Hearing assistance device with brain computer interface

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication devices. Such devices may comprise input for receiving sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, and output for outputting the processed signal to a user perceivable as sound. Such processing may be performed by use of a processor for processing the sound signal in dependence of a setting or a set of setting to compensate a hearing loss profile. Further, the communication device may comprise a bio-signal acquisition and amplifier component in communication with a user interface for providing the bio-signals as input to the user interface, the user interface controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device.

1 . A bone-anchored hearing instrument, comprising:
 an input for receiving a sound signal to be processed and presented to a user;   an output device for outputting a signal perceivable to the user;   a processor for processing the sound signal based on a setting or a set of settings to compensate a hearing loss profile;   an anchor for anchoring the output device to a skull bone of the user;   a plurality of electrodes connected to the anchor configured to acquire a bio-signal; and   an amplifier in communication with the processor for providing the bio-signals as input to the processor, the processor controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device based on the bio-signals.   
     
     
         2 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the anchor is made of titanium.   
     
     
         3 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of electrodes are positioned in a star shape around the anchor when the bone-anchored hearing instrument is implanted in the user.   
     
     
         4 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the output device is a vibrator.   
     
     
         5 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the signal perceivable to the user includes mechanical vibrations.   
     
     
         6 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the vibrator is configured to be implanted in the user's middle or inner ear.   
     
     
         7 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a position of the output device provides structure-borne acoustic signals to the user's cochlea.   
     
     
         8 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the electrodes and the amplifier pick up intended space gestures.   
     
     
         9 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the bio-signal represents brain activity signals.   
     
     
         10 . The bone-anchored hearing instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an alarm device configured to provide an alarm signal if the signal from the electrodes and the amplifier is determined to represent a cognitive state classified as a deserving of attention state.   
     
     
         11 . A method of controlling a bone-anchored hearing instrument that includes an input for receiving a sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, an output device for outputting a signal perceivable to the user, a processor for processing the sound signal based on a setting or a set of settings to compensate a hearing loss profile, an anchor for anchoring the output device to a skull bone of the user, a plurality of electrodes connected to the anchor configured to acquire a bio-signal, and an amplifier in communication with the processor for providing the bio-signals as input to the processor, the processor controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device, the method comprising:
 obtaining via the plurality of electrodes the bio-signal;   analysing the bio-signal for recognising an intended space gesture; and   processing the intended space gesture to translate it to an input for the processor.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the anchor is made of titanium.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the plurality of electrodes are positioned in a star shape around the anchor when the bone-anchored hearing instrument is implanted in the user.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the output device is a vibrator.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the signal perceivable to the user includes mechanical vibrations.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the vibrator is configured to be implanted in the user's middle or inner ear.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 a position of the output device provides structure-borne acoustic signals to the user's cochlea.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the bio-signal represents brain activity signals.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: outputting an alarm signal to an alarm device if the signal from the electrodes and the amplifier is determined to represent a cognitive state classified as a deserving of attention state.