US20130343585A1

US20130343585A1 - Multisensor hearing assist device for health

Info

Publication number: US20130343585A1
Application number: US13/623,545
Authority: US
Inventors: James D. Bennett; John Walley
Original assignee: Broadcom Corp
Current assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-20
Filing date: 2012-09-20
Publication date: 2013-12-26
Also published as: US9185501B2; US20130343584A1; US9730005B2; US20130344806A1; US20160037288A1

Abstract

A hearing assist device is associated with an ear of a user. Health characteristics of the user are measured by sensors of the hearing assist device. The measured health characteristics may be analyzed in the hearing assist device, or transmitted from the hearing assist device for remote analysis. Based on the analysis, alerts, instructions, and other information may be displayed to the user in the form of text or graphics, or may be played by the hearing assist device in the form of sound/voice. Medical personnel may be alerted when problems with the user are detected by the hearing assist device. The user may provide verbal commands to the hearing assist device. The hearing assist device may be configured to filter sounds, and may be configured for a personal hearing frequency response of the user. The hearing assist device may be configured for speech recognition to recognize commands.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/662,217, filed on Jun. 20, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hearing assist devices that sense, analyze, and communicate user health characteristics.
2. Background Art
Persons may become hearing impaired for a variety of reasons, including aging and being exposed to excessive noise, which can both damage hair cells in the inner ear. A hearing aid is an electro-acoustic device that typically fits in or behind the ear of a wearer, and amplifies and modulates sound for the wearer. Hearing aids are frequently worn by persons who are hearing impaired to improve their ability to hear sounds. A hearing aid may be worn in one or both ears of a user, depending on whether one or both of the user's ears need assistance.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for hearing assist devices that include health sensors, transmitters, and receivers, as well as additional and/or alternative functionality, substantially as shown in and/or described herein in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a communication system that includes a multi-sensor hearing assist device that communicates with a near field communication (NFC)-enabled communications device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 2-4 show various configurations for associating a multi-sensor hearing assist device with an ear of a user, according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a multi-sensor hearing assist device that mounts over an ear of a user, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a multi-sensor hearing assist device that extends at least partially into the ear canal of a user, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit block diagram of a multi-sensor hearing assist device that is configured to communicate with external devices according to multiple communication schemes, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a process for a hearing assist device that processes and transmits sensor data and receives a command from a second device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a communication system that includes a multi-sensor hearing assist device that communicates with one or more communications devices and network-connected devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a process for a wirelessly charging a battery of a hearing assist device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a process for broadcasting sound that is generated based on sensor data, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a process for generating and broadcasting filtered sound from a hearing assist device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a process for generating an information signal in a hearing assist device based on a voice of a user, and transmitting the information signal to a second device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a process for generating voice based at least on sensor data to be broadcast by a speaker of a hearing assist device to a user, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a system that includes a hearing assist device and a cloud/service/phone portable device that may be communicatively connected thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Introduction

The present specification discloses numerous example embodiments. The scope of the present patent application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but also encompasses combinations of the disclosed embodiments, as well as modifications to the disclosed embodiments.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.
Numerous exemplary embodiments are described as follows. It is noted that any section/subsection headings provided herein are not intended to be limiting. Embodiments are described throughout this document, and any type of embodiment may be included under any section/subsection. Furthermore, disclosed embodiments may be combined with each other in any manner.

II. Example Hearing Assist Device Embodiments

Persons may become hearing impaired for a variety of reasons, including aging and being exposed to excessive noise, which can both damage hair cells in the inner ear. A hearing aid is an electro-acoustic device that typically fits in or behind the ear of a wearer, and amplifies and modulates sound for the wearer. Hearing aids are frequently worn by persons who are hearing impaired to improve their ability to hear sounds. A hearing aid may be worn in one or both ears of a user, depending on whether one or both of the user's ears need hearing assistance.
Opportunities exist with integrating further functionality into hearing assist devices that are worn in/on a human ear. Hearing assist devices, such as hearing aids, headsets, and headphones, are typically worn in contact with the user's ear, and in some cases extend into the user's ear canal. As such, a hearing assist device is typically positioned in close proximity to various organs and physical features of a wearer, such as the inner ear structure (e.g., the ear canal, ear drum, ossicles, Eustachian tube, cochlea, auditory nerve, etc.), skin, brain, veins and arteries, and further physical features of the wearer. Because of this advantageous positioning, a hearing assist device may be configured to detect various characteristics of a user's health. Furthermore, the detected characteristics may be used to treat health-related issues of the wearer, and perform further health-related functions. As such, hearing assist devices may be used by users that do not even have hearing problems, but instead may be used by these users to detect other health problems.
For instance, in embodiments, health monitoring technology may be incorporated into a hearing assist device to monitor the health of a wearer. Examples of health monitoring technology that may be incorporated in a hearing assist device include health sensors that determine (e.g., sense/detect/measure/collect, etc.) various physical characteristics of the user, such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, humidity, blood oxygen level, skin galvanometric levels, brain wave information, arrhythmia onset detection, skin chemistry changes, falling down impacts, long periods of activity, etc.
Sensor information resulting from the monitoring may be analyzed within the hearing assist device, or may be transmitted from the hearing assist device and analyzed at a remote location. For instance, the sensor information may be analyzed at a local computer, in a smart phone or other mobile device, or at a remote location, such as at a cloud-based server. In response to the analysis of the sensor information, instructions and/or other information may be communicated back to the wearer. Such information may be provided to the wearer by a display screen (e.g., a desktop computer display, a smart phone display, a tablet computer display, a medical equipment display, etc.), by the hearing assist device itself (e.g., by voice, beeps, etc.), or may be provided to the wearer in another manner. Medical personnel and/or emergency response personnel (e.g., reachable at the 911 phone number) may be alerted when particular problems with the wearer are detected by the hearing assist device. The medical personnel may evaluate information received from the hearing assist device, and provide information back to the hearing assist device/wearer. The hearing assist device may provide the wearer with reminders, alarms, instructions, etc.
The hearing assist device may be configured with speech/voice recognition capability. For instance, the wearer may provide commands, such as by voice, to the hearing assist device. The hearing assist device may be configured to perform various audio processing functions to suppress background noise and/or other sounds, as well amplifying other sounds, and may be configured to modify audio according to a particular frequency response of the hearing of the wearer. The hearing assist device may be configured to detect vibrations (e.g., jaw movement of the wearer during talking), and may use the detected vibrations to aid in improving speech/voice recognition.
Hearing assist devices may be configured in various ways, according to embodiments. For instance, FIG. 1 shows a communication system 100 that includes a multi-sensor hearing assist device 102 that communicates with a near field communication (NFC)-enabled communications device 104, according to an exemplary embodiment. Hearing assist device 102 may be worn in association with the ear of a user, and may be configured to communicate with other devices, such as communications device 104. As shown in FIG. 1, hearing assist device 102 includes a plurality of sensors 106 a and 106 b, processing logic 108, an NFC transceiver 110, storage 112, and a rechargeable battery 114. These features of hearing assist device 102 are described as follows.
Sensors 106 a and 106 b are medical sensors that each sense a characteristic of the user and generate a corresponding sensor output signal. Although two sensors 106 a and 106 b are shown in hearing assist device 102 in FIG. 1, any number of sensors may be included in hearing assist device 102, including three sensors, four sensors, five sensors, etc. (e.g., tens of sensors, hundreds of sensors, etc.). Examples of sensors for sensors 106 a and 106 b include a blood pressure sensor, a heart rate sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a blood oxygen level sensor, a skin galvanometric level sensor, a brain wave information sensor, an arrhythmia onset detection sensor (e.g., a chest strap with multiple sensor pads), a skin chemistry sensor, a motion sensor (e.g., to detect falling down impacts, long periods of activity, etc.), an air pressure sensor, etc. These and further types of sensors suitable for sensors 106 a and 106 b are further described elsewhere herein.
Processing logic 108 may be implemented in hardware (e.g., one or more processors, electrical circuits, etc.), or any combination of hardware with software and/or firmware. Processing logic 108 may receive sensor information from sensors 106 a, 106 b, etc., and may process the sensor information to generate processed sensor data. Processing logic 108 may execute one or more programs that define various operational characteristics, such as: (i) a sequence or order of retrieving sensor information from sensors of hearing assist device 102, (ii) sensor configurations and reconfigurations (via a preliminary setup or via adaptations over the course of time), (iii) routines by which particular sensor data is at least pre-processed, and (iv) one or more functions/actions to be performed based on particular sensor data values, etc.
For instance, processing logic 108 may store and/or access sensor data in storage 112, processed or unprocessed. Furthermore, processing logic 108 may access one or more programs stored in storage 112 for execution. Storage 112 may include one or more types of storage, including memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), etc.) that is volatile or non-volatile.
NFC transceiver 110 is configured to wirelessly communicate with a second device (e.g., a local or remote supporting device), such as NFC-enabled communications device 104 according to NFC techniques. NFC uses magnetic induction between two loop antennas (e.g., coils, microstrip antennas, etc.) located within each other's near field, effectively forming an air-core transformer. As such, NFC communications occur over relatively short ranges (e.g., within a few centimeters), and are conducted at radio frequencies. For instance, in one example, NFC communications may be performed by NFC transceiver 110 at a 13.56 MHz frequency, with data transfers of up to 424 kilobits per second. In other embodiments, NFC transceiver 110 may be configured to perform NFC communications at other frequencies and data transfer rates. Examples of standards according to which NFC transceiver 110 may be configured to conduct NFC communications include ISO/IEC 18092 and those defined by the NFC Forum, which was founded in 2004 by Nokia, Philips and Sony.
NFC-enabled communications device 104 may be configured with an NFC transceiver to perform NFC communications. NFC-enabled communications device 104 may be any type of device that may be enabled with NFC capability, such as a docking station, a desktop computer (e.g., a personal computer, etc.), a mobile computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer (e.g., an Apple iPad™), a netbook, etc.), a mobile phone (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, etc.), a medical appliance, etc. Furthermore, NFC-enabled communications device 104 may be network-connected to enable hearing assist device 102 to communicate with entities over the network (e.g., cloud computers or servers, web services, etc.).
NFC transceiver 102 enables sensor data (processed or unprocessed) to be transmitted by processing logic 108 from hearing assist device 102 to NFC-enabled communications device 104. In this manner, the sensor data may be reported, processed, and/or analyzed externally to hearing assist device 102. Furthermore, NFC transceiver 102 enables processing logic 108 at hearing assist device 102 to receive data and/or instructions/commands from NFC-enabled communications device 104 in response to the transmitted sensor data. Furthermore, NFC transceiver 102 enables processing logic 108 at hearing assist device 102 to receive programs (e.g., program code), including new programs, program updates, applications, “apps”, and/or other programs from NFC-enabled communications device 104 that can be executed by processing logic 108 to change/update the functionality of hearing assist device 102.
Rechargeable battery 114 is a rechargeable battery that includes one or more electrochemical cells that store charge that may be used to power components of hearing assist device 102, including one or more of sensor 106 a, 106 b, etc., processing logic 108, NFC transceiver 110, and storage 112. Rechargeable battery 114 may be any suitable rechargeable battery type, including lead-acid, nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer). Charging of the batteries may be through a typical tethered recharger or via NFC power delivery.
Although NFC communications are shown, alternative communication approaches can be employed. Such alternatives may include wireless power transfer schemes as well.
Hearing assist device 102 may be configured in any manner to be associated with the ear of a user. For instance, FIGS. 2-4 show various configurations for associating a hearing assist device with an ear of a user, according to exemplary embodiments. In FIG. 2, hearing assist device 102 may be a hearing aid type that fits and is inserted partially or fully in an ear 202 of a user. As shown in FIG. 2, hearing assist device 102 includes sensors 106 a-106 n that contact the user. Examples forms of hearing assist device 102 of FIG. 2 include ear buds, “receiver in the canal” hearing aids, “in the ear” (ITE) hearing aids, “invisible in canal” (ITC) hearing aids, “completely in canal” (CIC) hearing aids, etc. Although not illustrated, cochlear implant configurations may also be used.
In FIG. 3, hearing assist device 102 may be a hearing aid type that mounts on top of, or behind ear 202 of the user. As shown in FIG. 3, hearing assist device 102 includes sensors 106 a-106 n that contact the user. Examples forms of hearing assist device 102 of FIG. 3 include “behind the ear” (BTE) hearing aids, “open fit” or “over the ear” (OTE) hearing aids, eyeglasses hearing aids (e.g., that contain hearing aid functionality in or on the glasses arms), etc.
In FIG. 4, hearing assist device 102 may be a headset or head phones that mounts on the head of the user and include speakers that are held close to the user's ears. As shown in FIG. 4, hearing assist device 102 includes sensors 106 a-106 n that contact the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, sensors 106 a-106 n may be spaced further apart in the headphones, including being dispersed in the ear pad(s) and/or along the headband that connects together the ear pads (when a head band is present).
It is noted that hearing assist device 102 may be configured in further forms, including combinations of the forms shown in FIGS. 2-4, and is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. For instance, hearing assist device 102 may be a cochlear implant-type hearing aid, or other type of hearing assist device. The following section describes some example forms of hearing assist device 102 with associated sensor configurations.

III. Example Hearing Assist Device Forms and Sensor Array Embodiments

As described above, hearing assist device 102 may be configured in various forms, and may include any number and type of sensors. For instance, FIG. 5 shows a hearing assist device 500 that is an example of hearing assist device 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. Hearing assist device 500 is configured to mount over an ear of a user, and has a portion that is at least partially inserted into the ear. A user may wear a single hearing assist device 500 on one ear, or may simultaneously wear first and second hearing assist devices 500 on the user's right and left ears, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 5, hearing assist device 500 includes a case or housing 502 that includes a first portion 504, a second portion 506, and a third portion 508. First portion 504 is shaped to be positioned behind/over the ear of a user. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, first portion 504 has a crescent shape, and may optionally be molded in the shape of a user's outer ear (e.g., by taking an impression of the outer ear, etc.). Second portion 506 extends perpendicularly from a side of an end of first portion 504. Second portion 506 is shaped to be inserted at least partially into the ear canal of the user. Third portion 508 extends from second portion 506, and may be referred to as an earmold shaped to conform to the user's ear shape, to better adhere hearing assist device 500 to the user's ear.
As shown in FIG. 5, hearing assist device 500 further includes a speaker 512, a forward IR/UV (ultraviolet) communication transceiver 520, a BTLE (BLUETOOTH low energy) antenna 522, at least one microphone 524, a telecoil 526, a tethered sensor port 528, a skin communication conductor 534, a volume controller 540, and a communication and power delivery coil 542. Furthermore, hearing assist device 500 includes a plurality of medical sensors, including at least one pH sensor 510, an IR (infrared) or sonic distance sensor 514, an inner ear temperature sensor 516, a position/motion sensor 518, a WPT (wireless power transfer)/NFC coil 530, a switch 532, a glucose spectroscopy sensor 536, a heart rate sensor 538, and a subcutaneous sensor 544. In embodiments, hearing assist device 500 may include one or more of these further features and/alternative features. The features of hearing assist device 500 are described as follows.
As shown in FIG. 5, speaker 512, IR or sonic distance sensor 514, and inner ear temperature sensor 516 are located on a circular surface of second portion 506 of hearing assist device 500 that faces into the ear of the user. Position/motion sensor 518 and pH sensor 510 are located on a perimeter surface of second portion 506 around the circular surface that contacts the ear canal of the user. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these features may be located in/on different locations of hearing assist device 500.
pH sensor 510 is a sensor that may be present to measure a pH of skin of the user's inner ear. The measured pH value may be used to determine a medical problem of the user, such an onset of stroke. pH sensor 510 may include one or more metallic plates. Upon receiving power (e.g., from rechargeable battery 114 of FIG. 1), pH sensor 510 may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates a measured pH value.
Speaker 512 (also referred to as a “loudspeaker”) is a speaker of hearing assist device 500 that broadcasts environmental sound received by microphone(s) 524, that is subsequently amplified and/or filtered by processing logic of the hearing assist device 600, into the ear of the user to assist the user in hearing the environmental sound. Furthermore, speaker 512 may broadcast additional sounds into the ear of the user for the user to hear, including alerts (e.g., tones, beeping sounds), voice, and/or further sounds that may be generated by or received by processing logic of hearing assist device 500, and/or may be stored in hearing assist device 500.
IR or sonic distance sensor 514 is a sensor that may be present to sense a displacement distance. Upon receiving power, IR or sonic distance sensor 514 may generate an IR light pulse, a sonic (e.g., ultrasonic) pulse, or other light or sound pulse, that may be reflected in the ear of the user, and the reflection may be received by IR or sonic distance sensor 514. A time of reflection may be compared for a series of pulses to determine a displacement distance within the ear of user. IR or sonic distance sensor 514 may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates a measured displacement distance.
A distance and eardrum deflection that is determined using IR or sonic distance sensor 514 (e.g., by using a high rate sampling or continuous sampling) may be used to calculate an estimate of the “actual” or “true” decibel level of an audio signal being input to the ear of the user. By incorporating such functionality, hearing assist device 500 can perform the following when a user inserts and turns on hearing assist device 500: (i) automatically adjust the volume to fall within a target range; and (ii) prevent excess volume associated with unexpected loud sound events. It is noted that the amount of volume adjustment that may be applied can vary by frequency. It is also noted that the excess volume associated with unexpected loud sound events may be further prevented by using a hearing assist device that has a relatively tight fit, thereby allowing the hearing assist device to act as an ear plug.
Hearing efficiency and performance data over the spectrum of normal audible frequencies can be gathered by delivering each frequency (or frequency range) at an output volume level, measuring eardrum deflection characteristics, and delivering audible test questions to the user via hearing assist device 500. This can be accomplished solely by hearing assist device 500 or with assistance from a smartphone or other external device or service. For example, a user may respond to an audio (or textual) prompt “Can you hear this?” with a “yes” or “no” response. The response is received by microphone(s) 524 (or via touch input for example) and processed internally or on an assisting external device to identify the response. Depending on the user's response, the amplitude of the audio output can be adjusted to determine a given user's hearing threshold for each frequency (or frequency range). From this hearing efficiency and performance data, input frequency equalization can be performed by hearing assist device 500 so as to deliver to the user audio signals that will be perceived in much the same way as someone with no hearing impairment. In addition, such data can be delivered to the assisting external device (e.g., to a smartphone) for use by such device in producing audio output for the user. For example, the assisting device can deliver an adjusted audio output tailored for the user if (i) the user is not wearing hearing assist device 500, (ii) the battery power of hearing assist device 500 is depleted, (iii) hearing assist device 500 is powered down, or (iv) hearing assist device 500 is operating in a lower power mode. In such situations, the supporting device can deliver the audio signal: (a) in an audible form via a speaker which will be generated with intent of directly reaching the eardrum; (b) in an audible form intended for receipt and amplification control by hearing assist device 500 without further need for user specific audio equalization; and (c) in a non-audible form (e.g.) electromagnetic transmission for receipt and conversion to an audible form by hearing assist device 500 and again without further equalization.
After testing and setup, a wearer may further tweak their recommended equalization via slide bars and such in a manner similar to adjusting equalization for other conventional audio equipment. Such tweaking can be carried out via the supporting device user interface. In addition, a plurality of equalization settings can be supported with each being associated with a particular mode of operation of hearing assist device 500. That is conversation in a quiet room with one other might receive one equalization profile while a concert hall might receive another. Modes can be selected in many automatic or commanded ways via either or both hearing assist device 500 and the external supporting device. Automatic selection can be performed via analysis and classification of captured audio. Certain classifications may trigger selection of a particular mode. Commands may delivered via any user input interface such as voice input (voice recognized commands), tactile input commands, etc.
Audio modes also comprise alternate or additional audio processing techniques as well. For example, in one mode, to enhance audio perspective and directionality, delays might be selectively introduced (or increased in a stereoscopic manner) to enhance a wearer's ability to discern the location of an audio source. Sensor data may support automatic mode selection in such situations. Detecting walking impacts and outdoor GPS (Global Positioning System) location might automatically trigger such enhanced perspective mode. A medical condition might trigger another mode which attenuates environmental audio while delivering synthesized voice commands to the wearer. In another exemplary mode, both echoes and delays might be introduced to simulate a theater environment. For example, when audio is being sourced by a television channel broadcast of a movie, the theater environment mode might be selected. Such selection may be in response to a set top box, television or media player's commands or by identifying one of the same as the audio source.
Other similar and all of such functionality can be carried out by one or both of hearing assist device 500 and an external supporting device. When assisting the hearing aid device, the external supporting device may receive the audio for processing: (i) directly via built in microphones; (ii) from storage; or (iii) via yet another external device. Alternatively, the source audio may be captured by hearing assist device 500 itself and delivered via a wired or wireless pathway to the external supporting device for processing before delivery of either the processed audio signals or substitute audio back to hearing assist device 500 for delivery to the wearer.
Similarly, sensor data may be captured in one or both of hearing assist device 500 and an external supporting device. Sensor data captured by hearing assist device 500 may likewise be delivered via such or other wired or wireless pathways to the external supporting device for (further) processing. The external supporting device may then respond to the sensor data received and processed by delivering audio content and/or hearing aid commands back to hearing assist device 500. Such commands may be to reconfigure some aspect of hearing assist device 500 or manage communication or power delivery. Such audio content may be instructional, comprise queries, or consist of commands to be delivered the wearer via the ear drums. Sensor data may be stored and displayed in some form locally on the external supporting device along with similar audio, graphical or textual content, commands or queries. In addition, such sensor data can be further delivered to yet other external supporting devices for further processing, analysis and storage. Sensors within one or both hearing assist device 500 and an external supporting device may be medical sensors or environmental sensors (e.g., latitude/longitude, velocity, temperature, wearer's physical orientation, acceleration, elevation, tilt, humidity, etc.).
Although not shown, hearing assist device 500 may also be configured with an imager that may be located near transceiver 520. The imager can then be used to capture images or video that may be relayed to one or more external supporting device for real time display, storage or processing. For example, detecting a medical situation and no response to audible content queries delivered via hearing assist device 500, the imager can be commanded (internal or external command origin) to capture an image or a video sequence. Such imager output can be delivered to medical staff via a user's supporting smartphone so that a determination can be made as to the user's condition or the position/location of hearing assist device 500.
Inner ear temperature sensor 516 is a sensor that may be present to measure a temperature of the user. For instance, in an embodiment, upon receiving power, inner ear temperature sensor 516 may include a lens used to measure inner ear temperature. IR light may be reflected from the user skin by an IR light emitter, such as the ear canal or ear drum, and received by a single temperature sensor element, a one-dimensional array of temperature sensor elements, a two-dimensional array of temperature sensor elements, or other configuration of temperature sensor elements. Inner ear temperature sensor 516 may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates a measured inner ear temperature.
Such a configuration may also be used to determine a distance to the user's ear drum. The IR light emitter and sensor may be used to determine a distance to the user's ear drum from hearing assist device 500, which may be used by processing logic to automatically control a volume of sound emitted from hearing assist device 500, as well as for other purposes. Furthermore, the IR light emitter/sensor may also be used as an imager that captures an image of the inside of the user's ear. This could be used to identify characteristics of vein structures inside the user's ear, for example. The IR light emitter/sensor could also be used to detect the user's heartbeat, as well as to perform further functions. Note that hearing assist device 500 may include a light sensor that senses outdoor light levels for various purposes.
Position/motion sensor 518 includes one or more sensors that may be present to measure time of day, location, acceleration, orientation, vibrations, and/or other movement related characteristics of the user. For instance, position/motion sensor 518 may include one or more of a GPS (global positioning system) receiver (to measure user position), an accelerometer (to measure acceleration of the user), a gyroscope (to measure orientation of the head of the user), a magneto (to determine a direction the user is facing), a vibration sensor (e.g., a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) vibration sensor), etc. Position/motion sensor 518 may be used for various benefits, including determining whether a user has fallen (e.g., based on measured position, acceleration, orientation, etc.), for local VoD, and many more benefits. Position/motion sensor 518 may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates one or more of the measured time of day, location, acceleration, orientation, vibration, etc.
In one example, MEMS sensors may be configured to record the position/movement of the head of a wearer for health purposes, for location applications, and/or for other reasons. A wireless transceiver and a MEMS sensor of hearing assist device 500 can determine the location of the head of the user, which may be a more meaningful positioning reference point than a position of a mobile device (e.g., cellphone) held against the user's head by the user. In this manner, hearing assist device 500 may be configured to tell the user that the user is not looking at the road properly when driving. In another example, in this manner, hearing assist device 500 may determine that the wearer fell down and may send a communication signal to the user's mobile device to dial 911 or other emergency number. If the user is wearing a pair of hearing assist devices 500, wireless communication signals may be used to help triangulate and determine position of the head. The user may shake their head up/down and/or may otherwise move their head to answer verbal commands provided by hearing assist device 500 and/or by the user's phone without the user having to speak. The user may enabled to speak to hearing assist device 500 to respond to commands (e.g., “did you fall?”, “are you alright?”, “should I dial for help?”, “are you falling asleep?”, etc.). Position data can be processed in hearing assist device 500, in the mobile device, in the “cloud”, etc. In an embodiment, to save power, the position data may be used to augment mobile/cloud data for better accurate and special circumstances. Hearing assist device 500 may determine a proximity to the mobile device of the user even if the camera on the mobile device is not in view. Based upon position and sensors, hearing assist device 500 may determine the direction the person is looking at to aid artificial reality. In an embodiment, hearing assist device 500 may be configured to calibrate position data when the head is in view of a remote camera.
The sensor information indicated by position/motion sensor 518 and/or other sensors may be used for various purposes. For instance, position/motion information may be used to determine that the user has fallen down/collapsed. In response, voice and/or video assist (e.g., by a handheld device in communication with hearing assist device 500) may be used to gather feedback from the user (e.g., to find out if they are ok, and/or to further supplement the sensor data collection (which triggered the feedback request)). Such sensor data and feedback information, if warranted, can be automatically forwarded to medical staff, ambulance services, and/or family members, for example, as described elsewhere herein. The analysis of the data that triggered the forwarding process may be performed in whole or in part on one (or both) of hearing assist device 500, and/or on the assisting local device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet computer, set top box, TV, etc., in communication with a hearing assist device 500) and/or remote computing systems (e.g., at medical staff offices or as might be available through a cloud or portal service).
As shown in FIG. 5, forward IR/UV (ultraviolet) communication transceiver 520, BTLE antenna 522, microphone(s) 524, telecoil 526, tethered sensor port 528, WPT/NFC coil 530, switch 532, skin communication conductor 534, glucose spectroscopy sensor 536, a heart rate sensor 538, volume controller 540, and communication and power delivery coil 542 are located at different locations in/on the first portion 504 of hearing assist device 500. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these features may be located in/on different locations of hearing assist device 500.
Forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 is a communication mechanism that may be present to enable communications with another device, such as a smart phone, computer, etc. Forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 may receive information/data from processing logic of hearing assist device 500 to be transmitted to the other device in the form of modulated light (e.g., IR light, UV light, etc.), and may receive information/data in the form of modulated light from the other device to be provided to the processing logic of hearing assist device 500. Forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 may enable low power communications for hearing assist device 500, to reduce a load on a battery of hearing assist device 500. In an embodiment, an emitter/receiver of forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 may be positioned on housing 502 to be facing forward in a direction a wearer of hearing assist device 500 faces. In this manner, the forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 may communicate with a device held by the wearer, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc., to provide text to be displayed to the wearer, etc.
BTLE antenna 522 is a communication mechanism coupled to a Bluetooth™ transceiver in hearing assist device 500 that may be present to enable communications with another device, such as a smart phone, computer, etc. BTLE antenna 522 may receive information/data from processing logic of hearing assist device 500 to be transmitted to the other device according to the Bluetooth™ specification, and may receive information/data transmitted according to the Bluetooth™ specification from the other device to be provided to the processing logic of hearing assist device 500.
Microphone(s) 524 is a sensor that may be present to receive environmental sounds, including voice of the user, voice of other persons, and other sounds in the environment (e.g., traffic noise, music, etc.). Microphone(s) 524 may include any number of microphones, and may be configured in any manner, including being omni-directional (non-directional), directional, etc. Microphone(s) 524 generates an audio signal based on the received environmental sound that may be processed and/or filtered by processing logic of hearing assist device 500, may be stored in digital form in hearing assist device 500, may be transmitted from hearing assist device 500, and may be used in other ways.
Telecoil 526 is a communication mechanism that may be present to enable communications with another device. Telecoil 526 is an audio induction loop that enables audio sources to be directly coupled to hearing assist device 500 in a manner known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Telecoil 526 may be used with a telephone, a radio system, and induction loop systems that transmit sound to hearing aids.
Tethered sensor port 528 is a port that a remote sensor (separate from hearing assist device 500) may be coupled with to interface with hearing assist device 500. For instance, port 528 may be an industry standard or proprietary connector type. A remote sensor may have a tether (one or more wires) with a connector at an end that may be plugged into port 528. Any number of tethered sensor ports 528 may be present. Examples of sensor types that may interface with tethered sensor port 528 include brainwave sensors (e.g., electroencephalography (EEG) sensors that record electrical activity along the scalp according to EEG techniques) attached to the user's scalp, heart rate/arrhythmia sensors attached to a chest of the user, etc. Such brainwave sensors may record/measure electrical signals of the user's brain.
WPT/NFC coil 530 is a communication mechanism coupled to a NFC transceiver in hearing assist device 500 that may be present to enable communications with another device, such as a smart phone, computer, etc., as described above with respect to NFC transceiver 110 (FIG. 1).
Switch 532 is a switching mechanism that may be present on housing 502 to perform various functions, such as switching power on or off, switching between different power and/or operational modes, etc. A user may interact with switch 532 to switch power on or off, to switch between modes, etc. Switch 532 may be any type of switch, including a toggle switch, a push button switch, a rocker switch, a three-(or greater) position switch, a dial switch, etc.
Skin communication conductor 534 is a communication mechanism coupled to a transceiver in hearing assist device 500 that may be present to enable communications with another device, such as a smart phone, computer, etc., through skin of the user. For instance, skin communication conductor 534 may enable communications to flow between hearing assist device 500 and a smart phone held in the hand of the user, a second hearing assist device worn on an opposite ear of the user, a pacemaker or other device implanted in the user, or other communications device in communication with skin of the user. A transceiver of hearing assist device 500 may receive information/data from processing logic to be transmitted from skin communication conductor 534 through the user's skin to the other device, and the transceiver may receive information/data at skin communication conductor 534 that was transmitted from the other device through the user's skin to be provided to the processing logic of hearing assist device 500.
Glucose spectroscopy sensor 536 is a sensor that may be present to measure a glucose level of the user using spectroscopy techniques in a manner known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Such a measurement may be valuable in determining whether a user has diabetes. Such a measurement can also be valuable in helping a diabetic user determine whether insulin is needed, etc. (e.g., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia). Glucose spectroscopy sensor 536 may be configured to monitor glucose in combination with subcutaneous sensor 544. As shown in FIG. 5, subcutaneous sensor 544 is shown separate from, and proximate to hearing assist device 500. In such an embodiment, subcutaneous sensor 544 may be imbedded in the user's skin, in or around the user's ear. In an alternative embodiment, subcutaneous sensor 544 may be located in/on hearing assist device 500. Subcutaneous sensor 544 is a sensor that may be present to measure any attribute of a user's health, characteristics or status. For example, subcutaneous sensor 544 may be a glucose sensor implanted under the skin behind the ear so as to provide a reasonably close mating location with communication and power delivery coil 542. When powered, glucose spectroscopy sensor 536 may measure the user glucose level with respect to subcutaneous sensor 544, and may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates a glucose level of the user/
Heart rate sensor 538 is a sensor that may be present to measure a heart rate of the user. For instance, in an embodiment, upon receiving power, heart rate sensor 538 may pressure changes with respect to a blood vessel in the ear, or may measure heart rate in another manner such as changes in reflectivity or otherwise as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). Missed beats, elevated heart rate, and further heart conditions may be detected in this manner. Heart rate sensor 538 may generate a sensor output signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates a measured heart rate. In addition, subcutaneous sensor 544 might comprise at least a portion of an internal heart monitoring device which communicates via communication and power delivery coil 542 heart status information and data. Subcutaneous sensor 544 could also be associated with or be part of a pacemaker or defibrillating implant, insulin pump, etc.
Volume controller 540 is a user interface mechanism that may be present on housing 502 to enable a user to modify a volume at which sound is broadcast from speaker 512. A user may interact with volume controller 520 to increase or decrease the volume. Volume controller 540 may be any suitable controller type (e.g., a potentiometer), including a rotary volume dial, a thumb wheel, a capacitive touch sensing device, etc.
Instead of supporting both power delivery and communications, communication and power delivery coil 542 may be dedicated to one or the other. For example, such coil may only support power delivery (if needed to charge or otherwise deliver power to subcutaneous sensor 544), and can be replaced with any other type of communication system that supports communication with subcutaneous sensor 544.
It is noted that the coils/antennas of hearing assist device 500 may be separately included in hearing assist device 500, or in embodiments, two or more of the coils/antennas may be combined as a single coil/antenna.
The processing logic of hearing assist device 500 may be operable to set up/configure and adaptively reconfigure each of the sensors of hearing assist device 500 based on an analysis of the data obtained by such sensor as well as on an analysis of data obtained by other sensors. For example, a first sensor of hearing assist device 500 may be configured to operate at one sampling rate (or sensing rate) which is analyzed periodically or continuously. Furthermore, a second sensor of hearing assist device 500 can be in a sleep or power down mode to conserve battery power. When a threshold is exceeded or other triggering event occurs, such first sensor can be reconfigured by the processing logic of hearing assist device 500 to sample at a higher rate or continuously and the second sensor can be powered up and configured. Additionally, multiple types of sensor data can be used to construct or derive single conclusions. For example, heart rate can be gathered multiple ways (via multiple sensors) and combined to provide a more robust and trustworthy conclusion. Likewise, a combination of data obtained from different sensors (e.g., pH plus temperature plus horizontal posture plus impact detected plus weak heart rate) may result in an ambulance being called or indicate a possible heart attack. Or, if glucose is too high, hyperglycemia may be indicated while if glucose it too low, hypoglycemia may be indicated. Or, if glucose and heart data is acceptable, then a stroke may be indicated. This processing can be done in whole or in part within hearing assist device 500 with audio content being played to the wearer thereof to gather further voiced information from the wearer to assist in conclusions or to warn the wearer.
FIG. 6 shows a hearing assist device 600 that is an example of hearing assist device 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. Hearing assist device 600 is configured to be at least partially inserted into the ear canal of a user (e.g., an ear bud). A user may wear a single hearing assist device 600 on one ear, or may simultaneously wear first and second hearing assist devices 600 on the user's right and left ears, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 6, hearing assist device 600 includes a case or housing 602 that has a generally cylindrical shape, and includes a first portion 604, a second portion 606, and a third portion 608. First portion 604 is shaped to be inserted at least partially into the ear canal of the user. Second portion 606 extends coaxially from first portion 604. Third portion 608 is a handle that extends from second portion 606. A user grasps third portion 608 to extract hearing assist device 600 from the ear of the user.
As shown in FIG. 6, hearing assist device 600 further includes pH sensor 510, speaker 512, IR (infrared) or sonic distance sensor 514, inner ear temperature sensor 516, and an antenna 610. pH sensor 510, speaker 512, IR (infrared) or sonic distance sensor 514, inner ear temperature sensor 516 may function and be configured similarly as described above. In another embodiment, hearing assist device 600 may include an outer ear temperature sensor to determine outside ear temperature. Antenna 610 may be include one or more coils or other types of antennas to function as any one or more of the coils/antennas described above with respect to FIG. 5 and/or elsewhere herein (e.g., an NFC antenna, a Bluetooth™ antenna, etc.).
It is noted that antennas, such as coils, mentioned herein may be implemented as any suitable type of antenna, including a coil, a microstrip antenna, or other antenna type. Although further sensors, communication mechanisms, switches, etc., of hearing assist device 500 of FIG. 5 are not shown included in hearing assist device 600, one or more further of these features of hearing assist device 500 may additionally and/or alternatively be included in hearing assist device 600. Furthermore, sensors that are present in a hearing assist device may all operate simultaneously, or one or more sensors may be run periodically, and may be off at other times (e.g., based on an algorithm in program code, etc.). By running fewer sensors at any one time, battery power may be conserved. Note that in addition to one or more of sensor data compression, analysis, encryption, and processing, sensor management (duty cycling, continuous operations, threshold triggers, sampling rates, etc.) can be performed in whole or in part in any one or both hear assist devices, the assisting local device (e.g., smart phone, tablet computer, set top box, TV, etc.), and/or remote computing systems (at medical staff offices or as might be available through a cloud or portal service).
Hearing assist devices 102, 500, and 600 may be configured in various ways with circuitry to process sensor information, and to communicate with other devices. The next section describes some example circuit embodiments for hearing assist devices, as well as processes for communicating with other devices, and for further functionality.

IV. Example Hearing Assist Device Circuit and Process Embodiments

According to embodiments, hearing assist devices may be configured in various ways to perform their functions. For instance, FIG. 7 shows a circuit block diagram of a hearing assist device 700 that is configured to communicate with external devices according to multiple communication schemes, according to an exemplary embodiment. Hearing assist devices 102, 500, and 600 may each be implemented similarly to hearing assist device 700, according to embodiments.
As shown in FIG. 7, hearing assist device 700 includes a plurality of sensors 702 a-702 c, processing logic 704, a microphone 706, an amplifier 708, a filter 710, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 712, a speaker 714, an NFC coil 716, an NFC transceiver 718, an antenna 720, a Bluetooth™ transceiver 722, a charge circuit 724, a battery 726, a plurality of sensor interfaces 728 a-728 c, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 764. Processing logic 704 includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 730, a central processing unit (CPU) 732, and a memory 734. Sensors 702 a-702 c, processing logic 704, amplifier 708, filter 710, A/D converter 712, NFC transceiver 718, Bluetooth™ transceiver 722, charge circuit 724, sensor interfaces 728 a-728 c, D/A converter 764, DSP 730, CPU 732, may each be implemented in the form of hardware (e.g., electrical circuits, digital logic, etc.) or a combination of hardware and software/firmware. The features of hearing assist device 700 shown in FIG. 7 are described as follows.
For instance, hearing aid functionality of hearing assist device 700 is first described. In FIG. 7, microphone 706, amplifier 708, filter 710, A/D converter 712, processing logic 704, D/A converter 764, and speaker 714 provide at least some of the hearing aid functionality of hearing assist device 700. Microphone 706 is a sensor that receives environmental sounds, including voice of the user of hearing assist device 700, voice of other persons, and other sounds in the environment (e.g., traffic noise, music, etc.). Microphone 706 may be configured in any manner, including being omni-directional (non-directional), directional, etc., and may include one or more microphones. Microphone 706 may be a miniature microphone conventionally used in hearing aids, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), or may be another suitable type of microphone. Microphone(s) 524 (FIG. 5) is an example of microphone 706. Microphone 706 generates a received audio signal 740 based on the received environmental sound.
Amplifier 708 receives and amplifies received audio signal 740 to generate an amplified audio signal 742. Amplifier 708 may be any type of amplifier, including a low-noise amplifier for amplifying low level signals. Filter 710 receives and processes amplified audio signal 742 to generate a filtered audio signal 744. Filter 710 may be any type of filter, including being a filter configured to filter out noise, other high frequencies, and/or other frequencies as desired. A/D converter 712 receives filtered audio signal 742, which may be an analog signal, and converts filtered audio signal 742 to digital form, to generate a digital audio signal 746. A/D converter 712 may be configured in any manner, including as a conventional A/D converter.
Processing logic 704 receives digital audio signal 746, and may process digital audio signal 746 in any manner to generate processed digital audio signal 762. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, DSP 730 may receive digital audio signal 746, and may perform digital signal processing on digital audio signal 746 to generate processed digital audio signal 762. DSP 730 may be configured in any manner, including as a conventional DSP known to person skilled in the relevant art(s), or in another manner. DSP 730 may perform any suitable type of digital signal processing to process/filter digital audio signal 746, including processing digital audio signal 746 in the frequency domain to manipulate the frequency spectrum of digital audio signal 746 (e.g., according to Fourier transform/analysis techniques, etc.). DSP 730 may amplify particular frequencies, may attenuate particular frequencies, and may otherwise modify digital audio signal 746 in the discrete domain. DSP 730 may perform the signal processing for various reasons, including noise cancelation or hearing loss compensation. For instance, DSP 730 may process digital audio signal 746 to compensate for a personal hearing frequency response of the user, such as compensating for poor hearing of high frequencies, middle range frequencies, or other personal frequency response characteristics of the user.
In one embodiment, DSP 730 may be pre-configured to process digital audio signal 746. In another embodiment, DSP 730 may receive instructions from CPU 732 regarding how to process digital audio signal 746. For instance, CPU 732 may access one or more DSP configurations in stored in memory 734 (e.g., in other data 768) that may be provided to DSP 730 to configure DSP 730 for digital signal processing of digital audio signal 746. For instance, CPU 732 may select a DSP configuration based on a hearing assist mode selected by a user of hearing assist device 700 (e.g., by interacting with switch 532, etc.).
As shown in FIG. 7, D/A converter 764 receives processed digital audio signal 762, and converts processed digital audio signal 762 to digital form, generating processed audio signal 766. D/A converter 764 may be configured in any manner, including as a conventional D/A converter. Speaker 714 receives processed audio signal 766, and broadcasts sound generated based on processed audio signal 766 into the ear of the user. The user is enabled to hear the broadcast sound, which may be amplified, filtered, and/or otherwise frequency manipulated with respect to the sound received by microphone 706. Speaker 714 may be a miniature speaker conventionally used in hearing aids, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), or may be another suitable type of speaker. Speaker 512 (FIG. 5) is an example of speaker 714. Speaker 714 may include one or more speakers.
Hearing assist device 700 of FIG. 7 is further described as follows with respect to FIGS. 8-14. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart 800 of a process for a hearing assist device that processes and transmits sensor data and receives a command from a second device, according to an exemplary embodiment. In an embodiment, hearing assist device 700 (as well as any of hearing assist devices 102, 500, and 600) may perform flowchart 800. Further structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following description of flowchart 800 and hearing assist device 700.
Flowchart 800 begins with step 802. In step 802, a sensor output signal is received from a medical sensor of the hearing assist device that senses a characteristic of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, sensors 702 a-702 c may each sense/measure information about a health characteristic of the user of hearing assist device 700. Sensors 702 a-702 c may each be one of the sensors shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and/or mentioned elsewhere herein. Although three sensors are shown in FIG. 7 for purposes of illustration, other numbers of sensors may be present in hearing assist device 700, including one sensor, two sensors, or greater numbers of sensors. Sensors 702 a-702 c each may generate a corresponding sensor output signal 758 a-758 c (e.g., an electrical signal) that indicates the measured information about the corresponding health characteristic. For instance, sensor output signals 758 a-758 c may be analog or digital signals having levels or values corresponding to the measured information.
Sensor interfaces 728 a-728 c are each optionally present, depending on whether the corresponding sensor outputs a sensor output signal that needs to be modified to be receivable by CPU 732. For instance, each of sensor interfaces 728 a-728 c may include an amplifier, filter, and/or A/D converter (e.g., similar to amplifier 708, filter 710, and A/D converter 712) that respectively amplify (e.g., increase or decrease), reduces particular frequencies, and/or convert to digital form the corresponding sensor output signal. Sensor interfaces 728 a-728 c (when present) respectively output modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c.
In step 804, the sensor output signal is processed to generate processed sensor data. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, processing logic 704 receives modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c. Processing logic 704 may process modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c in any manner to generate processed sensor data. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, CPU 732 may receive modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c. CPU 732 may process the sensor information in one or more of modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c to generate processed sensor data. For instance, CPU 732 may manipulate the sensor information (e.g., according to an algorithm of code 738) to convert the sensor information into a presentable form (e.g., scaling the sensor information, adding or subtracting a constant to/from the sensor information, etc.). Furthermore, CPU 732 may transmit the sensor information of modified sensor output signals 760 a-760 c to DSP 730 to be digital signal processed by DSP 730 to generate processed sensor data, and may receive the processed sensor data from DSP 730. The processed and/or raw (unprocessed) sensor data may optionally be stored in memory 734 (e.g., as sensor data 736).
In step 806, the processed sensor data is wirelessly transmitted from the hearing assist device to a second device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, CPU 732 may provide the sensor data (processed or raw) (e.g., from CPU registers, from DSP 730, from memory 734, etc.) to a transceiver to be transmitted from hearing assist device 700. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, hearing assist device 700 includes an NFC transceiver 718 and a BT transceiver 722, which may each be used to transmit sensor data from hearing assist device 700. In alternative embodiments, hearing assist device 700 may include one or more additional and/or alternative transceivers that may transmit sensor data from hearing assist device 700, including a Wi-Fi transceiver, a forward IR/UV communication transceiver (e.g., transceiver 520 of FIG. 5), a telecoil transceiver (which may transmit via telecoil 526), a skin communication transceiver 534 (which may transmit via skin communication conductor 534), etc. The operation of such alternative transceivers will become apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided herein.
As shown in FIG. 7, NFC transceiver 718 may receive an information signal 740 from CPU 732 that includes sensor data for transmitting. In an embodiment, NFC transceiver 718 may modulate the sensor data onto NFC antenna signal 748 to be transmitted from hearing assist device 700 by NFC coil 716 when NFC coil 716 is energized by an RF field generated by a second device.
Similarly, BT transceiver 722 may receive an information signal 754 from CPU 732 that includes sensor data for transmitting. In an embodiment, BT transceiver 722 may modulate the sensor data onto BT antenna signal 752 to be transmitted from hearing assist device 700 by antenna 720 (e.g., BTLE antenna 522 of FIG. 5), according to a Bluetooth™ communication protocol or standard.
In embodiments, a hearing assist device may transmit/make a first communication with one or more other devices to provide sensor data and/or other information, and to receive information. For instance, FIG. 9 shows a communication system 900 that includes a hearing assist device communicating with other communication devices, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, communication system 900 includes hearing assist device 700, a mobile computing device 902, a stationary computing device 904, and a server 906. System 900 is described as follows.
Mobile computing device 902 (e.g., a local supporting device) is a device capable of communicating with hearing assist device 700 according to one or more communication techniques. For instance, as shown in FIG. 9, mobile computing device 902 includes a telecoil 910, one or more microphones 912, an IR/UV communication transceiver 914, a WPT/NFC coil 916, and a Bluetooth™ antenna 918. In embodiments, mobile computing device 902 may include one or more of these features and/or alternative or additional features (e.g., communication mechanisms, etc.). Mobile computing device 902 may be any type of mobile electronic device, including a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer (e.g., an Apple iPad™), a netbook, a mobile phone (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, etc.), a special purpose medical device, etc. The features of mobile computing device 902 shown in FIG. 9 are described as follows.
Telecoil 910 is a communication mechanism that may be present to enable mobile computing device 902 to communicate with hearing assist device 700 via a telecoil (e.g., telecoil 526 of FIG. 5). For instance, telecoil 910 and an associated transceiver may enable mobile computing device 902 to couple audio sources and/or other communications to hearing assist device 700 in a manner known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
Microphone(s) 912 may be present to receive voice of a user of mobile computing device 902. For instance, the user may provide instructions for mobile computing device 902 and/or for hearing assist device 700 by speaking into microphone(s) 912. The received voice may be transmitted to hearing assist device 700 (in digital or analog form) according to any communication mechanism, or may be converted into data and/or commands to be provided to hearing assist device 700 to cause functions/actions in hearing assist device 700. Microphone(s) 912 may include any number of microphones, and may be configured in any manner, including being omni-directional (non-directional), directional, etc.
IR/UV communication transceiver 914 is a communication mechanism that may be present to enable communications with hearing assist device 700 via an IR/UV communication transceiver of hearing assist device 700 (e.g., forward IR/UV communication transceiver 520 of FIG. 5). IR/UV communication transceiver 914 may receive information/data from and/or transmit information/data to hearing assist device 700 (e.g., in the form of modulated light, as described above).
WPT/NFC coil 916 is an NFC antenna coupled to a NFC transceiver in mobile computing device 902 that may be present to enable NFC communications with an NFC communication mechanism of hearing assist device 700 (e.g., NFC transceiver 110 of FIG. 1, NFC coil 530 of FIG. 5). WPT/NFC coil 916 may be used to receive information/data from and/or transmit information/data to hearing assist device 700.
Bluetooth™ antenna 918 is a communication mechanism coupled to a Bluetooth™ transceiver in mobile computing device 902 that may be present to enable communications with hearing assist device 700 (e.g., BT transceiver 722 and antenna 720 of FIG. 7). Bluetooth™ antenna 918 may be used to receive information/data from and/or transmit information/data to hearing assist device 700.
As shown in FIG. 9, mobile computing device 902 and hearing assist device 700 may exchange communication signals 920 according to any communication mechanism/protocol/standard mentioned herein or otherwise known. According to step 806, hearing assist device 700 may wirelessly transmit sensor data to mobile computing device 902.
Stationary computing device 904 (e.g., a local supporting device) is also a device capable of communicating with hearing assist device 700 according to one or more communication techniques. For instance, stationary computing device 904 may be capable of communicating with hearing assist device 700 according to any of the communication mechanisms shown for mobile computing device 902 in FIG. 9, and/or according to other communication mechanisms/protocols/standards described elsewhere herein or otherwise known. Stationary computing device 904 may be any type of stationary electronic device, including a desktop computer (e.g., a personal computer, etc.), a docking station, a set top box, a gateway device, an access point, special purpose medical equipment, etc.
As shown in FIG. 9, stationary computing device 904 and hearing assist device 700 may exchange communication signals 922 according to any communication mechanism/protocol/standard mentioned herein or otherwise known. According to step 806, hearing assist device 700 may wirelessly transmit sensor data to stationary computing device 904.
It is noted that mobile computing device 902 (and/or stationary computing device 904) may communicate with server 906 (e.g., a remote supporting device, a third device). For instance, as shown in FIG. 9, mobile computing device (and/or stationary computing device 904) may be communicatively coupled with server 906 by network 908. Network 908 may be any type of communication network, including a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), a phone network (e.g., a cellular network, a land based network), or a combination of communication networks, such as the Internet. Network 908 may include wired and/or wireless communication pathway(s) implemented using any of a wide variety of communication media and associated protocols. For example, such communication pathway(s) may comprise wireless communication pathways implemented via radio frequency (RF) signaling, infrared (IR) signaling, or the like. Such signaling may be carried out using long-range wireless protocols such as WIMAX® (IEEE 802.16) or GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), medium-range wireless protocols such as WI-FI® (IEEE 802.11), and/or short-range wireless protocols such as BLUETOOTH® or any of a variety of IR-based protocols. Such communication pathway(s) may also comprise wired communication pathways established over twisted pair, Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or the like, using suitable communication protocols therefor. It is noted that security protocols (e.g., private key exchange, etc.) may be used to protect sensitive health information that is communicated by hearing assist device 700 to and from remote devices.
Server 906 may be any computer system, including a stationary computing device, a server computer, a mobile computing device, etc. Server 906 may include a web service, an API (application programming interface), or other service or interface for communications.
Sensor data and/or other information may be transmitted (e.g., relayed) to server 906 over network 908 to be processed. After such processing, in response, server 906 may transmit processed data, instructions, and/or other information through network 908 to mobile computing device 902 (and/or stationary computing device 904) to be transmitted to hearing assist device 700 to be stored, to cause a function/action at hearing assist device 700, and/or for other reason.
Referring back to FIG. 8, in step 808, at least one command is received from the second device at the hearing assist device. For instance, referring to FIG. 7, hearing assist device 700 may receive a second communication as a wirelessly transmitted communication signal from a second device at NFC coil 716, antenna 720, or other antenna or communication mechanism at hearing assist device 700. The communication may include a command and/or may identify a function, and hearing assist device 700 may respond by performing the command and/or function. For instance, hearing assist device 700 may respond by gathering additional sensor data, by analyzing retrieved sensor data, by performing a command, etc. Example commands include commands relating to sensor data capture, such as a command for a particular sensor to perform and/or provide a measurement, a command related to a sensing configuration (e.g., turning on and/or off particular sensors, calibrating particular sensors, etc.), a command related to a hearing assist device configuration (e.g., turning on and/or off particular hearing assist device components, calibrating particular components, etc.), a command that defines audio playback, etc. A received communication may define audio playback, such as by including or causing audio data to be played to the user by a speaker of hearing assist device 700 as voice or other sound, including or causing audio data to be played to the user by a speaker of hearing assist device 700 that prompts for user input (e.g., requests a user response to a question, etc.), etc.
For instance, in the example of NFC coil 716, a command may be transmitted from NFC coil 716 on NFC antenna signal 748 to NFC transceiver 718. NFC transceiver 718 may demodulate command data from the received communication signal, and provide the command to CPU 732. In the example of antenna 720, the command may be transmitted from antenna 720 on BT antenna signal 752 to BT transceiver 722. BT transceiver 722 may demodulate command data from the received communication signal, and provide the command to CPU 732.
CPU 732 may execute the received command. The received command may cause hearing assist device 700 to perform one or more functions/actions. For instance, in embodiments, the command may cause hearing assist device 700 to turn on or off, to change modes, to activate or deactivate one or more sensors, to wirelessly transmit further information, to execute particular program code (e.g., stored as code 738 in memory 734), to play a sound (e.g., an alert, a tone, a beeping noise, pre-recorded or synthesized voice, etc.) from speaker 714 to the user to inform the user of information and/or cause the user to perform a function/action, and/or cause one or more additional and/or alternative functions/actions to be performed by hearing assist device 700. Further examples of such commands and functions/actions are described elsewhere herein.
In embodiments, a hearing assist device may be configured to convert received RF energy into charge for storage in a battery of the hearing assist device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, hearing assist device 700 includes charge circuit 724 for charging battery 726, which is a rechargeable battery (e.g., rechargeable battery 114). In an embodiment, charge circuit 724 may operate according to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart 1000 of a process for a wirelessly charging a battery of a hearing assist device, according to an exemplary embodiment. Flowchart 1000 is described as follows.
In step 1002 of flowchart 1000, a radio frequency signal is received. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, NFC coil 716, antenna 720, and/or other antenna or coil of hearing assist device 700 may receive a radio frequency (RF) signal. The RF signal may be a communication signal that includes data (e.g., modulated on the RF signal), or may be an un-modulated RF signal. Charge circuit 724 may be coupled to one or more of NFC coil 716, antenna 720, or other antenna to receive the RF signal.
In step 1004, a charge current is generated that charges a rechargeable battery of the hearing assist device based on the received radio frequency signal. In an embodiment, charge circuit 724 is configured to generate a charge current 756 that is used to charge battery 726. Charge circuit 724 may be configured in various ways to convert a received RF signal to a charge current. For instance, charge circuit 724 may include an induction coil to take power from an electromagnetic field and convert it to electrical current. Alternatively, charge circuit 724 may include a diode rectifier circuit that rectifies the received RF signal to a DC (direct current) signal, and may include one or more charge pump circuits coupled to the diode rectifier circuit used to create a higher voltage value from the DC signal. Alternatively, charge circuit 724 may be configured in other ways to generate charge current 756 from a received RF signal.
In this manner, hearing assist device 700 may maintain power for operation, with battery 726 being charged periodically by RF fields generated by other devices, rather than needing to physically replace batteries.
In another embodiment, hearing assist device 700 may be configured to generate sound based on received sensor data. For instance, hearing assist device 700 may operate according to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart 1100 of a process for generating and broadcasting sound based on sensor data, according to an exemplary embodiment. For purposes of illustration, flowchart 1100 is described as follows with reference to FIG. 7.
Flowchart 1100 begins with step 1102. In step 1102, an audio signal is generated based at least on the processed sensor data. For instance, as described above with respect to steps 802 and 804 of flowchart 800 (FIG. 8), a sensor output signal may be processed to generate processed sensor data. The processed sensor data may be stored in memory 736 as sensor data 736, may be held in registers in CPU 732, or may be present in another location. Audio data for one or more sounds (e.g., tones, beeping sounds, voice segments, etc.) may be stored in memory 734 (e.g., as other data 768) that may be selected for play to the user based on particular sensor data (e.g., particular values of sensor data, etc.). CPU 732 or DSP 730 may select the audio data corresponding to particular sensor data from memory 734. Alternatively, CPU 732 may transmit a request for the audio data from another device using a communication mechanism (e.g., NFC transceiver 718, BT transceiver 722, etc.). DSP 730 may receive the audio data from CPU 732, from memory 734, or from another device, and may generate processed digital audio signal 762 based thereon.
In step 1104, sound is generated based on the audio signal, the sound broadcast from a speaker of the hearing assist device into the ear of the user. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, D/A converter 764 may be present, and may receive processed digital audio signal 762. D/A converter 764 may convert processed digital audio signal 762 to digital form to generate processed audio signal 766. Speaker 714 receives processed audio signal 766, and broadcasts sound generated based on processed audio signal 766 into the ear of the user.
In this manner, sounds may be provided to the user by hearing assist device 700 based at least on sensor data, and optionally further based on additional information. The sounds may provide information to the user, and may remind or instruct the user to perform a function/action. The sounds may include one or more of a tone, a beeping sound, or a voice that includes at least one of a verbal instruction to the user, a verbal warning to the user, or a verbal question to the user. For instance, a tone or a beeping sound may be provided to the user as an alert based on particular values of sensor data (e.g., indicating a high glucose/blood sugar value), and/or a voice instruction may be provided to the user as the alert based on the particular values of sensor data (e.g., a voice segment stating “Blood sugar is low—Insulin is required” or “hey, your heart rate is 80 beats per minute, your heart is fine, your pacemaker has got 6 hours of battery left.”).
In another embodiment, hearing assist device 700 may be configured to generate filtered environmental sound. For instance, hearing assist device 700 may operate according to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart 1200 of a process for generating and broadcasting filtered sound from a hearing assist device, according to an exemplary embodiment. For purposes of illustration, flowchart 1200 is described as follows with reference to FIG. 7.
Flowchart 1200 begins with step 1202. In step 1202, an audio signal is generated based on environmental sound received by at least one microphone of the hearing assist device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, microphone 706 may generate a received audio signal 740 based on received environmental sound. Received audio signal 740 may optionally be amplified, filtered, and converted to digital form to generate digital audio signal 746, as shown in FIG. 7.
In step 1204, one or more frequencies of the audio signal are selectively favored to generate a modified audio signal. As shown in FIG. 7, DSP 730 may receive digital audio signal 746, and may perform digital signal processing on digital audio signal 746 to generate processed digital audio signal 762. DSP 730 may favor one or more frequencies by amplifying particular frequencies, attenuate particular frequencies, and/or by otherwise filtering digital audio signal 746 in the discrete domain. DSP 730 may perform the signal processing for various reasons, including noise cancelation or hearing loss compensation. For instance, DSP 730 may process digital audio signal 746 to compensate for a personal hearing frequency response of the user, such as compensating for poor hearing of high frequencies, middle range frequencies, or other personal frequency response characteristics of the user.
In step 1206, sound is generated based on the modified audio signal, the sound broadcast from a speaker of the hearing assist device into the ear of the user. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, D/A converter 764 may be present, and may receive processed digital audio signal 762. D/A converter 764 may convert processed digital audio signal 762 to digital form to generate processed audio signal 766. Speaker 714 receives processed audio signal 766, and broadcasts sound generated based on processed audio signal 766 into the ear of the user.
In this manner, environmental noise, voice, and other sounds may be tailored to a particular user's personal hearing frequency response characteristics. Furthermore, particular noises in the environment may be attenuated (e.g., road noise, engine noise, etc.) to be filtered from the received environmental sounds so that the user may better hear important or desired sounds. Furthermore, sounds that are desired to be heard (e.g., music, a conversation, a verbal warning, verbal instructions, sirens, sounds of a nearby car accident, etc.) may be amplified so that the user may better hear them.
In another embodiment, hearing assist device 700 may be configured to transmit recorded voice of a user to another device. For instance, hearing assist device 700 may operate according to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows a flowchart 1300 of a process for generating an information signal in a hearing assist device based on a voice of a user, and for transmitting the information signal to a second device, according to an exemplary embodiment. For purposes of illustration, flowchart 1300 is described as follows with reference to FIG. 7.
Flowchart 1300 begins with step 1302. In step 1302, an audio signal is generated based on a voice of the user received at a microphone of the hearing assist device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, microphone 706 may generate a received audio signal 740 based on received voice of the user. Received audio signal 740 may optionally be amplified, filtered, and converted to digital form to generate digital audio signal 746, as shown in FIG. 7.
The voice of the user may be any statement made by the user, including a question, a statement of fact, a command, or any other verbal sequence. For instance, the user may ask “what is my heart rate”. All such statements made by the user can be those intended for capture by one or more hearing assist devices, supporting local and remote systems. Such statements may also include unintentional sounds such as semi-lucid ramblings, moaning, choking, coughing, and/or other sounds. Any one or more of the hearing assist devices and the supporting local device can receive (via microphones) such audio and forward the audio from the hearing assist device(s) as needed for further processing. This processing may include voice and/or sound recognition, comparisons with command words or sequences, (video, audio) prompting for (gesture, tactile or audible) confirmation, carrying out commands, storage for later analysis or playback, and/or forwarding to an appropriate recipient system for further processing, storage, and/or presentations to others.
In step 1304, an information signal is generated based on the audio signal. As shown in FIG. 7, DSP 730 may receive digital audio signal 746. In an embodiment, DSP 730 and/or CPU 732 may generate an information signal from digital audio signal 746 to be transmitted to a second device from hearing assist device 700. DSP 730 and/or CPU 732 may optionally perform voice/speech recognition on digital audio signal 746 to recognize spoken words included therein, and may include the spoken words in the generated information signal.
For instance, in an embodiment, code 738 stored in memory 734 may include a voice recognition program that may be executed by CPU 732 and/or DSP 730. The voice recognition program may use conventional or proprietary voice recognition techniques. Furthermore, such voice recognition techniques may be augmented by sensor data. For instance, as described above, position/motion sensor 518 may include a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor may detect vibrations of the user associated with speaking (e.g., jaw movement of the wearer during talking), and generates corresponding vibration information/data. The vibration information output by the vibration sensor may be received by CPU 732 and/or DSP 730, and may be used to aid in improving speech/voice recognition performed by the voice recognition program. For instance, the vibration information may be used by the voice recognition program to detect breaks between words, to identify the location of spoken syllables, to identify the syllables themselves, and/or to better perform other aspects of voice recognition. Alternatively, the vibration information may be transmitted from hearing assist device 700, along with the information signal, to a second device to perform the voice recognition process at the second device (or other device).
In step 1306, the generated information signal is transmitted to the second device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, CPU 732 may provide the information signal (e.g., from CPU registers, from DSP 730, from memory 734, etc.) to a transceiver to be transmitted from hearing assist device 700 (e.g., NFC transceiver 718, BT transceiver 722, or other transceiver).
Another device, such as mobile computing device 902, stationary computing device 904, and server 906, which may be associated devices, third party devices (utilized by third parties), or be otherwise related to or not related to hearing assist device 700, may receive the transmitted voice information, and may analyze the voice (spoken words, moans, slurred words, etc.) therein to determine one or more functions/actions to be performed. As a result, one or more functions/actions may be determined to be performed by hearing assist device 700 or another device.
In another embodiment, hearing assist device 700 may be configured to enable voice to be received and/or generated to be played to the user. For instance, hearing assist device 700 may operate according to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart 1400 of a process for generating voice to be broadcast to a user, according to an exemplary embodiment. For purposes of illustration, flowchart 1400 is described as follows with reference to FIG. 7.
Flowchart 1400 begins with step 1402. In step 1402, a sensor output signal is received from a medical sensor of the hearing assist device that senses a characteristic of the user. Similarly to step 802 of FIG. 8, sensors 702 a-702 c each sense/measure information about a health characteristic of the user of hearing assist device 700. For instance, sensor 702 a may sense a characteristic of the user (e.g., a heart rate, a blood pressure, a glucose level, a temperature, etc.). Sensors 702 a generates sensor output signal 758 a, which indicates the measured information about the corresponding health characteristic. Sensor interface 728 a, when present, may convert sensor output signal 758 a to modified sensor output signal 760 a, to be received by processing logic.
In step 1404, processed sensor data is generated based on the sensor output signal. Similarly to step 804 of FIG. 8, processing logic 704 receives modified sensor output signal 760 a, and may process modified sensor output signal 760 a in any manner. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, CPU 732 may receive modified sensor output signal 760 a, and may process the sensor information contained therein to generate processed sensor data. For instance, CPU 732 may manipulate the sensor information (e.g., according to an algorithm of code 738) to convert the sensor information into a presentable form (e.g., scaling the sensor information, adding or subtracting a constant to/from the sensor information, etc.), or may otherwise process the sensor information. Furthermore, CPU 732 may transmit the sensor information of modified sensor output signal 760 a to DSP 730 to be digital signal processed.
In step 1406, a voice audio signal generated based at least on the processed sensor data is received. In an embodiment, the processed sensor data generated in step 1404 may be transmitted from hearing assist device 700 to another device (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), and a voice audio signal may be generated at the other device based on the processed sensor data. In another embodiment, the voice audio signal may be generated by processing logic 704 based on the processed sensor data. The voice audio signal contains voice information (e.g., spoken words) that relate to the processed sensor data. For instance, the voice information may include a verbal alert, verbal instructions, and/or other verbal information to be provided to the user based on the processed sensor data (e.g., based on a value of measured sensor data, etc.). The voice information may be generated by being synthesized, being retrieved from memory 734 (e.g., a library of record spoken segments in other data 768), or being generated from a combination thereof. It is noted that the voice audio signal may be generated based on processed sensor data from one or more sensors. DSP 730 may output the voice audio signal as processed digital audio signal 762.
In step 1408, voice is broadcast from the speaker into the ear of the user based on the received voice audio signal. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, D/A converter 764 may be present, and may receive processed digital audio signal 762. D/A converter 764 may convert processed digital audio signal 762 to digital form to generate processed audio signal 766. Speaker 714 receives processed audio signal 766, and broadcasts voice generated based on processed audio signal 766 into the ear of the user.
In this manner, voice may be provided to the user by hearing assist device 700 based at least on sensor data, and optionally further based on additional information. The voice may provide information to the user, and may remind or instruct the user to perform a function/action. For instance, the voice may include at least one of a verbal instruction to the user (“take an iron supplement”), a verbal warning to the user (“your heart rate is high”), a verbal question to the user (“have you fallen down, and do you need assistance?”), or a verbal answer to the user (“your heart rate is 98 beats per minute”).
The next section describes some example hardware/software/firmware embodiments for hearing assist devices and associated remote devices.

V. Hearing Assist Device and Remote Device Embodiments

In embodiments, hearing assist devices may be configured to perform various functions using hardware (e.g., circuits), or a combination of hardware and software/firmware (e.g., code 738 of FIG. 7, etc.). Furthermore, hearing assist devices may communicate with remote devices (e.g., mobile computing device 902, stationary computing device 904, server 906, etc.) that include corresponding functionality. According to an embodiment, FIG. 15 shows a system 1500 comprising a hearing assist device 1501 and a cloud/service/phone portable device 1503 that may be communicatively connected thereto. Hearing assist device 1501 may comprise, for example and without limitation, one of hearing assist devices 102, 500, 600, or 700 described above. Although only a single hearing assist device 1501 is shown in FIG. 15, it is to be understood that system 1500 may include two hearing assist devices. Device 1503 may comprise, for example and without limitation, mobile computing device 902, stationary computing device 904, server 906, or another remote device that is accessible to hearing assist device 1501. Thus device 1503 may be local with respect to the wearer of hearing assist device 1501 or remote with respect to the wearer of hearing assist device 1501.
Hearing assist device 1501 includes a number of processing modules that may be implemented as software or firmware running on one or more general purpose processors (e.g., CPU 732 of FIG. 7) and/or DSPs (e.g., DSP 730), as dedicated circuitry, or as a combination thereof. Such processors and/or dedicated circuitry are collectively referred to in FIG. 15 as general purpose (DSP) and dedicated processing circuitry 1513. As shown in FIG. 15, the processing modules include a speech generation module 1523, a speech/noise recognition module 1525, an enhanced audio processing module 1527, a clock/scheduler module 1529, a mode select and reconfiguration module 1531, and a battery management module 1533.
As also shown in FIG. 15, hearing assist device 1501 further includes local storage 1535. Local storage 1535 comprises one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory devices or structures that are internal to hearing assist device 1501 (e.g., memory 734 of FIG. 7). Such memory devices or structures may be used to store recorded audio information in an audio playback queue 1537 as well as to store information and settings 1539 associated with hearing assist device 1501, a user thereof, a device paired thereto, and to services (cloud-based or otherwise) accessed by or on behalf of hearing assist device 1501.
Hearing assist device 1501 further includes sensor components and associated circuitry 1541. Such sensor components and associated circuitry may include but are not limited to one or more microphones, bone conduction sensors, temperature sensors, blood pressure sensors, blood glucose sensors, pulse oximetry sensors, pH sensors, vibration sensors, accelerometers, gyros, magnetos, any other sensor mentioned elsewhere herein, or the like.
Hearing assist device 1501 still further includes user interface (UI) components and associated circuitry 1543. Such UI components may include buttons, switches, dials, capacitive touch sensing devices, or other mechanical components by which a user may control and configure the operation of hearing assist device 1501 (e.g., switch 532 and volume controller 540). Such UI components may also comprise capacitive sensing components to allow for touch-based or tap-based interaction with hearing assist device 1501. Such UI components may further include a voice-based UI. Such voice-based UI may utilize speech/noise recognition module 1525 to recognize commands uttered by a user of hearing assist device 1501 and/or speech generation module 1523 to provide output in the form of pre-defined or synthesized speech. In an embodiment in which hearing assist device 1501 comprise an integrated part of a pair of glasses, visor or helmet, user interface component and associated circuitry 1543 may also comprise a display integrated with or projected upon a portion of the glasses, visor or helmet for presenting information to a user.
Hearing assist device 1501 also includes communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1545 for carrying out communication over one or more wired, wireless, or skin-based communication pathways. Communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1545 enable hearing assist device 1501 to communicate with device 1503. Communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1545 may also enable hearing assist device 1501 to communicate with a second hearing assist device worn by the same user as well as with other devices.
Generally speaking, cloud/service/phone/portable device 1503 comprises power resources, processing resources, and storage resources that can be used by hearing assist device 1501 to assist in performing certain operations and/or to improve the performance of such operations when a communication pathway has been established between the two devices.
In particular, device 1503 includes a number of assist processing modules that may be implemented as software or firmware running on one or more general purpose processors and/or DSPs, as dedicated circuitry, or as a combination thereof. Such processors and/or dedicated circuitry are collectively referred to in FIG. 15 as general/dedicated processing circuitry (with hearing assist device support) 1553. As shown in FIG. 15, the processing modules include a speech generation assist module 1555, a speech/noise recognition assist module 1557, an enhanced audio processing assist module 1559, a clock/scheduler assist module 1561, a mode select and reconfiguration assist module 1563, and a battery management assist module 1565.
As also shown in FIG. 15, device 1503 further includes storage 1567. Storage 1567 comprises one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory devices/structures and/or storage systems that are internal to or otherwise accessible to device 1503. Such memory devices/structures and/or storage systems may be used to store recorded audio information in an audio playback queue 1569 as well as to store information and settings 1571 associated with hearing assist device 1501, a user thereof, a device paired thereto, and to services (cloud-based or otherwise) accessed by or on behalf of hearing assist device 1501. For instance, storage 1567 may be used to record commands to be cached in device 1503, such that when a time window becomes available for device 1571 to communicate with the outside environment (because of power savings or availability), such stored commands (and/or other data) may be sent to the user's mobile device, other devices, the cloud, etc. for processing. Results of such processing may be transmitted back to device 1503, to an email address of the user, a text message address of the user, and/or may be provided to the user in another manner.
Device 1503 also includes communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1577 for carrying out communication over one or more wired, wireless or skin-based communication pathways. Communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1577 enable device 1503 to communicate with hearing assist device 1501. Such communication may be direct (point-to-point between device 1503 and hearing assist device 1501) or indirect (through one or more intervening devices or nodes). Communication interfaces and associated circuitry 1577 may also enable device 1503 to communicate with other devices or access various remote services, including cloud-based services.
In an embodiment in which device 1503 comprises a device that is carried by or is otherwise locally accessible to a wearer of hearing assist device 1501, device 1503 may also comprise supplemental sensor components and associated circuitry 1573 and supplemental user interface components and associated circuitry 1575 that can be used by hearing assist device 1501 to assist in performing certain operations and/or to improve the performance of such operations.
Further explanation and examples of how external operational support may be provided to a hearing assist device will now be provided with continued reference to system 1500 of FIG. 15.
A prerequisite for providing external operational support to hearing assist device 1501 by device 1503 may be the establishment of a communication pathway between device 1503 and hearing assist device 1501. In one embodiment, the establishment of such a communication pathway is achieved by implementing a communication service on hearing assist device 1501 that monitors for the presence of device 1503 and selectively establishes communication therewith in accordance with a predefined protocol. Alternatively, a communication service may be implemented on device 1503 that monitors for the presence of hearing assist device 1501 and selectively establishes communication therewith in accordance with a predefined protocol. Still other methods of establishing a communication pathway between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503 may be used.
Hearing assist device 1501 includes battery management module 1533 that monitors a state of a battery internal to hearing assist device 1501. Battery management module 1501 may also be configured to alert a wearer of hearing assist device 1501 when such battery is in a low-power state so that the wearer can recharge the battery. As discussed above, the wearer of hearing assist device 1501 can cause such recharging to occur by bringing a portable electronic device within a certain distance of hearing assist device 1501 such that power may be transferred via an NFC link, WPT link, or other suitable link for transferring power between such devices. In an embodiment in which device 1503 comprises such a portable electronic device, hearing assist device 1501 may be said to be utilizing the power resources of device 1503 to assist in the performance of its operations.
As also noted above, when a communication pathway has been established between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503, hearing assist device 1501 can also utilize other resources of device 1503 to assist in performing certain operations and/or to improve the performance of such operations. Whether and when hearing assist device 1501 so utilizes the resources of device 1503 may vary depending upon the designs of such devices and/or any user configuration of such devices.
For example, hearing assist device 1501 may be programmed to only utilize certain resources of device 1503 when the battery power available to hearing assist device 1501 has dropped below a certain level. As another example, hearing assist device 1501 may be programmed to only utilize certain resources of device 1503 when it is determined that an estimated amount of power that will be consumed in maintaining a particular communication pathway between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503 will be less than an estimated amount of power that will be saved by offloading functionality to and/or utilizing the resources of device 1503. In accordance with such an embodiment, an assistance feature of device 1503 may be provided when a very low power communication pathway can be established or exists between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503, but that same assistance feature of device 1503 may be disabled if the only communication pathway that can be established or exists between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503 is one that consumes a relatively greater amount of power.
Still other decision algorithms can be used to determine whether and when hearing assist device 1501 will utilize resources of device 1503. Such algorithms may be applied by battery management module 1533 of hearing assist device 1501 and/or by battery management assist module 1565 of device 1503 prior to activating assistance features of device 1503. Furthermore, a user interface provided by hearing assist device 1501 and/or device 1503 may enable a user to select which features of hearing assist device 1501 should be able to utilize external operational support and/or under what conditions such external operational support should be provided. The settings established by the user may be stored as part of information and settings 1539 in local storage 1535 of hearing assist device 1501 and/or as part of information and settings 1571 in storage 1567 of device 1503.
In accordance with certain embodiments, hearing assist device 1501 can also utilize resources of a second hearing assist device to perform certain operations. For example, hearing assist device 1501 may communicate with a second hearing assist device worn by the same user to coordinate distribution or shared execution of particular operations. Such communication may be carried out, for example, via a point-to-point link between the two hearing assist devices or via links between the two hearing assist devices and an intermediate device, such as a portable electronic device being carried by a user. The determination of whether a particular operation should be performed by hearing assist device 1501 versus the second hearing assist device may be made by battery management module 1533, a battery management module of the second hearing assist device, or via coordination between both battery management modules.
For example, if hearing assist device 1501 has more battery power available then the second hearing assist device, hearing assist device 1501 may be selected to perform a particular operation, such as taking a blood pressure reading or the like. Such battery imbalance may result from, for example, one hearing assist device being used at a higher volume than the other over an extended period of time. Via coordination between the two hearing assist devices, a more balanced discharging of the batteries of both devices can be achieved. Furthermore, in accordance with certain embodiments, certain sensors may be present on hearing assist device 1501 that are not present on the second hearing assist device and certain sensors may be present on the second hearing assist device that are not present on hearing assist device 1501, such that a distribution of functionality between the two hearing assist devices is achieved by design.
Hearing assist device 1501 comprises a speech generation module 1523 that enables hearing assist device 1501 to generate and output verbal audio information (spoken words or the like) to a wearer thereof via a speaker of hearing assist device 1501. Such verbal audio information may be used to implement a voice UI, to provide speech-based alerts, messages and reminders as part of a clock/scheduler feature implemented by clock/schedule module 1529, or to provide emergency alerts or messages to a wearer of hearing assist device based on a detected medical condition of the wearer, or the like. The speech generated by speech generation module 1523 may be pre-recorded and/or dynamically synthesized, depending upon the implementation.
When a communication pathway has been established between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503, speech generation assist module 1555 of device 1503 may operate to perform all or part of the speech generation function that would otherwise be performed by speech generation module 1523 of hearing assist device 1501. Such operation by device 1503 can advantageously cause the battery power of hearing assist device 1501 to be conserved. Any speech generated by speech generation assist module 1555 may be communicated back to hearing assist device 1501 for playback via at least one speaker of hearing assist device 1501. Any of a wide variety of well-known speech codecs may be used to carry out such transmission of speech information in an efficient manner. Additionally or alternatively, any speech generated by speech generation assist module 1555 can be played back via one or more speakers of device 1503 if device 1503 is local with respect to the wearer of hearing assist device 1501.
Furthermore, speech generation assist module 1555 may provide a more elaborate set of features than those provided by speech generation module 1523, as device 1503 may have access to greater power, processing and storage resources than hearing assist device 1501 to support such additional features. For example, speech generation assist module 1555 may provide a more extensive vocabulary of pre-recorded words, terms and sentences or may provide a more powerful speech synthesis engine.
Hearing assist device 1501 includes a speech/noise recognition module 1525 that is operable to apply speech and/or noise recognition algorithms to audio input received via one or more microphones of hearing assist device 1501. Such algorithms can enable speech/noise recognition module 1525 to determine when a wearer of hearing assist device 1501 is speaking and further to recognize words that are spoken by such wearer, while rejecting non-speech utterances and noise. Such algorithms may be used, for example, to enable hearing assist device 1501 to provide a voice-based UI by which a wearer of hearing assist device 1501 can exercise voice-based control over the device.
When a communication pathway has been established between hearing assist device 1501 and device 1503, speech/noise recognition assist module 1557 of device 1503 may operate to perform all or part of the speech/noise recognition functions that would otherwise be performed by speech/noise recognition module 1525 of hearing assist device 1501. Such operation by device 1503 can advantageously cause the battery power of hearing assist device 1501 to be conserved.
Furthermore, speech/noise recognition assist module 1557 may provide a more elaborate set of features than those provided by speech/noise recognition module 1525, as device 1503 may have access to greater power, processing and storage resources than hearing assist device 1501 to support such additional features. For example, speech/noise recognition assist module 1557 may include a training program that a wearer of hearing assist device 1501 can use to train the speech recognition logic to better recognize and interpret his/her own voice. As another example, speech/noise recognition assist module 1557 may include a process by which a wearer of hearing assist device 1501 can add new words to the dictionary of words that are recognized by the speech recognition logic. Such additional features may be included in an application that can be installed by the wearer on device 1503. Such additional features may also be supported by a user interface that forms part of supplemental user interface components and associated circuitry 1575. Of course, such features may be included in speech/noise recognition module 1525 in accordance with certain embodiments.
Hearing assist device 1501 includes an enhanced audio processing module 1527. Enhanced audio processing module 1527 may be configured to process an input audio signal received by hearing assist device 1501 to achieve a desired frequency response prior to playing back such input audio signal to a wearer of hearing assist device 1501. For example, enhanced audio processing module 1527 may selectively amplify certain frequency components of an input audio signal prior to playing back such input audio signal to the wearer. The frequency response to be achieved may specified by or derived from a prescription for the wearer that is provided to hearing assist device 1501 by an external device or system. In certain embodiments, such prescription may be formatted in a standardized manner in order to facilitate use thereof by any of a variety of hearing assistance devices and audio reproduction systems.
In accordance with a further embodiment in which hearing assist device 1501 is worn in conjunction with a second hearing assist device, enhanced audio processing module 1527 may modify a first input audio signal received by hearing assist device 1501 prior to playback of the first input audio signal to one ear of the wearer, while an enhanced audio processing module of the second hearing assist device modifies a second input audio signal received by the second hearing assist device prior to playback of the second input audio signal to the other ear of the wearer. Such modification of the first and second input audio signals can be used to achieve enhanced spatial signaling for the wearer. That is to say, the enhanced audio signals provided to both ears of the wearer will enable the wearer to better determine the spatial origin of sounds. Such enhancement is desirable for persons who have a poor ability to detect the spatial origin of sound, and therefore a poor ability to responds to spatial cues. To determine the appropriate modifications for the left and right ear of the wearer, an appropriate user-specific “head transfer function” can be determined through testing of a user. The results of such testing may then be used to calibrate the spatial audio enhancement function applied at each ear.
The next section describes some further example applications/embodiments for hearing assist devices.

VI. Further Example Applications of Hearing Assist Device Embodiments

The hearing assist devices described above may used in further applications, as well as variations on the above described embodiments. In such applications, various health monitoring technologies can be integrated into hearing aid devices as well as into local and remote supporting devices and systems. Local systems may comprise one or more smart phones, tablets, computers that are portable or stationary. Such devices may have application software installed (downloaded) therein to define supporting behaviors. Local systems or devices may also comprise other dedicated health care devices such as monitors, rate measuring devices, and so on that may be stationary or be worn or carried by the user. Sensor data collected by one or both of the hearing aid devices and local supporting devices or systems can be used together to help provide a basis for a more accurate diagnosis of a user's current health.
For instance, in an embodiment, a hearing assist device may be docked to a stationary docking station, or a mobile device may be held adjacent to the hearing assist device (e.g., against the ear of the user) to cause sensor data and/or other information to be transmitted from the hearing assist device according to NFC techniques, as well as to enable information to be received by the hearing assist device.
Temperature information measured by a sensor of the hearing assist device, and/or further sensed information, may be used to determine whether the hearing aid is being worn by a user. If the hearing assist device is determined to not be worn (e.g., temperature below human temperature is detected), processing logic of the hearing assist device may cause the hearing assist device to enter a low power state (e.g., with periodic flashing LED or audio to support attempts to find a misplaced hearing aid).
Similarly, an elevated human temperature (e.g., a fever, over 99 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.) may cause the processing logic to power up communication circuitry within the hearing assist device, which may in turn cause a remote device to power up and participate in a data exchange with the hearing assist device. In this manner, the elevated temperature may be reported to another person, including medical personnel. In an embodiment, a temperature extreme may cause a request to be transmitted to a remote device (e.g., a smart phone) to dial 911, medical staff, or family members.
Program code, applications, or “apps” may be downloaded to a hearing assist device and stored in memory (e.g., in memory 734 of FIG. 7 as code 738). Such applications can program different sensor response functionality, tailoring the hearing assist device and/or mobile computing device to service a particular user. For example, sensor data (e.g., motion, heart rate, stress levels) may be analyzed by processing logic along with recorded audio sounds (e.g., sounds of pain, moaning, slurred words, a lack of sound), to determine a lack of movement, stroke, heart attack, to cause a request to be generated to dial 911 and/or a doctor immediately (e.g., through a wireless link to a local access point or phone).
In an embodiment, using NFC communications between the hearing assist device and a smart phone, the smart phone can determine a distance between the hearing assist device and the ear, and processing logic of the hearing assist device adjust may adjust broadcast sound accordingly. If there is no hearing assist device in the user's ear, and the phone reliably identifies the correct user (e.g., by camera, by sound, etc.), the phone may be configured to compensate for hearing loss of the user (e.g., by amplifying particular frequency ranges). The user may manually increase the phone volume, and may select an icon or other user interface mechanism to turn on hearing aid frequency compensation. Magnetic field induction may also be used to communicate the audio signal.
In another embodiment, an alarm clock signal delivered via a hearing assist device may be configured to repeat until the user is determined to be upright by processing logic of the hearing assist device (e.g., based on measured information from position/motion 518). At this point, processing logic may cause a message (e.g., from memory 734) to be broadcast to the user, such as “All systems stable. You are at home and it is 8 am. It is time to take your XYZ pill.” Such messages, alerts, etc., may be triggered by processing logic in response to sensor data changes (e.g., emergencies, etc.), smart phone interaction, and/or pressing a status button on the hearing assist device. A user may be determined by processing logic to have fallen down (e.g., based on measured information from position/motion 518 that indicates an impact and/or user orientation). At this point, processing logic may cause a message (e.g., from memory 734) to be broadcast to the user, such as “are you ok? Say yes if so, and no if injured.” The processing logic of the hearing assist device may then step the user through a question/answer (Q/A) interaction that based on sensor data circumstances to arrive at likelihood of needed medical intervention (e.g., “Are you sweaty? Can you read a book at arm's length? Can you read the letters? Shut one eye. Shut the other eye. Do you feel any numbness?” Information regarding the Q/A interaction may be transmitted to a medical staff member, who may review the interaction and deliver their own voice to the user through the hearing assist device and/or smart phone. A microphone of the hearing assist device may be used to capture the user's verbal responses, which may be delivered back to the medical staff member (or a family member).
Such a communication flow may of course be carried out via local cell phone device of the user, or via a back door channel through a third party's cell phone (a third party device). Also note that status message playback at the hearing assist device can be triggered by voice recognized commands received from the user. In addition, the hearing assist device and smart phone may use NFC to transfer a call or other audio to the hearing assist device. A skin pathway (e.g., via skin communication conductor 534) for communications to the skin communication conductor 534 from a hand held smart phone may be used. A doctor may remotely evaluate (and control) hearing assist device performance/settings/battery, extra collected health data, etc., and deliver audio, with or without placing a call.
In addition to parallel text on a smart phone or other hand-held device UI, voice signaling can be injected into the hearing pathway (via speakers of the hearing assist device, or by speakers of the mobile computing device). For example, a warning message may be received from a smart environment for dangerous items in that area (e.g., from access points, smart phones, computers, sensors, etc.). The warning message may be played to the ear of the user with background sounds suppressed (e.g., by DSP 730) to make sure that the user hears the warning message. An intelligent mixing of sounds may be performed by DSP 730. For instance, if the user is in a vehicle, the hearing assist device may be configured to ensure that particular desired sounds are heard clearly despite a sound level of the radio. The hearing assist device and/or the vehicle itself may amplify certain desired sounds or other sensor readings to the user, such as another vehicle that is getting too close, or an obstacle detected in front of the vehicle.
As described above, voice/speech recognition may be incorporated into a hearing assist device to enable commands from the user to be recognized and transmitted to a remote device under certain circumstances. Such voice commands provided by the user may be explicit (e.g., “contact my doctor”), or may be coded (e.g., saying “apple” to cause the hearing assist device to contact the user's doctor) for various reasons, such as to avoid public embarrassment regarding wearing a hearing aid. Furthermore, voice of the user may be recognized by the hearing assist device, and converted to a text message that is displayed to the user on a mobile computing device, or transmitted to one or more intended recipients. Furthermore, the mobile computing device may transmit commands to the hearing assist device that are converted to audio that is broadcast into the ear of the user by a speaker of the hearing assist device (e.g., to provide a privacy mode). In an embodiment, artificial reality may be augmented, where the mobile computing device can provide extra information (e.g., by voice) to the user based upon location and other aspects. For example, a medical condition of the user may be detected by the hearing assist device, as well as a location of the user, which may be used to launch a web search to find a local medical clinic (e.g., contact information, an address, etc.). Also, when the user is talking to someone, the hearing assist device and/or mobile computing device can train on the voice of a talker to support better filtering over time.
As described above, the hearing assist device may implement voice recognition that detects slurred or unusual speech patterns of the user, which may indicate a potential medical condition of the user. For instance, slurred speech and time of detection information may prove critical when attempting to identify a window of opportunity in which blood thinners may be useful in minimizing brain damage due to a stroke.
In an embodiment, a hearing assist device may perform an emergency call through a smart phone. For instance, if a person finds a user that is unconscious, the person may place their smart phone near the ear of the user, and the user's hearing assist device may make an emergency communication through the smart phone. The hearing assist device may gather sensor data to be used to evaluate the user's health, and may relay this sensor data through the smart phone to an emergency responder. The hearing assist device may even provide commands to the person to perform on the unconscious user (e.g., “feel the user's forehead,” etc.).
As described above, injected voice may be provided by a hearing assist device to a user. For instance, the user may be listening to music that is transmitted to the hearing assist device from a remote device (e.g., through Bluetooth™, the user's skin, etc.). Voice provided by the hearing assist device may interrupt the music to provide verbal information to the user, such as “your blood pressure is dropping,” “you have a fever,” etc.
Furthermore, as described above, program code or “apps” may be downloaded to a hearing assist device as well as to the remote device(s). Upgrades to downloaded apps may also be downloaded. Such downloads may be performed opportunistically to preserve battery life. For instance, such downloads may be queued to be performed when the hearing assist device is being charged (e.g., by a proximate device providing an RF field, when it is placed in a charger, etc.

VII. Conclusion

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Thus, the breadth and scope of the described embodiments should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hearing assist device that is mounted in association with an ear of a user, the user being supported by a second device, the hearing assist device comprising:

a medical sensor configured to both sense a characteristic of the user and to generate a sensor output signal;

processing logic configured to construct sensor data based at least in part on the sensor output signal;

a transceiver configured to wireless communications with the second device, the wireless communications to the second device comprising the sensor data, and the wireless communications from the second device comprising at least one command.

2. The hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional medical sensor configured to sense a corresponding characteristic of the user and generate a corresponding sensor output signal.

3. The hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery; and

a charging circuit configured to receive a radio frequency signal and generate a charge current that charges the rechargeable battery based on the received radio frequency signal.

4. The hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising:

a speaker;

wherein the processing logic is configured to generate an audio signal at least relating to the processed sensor data; and

wherein the speaker is configured to broadcast sound into the ear of the user generated based on the audio signal.

5. The hearing assist device of claim 4, wherein the sound includes at least one of a tone, a beeping sound, or a voice that includes at least one of a verbal instruction to the user, a verbal warning to the user, or a verbal question to the user.

6. The hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone configured to receive environmental sound and generate an audio signal based on the received environmental sound;

wherein the processing logic is configured to selectively favor one or more frequencies of the audio signal to generate a modified audio signal; and

wherein the speaker is configured to receive the modified audio signal and broadcast sound generated from the modified audio signal into the ear of the user.

7. The hearing assist device of claim 6, wherein the processing logic is configured to selectively favor the one or more frequencies of the environmental sound to perform at least one of noise cancelation or hearing loss compensation.

8. The hearing assist device of claim 6, further comprising:

a microphone configured to receive a voice of the user and generate an audio signal based on the received voice;

wherein the processing logic is configured to generate an information signal based on the audio signal; and

wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the generated information signal to the second device.

9. The hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising:

a near field communication (NFC) coil coupled to the transceiver.

10. A method in a hearing assist device that is mounted in association with an ear of a user, comprising:

receiving medical sensor data based on sensor information determined by at least one medical sensor of the hearing assist device;

transmitting a first communication related to the generated medical sensor data to a second device;

receiving a second communication that is generated based on the first communication; and

performing a function identified by the second communication.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving a second communication comprises:

receiving additional sensor data determined by the second device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second device is a supporting local device that relays information of the first communication to a remote third device, the method further comprising:

analyzing the medical sensor data at the remote third device.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

analyzing the medical sensor data in the hearing assist device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second communication is a command relating to sensor data capture, and the command relating to sensor data capture relates to at least one of a sensing configuration or a hearing assist device configuration.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the second communication defines audio playback, the second communication includes audio data for the audio playback, and the audio playback is configured to prompt for user input.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the supporting device is configured to contact a third party via a third party device.

17. A hearing assist device that is mounted in association with an ear of a user, comprising:

a medical sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the user and generate a sensor output signal;

processing logic configured to generate processed sensor data based on the sensor output signal; and

a speaker configured to receive a voice audio signal related to the processed sensor data, and broadcast voice from the speaker into the ear of the user based on the received voice audio signal.

18. The hearing assist device of claim 17, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the processed sensor data to a second device, and wirelessly receive voice information included in the voice audio signal from the second device in response to the transmitted processed sensor data.

19. The hearing assist device of claim 17, further comprising:

storage configured to store a plurality of voice segments;

wherein the processing logic is configured to select a voice segment from the storage and generate the voice audio signal based on the selected voice segment.

20. The hearing assist device of claim 19, wherein the processing logic is configured to modify at least one frequency characteristic of the voice audio signal according to a hearing frequency response of the user.