# US 2017/0286918 A1 · System and method for managing replacement parts for a hearing aid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0286918 A1 - Document ID: US20170286918A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/625,628 - Filed: 2017-06-16 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-18 - Assignees: Widex A/S - Applicants: Widex A/S - Inventors: Soren Erik WESTERMANN; Svend Vitting ANDERSEN; Anders WESTERGAARD; Niels Erik Boelskift MARETTI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170286918A1 ## CPC - G06Q 10/20: Administration of product repair or maintenance - G06Q 30/0601: Electronic shopping [e-shopping] - H04R 25/305: {Self-monitoring or self-testing} - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - G06Q 10/0875: Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials - G06Q 30/0641: {utilising user interfaces specially adapted for shopping} - H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 A hearing aid service system includes a personal communication device (13) acting as a gateway for one or more hearing aids (10, 11) to a remote server (25) accessible via the Internet. The hearing aids (10, 11) have a processor (121) monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters for detecting a change indicating a replacement of a hearing aid component (132; 140), and report the hearing aid component replacement to the remote server (25). The remote server (25) is tracking the consumption of hearing aid components for individual user accounts and identifies a priority item for sale depending on recorded consumption. The priority item for sale is displayed on the hearing aid control application software interface on the personal communication device (13). The remote server (25) completes the transaction based on data stored in the user account. The invention further provides a method for maintenance of a hearing aid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hearing aid service system comprising an Internet enabled personal communication device and at least one hearing aid provided with respective transceivers for establishing a wireless connection, whereby the personal communication device becomes a gateway for said at least one hearing aid to a remote server accessible over the Internet; said at least one hearing aid having a processor monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters for detecting a change indicating a replacement of a hearing aid component; said at least one hearing aid being adapted for reporting the hearing aid component replacement via the Internet enabled personal communication device to the remote server; said remote server being adapted for managing user accounts for a plurality of hearing aid users, and tracking the consumption of hearing aid components for the individual user account and identifying a priority item for sale; said Internet enabled personal communication device being adapted for presenting an hearing aid control application software interface to the user; said Internet enabled personal communication device being adapted for displaying on the hearing aid control application software interface, a selection element associated with said priority item for sale; and said Internet enabled personal communication device being adapted for sending, responsive to a user selection, a purchase instruction concerning said priority item to the remote server for recording in the user account and for execution based on user data stored in the account. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid is adapted for monitors monitoring electrical impedance as a function of frequency of an output transducer in order to detect a replacement of a wax filter located downstream of the output transducer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid is adapted for monitoring battery voltage of a battery in order to detect a replacement of the battery. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid is adapted for monitors monitoring a component having an electrically readable ID code in order to detect a replacement of the component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein said remote server identifies a priority item for sale by comparing an estimated component stock at the user side of a previously ordered replaceable hearing aid component with a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hearing aid service system according to claim 5, wherein said remote server calculates said predetermined threshold corresponding to an average use for a predetermined period of time for the specific hearing aid user associated with the user account. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein the Internet enabled personal communication device is pitching the priority item for sale in a dedicated display area of said hearing aid control application software interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hearing aid service system according to claim 7, wherein said dedicated display area includes a description element pitching the priority item for sale and a selection element for purchasing the offered priority item for sale. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The hearing aid service system according to claim 7, wherein said dedicated display area of said hearing aid control application software interface is present at an entry screen which is entered when the control application software is opened. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The hearing aid service system according to claim 7, wherein the priority item for sale is based upon the quantum and type of replaceable hearing aid components latest bought by the user. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The hearing aid service system according to claim 8, wherein an activation of the selection element for purchasing the offered priority item for sale will open a new page on which the user has to press a further selection element for completing the purchase of the priority sale offer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hearing aid service system according to claim 1, wherein said remote server upon reception of a purchasing instruction concerning said priority item updates the associated user account by: updating the inventory for replaceable hearing aid component, debiting the sale, and ordering shipping. ### Claim 13 A method for maintenance of at least one hearing aid being provided with a transceiver for establishing a short range wireless connection with an Internet enabled personal communication device acting as a gateway for said at least one hearing aid to a remote server accessible over the Internet, and comprising: Monitoring, in a hearing aid processor, electrical hearing aid parameters for detecting a change indicating a replacement of a hearing aid component; reporting the hearing aid component replacement to the remote server via the Internet enabled personal communication device; managing user accounts for a plurality of hearing aid users at said remote server; tracking the consumption of hearing aid components for the individual user account and identifying a priority item for sale; presenting an hearing aid control application software interface to the user at said Internet enabled personal communication device; displaying on the hearing aid control application software interface, a selection element associated with said priority item for sale; and sending, responsive to a user selection, a purchase instruction concerning said priority item to the remote server for recoding in the user account for execution based on user data stored in the account. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters comprises monitoring the electrical impedance as a function of frequency of an output transducer in order to detect a replacement of a wax filter located downstream of the output transducer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters comprises monitoring battery voltage of a battery in order to detect a replacement of the battery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters comprises monitoring a component having an electrically readable ID code in order to detect a replacement of the component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of identifying a priority item for sale comprises comparing an estimated component stock at the user side of a previously ordered replaceable hearing aid component with a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, and comprising defining said predetermined threshold by calculating an average use for a predetermined period of time for the specific hearing aid user associated with the user account. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, and comprising presenting the priority item for sale in a dedicated service display area of said hearing aid control application software interface. ### Claim 20 A hearing aid comprising: a transceiver for establishing a short range wireless connection with an Internet enabled personal communication device acting as a gateway for the hearing aid to a remote server accessible over the Internet, and a processor monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters for detecting a change indicating a replacement of a hearing aid component; and wherein said processor, responsive to detecting the change, via the transceiver reports the hearing aid component replacement to the remote server via the Internet enabled personal communication device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The hearing aid according to claim 20, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid monitors electrical impedance as a function of frequency of an output transducer in order to detect a replacement of a wax filter located downstream of the output transducer. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The hearing aid according to claim 20, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid monitors battery voltage of a battery in order to detect a replacement of the battery. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The hearing aid according to claim 20, wherein said processor of said at least one hearing aid monitors a component having an electrically readable ID code in order to detect a replacement of the component. ### Claim 24 A non-transient computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed on an Internet enabled personal communication device is adapted for: presenting a hearing aid control application software interface to the user at said Internet enabled personal communication device; retrieving a replacement notification from a hearing aid monitoring electrical hearing aid parameters for detecting a change indicating a replacement of a hearing aid component; uploading the replacement notification to the remote server; displaying on the hearing aid control application software interface, a selection element associated with a priority item for sale; and sending, responsive to a user selection, a purchase instruction concerning said priority item to the remote server for recoding in the user account for execution based on user data stored in the account. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions according to claim 24, which when executed on an Internet enabled personal communication device are adapted for presenting the priority item for sale in a dedicated display area of said hearing aid control application software interface. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions according to claim 24, wherein the dedicated display area includes a selection element for purchasing the offered priority item for sale. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions according to claim 24, wherein the dedicated display area is present at an entry screen which is entered when the control application software is opened. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions according to claim 27, wherein the activation of the selection element for purchasing the offered priority item for sale will open a new page on which the user have to press a further selection element for completing the purchasing of the priority sale offer. ### Claim 29 A personal communication device being Internet enabled and being adapted for running application software, and including: a display for presenting a hearing aid control app interface to the user; a processor; and a transceiver for establishing a wireless connection with at least one hearing aid under guidance of said application software, whereby the personal communication device becomes a gateway for the hearing aid to a remote server via the Internet; wherein the processor is adapted to receive a replacement notification from a hearing aid via said transceiver and upload the replacement notification to the remote server; to receive a priority item for sale offer from the remote server in response to uploaded the replacement notifications and in response hereto to display the offer in the hearing aid control app interface together with a selection element associated with a priority item for sale; and to send, responsive to a user selection, a purchase instruction concerning said priority item to the remote server for recoding in an user account for execution based on user data stored in the account.