Application US20180228405

FALL PREDICTION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ACCESSORY AND METHOD OF USING SAME
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US20180228405

1. A fall prediction system, comprising: (11) (4)

a hearing device for a user;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the user and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the user;

an accessory operatively connected to the hearing device; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to: determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is associated with the accessory. (0)

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is associated with the accessory. (0)

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a second characteristic of the user and generate a second sensor signal based on the second characteristic, wherein the controller is adapted to determine the fall risk value based on the sensor signal and the second sensor signal. (1) (0)

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises at least one of a TV streamer, wireless audio streaming device, cell phone or landline streamer, Direct Audio Input (DAI) gateway, auxiliary audio input gateway, telecoil/magnetic induction receiver, hearing device programmer, charger, drying box, smartphone, smart glasses, and wearable or implantable health monitor. (0)

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises a body-worn accessory. (0)

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to determine the fall risk threshold based on one or more settings of the accessory. (0)

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fall prevention output comprises at least one of an audible, visual, and tactile signal provided to the user. (0)

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the fall prevention output is provided to the user by the accessory. (0)

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to detect a fall. (0)

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing device further comprises hearing assistance components disposed within a housing of the hearing device, wherein the hearing assistance components comprise the controller. (0)

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the fall prevention output comprises transmission of at least one of the characteristic, the fall risk value, and the fall risk threshold to one or more of a caregiver, medical professional, or the user. (0)

14. A method, comprising: (3) (4)

detecting a characteristic of a user of a fall prediction system with a sensor, wherein the fall prediction system comprises a hearing device and an accessory, and further wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the user;

determining a fall risk value based on the detected characteristic and sensor data;

determining a fall risk threshold; and

comparing the fall risk value to the fall risk threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold. (2) (0)

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor is associated with the accessory. (0)

19. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the characteristic comprises: (1) (2)

detecting eye movement of the user using a first sensor and a second sensor each operatively connected to at least one of the hearing device and the accessory; and

generating an eye movement signal based on the detected eye movement.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the fall risk value comprises: (0) (3)

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Application US20180228405

FALL PREDICTION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ACCESSORY AND METHOD OF USING SAME

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