Hearing device, hearing device system and method of controlling the hearing device system

A hearing device system, comprising:

• at least a first hearing device and a second hearing device, each of the hearing devices comprising
• an input transducer for converting an acoustic input signal to an electric input signal,
• an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an acoustic output signal,
• an electric signal path extending between the respective input and output transducers,
• a transceiver for establishing a data communications link between the first and the second hearing devices, and
• a control unit for controlling at least the acoustic output signal and the transceiver in at least a first and second control mode,
• and at least the first one of the hearing devices includes a sensing unit for detecting, whether a telephone handset is placed close to the hearing device, wherein
• each of the control units of the first and second hearing device is adapted for enabling the acoustic output signal in the first, normal control mode, and
• the control unit of the first hearing device is adapted in its second, Tx-control mode for inhibiting or attenuating the acoustic output signal and for enabling the transmission of an electric signal tapped from its signal path to the second hearing device via the data communications link, and
• the control unit of the second hearing device is adapted in its second, Rx-control mode for enabling the reception of a signal from the first hearing device (30) via the data communications link and enabling the acoustic output signal including a signal originating from the signal received from the other hearing device.

A method of controlling a hearing device system in connection with a telephone handset, the hearing device system comprising at least a first hearing device and a second hearing device, and each of the hearing devices including an input transducer for converting an acoustic input signal to an electric input signal, an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an acoustic output signal, an electric signal path extending between the input and output transducers, a transceiver for establishing a data communications link between the first and the second hearing device, and a control unit for implementing at least a first and a second control mode, and wherein at least the first one of the hearing devices includes a sensing unit adapted to detect, whether a telephone handset is placed close to the hearing device, the method comprising:

• detecting whether a telephone handset is placed close to the first hearing device,
• if a telephone handset is detected, switching the first and second hearing device from a first, normal control mode to a second, Tx- and Rx-control mode, respectively,
• establishing in the second control mode a data communications link between the first and second hearing device,
• transmitting an electric signal derived from the signal path of the first hearing device to the second hearing device via the data communications link, and
• inhibiting or attenuating the acoustic output signal of the first hearing device and enabling the acoustic output signal of the second hearing device, the acoustic output signal including a signal originating from the signal received from the first hearing device.