Patent Description:
A hearing aid is an electroacoustic device typically worn in or behind the ear and being designed to amplify sound for the wearer, usually with the aim of making speech more intelligible, and to correct impaired hearing as measured by audiometry. In some countries, hearing aids are considered medical devices, and a hearing healthcare professional or an audiologist identifies the customer needs during a consultancy session and writes data into the hearing aid when adjusting the settings for alleviating a hearing loss.

Recently, hearing aids with wireless connectivity based on an open telecom protocol has reached market. Binaural hearing aids based on proprietary communication protocols have been on the market for decades. The Bluetooth connectivity is the most recent innovation in wireless interfacing for hearing instruments to audio sources such as TV streamers or mobile phones. Even though this is a major achievement, the customization of the hearing aids is still provided by the hearing healthcare professional, who provides a hearing aid with the configuration he recommends for the user, adds one or more add-on programs for the user and sets acclimatization when introducing new hearing system, e.g. like a transposer, for the customer. This means that the user has to take a lot of important decisions about the customization of a new hearing aid during the consultation with the hearing healthcare professional, and this will therefor often become an iterative procedure with multiple consultations.

Prior art examples in this field are:
<CIT>, which discloses an improved hearing aid wherein the hearing aid includes a plurality of modules, each of the modules having the necessary firmware, hardware and software for enhancing at least one characteristic of the hearing aid, and wherein the modules can be productively activated and deactivated remotely such that upon activation, operating parameters associated with the particular model can be adjusted. The hearing aid thus reduces the number of models required permitting the specific tailoring of the hearing aid to the needs and requirements of the user.

<CIT>, which discloses systems, structures, and methods are provided to fit, program, or upgrade a hearing aid system to a patient. One embodiment includes the use of a mobile device to interact with the hearing aid system through a short-range network. The mobile device is also adapted to communicate with a server through a long-range wireless network. The server may reside on the Internet.

<CIT>, which discloses a hearing aid distribution and service plan based on periodic subscription serves a wide range of hearing aid users with various needs for functionality and considerations for financial or value. One or more codes are provided for each hearing aid to allow for fitting by an authorized professional and enablement of one or more specified functions for a specified period. In various examples, the present hearing aid includes hearing assistance circuitry with a programming lock configured to receive an unlocking signal and a locking signal. In various examples, a hearing aid fitting device for communicating with a hearing aid includes a user interface configured to receive a lock code enabling a lock functionality that allows the hearing aid to be unlocked for fitting and locked for preventing from the fitting. The present application includes variations of a method for subscription-based hearing aid distribution.

<CIT>, which discloses a data system for handling user data for a hearing aid user and at least one hearing aid having a memory for storing personal settings for alleviating a hearing loss for the hearing aid user includes a remote server accessible by means of an Internet enabled computer device. A personal communication device is Internet enabled and is able to act as a gateway to the Internet for the at least one hearing aid. The user may create a user account on the remote server, enter personal information into the user account and store the entered personal information on the remote server, and enter the gateway information to the user account. The personal communication device and the at least one hearing aid are provided with respective transceivers for establishing a wireless connection under guidance of said application software. The least one hearing aid uploads the personal settings for alleviating the hearing loss via the gateway to the remote server for storing in the user account.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a hearing aid managing system assisting the hearing aid user in customizing his hearing aid with add-on services in a way so the user pays for the services being valuable for him and may pass on services held less valuable to him.

This purpose is according to the invention achieved by a hearing aid service system comprising an Internet enabled personal communication device and at least one hearing aid provided with respective transceivers for establishing a wireless connection, whereby the personal communication device becomes a gateway for said at least one hearing aid to a remote server accessible over the Internet. The at least one hearing aid includes a processor controlling the operation of the hearing aid, and a memory containing program code for at least one add-on program for the operation of the hearing aid. The remote server is managing user accounts for a plurality of hearing aid users, including managing subscription status for said at least one add-on program for the operation of said at least one hearing aid. The remote server creates a subscription status change event for the account upon change of the subscription status for said at least one add-on program. Upon the occurrence of the subscription status change event, the remote server sends a status change instruction to said at least one hearing aid for enabling or disabling one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the change of the subscription status by using the personal communication device as gateway. The hearing aid receives the status change instruction from the remote server via the personal communication device acting as a gateway and enables or disables one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the received status change instruction. The personal communication device presents a hearing aid control application software interface to the user and displays on the hearing aid control application software interface a notification for warning the user that the subscription on said at least one add-on program is approaching expiry. Hereby, the user may have an opportunity to try an add-on program for a predetermined period of time as a free trial, and if he regards the test period as successful, he can easily start a subscription based on the add-on program and as easily discontinue the subscription again without having to show up in a traditional consultation at a hearing healthcare professional.

As an example, there is provided a hearing aid comprising a transceiver for establishing a wireless connection with a personal communication device becoming a gateway to a remote server accessible over the Internet. Furthermore the hearing aid comprises a processor controlling the operation of the hearing aid, and a memory containing program code for at least one add-on program for the operation of the hearing aid. The processor is via the transceiver adapted to receive a status change instruction from the remote server using the personal communication device as gateway and enables or disables at least one add-on program according to the received status change instruction.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for managing software programs in at least one hearing aid of a hearing aid service system according to the first aspect. Furthermore, the method comprises steps of managing, in said remote server, subscription status for at least one add-on program of said at least one hearing aid, creating, in said remote server, a subscription status change event for the account upon change of the subscription status for said at least one add-on programs, sending a status change instruction from the remote server using the personal communication device as gateway to said hearing aid upon the occurrence of the subscription status change event, enabling or disabling, in the hearing aid, one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the status change instruction received from the remote server, presenting a hearing aid control application software interface to the user, and displaying on the hearing aid control application software interface a notification for warning the user that a subscription on said at least one add-on program is approaching expiry.

As an example, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, which, when executed in an Internet enabled personal communication device is acting as a gateway between at least one hearing aid and a remote server accessible over the Internet, being adapted to receive a status change instruction from the remote server upon the occurrence of the subscription status change event, and to forward instructions to said at least one hearing aid for enabling or disabling one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the change of the subscription status.

As an example, there is provided an Internet enabled personal communication device for establishing a wireless connection to at least one hearing aid, and thereby becoming a gateway for said at least one hearing aid to a remote server accessible over the Internet. The personal communication device is adapted for displaying on a hearing aid control application software interface a notification for warning the user that the subscription on said at least one add-on program is going to expire.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a server adapted to communicate with said at least one hearing aid of a hearing aid service system according to the first aspect via the Internet using a personal communication device as gateway. The server is adapted to manage user accounts for a plurality of hearing aid users, and this includes managing subscription status for at least one add-on program for the operation of said at least one hearing aid. The remote server creates a subscription status change event for the account upon change of the subscription status for said at least one add-on programs, and upon the occurrence of the subscription status change event, the remote server sends a status change instruction to said at least
one hearing aid for enabling or disabling one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the change of the subscription status by using the personal communication device as gateway. The remote server (<NUM>) sends a notification to the personal communication device (<NUM>) for warning the user that a subscription on said at least one add-on program is approaching expiry.

The invention will be described in further detail with reference to preferred aspects and the accompanying drawing, in which:.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which schematically illustrates a data management system according to a first embodiment of the invention. Prior to use, the settings of the hearing aid are set and adjusted by a hearing care professional according to a prescription. The prescription is provided by a hearing healthcare professional and is based on a hearing test, resulting in a so-called audiogram, of the performance of the hearing-impaired user's unaided hearing. The prescription is developed to reach a setting where the hearing aid will alleviate a hearing loss by amplifying sound at frequencies in those parts of the audible frequency range where the user suffers a hearing deficit.

Hearing aids are often provided to a hearing impaired user as a set of binaural hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. The hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an input transducer <NUM> or microphone for picking up the acoustic sound and converting it into electric signals. The electric signals from the input transducer <NUM> are amplified in a pre-amp amplifier <NUM> and led to an Analog-to-Digital converter (ADC) <NUM> for converting the analog input signal into a digital signal. The digital output signal from the Analog-to-Digital converter <NUM> is fed to a digital filter <NUM> adapted for amplifying and conditioning of the processed signal according to a predetermined setting set by a hearing healthcare professional. The output from the digital filter <NUM> is fed to a Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) <NUM> for converting the digital processed signal into an analog output signal for reproduction by an output transducer <NUM> or speaker. Preferably Delta-Sigma-conversion is applied in the Digital-to-Analog Conversion so the electrical output signal is formed as a one-bit digital data stream fed directly to the output transducer <NUM>, i.e. the output converter is driven as a class D amplifier.

The digital filter <NUM> may advantageously include a filter bank splitting up the signal into a plurality of filter bands (often in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> bands or channels) for being processed individually and subsequently combined into the output from the digital filter <NUM>. A processor <NUM> monitors and controls the operation of the digital filter <NUM> according to the settings for alleviating a hearing loss by amplifying sound at frequencies in those parts of the audible frequency range where the user suffers a hearing deficit. These settings are provided by the hearing healthcare professional, and the settings are stored as a data file <NUM> in a part of a hearing aid memory <NUM>. In an embodiment, the hearing aid memory <NUM> is an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (E2PROM), which is a non-volatile memory, i.e. the type of memory that retains its data when its power supply is switched off. It may be achieved that only authorized personnel may edit settings for alleviating a hearing loss by applying an appropriate data access control.

The hearing aid memory <NUM> furthermore includes memory space <NUM> for storing hearing aid programs or activation codes and parameters for activating one or more hearing aid programs provided as embedded software in the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM>. As these parameters relate to up and down grading of hearing aid features, it is evident that the access to editing these parameters shall be limited by applying an appropriate data access control.

The hearing aid memory <NUM> includes memory space <NUM> for storing Product ID, which may include manufacturer name, product type and serial number, and furthermore identification of the current firmware version. It is evident that an unauthorized person must not be able to change the manufacturer name, product type and serial number. This may be obtained by coding these data into the chip. Alternatively it may be achieved that only authorized personnel may edit Product ID data by applying an appropriate data access control.

Finally the hearing aid memory <NUM> includes memory space <NUM> for storing log data for the hearing aid operation and acoustical environment, and memory space <NUM> for storing a security element, such as root certificates. The hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> generates log data automatically, and the data may be read out during a consultancy session by a hearing healthcare professional when adjusting the settings for alleviating a hearing loss, or by uploading to a central server when the manufacturer of the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> prepares for a firmware update.

The processor <NUM> is connected to and controls the operation of a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> connects the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> to a personal communication device <NUM> via a wireless connection <NUM>, such as a per se known wireless communication standard like Bluetooth™ Low Energy or another appropriate protocol. The benefit of using Bluetooth™ Low Energy is that many different personal communication devices <NUM> like smartphones, hearing aid streamers, tablet PC's and laptops already support the standard, whereby the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> may be paired with one of these personal communication devices <NUM> and use the personal communication device <NUM> as a gateway to the Internet. On the same time the power consumption for a transceiver <NUM> based upon Bluetooth™ Low Energy will be acceptable for a hearing aid design.

The personal communication device <NUM> according to the invention is Internet enabled, which means that the personal communication device <NUM> may access the Internet <NUM> via a connection <NUM>. The connection <NUM> is preferably a wireless Internet connection, or a cellular data connection (e.g. WCDMA or LTE). Advantageously, the personal communication device <NUM> has the ability to download and launch application software from a remote server on the Internet, e. an app store <NUM>. Furthermore, the personal communication device <NUM> will be able to access via the Internet <NUM> a master server <NUM> having user data storage <NUM> for maintaining and storing hearing aid user accounts.

A non-volatile memory <NUM>, e.g. an E2PROM memory or a flash memory, is used to store general chipset configuration parameters and individual user profile data.

The term "app" is short for "application software" which is a set of one or more programs designed to carry out operations for a specific application. Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system software to execute.

<FIG> shows two hearing aids <NUM> and <NUM>, and these are preferably provided as a set of binaural hearing aids having an inter-ear communication channel <NUM>, advantageously based on a proprietary communication protocol or the Bluetooth™ Low Energy protocol, which is preferred for the communication between two hearing aids <NUM> and <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM> - here shown as a smartphone. By using a proprietary communication protocol for the inter-ear communication channel <NUM>, it is possible to optimize the inter-ear communication channel <NUM> with regard to power consumption, while by using the Bluetooth™ Low Energy protocol for the inter-ear communication channel <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the number of radios required in the hearing aid. The two hearing aids <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated as Behind-The-Ear hearing aids having customized ear plugs. However the invention is applicable for any type of hearing aid being able to communicate with the personal communication device <NUM> via the wireless connection <NUM>.

Furthermore, the hearing aid user may from a computer <NUM> via an appropriate Internet connection access the master server <NUM> having user data storage <NUM> for maintaining and storing hearing aid user accounts. Accessing user data stored on the master server <NUM> requires that the hearing aid user has the required access rights.

Entities distributing the hearing aids from the manufacturing companies to the hearing impaired customer may, as assisting service providers dealing with e.g. end-user subscriptions from a computer <NUM> via an appropriate Internet connection, access the master server <NUM> having user data storage <NUM> for maintaining and storing hearing aid user accounts - or at least relevant parts of the hearing aid user accounts. The computer <NUM> is connected to a data storage <NUM> containing subscription data for a plurality of hearing impaired customers being customers at the entity. The entity may be a specialty store, a factory owned store, a supermarket, an Internet shop, a membership warehouse club, a discount store or the like. Accessing user data stored on the master server <NUM> requires that the entity representative has proper/appropriate access rights.

Finally, authorized hearing healthcare professional or audiologists may from a computer <NUM> via an appropriate Internet connection access the master server <NUM> having user data storage <NUM> for maintaining and storing hearing aid user accounts. Accessing user data stored on the master server <NUM> requires that the authorized hearing healthcare professional has the appropriate access rights. The authorized hearing aid professionals have audiological test and fitting equipment <NUM> for measuring and estimating the hearing loss of the customer, and subsequently fitting a set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> compensating for the unique hearing loss of the customer. As the fitting process shall fulfil the customer's needs, the process will normally take place as an interactive and iterative process. Therefor the audiological test and fitting equipment <NUM> is adapted for wireless communication directly with hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> via a data link <NUM>. The data link <NUM> may be provided by means of a proprietary communication protocol used for the inter-ear communication channel <NUM>, or by means of the Bluetooth™ standard, e.g. according to Bluetooth™ Low Energy protocol, which is preferred for the communication between two hearing aids <NUM> and <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM>.

In step <NUM> of <FIG>, the user pairs a set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> to a personal communication device <NUM>, and the pairing procedure according to Bluetooth™ Low Energy protocol is well known. However, the user may advantageously choose to use special hearing aid software running on the personal communication device <NUM> adapted to control the pairing - as shown in step <NUM> - and this software may either be embedded in the personal communication device <NUM> from the factory or be downloaded to the personal communication device <NUM> from the app store <NUM>. The software app includes information about how to access (including the Internet address) the master server <NUM>. Upon pairing in step <NUM> of the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM>, the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> identify themselves based upon information present in the product ID file <NUM> in the hearing aid memory. The software app running on the personal communication device <NUM> uploads in step <NUM> these data to the master server <NUM> based upon access information contained in the software app. Hereby the master server <NUM> becomes notified about that pairing has taken place between the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM>, and the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> is identified by manufacturer, hearing aid model, serial number, software or firmware version, and the personal communication device <NUM> is identified (phone number and/or IP address) as gateway for accessing the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, the pairing is done by bringing the personal communication device <NUM> via the launched application software into a searching mode, in which the personal communication device searches for hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> in pairing mode. Preferably a hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> is brought into pairing mode for a period of time by switching the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> on. The personal communication device <NUM> may list the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> identified in pairing mode. Then the pairing preferably takes place by requesting the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> to communicate a pairing code in an auditory communication, e.g. as an audio message, to the hearing aid user, and when the user has successfully entered the pairing code via a graphical user interface on the personal communication device <NUM>, the pairing mode has been successfully completed. If the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> includes a second one, the pairing step is repeated for this one, too. Preferably, the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> provide an audio indication to the user when the hearing aid enters the pairing mode, and preferably also when the pairing mode has been successfully completed.

Upon setting up a wireless connection between at least one hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM> under guidance of application software, the master server <NUM> identifies in the user account the personal communication device <NUM> as a gateway for the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> to the Internet <NUM>. So far only the set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and the personal communication device <NUM> are identified in an anonymous user account.

Referring to <FIG>, it shall be explained how the user completes the account set-up. Starting at step <NUM>, the user creates a user account on the remote server <NUM> accessible over the Internet from the Internet enabled computer device <NUM>, e.g. a laptop, tablet PC or a smartphone. The user enters a URL - preferably provided on the hearing aid sales package - into an appropriate browser window in order to create the account at the master service provider. In the web page opened, the user may create a new account in step <NUM> and enter appropriate personal information in step <NUM>. The kind of personal information included in the user account will later on be explained with reference to <FIG>. As a part of the account set up, the user is in step <NUM> invited to set credentials for the account, and these credentials may in one embodiment include a username and a password - both specified by the user. Now the account has been created, the user is allowed to log off, and later on log on again for complementing the account with additional data. During the account setup, in step <NUM> the user is invited to identify a gateway to his hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. The personal communication device <NUM> serves this purpose, and the user may identify the personal communication device <NUM> by means of e.g. its phone number or IP-address.

Once the personal communication device <NUM> has been identified as a gateway, the remote server <NUM> contacts the personal communication device <NUM> in order to verify its role as a gateway. This contact may preferably be done via the software app running on the personal communication device <NUM>, and when the user has verified the gateway data, the personal communication device <NUM> starts to upload data about the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>, such as serial number, software version and information about special hardware to the server <NUM>. Normally the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> have been fitted in order to alleviate the hearing loss of the hearing aid user, and as a part of the account set-up, the personal communication device <NUM> reads data from the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>, and in step <NUM> transfers data to the remote server <NUM> for storing settings for alleviating the hearing loss in conjunction with the user account comprising of a data set consisting of data fields <NUM>-<NUM>.

Hereafter the remote server <NUM>, when the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> are online, will via the personal communication device <NUM> compare the settings for alleviating the hearing loss stored in the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and in the user data storage <NUM>, and keep these settings synchronized. Hereby these data will be kept updated no matter whether the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> have been updated in an off-line fitting process, or whether a new fine-tuning has been performed orchestrated by the remote server <NUM>. The user is allowed to log off, and later on log on again for editing existing data in the account or for adding further data.

The data set in a user account includes a personal information data field <NUM>, which typically is the first data field filled out by the user when creating an account. The personal information includes name, address and additional contact data like phone number and e-mail address. A delivery address data field <NUM> defines the delivery address for hardware to be delivered to the hearing aid user. This hardware may include hearing aids returned from service, replacement hearing aids, batteries, wax guards, hearing aid drying boxes and other items ordered from the master service provider or the assisting service provider. The delivery address is specified by the owner of the account and may be identical to the home address identified in the personal information data field <NUM> or may identify a preferred supermarket in case the account is linked to a membership in a warehouse club.

In a social security data field <NUM>, the user may enter his birthday information and social security number, which may be used by the social authorities in case these are committed to reimburse a part of the sales prize or subscription fees.

Data settings for configuring a hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> may be stored in configuration data field <NUM>. These data setting may be loaded into the non-volatile memory <NUM> in the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> via the personal communication device <NUM> acting as gateway between the server <NUM> and the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>.

In an accounting data field <NUM>, the master service provider, the assisting service provider, and the authorized hearing aid professional may enter respective service agreements and the user may enter billing details, such as that an invoice is preferred or that an amount to be drawn from a specified credit card is preferred. The service agreements may refer to a specified fitting session, a hearing test, purchase of a specified set of hearing aids, subscription to a specified set of hearing aids, upgrade of an existing set of hearing aids, batteries, or replacement parts. The user has the right to approve the service agreements and enter billing details, while the service providers may enter service agreement details as price and conditions supported by one or more documents and use entered billing details for their own accounting. The accounting data field <NUM> will only contain one service agreement, and if several service agreements are initiated, supplementing accounting data fields <NUM> will be created. Only parties to a service agreement do have Data Retrieval Rights to these data fields <NUM>.

When the authorized hearing healthcare professional or audiologist tests the hearing of a client, he obtains the results in an audiogram, which is a graph showing the hearing loss measured in decibels for standardized frequencies in Hertz. The threshold of hearing is plotted relative to a standardized curve that represents "normal" hearing, in dB (HL). According to the invention the authorized hearing aid professional may store the hearing loss characterization in a dedicated Hearing Loss Characterization data field <NUM>, whereby the authorized hearing aid professional or another authorized hearing aid professional on a later point of time may assess changes in the hearing capability of the client.

When the authorized hearing aid professional has determined the hearing loss of his client and an appropriate hearing aid has been chosen, the authorized hearing aid professional sets the hearing aid compensation profile parameters in an interactive dialogue with the client by using the audiological test and fitting equipment <NUM> communicating directly with hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> via the wireless data link <NUM>. Once the fitting has been completed, the settings are stored in the data file <NUM> defining the hearing compensation profile in the hearing aid memory <NUM> in each of the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. Once the settings have been updated in the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM>, and the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> identifies a gateway to the Internet <NUM> via the personal communication device <NUM>, it seeks to establish a secure connection to the master server <NUM> for transferring these data to the data field <NUM> for the settings of the hearing compensation profile for each of the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. The hearing aids are programmed to automatically place a copy of settings of the hearing compensation profile for each of the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> in an associated user account when the settings have been updated off-line (not using the personal communication device <NUM> as gateway) by means of fitting equipment <NUM>.

Preferably, the data field <NUM>, in which the hearing compensation profiles are stored, includes historical data for the hearing compensation profile settings. Hereby the user may request a previous setting if he for some reasons finds the current setting problematic in a specific sound environment or situation. The request of re-importing a previous setting may be initiated from an app on the personal communication device <NUM> acting as gateway.

Also the master server <NUM> will be able to set up a secure connection to the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> for loading settings of the hearing compensation profile into one or more of the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. The trigger for doing such a push of settings may as mentioned be that the user has requested a previously used setting, or that the user has received one or more replacement hearing aids directly from factory, and that these new hearing aids once these are connected to the gateway shall be equipped with appropriate programs and equipped with the appropriate hearing compensation profile settings. This will make a replacement operation easier for the client, as the new hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> can be delivered by a postal or shipping company and the preparation and personalization of the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> takes place online using a personal communication device <NUM> as a gateway.

The authorized hearing aid professional has via his login Data Update Rights to the Hearing Loss Characterization data field <NUM> and the hearing compensation profile data field <NUM>, while the owner of the account has Data Retrieval Rights to the Hearing Loss Characterization data field <NUM>.

Preferably, the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> are programmed to automatically upload identification details for the hearing aid to the master server <NUM> when the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> are linked to a user account by means of the gateway formed by the personal communication device <NUM>. These product ID data are read from the product ID file <NUM> in the hearing aid memory <NUM> and uploaded via the gateway and the Internet to the master server <NUM> and into data field <NUM> of the user account.

For each user account there is provided a data field <NUM> containing security elements as credentials for access to one or more data fields in the hearing aid user account and secure keys for establishing a secure connection between the master server <NUM> and the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>.

The remote server <NUM> is managing user accounts as explained with reference to <FIG>, and for tracking the current subscription status for add-on features for the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>, and this subscription status is recorded and maintained in a data field <NUM>. The term add-on feature or plug-in feature refers to a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application. When an application supports plug-ins, it enables customization. An example on such an add-on feature could be a program for tinnitus alleviation. Other examples could be hearing test programs for testing the hearing aid users hearing loss or training programs for improving speech intelligibility or to improve spatial hearing (ability to differentiate Inter-aural Level Differences (ILD)). The hearing aid user may activate or download the test or training programs, and the development or progress may be automatically up-loaded to the user account on the server <NUM>, and a remote hearing healthcare professional may as a part of the subscription monitor the test and training progress via the user account.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hearing aid service system discussed with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> pushes an offer relating to a new hearing aid feature to the personal communication device <NUM>. This push or advertisement in step <NUM> in <FIG> may be triggered by a market campaign at the service provider for a new feature or a feature valued by hearing aid users being in a similar life situation or environmental situation as the group of users targeted by the service provider pushing the offer.

<FIG> shows an embodiment for the hearing aid control application software interface used in the Internet enabled personal communication device <NUM> according to the invention. The hearing aid control application software is illustrated in five schematic screenshots shown in <FIG> for a touch screen display. The first screenshot shown in <FIG> illustrates a so-called entry screen which is entered when the app is opened.

As seen here, the entry screen comprises a header <NUM> indicating the current operation between the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and the communication device <NUM>. Here the header <NUM> indicates that the "comfort" program for the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> is activated. Below the header <NUM>, there is provided a control area <NUM> for setting the volume for the sound output by the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. The two columns refer to the left and the right hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Each of the two columns has a bitmap level indicator <NUM>, which can be operated individually by dragging the bitmap level indicator <NUM> by means of one finger or together by having contact to both bitmap level indicators <NUM> simultaneously.

Preferably, the personal communication device <NUM> advertises in step <NUM> the offer pushed from the server <NUM> in a dedicated service display area <NUM> positioned below the control area <NUM>. In the dedicated service display area <NUM>, the service provider may offer special services or hints to the hearing aid user. As seen, the dedicated service display area <NUM> may include an offer description <NUM> - here the user is offered a Zen™ program for tinnitus alleviation, and a selection element <NUM> for accepting a free trial. The selection element <NUM> will provide access to terms and conditions, and an assisted set-up of the Zen™ program.

The second screenshot shown in <FIG> illustrates a so-called program selection screen, in which the user may select between programs and audio sources available. This is indicated in the header <NUM>. The user may e.g. enter the program selection screen from the entry screen by swiping his thumb across the display from left to right. Selectable programs are clustered in a program area <NUM>, selectable audio streaming sources are clustered in an audio streaming source area <NUM>, and further settings are available in a setting area <NUM>. Selections are made by touching one of the labelled controls. If one of the programs or streaming sources is selected or if the return area in the lower right corner is touched, the app entry screen shown in <FIG> with the header <NUM> will reflect the selected program or streaming source.

The third screenshot shown in <FIG> illustrates a so-called hearing aid store screen, which may be entered by the user from the program selection screen by swiping his thumb across the display from left to right. A header <NUM> indicates that the user has entered the hearing aid store, and the products are clustered into a battery category, a wax filter category, and ear tip category, and further categories may be available by scrolling out of the screen in downwards direction. Each of the product categories (batteries, wax filters, ear tips etc.) has a dedicated product display area <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> including a product offer description <NUM> in which the user is offered a priority sale offer for the category. For batteries, this offer may be accepted by touching a selection element <NUM> labelled "Buy", or further offers in the category may be accessed by touching a selection element <NUM> labelled "Batteries". The same is valid for other categories. The hearing aid store may offer mechanical replacement parts, add-on programs for the operation of the hearing aid, and test and training programs for use with the hearing aid.

When the communication device <NUM> displays the screenshot shown in <FIG>, its processor examines in step <NUM> (<FIG>) whether the user accepts the displayed offer. If the user has not accepted the offer yet, the processor of the communication device <NUM> checks in step <NUM> whether the offer period has expired - if not, the communication device <NUM> continues to display the offer in the dedicated service display area <NUM>. If the offer period has expired, the communication device <NUM> notifies the remote server <NUM> about this, and the server <NUM> may in step <NUM> push a new offer to be displayed in the dedicated service display area <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>.

In case the communication device <NUM> in step <NUM> detected that the user had accepted the offer by touching the selection element <NUM>, the communication device <NUM> seeks a confirmation from the hearing aid user, and when the acceptance of the offer has been confirmed, the communication device <NUM> notifies the server <NUM> about the purchase order. The server <NUM> managing a plurality of hearing aid user accounts updates the subscription status for the add-on program offered to and accepted by the hearing aid user. The remote server <NUM> creates a subscription status change event for the accepted add-on program. When the user accepts the offered add-on program, a status change event will update the user account in step <NUM>, and cause billing - if required - of the user for the new service, pushing a new offer in step <NUM> to be displayed in the dedicated service display area <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, activating or enabling in step <NUM> the temporary add-on program in the one or more hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> associated with the user account, updating the user interface of the app on the personal communication device <NUM> in step <NUM> in order to support the new add-on program, and starting of a timed subscription period in step <NUM>. An expiry date for a timed free trial will be set in the server <NUM> similarly to an expiry date set for a subscription period without automatically renewal - normally just shorter. Reaching the expiry date will cause a status change event based upon the calendar data. Preferably, an alert warning the hearing aid user about the approaching expiry date will be set, too.

Preferably, the remote server <NUM> sends a status change instruction to the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> when the subscription status change event occurs for enabling or disabling the add-on program according to the change of the subscription status by using the personal communication device <NUM> as gateway. The processor <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> receives the status change instruction, interprets the instructions and sets appropriate flags or stores required software programs in the non-volatile memory <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or in an appropriate memory of the personal communication unit <NUM> for providing the accepted add-on program functionality for the hearing aid user.

The activation of the add-on program may also in step <NUM> include updating the user interface provided by the app shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the Zen™ program control is shown in the program area <NUM>. In case the free trial expires for the Zen™ program without entering a subsequent subscription, the Zen™ program control will disappear from the program area <NUM> as a part of the disabling process. When selecting the Zen™ program in the app, the hearing aid user will be able to access settings for controlling his preferences in terms of pitch, tempo and volume. The Zen™ program includes several Zen styles in order to avoid that the music program become monotone and annoying.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the server <NUM> monitors in step <NUM> the status of the free trial period, and when the user has had the possibility to experience the add-on program for some time, the personal communication device <NUM> advertises in step <NUM> an offer to convert the free trial of the Zen™ program to a subscription on the same. For one month period of free trial, the converting offer may be advertised one week prior to expiry. The offer has been pushed from the server <NUM> and is displayed in the dedicated service display area <NUM> positioned below the control area <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The communication device <NUM> examines in step <NUM> whether the user accepts the displayed offer. If the user has not accepted the offer yet, the processor of the communication device <NUM> checks in step <NUM> whether the subscription period has expired - if not, the communication device <NUM> continues in step <NUM> to display the offer in the dedicated service display area <NUM>. If the offer period in step <NUM> has expired, the communication device <NUM> notifies the remote server <NUM> about this, and the server <NUM> disables in step <NUM> the temporary add-on program in the one or more hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> associated with the user account, updating the user interface of the app on the personal communication device <NUM> by removing the controls for the temporary add-on program. Hereafter, a new offer may in step <NUM> be displayed in the dedicated service display area <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>.

If the communication device <NUM> in step <NUM> detects that the user has accepted the displayed offer, this is communicated to the remote server <NUM>, and in step <NUM>, the server <NUM> detects, based on the user input to the communication device <NUM>, whether the acceptance of the add-on program is directed towards a subscription that has to be renewed periodically, or a permanent purchase of the add-on program associated with the present set of hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>. If a permanent purchase has been accepted, the server <NUM> enables the add-on program permanently in the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> without setting expiry dates or counter, bills the user for the change of status for the add-on program, and prepares for a new offer to be displayed in step <NUM>. If a subscription has been accepted, the server <NUM> enables the add-on program in the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM> and sets an expiry date, bills the user for the change of status for the add-on program, and starts a timed period in step <NUM>. Furthermore the server <NUM> prepares for a new offer to be displayed in step <NUM>.

When enabling and disabling add-on programs over the Internet for Internet enabled hearing aids according to the invention, and when providing these add-on programs for a free trial period or on a subscription that has to be renewed periodically, there is a risk of unauthorized use in case the user accepts the offer and afterwards disconnects the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> from the Internet by disconnecting the gateway.

According to one aspect of the invention, the processor <NUM>, e.g. upon reception of a notification that the subscription on the add-on program is going to expire in step <NUM>, starts a counter in the hearing aid <NUM>, <NUM> counting the number of switch off events since last connection to said remote server <NUM>, and if the number in the counter exceeds a predefined threshold, the processor <NUM> disables said at least one add-on program.

The fourth screenshot shown in <FIG> illustrates the entry screen also shown in <FIG>. The difference is that the dedicated service display area <NUM> provides a sale offer to the hearing aid user, where the offer is based upon a <NUM> days free trial for the Zen™ program for tinnitus alleviation being close to expiration - only four days are left for the free trial period. The user accepts the sale offer, the fifth screenshot shown in <FIG> is entered, and an extended explanation of the sales offer in shown in an item area <NUM> of the shopping basket. The user is here offered three controls - a first control <NUM> for cancelling the transaction, a second control <NUM> for continuing shopping by going back to the hearing aid store for adding further items to the shopping basket, and a third control <NUM> for completing the purchase and placing the order.

An add-on program or a plug-in is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application. When the device software supports plug-ins, it enables customization. Plug-ins are well known from computing where they are used for adding new features such as hardware drivers, or the ability to utilize a new file type such as a new multimedia format. For hearings aids, add-on programs or plug-ins may serve multiple purposes, e.g. to enable third-party developers to create abilities which extend an application, or to support easily adding new features or temporary features. This may enable customization of hearing aids, new distribution concepts for hearing aids where the hearing aid user subscribes to or leases a hearing service including periodical circulation of the hearing aids - the hearing aid user may then have access to two sets of hearing aids - one set in use and one set in service with the sets periodically swapped e.g. every second month.

As mentioned above, Zen™ program is a music program providing tinnitus relief. The music program is embedded into the hearing aids <NUM>, <NUM>, and may be enabled temporarily for a free trial period, for a subscription period for e.g. one year, or permanently for the lifetime of the hearing aid or for the hearing aid service. The music program helps tinnitus sufferers relax and makes tinnitus less noticeable. The music program is inspired by the relaxing effect of certain types of music, and is in the preferred embodiment based on what is known as fractal technology, by playing random, chime-like tones.

Traditionally, the hearing care professional has been adjusting the Zen™ program according to the user preferences in terms of pitch, tempo and volume.

When activating Zen™ program, some parameters have to be set. As tinnitus is a pathological state, and the concept Zen™ requires knowledge about the tinnitus tone heard by the hearing aid user. For this purpose, the app installing the music program controls a tone generator allowing the hearing aid user to slowly sweep through the audible spectrum and identify the tone best fitting the tinnitus tone.

According a further embodiment of the invention, an add-on program includes noise reduction of one or more specific sounds frequently occurring in the acoustic environment specific for the hearing aid user. This kind of characteristic sound may include traffic noise from e.g. trains, noise from air conditions, noise from wind mills, barking dogs etc. The noise reduction algorithm is thereby tailored to solve a specific noise issue specific for a group of people. The hearing aid user may via a free trial experience the effect of the add-on program and he may verify that the benefit he experiences justifies the additional cost when purchasing the add-on program.

Claim 1:
A hearing aid service system comprising an Internet enabled personal communication device (<NUM>) and at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided with respective transceivers for establishing a wireless connection, whereby the personal communication device (<NUM>) becomes a gateway for said at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a remote server (<NUM>) accessible over the Internet (<NUM>);
- wherein said at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a processor controlling the operation of the hearing aid, and a memory containing program code for at least one add-on program for the operation of the hearing aid;
- wherein said remote server (<NUM>) is managing user accounts for a plurality of hearing aid users, including managing subscription status for said at least one add-on program for the operation of said at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>);
- wherein the remote server (<NUM>) creates a subscription status change event for a user account upon change of the subscription status for said at least one add-on program;
- wherein the remote server (<NUM>) upon the occurrence of the subscription status change event sends a status change instruction to said at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>) for enabling or disabling one or more of said at least one add-on program according to the change of the subscription status by using the personal communication device (<NUM>) as the gateway;
wherein said at least one hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>) is adapted:
- to receive the status change instruction from said remote server (<NUM>) via the personal communication device (<NUM>) acting as the gateway between the remote server (<NUM>) and the hearing aid (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
- to enable or disable one or more of said at least one add-on programs according to the received status change instruction;
wherein said personal communication device (<NUM>) is adapted:
- to presenting a hearing aid control application software interface to the user; and
- for displaying on the hearing aid control application software interface a notification for warning the user that a subscription on said at least one add-on program is approaching expiry.