CN111091596A

CN111091596A - Apparatus and method for customization of hearing devices

Info

Publication number: CN111091596A
Application number: CN201910992150.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·霍尔扎德; K·孙; J·泰森; V·梅耶
Original assignee: GN Hearing AS
Current assignee: GN Hearing AS
Priority date: 2018-10-18
Filing date: 2019-10-18
Publication date: 2020-05-01

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device worn on an ear of a user, the method comprising: acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle; identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data; identifying, in the first image, locations of a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark; determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and outputting the device parameter.

Description

Apparatus and method for customization of hearing devices

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated method for customizing a hearing device.

Background

In many cases, the hearing device is customized for a particular user, where one factor in the customization is the physical appearance and size of the customized hearing device. This is typically done in order to optimize the user experience with the hearing device and also to minimize the visual impact of the hearing device on the user in an attempt to make the device as discrete as possible.

In many cases, customization is accomplished by attempting to select the appropriate shell for the hearing device, which is then made up of multiple components interconnected using a conduit connector to provide a conduit connector of the appropriate length. To do this, it is important to measure the size of the ear in some way, where the shape and anatomical identification (landmark) of the ear is measured to provide sufficient information for providing a hearing device that fits the user in a proper way.

The ear measurements are usually made at discrete locations, i.e. by a local hearing aid supplier or a fitter, and the measurements are transmitted to a centralized location where the hearing devices are customized for the specific user.

However, manufacturers of hearing aids, hearing devices have realized that in many cases the measurement values are incorrect, and therefore the size of these elements is not suitable for a specific user when the hearing aid and/or the hearing device is delivered to the user. This means that the dispenser has to transport the hearing instrument back to the central location so that the hearing instrument can be re-adjusted to the size of the specific user. This process can cause delays in the delivery of the device to the user and can also increase the cost of manufacturing the device for a particular user.

Disclosure of Invention

There is therefore a need for a method of improving the personalization of a hearing device.

According to the present description there is provided a method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device worn at an ear of a user, the method comprising: acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle; identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data; identifying, in the first image, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark location; determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and outputting the device parameter.

The hearing devices for a particular user must be adjusted to the user, since the human ear varies from person to person and it is unlikely that two different users will have similar or identical ears. It may therefore be desirable to be able to adjust the size, shape or other physical characteristics of the hearing device according to the ear of the user using the hearing device. By identifying the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark from the image data, the hearing device for a specific user may be produced, manufactured or customized using the first and second anatomical landmarks.

The first and second anatomical landmarks of the human ear may be identified by specific device parameters, such as the curvature of the helix, and/or by giving an indication to the back of the helix, i.e. what shape the housing of the hearing device has to be in order to provide a proper fit for the hearing device, or to ensure that the housing is able to maintain its position during use. Another example may be, for example, identifying the size of the proximal part of the ear canal, wherein the first and second anatomical landmarks may be the front and back edges of the ear canal, which may be identified in the image. This size may have an effect on device parameters of the earpiece size or shape of the hearing device.

By obtaining the first and second anatomical landmarks from the image data, it is possible to reduce any measurement errors that may occur when an individual, such as a dispenser, attempts to measure the distance between the two landmarks of the ear, or a particular curvature, or other types of measurements that may occur at discrete locations. By determining the position of the first and second anatomical landmarks, the shape, size, or other attributes of the human ear can be determined to accurately determine device parameters, but also to allow centralized processing of the images to confirm or double check measurements that may be made by, for example, a dispenser. Customizing and/or producing the hearing device has a relatively small tolerance for error, and positioning or measuring of 1-2 mm deviation is possible meaning that the hearing device does not fit the user's ear properly. An improper fit may result in long-term discomfort to the hearing device or may be easily lost due to an improper fit. By acquiring an image of the ear and identifying the first and second anatomical identifiers from the image, the method may be used to provide a unique measurement for the device parameter, or to provide quality control of any measurements made by the dispenser. Thus, any positioning of the ear identification can be performed centrally, which means that there is less risk that the hearing device does not fit the user's ear when the customized hearing device is delivered to the user.

Acquiring image data may be performed by taking one or more (e.g., multiple) photographs of the human outer ear and/or surrounding anatomical features, a 3D scan of the human outer ear and/or surrounding anatomical features.

In one or more embodiments, the image data may be transmitted to a processing unit where the anatomical identifiers may be identified by automatic or manual means, or a combination of both. This means that the image data may be imported to the processing unit, which in one embodiment may be projected onto a screen, from which the operator may select the first and/or second anatomical identifiers, and the processing unit will determine the device parameters based on the operator's selection. Alternatively, the selection of the identifier may be performed automatically, wherein the processing unit identifies the first and/or second anatomical identifier, based on which the processor determines the device parameter. Further, the processing unit may be utilized in a combination of automatic and manual methods, wherein the processing unit may provide for identification of anatomical landmarks, image data is projected onto a screen, locations are displayed, an operator may confirm and modify the identification of landmark locations, and thereafter, the processor determines device parameters.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise applying a reference model of the human outer ear. By applying a reference model of the human outer ear to this method, the reference model can help the processor to identify the correct identification. The reference model may be configured to introduce a human ear model in the method, wherein each anatomical landmark is identified and marked in the reference model, and optionally comprising rules for the processor to identify a specific anatomical landmark, in order to simplify the processing of the image. For example, if the approach is to find or recognize a specific anatomical landmark, the reference model of the human ear may introduce restrictions on the processing unit, causing the processing unit to search for landmarks in specific areas of the image. This means that the reference model, which may help to prevent the processing unit from e.g. searching for the helix in the vicinity of the earlobe, identifies parts of the image of the human ear that have a high probability of containing information about the helix of the human ear. This may improve the reliability of the method, thereby reducing the risk that anatomical landmarks are found in incorrect positions, thereby improving the likelihood that device parameters are determined in a correct manner.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second anatomical landmarks may be identifiable anatomical features of a human outer ear. The identifiable anatomical feature is, for example, a feature that is visible to the naked eye and/or recognizable by the human eye. By providing a photographic image of, for example, a human outer ear, the identification can be recognized from the image by various methods. This is also the case if the image is a 3D image of a human outer ear.

The first and/or second anatomical landmark or any other landmark may be an anatomical feature of the ear or may be a part of an anatomical feature around the human ear, such as an anatomical feature in the temporal region, the zygomatic region, the buccal region, the occipital region, or other regions that may be included in the image data that is included when capturing image data of the human outer ear.

In one or more embodiments, the first anatomical landmark and/or the second anatomical landmark may be selected from the group of helix, antihelix, trigonal fossa, helix, antihelix, cavum concha, tragus, antitragus, earlobe, external auditory meatus, intertragic notch, and cymba concha. Any other known identifiable anatomical feature of the human outer ear may be selected as the first and/or second anatomical landmark and may advantageously be used to obtain the specific device parameter. In an exemplary method, for example, where the device parameter is a length of an auditory canal, the first anatomical landmark may be an helix and the second anatomical landmark may be a tragus.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise obtaining a hearing device model identifier, wherein identifying, using the processor, the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is based on the hearing device model identifier. This means that when a user is in the process of obtaining a hearing device of a certain type, such as a behind-the-ear (BTE) type, an in-the-ear Receiver (RIC) type, an in-the-ear (ITE) type, a deep-ear-canal (CIC) type or other types, the output of the device parameters may be different. For example, BTE devices may need to recognize different anatomical landmarks relative to RIC devices, since these devices are mounted on the ear in completely different ways, and the hearing device parts to be customized may differ depending on the model type. One anatomical feature that is important for customization of BTE devices, for example, may be the shape and size of the helix, and the location of the external auditory meatus, for example. It may be more important for a CIC device to obtain the position of certain parts of the ear canal, since the device does not come into contact with any other anatomical features of the human outer ear. Thus, the method may comprise identifying a first set of identities comprising the first anatomical identity and the second anatomical identity if the hearing device model identifier indicates a first hearing device model, and identifying a second set of identities comprising the first anatomical identity and the second anatomical identity if the hearing device model identifier indicates a second hearing device model, wherein the first set of identities is different from the second set of identities.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise determining the scale and/or physical dimensions of the human outer ear or a part thereof, for example by obtaining at least one reference measurement and/or calculation of the human outer ear. Determining the scale and/or physical dimensions of the human outer ear may improve the accuracy of the measurement of the image data in the process of recognizing the anatomical landmark. The application of the scale may be obtained in any suitable way, wherein the scale may be a physical scale, wherein information is acquired during the acquisition of the image data. I.e. the physical dimensions obtained together with the image data, wherein the dimension data may be embedded in or form part of the image data. The physical scale may be, for example, a scale having predefined and marked units, wherein the physical dimensions of the human outer ear or parts thereof may be deduced from the physical scale.

Alternatively, the scale may be such that, for example, the viewfinder of the image capturing device may have a predefined area to encompass the human outer ear, i.e. an upper and a lower limit, at which the uppermost and the lowermost part of the human ear are located, respectively. Alternatively, the distance measuring apparatus may be used to recognize the distance from the image capturing lens to the human outer ear, thereby enabling triangulation of the physical dimensions of the human outer ear. Alternatively, the human outer ear may be measured, and the physical dimensions of the human outer ear may be included additionally or as data for the method. Other methods known to those skilled in the art of applying scales to image data and/or physical dimensions may also be utilized. Furthermore, the determination of the proportions and/or physical dimensions may be a combination of the above methods or other known methods applying proportions or physical dimensions.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include applying a scale and/or a physical dimension to the first image data. When the scale and/or physical dimensions have been obtained, the scale and/or dimension data may be applied to the first image data in order to normalize the image data such that, for example, a distance, curve or other portion may be calculated or measured directly from the image data, wherein, for example, a distance from one identified anatomical landmark to another anatomical landmark may be measured directly from the image data, the normalization ensuring that this distance is the actual distance between the landmarks.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include applying a scaled version of the grid in the first image data, wherein the grid represents a predefined unit of length. The application of the mesh may assist the user in identifying distances and scales from the image data. The grid may for example be placed on top of a human outer ear image, wherein the units of the grid may be adapted for a specific use, e.g. rotated or positioned in a way that the pitch of the grid may be used to help determine a certain distance or curvature.

In one or more embodiments, the device parameter may be one or more of a mechanical shape of the hearing device, a physical characteristic of the hearing device, and/or a functional characteristic of the hearing device. Thus, this method may be used to optimize the shape of the earpiece, the shape of the BTE housing, the hearing device conduit angle and/or curvature, the positioning of the BTE housing, or any portion of the hearing device that may be specifically tailored to a particular user.

In one or more embodiments, the device parameter may be a length of a hearing device tube (tube). Some hearing devices provide a hearing device conduit that connects the housing of the hearing device to the earpiece. The length of the hearing device tube may vary from person to person and may depend on the position of the shell at the ear, the location of the ear canal, the distance from the helix to the ear canal, or other physical factors. Thus, when a hearing device is equipped with a tube, it may be important that the dimensions of the tube are correct for a particular person and/or a particular hearing device. A too short conduit may create a pulling force in the ear, as there may be a pulling force between the earpiece and the housing, which may cause irritation to the user. Furthermore, a catheter that is too long may be aesthetically displeasing to the user, as the catheter may be noticeable, as it may protrude from the ear/head side. In the customization of hearing aids, it is a common error that the conduit is provided with an incorrect length or with an incorrect curvature, which may mean that the user is dissatisfied with the hearing device. The difference in length of a millimeter or a few millimeters may be the difference between a correctly customized hearing aid and a incorrectly customized hearing aid. Thus, using the present method to determine the length of a catheter may improve measurement accuracy, may reduce the instances where the hearing device must be withdrawn for proper customization, and may reduce costs caused by high rework rates of catheters with incorrect lengths. This approach may reduce the effort required to customize the hearing device and improve the user's customization process.

In one or more embodiments, the act of recognizing, with the processor, the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark of the human outer ear based on the first image data is performed by the processor using an image recognition algorithm. The image recognition algorithm may be based on automatic recognition of patterns and rules in the image data, wherein the algorithm may be adapted for machine learning of patterns obtainable from image data representing the human ear. The image recognition algorithm may be configured to provide recognition of certain structures of the human outer ear and to provide a probabilistic estimate of the location of the structures and return the identified locations. The algorithm may provide a visual representation of the output, thereby enabling the operator to ensure that the quality of the structure identification is correct, and the identified structure may then be used to determine the device parameters.

This may be very useful for training a pattern recognition algorithm to improve its pattern recognition, especially when the algorithm is an adaptive algorithm.

In one or more embodiments, wherein the recognition of the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear based on the first image data is performed by a user input through an interface using a processor. The controller may be provided with a representation of the image data on the interface, wherein the controller (user) is able to select the identification using a visual representation of the anatomical structure. The user can manually identify the anatomical landmarks, the locations of the first and second anatomical landmarks can be identified based on the selection, and the device parameters can be calculated based on the identified locations because the locations of the landmarks are known.

In one or more embodiments, the device parameter is a position of the earpiece. The position of the earpiece of the hearing device may differ depending on the type of hearing device, wherein the shape and structure of the earpiece may differ and the connection portion of the earpiece may be located in different areas of the earpiece. Thus, based on the identification of the first and/or second anatomical identifiers, a position of the earpiece may be determined, wherein the position of the earpiece may influence other device parameters of the hearing device, such as a positioning of the housing, a length of the hearing device conduit, and/or a curvature of the hearing device conduit.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include determining a distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark. The distance between the first and second anatomical indicia may be a distance between the first and second anatomical indicia along an ear surface of the outer ear. When the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark are identified and their locations are determined, the method may return a value for the distance from the first anatomical landmark to the second anatomical landmark. This distance may be used to determine a device parameter, such as the length of a hearing device conduit connecting the hearing device housing and the hearing device earpiece. This distance allows the operator to return device parameters that help optimize the customization of the user's hearing device.

In one or more embodiments, the distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark may be a distance from one point to another point, where the points may be, for example, pixels of a marker in the image data. The marked pixels may be part of the anatomical identifier, wherein the pixels may be located at, for example, an edge of the anatomical identifier, a center of the anatomical identifier, or a predefined location of the anatomical identifier. Alternatively, the markers may be placed in a layer that may be digitally superimposed on the image data, with similar coordinates, but without including any manipulation of the image data.

In one or more embodiments, determining the distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark includes drawing a line from the first anatomical landmark to the second anatomical landmark. The line drawn between the first and second anatomical landmarks may be, for example, a straight line between the two locations, or a curve that follows some anatomical structure of the human outer ear or follows the anatomical structure around the head. The draw lines may assist the user in providing an accurate distance from the first point to the second point, especially if the distance must follow a particular anatomical structure, such as the helix, or other anatomical structure of the human outer ear.

In one or more embodiments, the identification may be or include an angle behind the helix and the skull/side of the head. It is well known that the shape, form and angle of the outer ear of a human varies from person to person. This difference may be significant between different people, which may affect some device parameters. The angle between the helix and the side of the head, such as the temporal region, may affect the positioning of the BTE housing, for example. This positioning may therefore also affect the positioning relative to where the ear hearing device conduit joins with the BTE housing. Thus, if the ear protrudes from the side of the head, the positioning of the BTE housing may be different if the ear is at a different angle, i.e. when the helix is close to parallel with the side of the head. Thus, the angle of the posterior aspect of the helix and the lateral aspect of the head may be considered a first and/or second anatomical landmark in this description.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise identifying a third anatomical landmark in the image data, wherein the determination of the device parameter of the hearing device is based on the third anatomical landmark. A third anatomical landmark may be used for determining further structures of the human outer ear, wherein the first and second anatomical landmarks may not be sufficient to represent a specific device parameter. In addition to the distance from the helix to e.g. the upper edge of the ear canal, it may be used to identify e.g. the curvature of the helix, wherein the use of the first, second and/or third anatomical identifiers may be used to obtain this information.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include transmitting image data obtained at the dispersed locations to a central server. When image data is acquired at a distributed location, it is usually the responsibility of the dispenser to acquire the image data. Transmitting image data to a centralized location may mean that the processing of the image data may be at the centralized location and performed using more powerful and/or more capable processing means than are available at decentralized locations. Furthermore, transmitting the image data to a centralized location means that the image data may be used to train e.g. a pattern recognition algorithm, and/or that a dedicated user may view the image data to provide recognition and/or verification recognition of the first and/or second anatomical identifiers.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include obtaining a model of the user's ear canal. The ear canal model of the user may be used to provide optimized device parameters, where the physical or data representation of the ear canal may be used to obtain any anatomical identification related to the ear canal. The anatomical landmarks associated with the ear canal may be diameter, shape, depth and other features that may affect the shape and/or morphology of the earpiece.

In one or more embodiments, the method may further include acquiring second image data of a second image of the human outer ear from a second angle. By acquiring second image data of the human outer ear and processing the second image data in the same way as the first image data, the accuracy of the positioning can be improved, thereby improving the probability that the device parameter is correctly determined. By identifying the same first and second anatomical identifiers in the first and second image data, the device parameter can be determined from two independent sources, and if there is a difference in the two determinations for the device parameter, a warning can be raised so that the operator reviews the determination. Furthermore, some anatomical landmarks may be hidden or obscured in the first image data, and the difference in angle may improve the visibility of the anatomical landmarks, thereby improving the determination.

Further, an apparatus for determining device parameters of a hearing device is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to: acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle; recognizing a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data; identifying a location of a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark in at least one image; determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and outputs the device parameters. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform any of the methods described herein.

Different parts of the device may be distributed over one or more devices performing and/or having the functionality to perform similar steps to the devices of the present disclosure.

A method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device worn by a user, comprising: acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle; identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data; determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and outputting the device parameter.

Optionally, the method further comprises applying a reference model of the human outer ear.

Optionally, the first and second anatomical landmarks are identifiable anatomical features of a human outer ear.

Optionally, the first anatomical landmark comprises: helix, crus anthelix, fossa trigonae, crus helix, antihelix, cavum concha, tragus, lobe, external auditory canal, intertragic notch, or cymba concha.

Optionally, the method further comprises obtaining a hearing device model identifier, wherein the act of identifying the first and second anatomical identifications of the human outer ear is performed based on the hearing device model identifier.

Optionally, the method further comprises determining the scale and/or physical dimensions of the human outer ear by obtaining at least one reference measurement and/or by calculation.

Optionally, the method further comprises applying a scaled version of the grid in the first image data, wherein the grid represents a predefined length unit.

Optionally, the device parameter indicates or contains a mechanical shape of the hearing device, a physical characteristic of the hearing device, a functional characteristic of the hearing device, or any combination of the above.

Optionally, the device parameter is a length of a hearing device conduit.

Optionally, the act of recognizing the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is performed using an image recognition algorithm.

Optionally, the act of recognizing the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is performed based on user input through an interface.

Optionally, the device parameter is a position of an earpiece.

Optionally, the method further comprises determining a distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark.

Optionally, the act of determining the distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark comprises drawing a line from the first anatomical landmark to the second anatomical landmark.

Optionally, the method further comprises identifying a third anatomical landmark in the image data, wherein the device parameter of the hearing device is also determined based on the third anatomical landmark.

Optionally, the method further comprises transmitting the image data from the distributed locations to a central server.

Optionally, the method further comprises obtaining a model of the user's ear canal.

Optionally, the method further comprises acquiring second image data of a second image of the human outer ear from a second angle.

Optionally, the method further comprises identifying the location of the first anatomical landmark and/or the location of the second anatomical landmark in the first image.

An apparatus for determining device parameters of a hearing device, comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to: acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle; recognizing a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data; determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and outputs the device parameters.

Drawings

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a side view of a human outer ear,

figure 2 is a side view of a BTE hearing device,

figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary method,

fig. 4 shows an exemplary recognition of anatomical landmarks, an

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for determining device parameters of a hearing device.

List of reference numerals

1. Human external ear

2. Ear wheel

3. Triangular nest

4. Helix foot

5. Intertragic notch

6. Ear lobe

7. Concha boat

8. Antitragus screen

9. Concha cavity

10. Anthelix

11. Anthelix caster

12. External auditory canal

13. Ear screen

BTE hearing device

21. Shell body

22. Hearing device tube

23. Telephone receiver

24. First end of hearing device conduit

25. First conduit connector

26. Second end of hearing device conduit

27. Second connector of housing

28. Insertion part of earphone

29. Primary bending of hearing device conduit

30. Secondary bending of hearing device conduit

100. Acquiring an image

110. Identifying a first anatomical landmark

120. Identifying a second anatomical landmark

130. Identifying the location of anatomical landmarks

140. Establishing device parameters

150. Output of

200. Device for determining parameters of a hearing instrument

201. Processor with a memory having a plurality of memory cells

202. Memory device

203. Interface (I)

A. Length of hearing device conduit

B. Location of first anatomical landmark

C. A location of the second anatomical landmark.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments and details are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structure or function are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the drawings are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Moreover, the illustrated embodiments need not have all of the aspects or advantages shown. Aspects or advantages described in connection with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not so shown, or even if not explicitly so described.

A method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device is disclosed. The hearing device may be an audible device or a hearing aid, wherein the processor is configured to compensate for a hearing loss of the user. The method may also involve customization of the listening device or hearing device.

The hearing device may be, for example, of the behind-the-ear (BTE) type, the in-the-ear (ITE) type, the in-the-ear (ITC) type, the in-the-ear Receiver (RIC) type or the in-the-ear Receiver (RITE) type. The hearing aid may be a binaural hearing aid. The hearing device may comprise a first earpiece and a second earpiece, wherein the first earpiece and/or the second earpiece are earpieces as disclosed herein.

Fig. 1 shows a human outer ear 1, which has a number of anatomical structures, which have a distinct shape and position on the human outer ear. The anatomical structures may be, for example, helix 2, antihelix 11, triangular fossa 3, helix 4, intertragic notch 5, antihelix 10, caveolus 9, tragus 13, antitragus 8, earlobe 6, external auditory meatus 12, external auditory meatus (not shown), and cymba concha 7. Other anatomical structures recognizable on the human outer ear may also be used in the present method.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a BTE hearing device 20, wherein the hearing device 20 comprises a housing 21 designed to be placed behind the ear of a user, a hearing device conduit 22, which transmits the acoustic signals to an earpiece 23. The first end 24 of the hearing device tube 22 is attached to a first tube connector 25 of the housing 21 and the second end 26 of the hearing device tube 22 is attached to a second connector 27 of the earpiece 23 located opposite an insertion portion 28 of the earpiece configured for insertion into the ear canal of a user. The hearing device tube 22 typically has a primary bend 29 and a secondary bend 30, which allows the longitudinal axis of the earpiece to be substantially coaxial with the ear canal of the user.

When BTE hearing devices are personalized or customized for the user, one of the device parameters that is very important for personalization is the length a of the hearing device conduit 22. If the length is too short, the earpiece may not fit properly into the ear canal, and the longitudinal axis of the earpiece may not be parallel to the central axis of the ear canal, potentially resulting in reduced user comfort. If the length A of the hearing device tube 22 is too long, the hearing device tube 22 may protrude from the ear side, making it aesthetically undesirable for the user. Furthermore, if the hearing device tube 22 is too long, the BTE housing 21 may be improperly secured to the user's ear, which may result in the BTE housing being easily removed from the ear and lost. Thus, it may be important for personalization to obtain the appropriate matched length of hearing device conduit 22 for a particular user.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device. The first step of the method may be to acquire an image 100 of the user's outer ear. The acquisition of the image may be, for example, taking a picture of the outer ear and importing the picture into a processor, a memory of the processor, a computer, a mobile phone or other processing device capable of running a computer program. After the image is acquired, the first anatomical identifier 110 may be identified from the image data received in step 100. Thereafter, a second anatomical landmark 120 may be identified from the image data received in step 100. When the first and second anatomical landmarks are identified, the locations of the landmarks or the locations of the landmarks may be identified 130. When the positions of the first and second anatomical landmarks are determined, these positions may be used to provide, for example, a distance between the two positions and/or a distance between two points defined by the anatomical landmarks, wherein the distance may be used to establish a device parameter 140, such as a length a of a hearing device conduit, as shown in fig. 2, wherein the length of the conduit may be provided as an output 150 to an expert who customizes the hearing device for the user. The output can then be used to tailor the hearing device conduit length to the correct length, bending the conduit at the correct position according to the anatomy of the ear, thereby providing reliable personalization of the user's hearing device conduit (device parameters).

Other device parameters, such as positioning of the shell, shell dimensions, dimensions of the earpiece, curvature of the conduit and other parts of the hearing device, may be defined as device parameters determinable with the present method within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows an example of identifying first and second anatomical landmarks, wherein identification of a particular location of a landmark can be used to measure a distance between two locations, wherein the distance can represent a device parameter such as a length of a hearing device conduit. In this example, the first anatomical feature of the human outer ear 1 is the helix 2 and the second anatomical feature is the concha cavity 9. The position of the first anatomical landmark may be the leftmost lower point of the helix 2, marked B in fig. 4, and the position of the second anatomical landmark may be the center of the concha cavity 9, marked C in fig. 4. By identifying a particular anatomical landmark, it may be indicated which part of the anatomical landmark is important for a particular device parameter. If a further device parameter is to be obtained, different first and second anatomical landmarks may be identified for this purpose. For example, the curvature of the helix, and the position and/or curvature of, for example, the antihelix or deltoid, can be evaluated in a similar manner for the shape of the BTE housing.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for determining hearing device parameters 200. The apparatus comprises a processor 201, a memory 202 and an interface 203, the interface 203 being for providing communication with a user or a second device, e.g. a server.

A method and apparatus according to any of the following are also disclosed.

Item 1. a method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device worn on an ear of a user, the method comprising:

acquiring image data of one or more images, the image data comprising first image data of a first image of a human outer ear at a first angle;

identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data;

identifying a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark location in the first image;

determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and

and outputting the device parameters.

Item 2. method of determining device parameters of a hearing device according to item 1, wherein the method further comprises applying a reference model of the human outer ear.

Item 3. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-2, wherein the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier are identifiable anatomical features of a human outer ear.

Item 4. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-3, wherein the first anatomical landmark is selected from the group of helix, antihelix, fossa trigone, crus helix, antihelix, cavum concha, tragus, antitragus, earlobe, external auditory canal, extraaural notch, intertragic notch or cymba concha.

Item 5. a method of determining device parameters of a hearing device according to any of items 1-4, the method comprising obtaining a hearing device model identifier, wherein identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical identity and a second anatomical identity of a human outer ear is based on the hearing device model identifier.

Item 6. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-5, wherein the method further comprises determining the scale and/or physical dimensions of the human outer ear by obtaining a reference measurement and/or calculation of at least one human outer ear.

Item 7. method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to item 6, wherein the method further comprises applying a scale and/or a physical dimension to the first image data.

Item 8. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-7, wherein the method further comprises applying a scaled version grid to the first image data, wherein the grid represents a predefined length unit.

Item 9. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-8, wherein the device parameter may be one or more of a mechanical shape of the hearing device, a physical feature of the hearing device, and/or a functional feature of the hearing device.

Item 10. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-9, wherein the device parameter is a length of a hearing device conduit.

Item 11. method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-10, wherein recognizing, with the processor, the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark of the human outer ear based on the first image data is performed with an image recognition algorithm by the processor.

Item 12. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-11, wherein recognizing, with a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of the human outer ear based on the first image data is performed through an interface by a user input.

Item 13. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-12, wherein the device parameter is a position of an earpiece.

Item 14. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-13, wherein the method further comprises determining a distance between the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier.

Item 15. method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-14, wherein determining the distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark comprises drawing a line from the first anatomical landmark to the second anatomical landmark.

Item 16. method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-15, wherein the method further comprises identifying a third anatomical identifier in the image data, wherein determining the device parameter of the hearing device is based on the third anatomical identifier.

Item 17. a method of determining device parameters of a hearing instrument according to any of items 1-16, wherein the method further comprises transmitting image data obtained at the decentralized locations to a central server.

Item 18. a method of determining device parameters of a hearing device according to any of items 1-17, wherein the method further comprises obtaining a model of the user's ear canal.

Item 19. a method of determining a device parameter of a hearing device according to any of items 1-18, wherein the method further comprises acquiring second image data of a second image of the human outer ear from a second angle.

Item 20. an apparatus for determining device parameters of a hearing device, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to:

recognizing a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of a human outer ear based on the first image data;

identifying a location of a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark in at least one image;

determining a device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical identifier and the second anatomical identifier; and is

And outputting the device parameters.

The use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc. do not imply any particular order, but rather the terms are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. It is noted that the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," and the like are used herein and elsewhere for purposes of notation and are not intended to imply any particular spatial or temporal order.

Further, labeling a first element does not imply the presence of a second element, and vice versa.

While particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for determining a device parameter of a hearing device worn by a user, the method comprising:

identifying, using a processor, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of the human outer ear based on the first image data;

and outputting the equipment parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a reference model of the human outer ear.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the first and second anatomical identifiers are identifiable anatomical features of the human outer ear.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the first anatomical landmark comprises an helix, a crus of antihelix, a fossa trigone, a crus of antihelix, an antihelix, a caveolus, a tragus, an earlobe, an external auditory canal, an intertragic notch, or a cymba concha.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising obtaining a hearing device model identifier, wherein the act of identifying the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is performed based on the hearing device model identifier.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, further comprising determining the scale and/or physical dimensions of the human outer ear by obtaining at least one reference measurement and/or by calculation.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising applying a scale and/or physical dimension to the first image data.

8. The method of any of claims 1-7, further comprising applying a scaled version of a grid to the first image data, wherein the grid represents a predefined unit of length.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the device parameter is indicative of or comprises a mechanical shape of the hearing device, a physical characteristic of the hearing device, a functional characteristic of the hearing device, or any combination thereof.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the device parameter is a length of a hearing device tube.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the act of recognizing the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is performed using an image recognition algorithm.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the act of recognizing the first and second anatomical landmarks of the human outer ear is performed based on user input through an interface.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12, wherein the device parameter is a location of an earpiece.

14. The method of any of claims 1-13, further comprising determining a distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the act of determining the distance between the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark comprises drawing a line from the first anatomical landmark to the second anatomical landmark.

16. The method of any of claims 1-15, further comprising identifying a third anatomical landmark in the image data, wherein the device parameter of the hearing device is also determined based on the third anatomical landmark.

17. The method of any of claims 1-16, further comprising transmitting the image data from a decentralized location to a central server.

18. The method of any of claims 1-17, further comprising obtaining a model of the user's ear canal.

19. The method of any one of claims 1-18, further comprising acquiring second image data of a second image of the human outer ear from a second angle.

20. The method of any of claims 1-19, further comprising identifying a location of the first anatomical landmark and/or a location of the second anatomical landmark in the first image.

21. An apparatus for determining device parameters of a hearing device, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to:

identifying a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of the human outer ear based on the first image data;

and outputting the equipment parameters.