Automatic reconfiguration of a hearing assistance device based on battery characteristics

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for detecting battery chemistry or battery type and reconfiguring a hearing assistance device based on the detected battery. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method of operating a hearing assistance device having a battery. A voltage of the battery is detected at a predetermined load current and a battery chemistry or battery type is determined based on the detected voltage. An operating parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type, in various embodiments. Examples of adjustments made based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type include gain, feedback cancellation (FBC) filter, self-diagnostic thresholds of the hearing assistance device, indicator loudness, low battery set point, or an end-of-discharge battery set point.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of operating a hearing assistance device having a battery, the method comprising:
 detecting battery type of the battery at power up of the hearing assistance device;   detecting state of charge of the battery at power up of the hearing assistance device; and   adjusting gain and maximum output limit of the hearing assistance device to compensate for the detected battery type and state of charge.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein detecting battery type includes:
 detecting voltage of the battery at a predetermined load current; and   determining battery type based on detected voltage   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein he hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hearing aid includes an invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         12 . A hearing assistance device, comprising:
 a microphone;   hearing assistance electronics connected to the microphone;   a receiver connected to the hearing assistance electronics; and   a battery connected at least to the hearing assistance electronics,   wherein the hearing assistance electronics include a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to detect battery type of the battery at power up of the hearing assistance device, detect state of charge of the battery at power up of the hearing assistance device, and adjust gain and maximum output limit of the hearing assistance device to compensate for the detected battery type and state of charge.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the DSP is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the hearing assistance device based on detected battery type to reduce degradation in hearing assistance functions dependent on unregulated battery voltage. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid.