Patent Description:
Hearing devices are typically used to improve the hearing capability or communication capability of a user, for instance by compensating a hearing loss of a hearingimpaired user, in which case the hearing device is commonly referred to as a hearing instrument such as a hearing aid, or hearing prosthesis. The hearing device may pick up the surrounding sound with a microphone, process the microphone signal thereby taking into account the hearing preferences of the user of the hearing device, and provide the processed sound signal to an output transducer stimulating the user's hearing. The output transducer can be a miniature loudspeaker, commonly referred to as a receiver, for producing a sound in the user's ear canal. As another example, the output transducer can be an electrode array of a cochlear implant producing electric signals stimulating the auditory nerve. A hearing device may also be used to produce a sound in a user's ear canal based on an audio signal which may be communicated by a wire or wirelessly to the hearing device. Hearing devices are often employed in conjunction with communication devices, such as smartphones, for instance when listening to sound data processed by the communication device and/or during a phone conversation operated by the communication device. More recently, communication devices have been integrated with hearing devices such that the hearing devices at least partially comprise the functionality of those communication devices.

During usage, hearing devices are subject to various contamination sources including particles, bacteria, germs, dust, dirt, cerumen, viruses such as a corona-virus, and the like. The contamination can pose a health risk to the user and can also be harmful for numerous electronic components included in the hearing device. The contamination can be aggravated by humidity accumulating in the hearing device. The humidity can be caused, for instance, by sweat produced at a skin in contact with the hearing device, or a condensation of water vapor which may build up on a surface of a housing of the hearing device or enter the housing through an aperture. The humidity can also cause a corrosion of the electronic components further reducing a longevity and reliable performance of the hearing device. It is therefore desirable to regularly provide for a decontamination of the hearing device, which may be combined with a reduction of humidity of the hearing device.

Some hearing device are equipped with a rechargeable battery. International patent publication number <CIT> discloses a charging and drying station for a hearing device comprising a sanitizing unit, a drying unit, and a charging terminal. The drying unit comprises an air dryer and a thermal dryer allowing to reduce the humidity of the hearing device during charging of the battery via the charging terminal. The sanitizing unit comprises an ultra-violet (UV) generator allowing to disinfect the hearing device. Allowing a simultaneous charging, disinfecting and humidity reduction of the hearing device can be convenient and time-saving.

<CIT> discloses a charging and drying station for a hearing aid device comprising a main casing with an utility platform and a covering member mounted thereon, a drying arrangement connected to a control circuitry, a control switch provided on the main casing and electrically connected to the control circuitry, and a hearing aid charger accommodated in a receiving cavity of the main casing. A hearing aid device can be disposed on the utility platform for being simultaneously charged by the hearing aid charger and dried by the drying arrangement. The drying arrangement may comprise a sanitizing unit configured as an ultra-violet (UV) generator arranged to generate ultra-violet radiation primarily toward the utility platform for sanitizing the hearing aid device. The user may activate both the drying and sanitizing functions for both of his hearing devices by manually operating the control switch on the main casing.

<CIT> discloses a treatment system including a treatment region through which a substance to be treated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is moving or flowing or otherwise placed, e.g. by transporting the substance via a conveyor belt or conduit, wherein the treatment region is defined by a set of ultraviolet transparent windows allowing light emitted from two types of ultraviolet sources passing into the treatment region and providing a hermetical isolation of the treatment region from the ambient. The treatment system further comprises a control component which can operate the ultraviolet sources to ensure that the ultraviolet radiation has a predetermined minimum ultraviolet intensity within the treatment region, which may be selected by a user or adjusted based on one or more attributes of the treatment region and/or the substance treated therein, which may include a movement speed, a transparency, and a level of contamination of the substance as determined by a sensor sensitive to fluorescence or visible appearance or chemical composition of the substance. <CIT> discloses a portable hand-held device, such as a smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) and MP3 player, which are prone to contaminations mainly due to holding with contaminated hands, wearing in a pocket, or saliva from a mouth when speaking on the phone. The portable device is configured to determine a degree of contamination based on a usage history comprising a call time, a number of button presses and surface contacts detected by a touch sensor, a movement of the portable device detected by a motion sensor, and a heating temperature relative to an ambient temperature. The portable device is further configured to transmit, based on the determined degree of contamination, a control command to a sterilization device performing a sterilization of the portable device, e.g. a light sterilization, a gas sterilization, or an ultrasonic sterilization, and/or calculating a time value for performing the sterilization.

A prolonged exposure of the hearing device to radiation, however, can also be harmful. Some components of a hearing device, such as a housing accommodating the electronic components, an earpiece intended to be inserted into an ear canal, and/or a connector cable provided in between, often comprise organic and/or synthetic polymers which can be attacked by the radiation. In the context of UV radiation, such a phenomenon is also known as UV degradation. It would therefore be desirable to reduce the radiation exposure to a minimum necessary for the decontamination. In particular, in some situations, a required time of the radiation exposure may be shorter than the time required for recharging and/or drying the hearing device. In other situations, the hearing device may be left in the station for a longer time that would be required for the recharging and/or drying and/or decontamination, for instance for convenience reasons or an inability of the user to remove the hearing device immediately afterwards. This leads to a needlessly long exposure of the hearing device to the radiation.

It is an object of the present disclosure to avoid at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages and to provide charging and disinfecting station for a hearing device and/or a hearing device charging and disinfecting system and/or a method of operating a charging and disinfecting station allowing to provide a decontamination of the hearing device at an optimized radiation exposure, in particular to reduce a harmful impact on the hearing device by the radiation exposure. It is another object to provide for an increased longevity of a hearing device recurrently subjected to a decontamination. It is a further object to allow a simultaneous charging and decontamination of the hearing device in a user friendly way, in particular such that an active contribution of the user required for an optimization of the radiation exposure can be reduced or avoided.

At least one of these objects can be achieved by a charging and disinfecting station comprising the features of patent claim <NUM> and/or a method of operating a charging and disinfecting station comprising the features of patent claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims and the following description.

Accordingly, a charging and disinfecting station for a hearing device comprises a container having an inner volume in which the hearing device is insertable; a charging port provided at the inner volume and configured to charge a battery included in the hearing device; a radiation source configured to emit radiation into the inner volume, the radiation effective to disinfect the hearing device; and a controller configured to determine a parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of the hearing device when the hearing device is inserted into the inner volume, and to control a duration and/or intensity of the radiation depending on the degree of contamination, wherein (<NUM>) the controller is configured to determine a state of charge of the battery and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the state of charge, and/or (<NUM>) the charging and disinfecting station further comprises a communication interface communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the hearing device via the communication interface and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination depending on the received data, the data received from a memory of the hearing device and comprising information indicative of a charging history of the hearing device. By controlling the duration and/or intensity of the radiation depending on the degree of contamination, an exposure of the hearing device to the radiation can be optimized. Optimizing the radiation exposure can reduce harmful impacts and benefit a longevity of the hearing device. The controlling of the radiation by the controller can reduce personal efforts by the user to optimize the radiation exposure.

A hearing device charging and disinfecting system may comprise a hearing device including a chargeable a battery, and the station.

The present disclosure further proposes a method of charging and disinfecting a hearing device, wherein the hearing device is inserted in an inner volume of a container and a battery of the hearing device is charged inside the inner volume, the method comprising emitting radiation into the inner volume, the radiation effective to disinfect the hearing device; determining a parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of the hearing device; and controlling a duration and/or intensity of the radiation depending on the degree of contamination, wherein the method further comprises (<NUM>) determining a state of charge of the battery and determining the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the state of charge, and/or (<NUM>) receiving data from a memory of the hearing device, the received data comprising information indicative of a charging history of the hearing device, and determining the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination depending on the received data.

Subsequently, additional features of some implementations of the charging and disinfecting station and/or the hearing device charging and disinfecting system and/or the method of charging and disinfecting a hearing device are described. Each of those features can be provided solely or in combination with at least another feature. The features can be correspondingly provided in some implementations of the station and/or the system and/or the method.

In some implementations, the station comprises a communication interface communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the hearing device via the communication interface and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination depending on the received data. The data may be received from a memory of the hearing device. The received data may comprise information indicative of a usage history and/or a charging history and/or a degree of contamination of the hearing device. The received data may comprise data determined by a sensor of the hearing device. The data determined by the sensor of the hearing device may comprise data received from the memory of the hearing device, in particular data that has been previously stored in the memory of the hearing device. The data determined by the sensor of the hearing device may comprise data determined inside the inner volume and/or outside the inner volume.

In some implementations, the station comprises a dryer configured to reduce humidity inside the inner volume, wherein the controller is configured to control the dryer depending on the degree of contamination. The dryer may comprise a ventilator configured to provide air exchange between the inner volume and an ambient environment outside the inner volume. The dryer may be configured to raise a temperature inside the inner volume.

In some implementations, the station comprises a sensor configured to provide data indicative of the degree of contamination of the hearing device. The sensor may comprise a humidity sensor and/or a pollution sensor and/or a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor and/or an optical sensor.

In some implementations, the station comprises a memory configured to store data. The memory may be a non-volatile memory. The stored data may comprise information indicative of a usage history and/or a charging history and/or a degree of contamination of the hearing device. The controller can be configured to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the stored data.

In some implementations, the controller is configured to determine a state of charge of the battery and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the state of charge.

In some implementations, the hearing device is configured to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of the hearing device, wherein the controller is configured to receive the parameter from the hearing device. In some implementations, the controller is configured to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of the hearing device.

The radiation source may be an ultraviolet light source.

The drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a part of the specification. In the drawings:.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary hearing device <NUM> configured to be worn at an ear of a user. Hearing device <NUM> may be implemented by any type of hearing device configured to enable or enhance hearing by a user wearing hearing device <NUM>. For example, hearing device <NUM> may be implemented as a hearing instrument such as a hearing aid configured to detect sound and to provide an amplified version of the detected sound to a user. Hearing device <NUM> may also be implemented as a cochlear implant system configured to provide electrical stimulation representative of the detected sound to a user and comprising an implanted part and a removable part prone to contamination, a bimodal hearing system configured to provide both amplification and electrical stimulation representative of the detected sound to a user, or any other suitable hearing prosthesis. In other examples, hearing device <NUM> may be implemented as an audio playing device, such as an earphone, configured to produce a sound to a user based on an audio signal which may be communicated by a wire or wirelessly to the hearing device. Hearing device <NUM> may also be implemented as a hearing instrument configured to operate as an audio playing device in an accessory functionality.

Different types of hearing device <NUM> can also be distinguished by the position at which they are intended to be worn at the ear level of the user. Some types of hearing devices comprise a behind-the-ear part (BTE part) including a housing configured to be worn at a wearing position behind the ear of the user, which can accommodate functional components of the hearing device. Hearing devices with a BTE part can comprise, for instance, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. Other functional components of such a hearing device may be intended to be worn at a different position at the ear, in particular at least partially inside an ear canal. For instance, a RIC hearing aid may comprise a receiver intended to be worn at least partially inside the ear canal. The receiver may be implemented in a separate housing, for instance an earpiece adapted for an insertion and/or a partial insertion into the ear canal. A BTE hearing aid may further comprise a sound conduit, for instance a sound tube, intended to be worn at least partially inside the ear canal. Other types of hearing devices, for instance earbuds, earphones, and hearing instruments such as in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids, and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids, commonly comprise a housing intended to be worn at a position at the ear such that they are at least partially inserted inside the ear canal.

In the illustrated example, hearing device <NUM> is implemented as a RIC hearing aid. Hearing aid <NUM> comprises a BTE part <NUM> configured to be worn at an ear at a wearing position behind the ear. Hearing aid <NUM> further comprises an ITE part <NUM> configured to be worn at the ear at a wearing position at least partially inside an ear canal of the ear. ITE part <NUM> can be implemented as an earpiece. Hearing aid <NUM> comprises a first housing <NUM> of BTE part <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> of ITE part <NUM>. First housing <NUM> accommodates a processor <NUM> communicatively coupled to a memory <NUM> and a sound detector <NUM>. In the example, sound detector <NUM> is provided by a plurality of spatially arranged microphones <NUM>, <NUM>. Microphones <NUM>, <NUM> can be included in a microphone array. Microphones <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to provide audio data to processor <NUM>. First housing <NUM> further accommodates a chargeable battery <NUM> connected to processor <NUM>. Battery <NUM> is configured to supply processor <NUM> and other electronic components connected to processor <NUM> with energy. A connector <NUM> is provided at a surface of first housing <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is communicatively coupled to connector <NUM>. Connector <NUM> can comprise a charging port configured to be connected to an external energy source in order to recharge battery <NUM>. Connector <NUM> can comprise a data port configured to be connected to an external data source in order to exchange data. Second housing <NUM> accommodates an output transducer <NUM> and a sensor <NUM>. Output transducer <NUM> may be implemented as a receiver or any other suitable audio output device. BTE part <NUM> and ITE part <NUM> are interconnected by a cable <NUM>. Processing unit <NUM> is communicatively coupled to output transducer <NUM> and sensor <NUM> via cable <NUM> and a cable connector <NUM> provided at first housing <NUM> of BTE part <NUM>.

During usage, hearing device <NUM> is prone to contamination. Hearing device <NUM> may then be subjected to a radiation source effective to disinfect the hearing device. Various constituent parts of hearing device <NUM> such as, for instance, first housing <NUM> and/or second housing <NUM> and/or cable <NUM> and/or cable connector <NUM>, are often formed from a material susceptible to the radiation resulting in a degradation of those parts with increasing duration and/or intensity of the radiation. The duration and/or intensity of the radiation may thus be controlled depending on the degree of contamination of the hearing device. To this end, a parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of the hearing device can be determined. These and other operations are described in more detail in the description that follows.

Sensor <NUM> may be any sensor configured to detect a property on the user and/or in an environment of the hearing device. Sensor data provided by sensor <NUM> can thus contain information about a usage history and/or a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>. For example, sensor <NUM> may comprise a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity level inside and/or outside an ear canal. Humidity can nurture a contamination of hearing device <NUM>. An increased humidity level can thus indicate a higher degree of contamination. Sensor <NUM> may comprise an optical sensor configured to detect light and/or an electrode configured to detect an electric signal induced through a skin of the user. Sensor data comprising information of a decreased sensitivity of the sensor can be indicative of a contamination of hearing device <NUM>. To illustrate, contamination particles accumulating on the optical sensor and/or electrode can cause the decreased sensitivity and can indicate a contamination also occurring on other parts of hearing device <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> may comprise a biometric sensor configured to measure a biological and/or a physiological characteristic of the user. The biometric sensor may include, for instance, a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and/or an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor and/or an electrocardiography (ECG) sensor and/or an electrooculography (EOG) sensor and/or a temperature sensor such as a thermistor, thermopile, thermocouple, solid state sensor, which may be configured to detect a body temperature of the user. Biometric data provided by sensor <NUM> can comprise information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> may comprise a movement sensor, in particular an inertial sensor such as an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. Movement data provided by sensor <NUM> can also comprise information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> may comprise a sound detector, in particular a microphone and/or a voice activity detector (VAD) configured to detect an own voice activity of the user. Sound data provided by sensor <NUM> can also comprise information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>.

Memory <NUM> may be implemented by any suitable type of storage medium and is configured to maintain, e.g. store, data controlled by processor <NUM>, in particular data generated, accessed, modified and/or otherwise used by processor <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may control memory <NUM> to maintain a data record comprising information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM> and/or a charging history of battery <NUM> and/or a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>. The usage history may comprise information about a period in which hearing device <NUM> has been used. This may comprise information about a period in which hearing device <NUM> was in an operational state and/or a number of times in which hearing device <NUM> has been turned on by the user. The usage history may also comprise information about a period in which sensor data has been provided by sensor <NUM>, in particular biometric data and/or movement data and/or sound data, and/or by sound detector <NUM>. The charging history of battery <NUM> may comprise information about a time at which battery <NUM> has been charged at the last time and/or a charging level to which battery <NUM> has been charged and/or a duration during which battery <NUM> has been charged and/or a period between subsequent chargings of battery <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to determine a momentary charging level of battery <NUM>. The charging level may be stored in memory <NUM>. The information about a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM> can include sensor data provided by sensor <NUM>. For instance, an increased humidity detected by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination. A decreased sensitivity of sensor <NUM>, in particular a decline of a quality of the sensor data over time, can also indicate an increased degree of contamination. Processor <NUM> can be configured to control maintaining of the data record by logging data containing the information over time in memory <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary hearing device charging and disinfecting system <NUM>. System <NUM> comprises a binaural hearing system including a first hearing device <NUM> configured to be worn at a left ear and a second hearing device <NUM> configured to be worn at a right ear of the user. In some examples, hearing devices <NUM>, <NUM> can be implemented corresponding to hearing device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

System <NUM> further comprises a charging and disinfecting station <NUM> for hearing devices <NUM>, <NUM>. Station <NUM> comprises a container <NUM>, a radiation source <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> communicatively coupled to radiation source <NUM>. Container <NUM> encloses an inner volume <NUM> in which hearing devices <NUM>, <NUM> are insertable. Radiation source <NUM> is provided at inner volume <NUM> such that it is configured to emit radiation into inner volume <NUM>. Radiation source <NUM> is a first radiation source. A second radiation source <NUM> is provided at inner volume <NUM> such that it is configured to emit radiation into inner volume <NUM>. Multiple radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM> can allow to provide a more homogenous radiation density inside inner volume <NUM>.

Container <NUM> comprises a container body <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. Lid <NUM> is pivotably mounted to container body <NUM> by a joint <NUM>. Lid <NUM> can thus be displaced between different positions including a first position in which container <NUM> is closed such that inner volume <NUM> is partially covered by lid <NUM>, and a second position in which container <NUM> is open such that inner volume <NUM> is accessible to insert hearing devices <NUM>, <NUM>. A signal generator <NUM> is operatively coupled to container body <NUM> and lid <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to signal generator <NUM>. Signal generator <NUM> is configured to provide a signal indicating whether container <NUM> is closed or open. For instance, signal generator <NUM> can be implemented as a contact sensor disposed between container body <NUM> and lid <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is configured to control radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM> to emit the radiation depending on whether container <NUM> is closed.

Controller <NUM> comprises a first connector <NUM> for first hearing device <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> for second hearing device <NUM>. Connector <NUM> of first hearing device <NUM> is connectable to controller <NUM> via first hearing device connector <NUM>. Connector <NUM> of second hearing device <NUM> is connectable to controller <NUM> via second hearing device connector <NUM>. Hearing device connector <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a charging port configured to supply hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> with energy. Controller <NUM> comprises a power connector <NUM> connectable to an external power source <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is configured to control supplying energy from external power source <NUM> to hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> via hearing device connector <NUM>, <NUM>. Hearing device connector <NUM>, <NUM> can further comprise a communication interface configured to transmit data between hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and controller <NUM>. Communication interface <NUM>, <NUM> can be connectable to a data port of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>.

Charging and disinfecting station <NUM> further comprises a contamination sensor <NUM>. Contamination sensor <NUM> is provided at inner volume <NUM>. Contamination sensor <NUM> is operative to detect a property inside inner volume <NUM> indicative of a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> when inserted inside inner volume <NUM>. In some instances, contamination sensor <NUM> comprises a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity inside inner volume <NUM>. Increased humidity detected by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. In some instances, contamination sensor <NUM> comprises a pollution sensor configured to detect a pollution of inner volume <NUM>. The pollution sensor may be sensitive to gases and/or airborne particles, in particular a density and/or size and/or identity of the particles and/or gases. This may comprise, for instance, biological particles, such as viruses, bacteria and toxins, volatile organic chemicals, hydrocarbons, foreign material in the air and/or the like. Increased pollution detected by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. In some instances, contamination sensor <NUM> comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature inside inner volume <NUM>. Increased temperature detected by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. In some instances, contamination sensor <NUM> comprises a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure inside inner volume <NUM>. Increased pressure detected by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. The pressure sensor may further comprise a barometric pressure sensor configured to detect a barometric pressure outside inner volume <NUM> and to compare the pressure inside inner volume with the barometric pressure. In some instances, contamination sensor <NUM> comprises an optical sensor comprising a light source and a photodetector. Increased light absorption and/or scattering determined by sensor <NUM> can indicate an increased degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the optical sensor can be configured to resolve a spectrum of the detected light. The resolved spectrum can allow to identify particles and/or gases representative of the contamination.

Charging and disinfecting station <NUM> further comprises a dryer <NUM> configured to reduce humidity inside inner volume <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to dryer <NUM>. In the illustrated example, dryer <NUM> is an air dryer. Air dryer <NUM> comprises a ventilator <NUM> and two ventilation ducts <NUM>, <NUM> provided in container <NUM>. For instance, as illustrated, first ventilation duct <NUM> comprises a through hole in a side wall of container body <NUM> and second ventilation duct <NUM> comprises a through hole in lid <NUM>. Air dryer <NUM> can thus provide for a circulation of air between inner volume <NUM> and an ambient environment outside inner volume <NUM>, as illustrated by dashed arrows <NUM>. In other examples, dryer <NUM> is a temperature dryer configured to raise a temperature inside inner volume <NUM> or a combination of an air dryer and a temperature dryer.

Radiation sources <NUM>, <NUM> can be configured to emit radiation at any wavelength effective to disinfect hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, radiation source <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise an ultra-violet (UV) light source. Controller <NUM> is configured to control a duration and/or intensity of the radiation emitted by radiation source <NUM>, <NUM> depending on a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> comprises a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. Memory <NUM> may be implemented by any suitable type of storage medium and is configured to maintain, e.g. store, data controlled by processor <NUM>, in particular data generated, accessed, modified and/or otherwise used by processor <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may control memory <NUM> to maintain a data record comprising information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a charging history of the battery of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. Processor <NUM> can be configured to control maintaining of the data record by logging data containing the information over time in memory <NUM>. In some instances, the controller <NUM> can be configured to obtain data containing the information from hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> via communication interface <NUM>, <NUM> connected to a data port of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the data may be stored in memory <NUM> of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>, as described above, and transmitted to controller <NUM> when hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> is connected to controller <NUM> by communication interface <NUM>. The data received by controller <NUM> may then be evaluated by processor <NUM> and/or stored in memory <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> is configured to determine the parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> when the hearing device is inserted into inner volume <NUM>. In some instances, controller <NUM> is configured to determine the parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> based on the property detected by sensor <NUM> inside inner volume <NUM>. In some instances, controller <NUM> is configured to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> based on the data received from hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> via communication interface <NUM>. In particular, the parameter may be determined based on information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a charging history of battery <NUM> and/or a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> stored in memory <NUM> of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. To illustrate, a usage history and/or a charging history of battery <NUM> indicating a longer usage period and/or a previous charging occurring a longer time ago can indicate a larger degree of contamination. The parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> determined by controller <NUM> can also be based on a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> determined by a processor of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>, for instance by evaluating sensor data from sensor <NUM> as described above.

In some instances, controller <NUM> is configured to estimate a state of charge of the battery of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the state of charge. To illustrate, a lower state of charge can indicate a longer usage time of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> as compared to a higher state of charge which in turn can indicate a larger degree of contamination. The determined state of charge may be stored in memory <NUM> in order to maintain a data record of the charging history. The determined state of charge may also be compared with a previous state of charge stored in memory <NUM>, for instance a state of charge when hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> has been previously removed from charging and disinfecting station <NUM>. To illustrate, a difference between a presently determined state of charge and a previous state of charge can indicate a usage time of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> indicative of the degree of contamination.

Charging and disinfecting station <NUM> further comprises a user interface <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to user interface <NUM>. User interface <NUM> can be configured to provide instructions to controller <NUM> based on an input of a user. The instructions may comprise a duration and/or intensity of the radiation emitted by radiation source <NUM>, <NUM>. Controller <NUM> can be configured to prioritize the instructions received from user interface <NUM> to control the duration and/or intensity of the radiation. User interface <NUM> can also be configured to provide information to controller <NUM> based on an input of a user, in particular information about a usage history of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a charging history of the battery of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. Controller <NUM> can be configured to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> based on the information received from user interface <NUM>.

In some implementations, controller <NUM> of hearing device charging and disinfecting system <NUM> may be provided in hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, processor <NUM> and/or memory <NUM> of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to provide the functionality of controller <NUM> in the above described way when hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> is inserted into inner volume <NUM> of container <NUM>. Hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> may then be connected to power source <NUM> directly via power connector <NUM>. Hearing device <NUM>, <NUM> may further be connected to radiation source <NUM>, <NUM> and/or sensor <NUM> via a control line connectable to connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block flow diagram for a method of operating a hearing device. The method may be executed by controller <NUM>. At <NUM>, a parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is determined. At <NUM>, a duration and/or intensity of the radiation is controlled depending on the degree of contamination. Determining the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination at <NUM> may comprise evaluating data comprising information indicative of a usage history and/or a charging history and/or a degree of contamination of the hearing device, and/or receiving sensor data indicative of the degree of contamination, and/or determining a state of charge of the battery of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The data comprising the information may be received from memory <NUM> of hearing device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or accessed from memory <NUM> of controller <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A charging and disinfecting station for a hearing device, the station comprising
- a container (<NUM>) having an inner volume (<NUM>) in which the hearing device is insertable;
- a charging port (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided at the inner volume (<NUM>) and configured to charge a battery (<NUM>) included in the hearing device; and
- a radiation source (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to emit radiation into the inner volume (<NUM>), the radiation effective to disinfect the hearing device;
characterized by a controller (<NUM>) configured to
- determine a parameter indicative of a degree of contamination of the hearing device when the hearing device is inserted into the inner volume (<NUM>); and to
- control a duration and/or intensity of the radiation depending on the degree of contamination, wherein
the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine a state of charge of the battery (<NUM>) and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination based on the state of charge, and/or
the charging and disinfecting station further comprises a communication interface (<NUM>, <NUM>) communicatively coupled to the controller (<NUM>), wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the hearing device via the communication interface (<NUM>, <NUM>) and to determine the parameter indicative of the degree of contamination depending on the received data, the data received from a memory (<NUM>) of the hearing device and comprising information indicative of a charging history of the hearing device.