using information output from the left adaptive filter and information output from the right adaptive filter at 1243. In one embodiment, the voice of the wearer is detected using left coefficients of the left adaptive filter and right coefficients of the right adaptive filter.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using a left error signal produced by the left adaptive filter and a right error signal produced by the right adaptive filter.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using a left detection strength parameter of the information output from the left adaptive filter and a right detection strength parameter of the information output from the right adaptive filter.
  • the left and right detection strength parameters are each a measure of likeliness of actual existence of the voice of wearer. Examples of the left detection strength parameter include the difference between the power of a left error signal produced by the left adaptive filter and the power of the electrical signal produced by the first microphone of the left hearing assistance device and the largest normalized coefficient of the left adaptive filter.
  • Examples of the right detection strength parameter include the difference between the power of a right error signal produced by the right adaptive filter and the power of the electrical signal produced by the first microphone of the right hearing assistance device and the largest normalized coefficient of the right adaptive filter.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using a weighted combination of the information output from the left adaptive filter and the information output from the right adaptive filter.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using the left hearing assistance device based on the electrical signals produced by the first and second microphones of the left hearing assistance device, and a left detection signal indicative of whether the voice of the wearer is detected by the left hearing assistance device is produced, at 1241.
  • the voice of the wearer is detected using the right hearing assistance device based on the electrical signals produced by the first and second microphones of the right hearing assistance device, and a right detection signal indicative of whether the voice of the wearer is detected by the right hearing assistance device is produced, at 1242. Whether to declare the detection of the voice of the wearer is determined using the left detection signal and the right detection signal at 1243.
  • the detection of the voice of the wearer is declared in response to both of the left detection signal and the right detection signal being present. In another embodiment, the detection of the voice of the wearer is declared in response to at least one of the left detection signal and the right detection signal being present. In one embodiment, whether to declare the detection of the voice of the wearer is determined using the left detection signal, the right detection signal, and weighting factors applied to the left and right detection signals.
  • each device of a pair of hearing assistance devices can be applied to each device of a pair of hearing assistance devices, with the declaration of the detection of the voice of the wearer being a result of detection using both devices of the pair of hearing assistance devices, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 .
  • Such binaural voice detection will likely improve the acoustic perception of the wearer because both hearing assistance devices worn by the wearer are acting similarly when the wearer speaks.
  • whether to declare a detection of the voice of the wearer may be determined based on the detection performed by either one device of the pair of hearing assistance devices or based on the detection performed by both devices of the pair of hearing assistance devices.
  • An example of the pair of hearing assistance devices includes a pair of hearing aids.
  • the present subject matter includes hearing assistance devices, and was demonstrated with respect to BTE, OTE, and RIC type devices, but it is understood that it may also be employed in cochlear implant type hearing devices. It is understood that other hearing assistance devices not expressly stated herein may fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Einrichtung, die konfiguriert ist, um durch einen Träger, der ein linkes Ohr mit einem linken Gehörgang und ein rechtes Ohr mit einem rechten Gehörgang aufweist, getragen zu werden, umfassend:
    eine linke Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L) und eine rechte Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105R), die miteinander kommunikativ gekoppelt sind, wobei die linke und die rechte Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung jeweils einschließen:
    ein erstes Mikrofon (1L, 1R), das konfiguriert ist, um ein erstes Mikrofonsignal zu erzeugen;
    ein zweite Mikrofon (2L, 2R), das konfiguriert ist, um ein zweites Mikrofonsignal zu erzeugen; und
    einen Stimmendetektor (1109L, 1109R, 309, 409),
    wobei mindestens ein Stimmendetektor der Stimmendetektoren der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung konfiguriert ist, um eine Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung des ersten und des zweiten Mikrofonsignals, die durch die linke Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, und des ersten und des zweiten Mikrofonsignals, die durch die rechte Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, zu erfassen, und
    wobei der Stimmendetektor jeweils der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung einen adaptiven Filter (415) umfasst, der konfiguriert ist, um Informationen auszugeben, und
    wobei der mindestens eine der Stimmendetektor der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung konfiguriert ist, um die Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung der Ausgabeinformationen von jedem der adaptiven Filter der Stimmendetektor der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung und eines Erfassungsstärkeparameters der Ausgabeinformationen von jedem der adaptiven Filter der Stimmendetektoren der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung zu erfassen, wobei der Erfassungsstärkeparameter ein Maß für die Wahrscheinlichkeit des tatsächlichen Vorhandenseins der Stimme des Trägers ist.
  2. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der mindestens eine Sprachdetektor (309, 409, 1109L, 1109R) konfiguriert ist, um die Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung von Koeffizienten des adaptiven Filters (415) jeweils der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L, 1105R) zu erfassen.
  3. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, wobei der mindestens eine Stimmendetektor (309, 409, 1109L, 1109R) konfiguriert ist, um die Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung eines Fehlersignals (420) zu erfassen, das durch den adaptiven Filter (415) jeweils der linken und der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L, 1105R) erzeugt wird.
  4. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei der mindestens eine Stimmendetektor (309, 409, 1109L, 1109R) konfiguriert ist, um die Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung einer gewichteten Kombination der Ausgabeinformationen von der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L) und der Ausgabeinformationen von der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105R) zu erfassen.
  5. Einrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die linke und die rechte Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L, 1105R) jeweils ein Hörgerät umfassen, das derart konfiguriert ist, dass wenn es durch den Träger getragen wird, das erste Mikrofon (1L, 1R) um eins des linken und des rechten Ohrs herum positioniert ist, und das zweite Mikrofon (2L, 2R) um einen des linken und des rechten Gehörgangs herum, an einer unterschiedlichen Stelle als das erste Mikrofon, auf einer Luftseite des einen des linken und des linken Gehörgangs positioniert ist, um Signale außerhalb des linken und des rechten Gehörgangs zu erfassen.
  6. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei das Hörgerät umfasst:
    einen Tonprozessor (308, 1108L, 1108R), der konfiguriert ist, um ein verarbeitetes Tonsignal basierend auf mindestens dem ersten Mikrofonsignal (1L, 1R) und darauf, ob die Stimme des Trägers erfasst wird, zu erzeugen; und
    einen Empfänger (306, 1106L, 1106R), der konfiguriert ist, um ein hörbares Signal basierend auf dem verarbeiteten Tonsignal zu erzeugen und das hörbare Signal an den linken oder den rechten Gehörgang zu übertragen.
  7. Verfahren zum Erfassen einer Stimme eines Trägers eines Paars einer linken und einer rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L, 1105R), jeweils einschließlich eines ersten Mikrofons (1L, 1R) und eines zweiten Mikrofons (2L, 2R), wobei der Träger ein linkes Ohr mit einem linken Gehörgang und ein rechtes Ohr mit einem rechten Gehörgang aufweist, das Verfahren umfassend:
    Positionieren des ersten Mikrofons und des zweiten Mikrofons der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung um das linke Ohr herum, um jeweils Töne außerhalb des linken Gehörgangs zu erfassen;
    Positionieren des ersten Mikrofons und des zweiten Mikrofons der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung um das rechte Ohr herum, um jeweils Töne außerhalb des rechten Gehörgangs zu erfassen; und
    Erfassen einer Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung von elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, und den elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers umfasst:
    Verwenden von elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, als Eingaben in einen Stimmendetektor (1109L) der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung, einschließlich eines linken adaptiven Filters (415);
    Verwenden von elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon des rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden, als Eingaben für einen Stimmendetektor (1109R) der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung, einschließlich eines rechten adaptiven Filters (415);
    Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung von Informationen, die von dem linken adaptiven Filter ausgegeben werden, und von Informationen, die von dem rechten adaptiven Filter ausgegeben werden, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung eines linken Erfassungsstärkeparameters der Informationen, die von dem linken adaptiven Filter ausgegeben werden und eines rechten Erfassungsstärkeparameters der Informationen, die von dem rechten adaptiven Filter ausgegebenen werden, umfasst, wobei der linke und der rechte Erfassungsstärkeparameter jeweils ein Wahrscheinlichkeitsmaß des tatsächlichen Vorhandenseins der Stimme des Trägers sind.
  8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung linker Koeffizienten des linken adaptiven Filters (415) und rechter Koeffizienten des rechten adaptiven Filters (415) umfasst.
  9. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 7 und 8, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung eines linken Fehlersignals (420), das durch den linken adaptiven Filter (415) erzeugt wird, und eines rechten Fehlersignals (420), das durch den rechten adaptiven Filter (415) erzeugt wird, umfasst.
  10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung einer gewichteten Kombination der Informationen, die von dem linken adaptiven Filter (415) ausgegeben werden und der Informationen, die von dem rechten adaptiven Filter (415) ausgegeben werden, umfasst.
  11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 10, wobei das Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers umfasst:
    Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105L) basierend auf den elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon (1L, 2L) der linken Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden;
    Erzeugen eines linken Erfassungssignals, das angibt, ob die Stimme des Trägers durch die linke Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erfasst wird;
    Erfassen der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung (1105R) basierend auf den elektrischen Signalen, die durch das erste und das zweite Mikrofon (1R, 2R) der rechten Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erzeugt werden;
    Erzeugen eines rechten Erfassungssignals, das angibt, ob die Stimme des Trägers durch die rechte Hörunterstützungsvorrichtung erfasst wird; und
    Bestimmen, ob eine Erfassung der Stimme des Trägers unter Verwendung des linken Erfassungssignals und des rechten Erfassungssignals deklariert werden soll.
EP18195310.0A 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme Active EP3461148B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/464,149 US9219964B2 (en) 2009-04-01 2014-08-20 Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
EP15181620.4A EP2988531B1 (de) 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15181620.4A Division EP2988531B1 (de) 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3461148A2 EP3461148A2 (de) 2019-03-27
EP3461148A3 EP3461148A3 (de) 2019-04-17
EP3461148B1 true EP3461148B1 (de) 2023-03-22

Family

ID=53879441

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15181620.4A Revoked EP2988531B1 (de) 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme
EP18195310.0A Active EP3461148B1 (de) 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15181620.4A Revoked EP2988531B1 (de) 2014-08-20 2015-08-19 Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (2) EP2988531B1 (de)
DK (1) DK2988531T3 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3672281B1 (de) 2018-12-20 2023-06-21 GN Hearing A/S Hörgerät mit eigenstimmendetektion und zugehöriges verfahren
CN114449427B (zh) * 2020-11-02 2024-06-25 达发科技股份有限公司 听力辅助装置及调整听力辅助装置输出声音的方法

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004077090A1 (en) 2003-02-25 2004-09-10 Oticon A/S Method for detection of own voice activity in a communication device
US7027607B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2006-04-11 Gn Resound A/S Hearing aid with adaptive microphone matching
US20070098192A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2007-05-03 Sipkema Marcus K Spectacle hearing aid
US20100002887A1 (en) 2006-07-12 2010-01-07 Phonak Ag Method for operating a binaural hearing system as well as a binaural hearing system
US20100260364A1 (en) 2009-04-01 2010-10-14 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
US20110238419A1 (en) 2010-03-24 2011-09-29 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Binaural method and binaural configuration for voice control of hearing devices
US20120128187A1 (en) * 2010-06-18 2012-05-24 Panasonic Corporation Hearing aid, signal processing method, and program
US20140029762A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Nokia Corporation Head-Mounted Sound Capture Device
WO2014075195A1 (en) 2012-11-15 2014-05-22 Phonak Ag Own voice shaping in a hearing instrument

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK2563045T3 (da) * 2011-08-23 2014-10-27 Oticon As Fremgangsmåde og et binauralt lyttesystem for at maksimere en bedre øreeffekt
DE102011087984A1 (de) 2011-12-08 2013-06-13 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hörvorrichtung mit Sprecheraktivitätserkennung und Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Hörvorrichtung

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7027607B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2006-04-11 Gn Resound A/S Hearing aid with adaptive microphone matching
US20070098192A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2007-05-03 Sipkema Marcus K Spectacle hearing aid
WO2004077090A1 (en) 2003-02-25 2004-09-10 Oticon A/S Method for detection of own voice activity in a communication device
US20100002887A1 (en) 2006-07-12 2010-01-07 Phonak Ag Method for operating a binaural hearing system as well as a binaural hearing system
US20100260364A1 (en) 2009-04-01 2010-10-14 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
EP2242289A1 (de) 2009-04-01 2010-10-20 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hörhilfesystem mit Erkennung der eigenen Stimme
US20140010397A1 (en) 2009-04-01 2014-01-09 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
US20110238419A1 (en) 2010-03-24 2011-09-29 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Binaural method and binaural configuration for voice control of hearing devices
US20120128187A1 (en) * 2010-06-18 2012-05-24 Panasonic Corporation Hearing aid, signal processing method, and program
US20140029762A1 (en) 2012-07-25 2014-01-30 Nokia Corporation Head-Mounted Sound Capture Device
WO2014075195A1 (en) 2012-11-15 2014-05-22 Phonak Ag Own voice shaping in a hearing instrument

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2988531B1 (de) 2018-09-19
EP3461148A3 (de) 2019-04-17
EP3461148A2 (de) 2019-03-27
EP2988531A1 (de) 2016-02-24
DK2988531T3 (en) 2019-01-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11388529B2 (en) Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
US10715931B2 (en) Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
EP3188508B1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum streamen von kommunikation zwischen hörvorrichtungen
US9749754B2 (en) Hearing aids with adaptive beamformer responsive to off-axis speech
EP3005731B1 (de) Verfahren für den betrieb eines hörgeräts und hörgerät
CN105898651B (zh) 包括用于拾取用户自我话音的分立传声器单元的听力***
EP2843971B1 (de) Hörgerät mit Mikrofon im Gehörkanal
US9641942B2 (en) Method and apparatus for hearing assistance in multiple-talker settings
JP6450458B2 (ja) 自身の声を迅速に検出する方法と装置
EP3799444A1 (de) Hörgerät, ein richtmikrofonsystem umfassend
US20180184203A1 (en) Method and device for streaming communication between hearing devices
US9020171B2 (en) Method for control of adaptation of feedback suppression in a hearing aid, and a hearing aid
EP3461148B1 (de) Hörhilfesystem mit erkennung der eigenen stimme

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 2988531

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H04R 25/00 20060101AFI20190311BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20191015

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20201022

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20220512

GRAJ Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTC Intention to grant announced (deleted)
INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20221021

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 2988531

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015082927

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1555976

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20230322

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230622

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230624

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1555976

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230322

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230623

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230724

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230920

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230722

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230920

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230920

Year of fee payment: 9

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R026

Ref document number: 602015082927

Country of ref document: DE

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: OTICON A/S

Effective date: 20231221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230819

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230819

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20230831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230322

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3