Synchronization in a bilateral auditory prosthesis system

摘要

Aspect of the present invention are generally directed to synchronization between a first auditory prosthesis and a second auditory prosthesis of a bilateral auditory prosthesis system. In this system, a primary wireless communications channel, usable for synchronizing the first and second prostheses, may be disabled to, for example, conserve power. Then, upon detection of a trigger in sound received by one or more of the prostheses, the primary wireless communication channel is enabled and the prostheses synchronized using the primary wireless communication channel.

主权项

1. A method for binaural synchronization between a first auditory prosthesis and a second auditory prosthesis of a bilateral auditory prosthesis system, the method comprising:
receiving sound at one or more of the first and second prostheses; analyzing the received sound at one of the first and second auditory prostheses; detecting a synchronization trigger if at least one predetermined criterion is met by the analyzed sound, wherein detecting the synchronization trigger includes at least one of: (i) determining that a sound level of the received sound exceeds a threshold, (ii) determining that an energy level of the received sound exceeds a threshold, (iii) determining that a rate of change of the sound level exceeds a threshold, (iv) determining that a rate of change of the energy level exceeds a threshold, (v) determining that an automatic gain control level determined in analyzing the sound exceeds a threshold, and (vi) determining that a rate of change of an automatic gain control level determined in analyzing the sound exceeds a threshold; enabling a primary wireless communication channel between the first auditory prosthesis and the second auditory prosthesis in response to the synchronization trigger; and transferring synchronization data between the first and second auditory prostheses over the primary wireless communication channel.