Patent ID: 9743197
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61K,A61N,H04R

Claim:
1. A method for reducing a listener's task-irrelevant auditory perception using a hearing instrument or system, such as a hearing aid, comprising at least one input transducer configured to pick up the sound field in which the instrument or system is situated thereby providing an input signal, a signal processor configured to process the input signal, and an output transducer outputting the processed input signal, the method comprising the steps of: providing in the hearing instrument or system a measuring device or system configured for measuring the listener's alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity; providing in the hearing instrument or system a generation device or system configured for generating an alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity boosting signal that, when provided to the listener will increase the listener's ongoing alpha activity; with said measuring device or system, establishing a first measure of the listener's alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity; if the first measured alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity is below a predefined threshold, increasing the listener's ongoing alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity by the provision of said alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity boosting signal to the listener, and establishing a delayed version of said input signal, after a defined time interval establishing a second measure of the listener's alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity; if by the second measure it is determined that the user's alpha, beta, gamma and/or theta activity is at or above a predefined threshold providing said delayed version of the input signal either with or without further processing to an output transducer in said device.