The Hearable Lament:
Hearing Economics looks forward to this time next year when we get to see the 2017 Hearables Hot Potato finalists. Of course they’ll be tinier and cuter, but we hope they’ll also be multitalented, highly articulate, and dedicated to assisting everyone with ears, even people with hearing loss who want to listen to music while they swim. (Hearables post from last year)
2015 was first dubbed the Year of the Hearable, then it was thought to move to 2016. Not so much. Now, at the end of 2017, our own Big 6 are making Hearables, even as the upstart Hearable innovators are struggling to stay afloat and figure out fulfillment or just closing shop. This week, an Oticon device described in the media as a “Fitbit for your ears” won an important award in the consumer electronics industry (CES 2018 Innovation Award in the Software and Mobile Apps).
The device is worn in the ear and tracks fitness, hence it is a Hearable but not a hearing aid. The Hearable lament for those with hearing loss remains lamentable. We’re still awaiting the swiss army knife for the ears, per the Hearable promise.
GN Hearing Carves Out a Hearable Hearing Aid
Meanwhile, Resound’s patent #9788128 heralds “A new method of communicating a message to a human wearing a hearing instrument,” anticipated in the past as a Hearable/Personal Assistant. As envisioned, the device accesses the Internet (or perhaps some other wide-area-network) to retrieve messages and convert them to speech, store and date-stamp them, and play back to the wearer.
In the words of the patent, the device:
is provided with capability of presenting speech messages, such as calendar reminders, tweets, sms-messages, notifications, etc., e.g., from a user’s time management and communication systems at selected points in time. … Personal time management may be performed with a computer, e.g. using an email system with electronic calendar, to-do-lists, and notes to manage daily activities and communications. Communication may also be performed via electronic social and professional networks.
Almost as an after-thought, the patent adds that:
Optionally, the hearing instrument comprises a hearing aid.
Hearing Economics is happy to end the year by welcoming in a Hearable for those with hearing loss, even if it’s just on the drawing board as we end 2017. Maybe 2018 will be the real Year of the Hearable.
The October 2017 List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a microphone included in an auditory prosthesis system |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
System comprising a cochlear stimulation device and a second hearing stimulation device and a method for adjustment according to a response to combined stimulation |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Programming systems for eliciting evoked responses in a cochlear implant patient and performing predetermined actions in accordance with the evoked responses |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Interaural coherence based cochlear stimulation using adapted envelope processing |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Neural coding with short inter pulse intervals |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Audio control using auditory event detection |
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp (San Francisco, CA) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Feature-based level control using loudness growth functions |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Medical device implantation imaging |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Hearing assistance device with a low-power mode |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Communication System |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a microphone included in an auditory prosthesis system |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Hearing instrument |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
10/03/2017 |
|
|
Portable monitoring device with hearing aid and EEG monitor |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Audio control using auditory event detection |
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp (San Francisco, CA) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Audio control using auditory event detection |
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp (San Francisco, CA) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Canal hearing device with elongate frequency shaping sound channel |
iHear Medical Inc (San Leandro, CA) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Hearing instrument with off-line speech messages |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Wireless charging system for hearing instruments |
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (Munich, DE) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Removable battery holder in a hearing assistance device |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Method and device for the improved perception of one’s own voice |
Sivantos Inc. (Singapore, SG) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
System and method for designing hearing aid components with a flexible cover |
Sivantos Inc. (Singapore, SG) |
10/10/2017 |
|
|
Personalization of auditory stimulus |
Nura Holdings Pty Ltd (Brunswick, AU) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Sound processor apparatuses with a multipurpose interface assembly for use in an auditory prosthesis system |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Systems and methods for managing wireless communication links for hearing assistance devices |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Hearing device considering external environment of user and control method of hearing device |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (Suwon-si, KR) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Hearing aid with occlusion reduction |
Sivantos Inc. (Piscataway, NJ) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Gateway for a wireless hearing assistance device |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Low-power active bone conduction devices |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Signal processing for hearing prostheses |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Implantable microphone for hearing systems |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Template for bilateral symmetric stimulator fixation/implantation |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Hearing aid tuning system and method |
Bowie-Wiggins LLC (Burien, WA) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Detection of whistling in an audio system |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/17/2017 |
|
|
Auditory perceptual systems |
Posit Science Corp. (San Francisco, CA) |
10/24/2017 |
|
|
Hearing device comprising a directional system |
Bernafon AG (Bern, CH) |
10/24/2017 |
|
|
Auditory stimulus for auditory rehabilitation |
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary (Boston, MA) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Inductive signal and energy transfer through the external auditory canal |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
System and method for neural hearing stimulation |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Hearing device and methods for wireless remote control of an appliance |
iHear Medical Inc (San Leandro, CA) |
1031/2017 |
|
|
System and/or method for enhancing hearing using a camera module, processor and/or audio input and/or output devices |
Ambarella Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Hearing device adapted for estimating a current real ear to coupler difference |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Hearing aid antenna with symmetrical performance |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Trenched sealing retainer for canal hearing device |
iHear Medical Inc (San Leandro, CA) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Apparatus and method for determining parameter using auditory model of hearing loss patient |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (Suwon-si, KR) |
10/31/2017 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/31/2017 |
feature image from gizmoway
