Patent ID: 8867764

Claim:
A computer-implemented heuristic method for tuning a hearing aid worn by a user, the method comprising: selecting, by the computer, an adjustable audio parameter from a plurality of adjustable audio parameters for tuning the hearing aid; selecting, by the computer, an audio stimulus having audio energy characteristics related to said adjustable audio parameter; presenting, by a calibrated audio output device associated with the computer, said audio stimulus to the user via sound waves propagated through the air and amplified by the hearing aid; selecting, by the computer, a user perception query, associated with said adjustable audio parameter, from a plurality of user perception queries; obtaining, by the computer, a user perception feedback value according to said user perception query, said user perception feedback value indicating that said audio stimulus was not perceived neutrally by the user; determining, by the computer, a perceptual adjustment curve and a threshold curve according to said user perception feedback value; adjusting, by the computer, said audio energy characteristics according to said perceptual adjustment curve to obtain an estimated perception curve that estimates the user's perception of said audio stimulus; determining, by the computer, whether at least a portion of said estimated perception curve exceeds said threshold curve; and when at least said portion of said estimated perception curve exceeds said threshold curve: determining, by the computer, at least one adjustment value for adjusting said adjustable audio parameter according to said user perception feedback value; programmatically coupling the computer to the hearing aid; and programming, by the computer, the hearing aid to adjust said adjustable audio parameter according to said at least one adjustment value.