Bone conduction device fitting

Abstract

Methods and systems for fitting a bone conduction device are provided herein. These methods and systems comprise obtaining dynamic range parameters for a bone conduction device. These dynamic range parameters may include threshold and a maximum comfort levels for the bone conduction device. Once determined, the bone conduction device may use the dynamic range parameters in applying stimulation to a recipient.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bone conduction device comprising:
 means for receiving a sound signal; and   means for generating stimulation in response to the received acoustic sound signal.   
     
     
         22 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 means for receiving map data based on at least one dynamic range parameter measured for the bone conduction device, wherein the means for generating stimulation in response to the received acoustic sound signal is configured to do so using the received map data.   
     
     
         23 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the bone conduction device is configured to receive input signals from a telephone.   
     
     
         24 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the bone conduction device is configured to connect to an external fitting system.   
     
     
         25 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the bone conduction device is configured for Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth communication with a remote device.   
     
     
         26 . The bone conduction device of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the bone conduction device is attached to a recipient;   the map data comprises a gain to be applied to the received acoustic signal, where the gain is based on a threshold level for the bone conduction device; and   wherein the threshold level corresponds to a minimum intensity of stimulation at which the recipient perceives sound in response to a signal.   
     
     
         27 . The bone conduction device of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 means for applying the gain to the received sound signal to provide an amplified signal.   
     
     
         28 . The bone conduction device of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 means for determining whether the amplified signal exceeds a measured comfort level for the bone conduction device; and   means for adjusting the amplified signal if the amplified signal exceeds the measured comfort level.   
     
     
         29 . The bone conduction device of  claim 28 , wherein the means for adjusting the amplified signal clips at least a portion of the amplified signal to adjust the amplified signal. 
     
     
         30 . The bone conduction device of  claim 28 , wherein the means for adjusting the amplified signal scales the amplified signal based on an amount that the amplified signal exceeds the comfort level to adjust the amplified signal. 
     
     
         31 . A hearing prosthesis external device, comprising:
 a housing;   a processor located in the housing; and   a battery compartment, wherein   the prosthesis is configured such that the external device mounts to a head of a recipient behind a pinna of the recipient away from the pinna of the recipient, and   the battery compartment includes a structure having internal surfaces that form a C shape.   
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the battery compartment has base with to legs that extend from the base to form the internal surfaces. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the geometric center of the C shape of the battery compartment is off-center with respect to location on a plane normal to a longitudinal axis of a body interfacing component of the prosthesis. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein a geometric center of the C shape of the battery compartment is off-center with respect to a geometric center of the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the device has a skin facing, and wherein a plane extending through the skin facing side and the recipient when the device is mounted on the recipient extends between the ends of the C shape. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the plane extends evenly between the ends of the C shape, wherein the plane extends through the processor, and the plane extends from the processor to the structure of the C shape, and wherein with respect to location along the plane in a direction from the processor to the structure, the plane first makes contact with the structure of the C shape after entering the interior of the C. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the battery compartment is configured to permit the battery to be removed in only one first direction and to be inserted in only one second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         38 . A method executed by a bone conduction device in providing stimulation, the method comprising:
 receiving map data based on at least one dynamic range parameter measured for the bone conduction device;   receiving a sound signal; and   generating stimulation in response to the received acoustic sound signal using the received map data.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the map data comprises a gain to be applied to the received acoustic signal, where the gain is based on a threshold level for the bone conduction device and wherein the threshold level corresponds to a minimum intensity of stimulation at which the recipient perceives sound in response to a signal, and wherein the method further comprises applying the gain to the received sound signal to provide an amplified signal. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 determining whether the amplified signal exceeds a measured comfort level for the bone conduction device; and   adjusting the amplified signal if the amplified signal exceeds the measured comfort level.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the action of adjusting the amplified signal comprises:
 clipping at least a portion of the amplified signal.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the action of adjusting the amplified signal comprises:
 scaling the amplified signal based on an amount that the amplified signal exceeds the comfort level.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the action of generating stimulation in response to the received acoustic sound signal using the received map data includes using an algorithm that correlates a normal hearing threshold to the recipients bone conduction hearing threshold such that a sound having an intensity at a threshold of a normal hearing person is presented with a threshold intensity to the recipient. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the action of generating stimulation in response to the received acoustic sound signal using the received map data includes using an algorithm that maintains the generated stimulation at an intensity lower than or at a maximum comfort level of the recipient. 
     
     
         45 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , further comprising a printed circuit board electrically and mechanically supporting a sound processor, wherein attached to the printed circuit board are one or more sound input devices. 
     
     
         46 . The bone conduction device of  claim 21 , wherein the maximum intensity for at least one frequency that can be applied by the bone conduction device is stored as the comfort level for that frequency.