# US 2019/0356994 A1 · Hearing aid system and a method for operating a hearing aid system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0356994 A1 - Document ID: US20190356994A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/412,453 - Filed: 2019-05-15 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-16 - Assignees: Sonova AG - Applicants: Sonova AG - Inventors: Markus Mueller; Leo den Hartog - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190356994A1 ## CPC - H04R 25/552: {Binaural} - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - H04R 1/10: Earpieces; Attachments therefor {; Earphones; Monophonic headphones (H04R1/28 takes precedence; stereophonic headphones H04R5/033)} - H04R 25/50: {Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics} - H04R 25/02: adapted to be supported entirely by ear - H04R 25/65: {Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture} - H04R 2225/61: Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning - 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 The disclosed technology relates to a hearing aid system (HS) comprising a first hearing aid device (2), which is designed for arrangement in an ear canal (1.1), and a second hearing aid device (3), which is designed for arrangement near to the first hearing aid device (2), wherein the first hearing aid device (2) and the second hearing aid device (3) each comprise at least one microphone, one signal processing unit, one loudspeaker and one battery, such that both the first hearing aid device (2) and the second hearing aid device (3) can each function as a hearing aid device independently of the respective other of the hearing aid devices (2, 3). Furthermore, the disclosed technology relates to a method for operating the hearing aid system (HS). ## Claims ### Claim 1 Hearing system comprising, the hearing system comprising: a first hearing device configured for arrangement in an ear canal, and a second hearing device configured for arrangement proximate to the first hearing device, wherein the first hearing device and the second hearing device each comprise at least one microphone, one signal processing unit, one loudspeaker and one battery, such that both the first hearing device and the second hearing device are configured to function as a hearing device independently and when combined. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hearing system according to claim 1, wherein the second hearing device comprises more microphones than the first hearing device, and/or wherein the battery of the second hearing device is configured to store more energy than the battery of the first hearing device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hearing system of claim 2, wherein the second hearing device has an apparatus for wireless reception of audio data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, comprising a control device and a means for detecting the second hearing device if the latter is arranged in a predefined position and/or near to the first hearing device, wherein the control device is adapted to establish a connection between the first and the second hearing devices and to at least partially deactivate the first hearing device if the second hearing device has been detected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hearing system of claim 4, wherein the control device is designed to activate the second hearing device as soon as a connection is established between the first and the second hearing devices. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The hearing system of claim 4, wherein the means for detecting the second hearing device comprises a capacitive sensor or a magnetic sensor or is designed to detect a feedback threshold, changed as a result of the arrangement of the second hearing device, between the microphone and the loudspeaker of the first hearing device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein the first hearing device and/or the second hearing device have/has a ventilation canal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The hearing system of claim 6, wherein the ventilation canal of the first hearing device is configured such that it serves as a sound canal for the loudspeaker of the second hearing device and is closed off by it if the second hearing device is configured in the predefined position and/or at a proximal distance from the first hearing device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The hearing system of claim 6, wherein the ventilation canal of the first hearing device is arranged in such a way that it serves as a prolongation for the ventilation canal of the second hearing device if the latter is arranged in the predefined position and/or at a proximal distance from the first hearing device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein the first hearing device and the second hearing device are each embodied as standard devices or as devices which are adapted to an auditory passage of a user, or wherein either the first hearing device or the second hearing device is embodied as a standard device and the respective other hearing device is embodied as a device adapted to an auditory passage of a user. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein the second hearing device is configured for arrangement in the auditory passage and/or for arrangement in an outer ear and/or for arrangement behind an outer ear. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein the battery of the first hearing device and/or the battery of the second hearing device can be recharged. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein means are provided for the wireless charging of the battery of the first hearing device by means of the second hearing device if the latter is arranged in the predefined position and/or at a proximal distance from the first hearing device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The hearing system of claim 1, wherein the first hearing device and/or the second hearing device are/is provided with at least one magnet and/or one mechanical connection in order to keep the second hearing device in the predefined position and/or at a proximal distance from the first hearing device. ### Claim 15 A method of operating a hearing system, the method comprising: detecting that first and second hearing devices are proximate to each other; activating, by a control unit, combined functionality of the first and second hearing device such that the first and second hearing devices become a single hearing device; and deactivating a hearing device function of the first or the second hearing device such that the hearing device function is not duplicated by the first and second hearing devices. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein detecting the first and second hearing devices is based on at least one of the following: a physically coupling of the first and second hearing devices, a distance between the first and second hearing device, an electronic coupling of the first and second hearing device, or electric or magnetic field detection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the function is at least one of the following: capturing sound with a microphone, providing sound through a loudspeaker, controlling the microphone or the loudspeaker with a processor.