Method for ensuring symmetric audio quality for hands-free phoning

Abstract

A hearing device includes a processor and a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor and configured to connect via a wireless link with a remote device and to exchange bi-directional audio packets with the remote device. The processor is configured to monitor an audio link quality, and adapt a transmit power of the hearing device as a function of the audio link quality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hearing device comprising:
 a processor; and   a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor, the wireless transceiver being configured to connect via a wireless link with at least one remote device, and being configured to exchange bi-directional audio packets with the remote device, wherein:   the processor is configured to:
 monitor an audio link quality, and 
 adapt a transmit power of the hearing device as a function of the audio link quality. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to estimate the audio link quality based on a received signal strength indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is part of the wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         4 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless link is asymmetric. 
     
     
         5 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the audio link quality is monitored by monitoring an incoming signal. 
     
     
         6 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate and send a notification when the audio link quality rate exceeds a pre-determined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The hearing device according to  claim 6 , wherein the notification comprises at least one of a single beep, a beep sequence, artificially degrading an incoming audio quality, or muting incoming audio. 
     
     
         8 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless link follows a Bluetooth specification. 
     
     
         9 . The hearing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the wireless link follows a Hands-Free Profile (“HFP”) of the Bluetooth specification. 
     
     
         10 . The hearing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the wireless link is configured to use an Enhanced Synchronous connection-oriented (“eSCO”) transport option of the Bluetooth specification or an isochronous transport option of the Bluetooth specification. 
     
     
         11 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is at least one of a mobile phone, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (“DECT”) phone, a landline phone, a tablet, or a computer. 
     
     
         12 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 increase a transmit power of the hearing device when the audio link quality is below a first pre-determined threshold, and   generate a notification to a hearing device user when the audio link quality is below a second pre-determined threshold.   
     
     
         13 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 adapt a transmit power of the hearing device based on the audio link quality compared to a target value.   
     
     
         14 . The hearing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 increase a transmit power of the hearing device when an incoming audio link quality is below a first pre-determined threshold, and   generate a notification to a hearing device user when the incoming audio link quality is below a second pre-determined threshold.   
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling an audio quality in a hearing device comprising a processor and a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor, the wireless transceiver being configured to connect via a wireless link with a remote device, the method comprising:
 monitoring an audio link quality,   adapting a transmit power of the hearing device as a function of the audio link quality.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 estimating the audio link quality based on a received signal strength indicator.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the audio link quality is monitored by monitoring an incoming signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 generating a notification to the hearing device user when the audio link quality is below a pre-determined threshold.   
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling an audio quality in a hearing device comprising a processor and a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor, the wireless transceiver being configured to connect via a wireless link with a remote device, the method comprising:
 monitoring an incoming audio link quality,   generating a notification to the hearing device user when the incoming audio link quality is below a pre-determined threshold.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 estimating the audio link quality based on a received signal strength indicator.