# US 2014/0192988 A1 · Hearing assistance device eavesdropping on a bluetooth data stream > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192988 A1 - Document ID: US20140192988A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/738,793 - Filed: 2013-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10 - Assignees: Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Applicants: Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Solum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192988A1 ## CPC - H04R 25/552: {Binaural} - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - H04R 25/353: {Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression} - H04R 25/505: {using digital signal processing} - H04R 25/558: {Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency} - H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange - 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) ## Abstract Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for eavesdropping on a data stream for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance system for a wearer including a Bluetooth host device having a transmitter configured to send data including one or more encoded audio streams, and a data channel having an advertisement that includes frequency information, frequency hop sequences, information for decoding audio streams, and security keys for decoding audio stream information. The system also includes one or more Bluetooth slave devices identified by the Bluetooth host device. The Bluetooth slave devices are configured to actively participate in a connection with the host device to aid the host transmitter in deciding which frequencies to use for frequency hopping and in determining which frequencies are being interfered with and should not be included in a channel map, according to various embodiments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hearing assistance system for a wearer, comprising: a Bluetooth host device including a transmitter configured to send data including one or more encoded audio streams, and a data channel having an advertisement that includes frequency information, frequency hop sequences, information for decoding audio streams, and security keys for decoding audio stream information; and one or more Bluetooth slave devices identified by the Bluetooth host device, the Bluetooth slave devices configured to actively participate in a connection with the host device to aid the host transmitter in deciding which frequencies to use for frequency hopping and in determining which frequencies are being interfered with and should not be included in a channel map. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more Bluetooth slave devices are adapted to receive and decode the audio streams or other data information after receiving the advertised frequency information and other information used to synchronize and decode receptions from the host device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the Bluetooth slave devices is included in a hearing assistance device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. ### Claim 11 A method of using a Bluetooth receiver, comprising: receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device including a transmitter, the data stream including advertisements, frequency hop code sequences and security codes; and passively listening on potential channels for interference to decide which frequencies can be used for frequency hopping. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving a channel map. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a channel map from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving the channel map periodically to reacquire signals if the Bluetooth receiver has lost synchronization with the Bluetooth host device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving an address to listen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving cipher codes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving information to begin hopping in sequence with the Bluetooth host device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving a data stream from a Bluetooth host device includes receiving information to listen to both a right and left channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the right and left channel include data for left and right worn hearing assistance devices. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the hearing assistance devices include hearing aids. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving data indicative of delay between the right and left channels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising using the data indicative of delay to synchronize a rendering of each channel to allow for synchronized stereo listening.