# US 11,910,161 B2 · Hearing assistance systems and methods for use with assistive listening device systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,910,161 B2 - Document ID: US11910161B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/637,733 - Filed: 2020-08-21 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-23 - Assignees: Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Applicants: Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin D. Seitz-Paquette; Andrew Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11910161B2 ## CPC - H04R 25/505: {using digital signal processing} - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - H04R 25/558: {Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency} - H04W 4/021: Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange - H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Embodiments herein relate to hearing assistance systems and methods for use with assistive listening device systems. In a first aspect, a hearing assistance system is included having an ear-worn device can include a control circuit, a sensor package in signal communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a spatial locator circuit in communication with the ear-worn device. The spatial locator circuit can detect a current spatial location. The system can compare the current spatial location against entries in a database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. The system can send a notification to the ear-worn device and/or ear-worn device wearer if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. Other embodiments are also included herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hearing assistance system comprising: an ear-worn device comprising a control circuit; a sensor package in signal communication with the control circuit; a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit; a spatial locator circuit in communication with the ear-worn device; wherein the spatial locator circuit detects a current spatial location; wherein the system compares the current spatial location against entries in a database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services; wherein the system sends a notification to the ear-worn device and/or ear-worn device wearer if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the spatial location circuit is integrated within a housing with the ear-worn device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the ear-worn device is physically separate from but in wireless communication with the spatial locator circuit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance system sends a notification to the ear-worn device wearer if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance system prompts the ear-worn device wearer to enter an ALD operating mode if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hearing assistance system of claim 5, wherein the prompt is delivered through the ear-worn device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The hearing assistance system of claim 5, wherein the prompt is delivered through a personal communications device in wireless communication with the ear-worn device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance system monitors for a command from the ear-worn device wearer to enter an assistive listening device mode after sending a notification to the ear-worn device wearer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, the spatial locator circuit forming a part of a personal communications device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, the spatial locator circuit comprising a satellite signal receiver circuit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, the spatial locator circuit comprising a device-to-device locator circuit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, the spatial locator circuit comprising an electromagnetic sensor to detect the presence of a telecoil loop cable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The hearing assistance system of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance system prompts the ear-worn device wearer to assent to adding a current spatial location to the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services if the hearing assistance device system detects the presence of assistive listening device (ALD) services in the current spatial location. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hearing assistance system of claim 13, wherein the assistive listening device (ALD) services are selected from the group consisting of a telecoil loop system, an FM transmitter/receiver system, a personal audio device system, a BLUETOOTH ALD system, and an infrared ALD system. ### Claim 15 An ear-worn device accessory comprising: a control circuit; a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit; a spatial locator circuit in signal communication with the control circuit; wherein the spatial locator circuit detects a current spatial location of the ear-worn device accessory; wherein the control circuit compares the current spatial location against entries in a database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services; wherein the ear-worn device accessory initiates a notification to an ear-worn device wearer if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ear-worn device accessory of claim 15, wherein the ear-worn device accessory initiates a notification to an ear-worn device if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 17 A method of operating a hearing assistance system comprising: determining a current spatial location of one or more components of a hearing assistance system; comparing the current spatial location against entries in a database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services; sending a notification to an ear-worn device and/or an ear-worn device wearer if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the hearing assistance system prompts the ear-worn device wearer to enter an ALD operating mode if the current spatial location is found in the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the hearing assistance system monitors for a command from the ear-worn device wearer to enter an assistive listening device mode after sending a notification to the ear-worn device wearer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the hearing assistance system prompts the ear-worn device wearer to assent to adding a current spatial location to the database of spatial locations that offer assistive listening device services if the hearing assistance device system detects the presence of assistive listening device (ALD) services in the current spatial location.