CA2090773A1 - Hearing aid providing an information output signal upon selection of an electronically set transmission parameter - Google Patents
Hearing aid providing an information output signal upon selection of an electronically set transmission parameterInfo
- Publication number
- CA2090773A1 CA2090773A1 CA002090773A CA2090773A CA2090773A1 CA 2090773 A1 CA2090773 A1 CA 2090773A1 CA 002090773 A CA002090773 A CA 002090773A CA 2090773 A CA2090773 A CA 2090773A CA 2090773 A1 CA2090773 A1 CA 2090773A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hearing aid
- switch
- signal
- earphone
- transmission parameter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
- H04R25/502—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using analog signal processing
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/41—Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/61—Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/603—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hearing aid to be worn behind ear of a user includes a microphone.
An earphone is also provided. The microphone and earphone are electrically connected by a signal path. An electronic setting circuit is provided in the signal path for electrically setting at least one transmission parameter in the signal path. The electronic setting circuit is controlled by a switch of the hearing aid. A signal output device is also provided, and is controlled by the switch. The signal output device provides information to the user regarding the transmission parameter selected. The signal output device outputs at least one signal that is characteristic of every electronically set transmission parameter.
A hearing aid to be worn behind ear of a user includes a microphone.
An earphone is also provided. The microphone and earphone are electrically connected by a signal path. An electronic setting circuit is provided in the signal path for electrically setting at least one transmission parameter in the signal path. The electronic setting circuit is controlled by a switch of the hearing aid. A signal output device is also provided, and is controlled by the switch. The signal output device provides information to the user regarding the transmission parameter selected. The signal output device outputs at least one signal that is characteristic of every electronically set transmission parameter.
Description
FEe-~5-'93 THU 12:~ ID~ L ...Sil~P;a`l TEL ~0:7~ 9~/6-E~898 tli94 P1~3 Fl~ld D~ Inv ntlon:
Tho prssont invantion r~latrea ocnrlraUy to a hnrlrlng alci tO bc worn on tho he~d, partbult~rly bohlnd an oar of ~ user. The ho~rin~ r~ld indude6 c slansl p~th betwoon a mlctophon~ ond r~n earphonri. At l~ast one abt;tronlo ooU~in~ clrcuit i8 p~o~lded ~ the sli3nsl path ~or t~lor tronically gr~tt~n~ at bast on~ tNnsmlssion pararrt~tcr In the oi~nal p~th.
Th~ clcctronic sctlln~ circuit i5 conSrolbd by r,l rJwi~h ot the hearln~ old.
A h~arln~ ald Includln~ n slanal path berwaan 8 r~lcrophonc ~nci an ~uphonc havlng r~t IrJ09t one rjlaCSrOnlC senln~ clrr un prov~ed in t~e slgn~l p~th tor ah3ctrlr~1ly sattln~ st least ono tr~nsmlræslon pr~r~mtJ~tt In ~he si~nral prtth, whr~rs th~
el~ctronic ~eltln~ clrcult i6 controlled by a ~wRch of th~ hearlng 81d, iS dlsous~od, tor example"n Europ~lm Palent EP EI 0 064 042. Th~ 81~1n~1 pdh betw~en thc micr~phone and tho oarphone ~9 matchad to a vr,ul~ty o~ Yound onvlronments, or hg~rlnE~
r~nvlronm~ntrj, by a gwitch ot tho ne~ring ald, basod on pre-pro~ramrncd transmlsslon parametcra. Thc switch can ba elthor manuslly actuahblo or aUtomnticaay ~otuatable.
In order ~o manu~lly actuate th~ 3witch, th~ usor o~ thc he~rln~ ald must know what pro6ram Is sct at thc hearin~ ~Id l ~owCver~ a h~ulnf~l~!mpvirod us~r csnnot 9eO the hcbrlng ~Id whlle ur~ln~ the he~rln~ aid. Further, th~ hesrln~-lrrlpairc~ user cnr~not 50b ~I potential~ presr~nt markln~
o~ the s~l~c~ po~Klon o1~ manually el~tuata~lo prof,;rsm sclectlon 6witch provldcd on t~e hearin~ aid whllo uslng tho heaflng aid. As the sound onvironmor~, r,)r hr~nrln~ènvlronments, chrmae fr~quently for a he~rin~j-lmp~lred ur~cr, the u~er of the houln~ ~id can a~sily ~or~et ths rnost recent settln~ 6~1ect~d~ If th~ us~r forgsts thr~ most recent sottin~ of th~ hearinf~ ald s~lectad, nn~ wlshas to Idontlfy ths ~ttlny 3elect~d, the user mu~ r~lther r~mov~ ~he hesrln~ sld ~rom hls he~d to id~ntlfy the ~cloot~d pro~rem, bcs~d ~' .
- ~ , 2~90773 FEB-'5-~93 THU 12:3:; Irl:lllLL ...Slrll~SON TEL ~10:312.'87~-2~q8 ~lg4 P04 on thc mnrkln~ o~ th~ swltch posl~on, or must, tirst, ~wltch tho si~nal trsnsmi~lor~ p~th ot the hearln~ ald in~o an ini~lal rw~ition~ and prooeor~in~ trom thb In!tbl po~itlon, cor~tln~ e rjwitchlno ~he sw;tch up to tn~ dosirod 6~ttlno. Howavu, ~nr~nuall~, rldlwtin~ tnrt hearln~
aid in this m~nner, sccordin~ to ~uah a prwodur~, h extrem~ly tlme-conwmin~ Imd oompllcetrtd. 01dor users ot a hr~r~rin~ ~W, In particular, r~n b~ ov~rburd~nod ~ ~ rcsult ot tho compbxity ot such a procedure. Fursher, whon thc pro~ram seler;tbn ocour~ba~ed on rm wtomaticdlly opsratin~ clrcult, tine uscr rllc~tv~ no Inforrn~tion ri~out thr~
progrnm ~hat was ~utomatically se~cctod, or concr~rnln~i tho aut~m~tlrally selr~ct~d trnnSmiS$ion paramot~r.
~UMMA~ r~F T~E INVENTION
It 13 an obler~ ot th~ pr~nt invontlon to Irrprovo IJ~r r~co~nltlan ot n 8~1~ct~d tr~nsmlsslon pBrr~ et~r In a ho~rln~ ~Id Includlna ~ slund p~th bot~oon a mioroph~nc and an eatphon~ ~avln~ at Isad onr~ el~C~r0nlC ~ttlna clrc~llt tor sottlng nt l~st one trcnsmission pararnCtat ~n ths 61~nal psth, wh6rrJ ~ha el~otronlo 6ettln~ clrcult i5 controlled by o switch o~ tha hc~rin~ sld.
The above obJect 1~ Invsntlvely ac~llcvcd In ~ heuirl~ aid Includln~ 0 microphonr1 r~nd ~n carphon~. A~ lea~t one electronlo settin~ elrcuit 1~ pro~lldod. The ~bctronic ~ottin3 oircult 1~ eleetrleally conn~ded to tho mlerop~onr~ and the ~rphon~
rhe eioctronic ssltin~ eircuit sets at bast ono trr~n~mlsslon parametq. In ~ slgnd potn b~hveon the mlerophone ~nd the earphons. A sl~nal output devles !e also provlded. Th6 si~n~l output d0vic~ Is obctronloally conn0c~0d to tho elr~ctronic aottln~ clteult anrJ to tho enrphone. The sl~nsl output deYlc~ ~ransmits ~It Iso~t one sl~nd to the carphone, whore tn3 si~nal 1~ char~r,~erlstle of ~very electronically S~31 tr~nsmlsslon param~ter. A switch I
also provldcd. Tha swltch Is clcc~rlr ally connsct~d to ~h~ ctroni~ shttin~ elrcun end to tho sl~nol output dcvico. Tho swHch s~lectlvoly ~ctlvotos the eleetronlc riettln~ clrcult ond th~J sl~nal output dovlc~. r 209~773 ^`~
FEB-~5-'0~ THU lZ::~4 ir):HlLL ...911~PSal TEL NO:3i9~37~-13~98 tll~'l P05 Thu~, In acCorciancs with tho prlndples ot tho pr~unt Inv~ntion, a ~lan~l nutput d~vice that provldo~ sn o~ tp~Jt ~f ~ brlst onrt sl~inal that is rJharacterlsUo o~ overy el~ctronically 8et trrmsmlsslon puametflr and til0 diectronlc sottlni~ circuH ~ro bo~h oon~rolled by the 6witch Thus, thll 6witch no~ only sots o transmission p~rcmetor o~ ~he si~n~l p~th, matchln3 e partlcul~r hoarlng snvlronmont, or aound onvironm~rn, but ~Ito oontrol~ tho ~iS, nd outpJt do~ir,~
Tho si~inal csn oe output In an ~rbl~rary manner A partlcul~rly advantaiooue ernbodlment provldog a ~ nal output that c~n bo ~oous~ir;nlly percdved by th~ user d ~h0 hearln6i aid For oxample, tho ~Ignol rJutput devlce r an ~c d3d~ned es an eudlo troquoncy ~onorntor ~hd ou~putr~ al loast ono ~bctrlr~l slonal to tho sl~nal p~th ~twaon th~ mlcrûphone cnd the orlrphono, whor~ ~ha sl~nal 1~ r,~arsctrtrlstlc ot every eleotronloally set transmlsslon parametbr As a result, th~ r,~ricr~ nal output ot the eudio ~raquoncy ~en~rator proGstds throui~h thr~ oruphone nnd into an esr ot the user d the hoarinc aid, rmd ssrvrts ss an aoou~tlc ~icin~l throu6ih the aarphono o~ th~
hearlnrJ r~ld Tha hearln~ ald user can th~n perGelve ths acourstlc slgnai wUhout h~vln~
to rernove the hsarln~i ald from hl8 hr~d Thc sl~inal output from tho audio frequr~ncy oenerator ~hrou~h tho oarphon can b- oulput in ~ slrnplc manner and can provido, 10r example, a whistnn~ tono Tho whistllnj~ tone r~an, ~or sxampl~, be ou~pU~ only onr~ ~ii~n a nr6t param~tHr 6atUn9, twlCc ~ivsn a s~cr~nd p~ram~tdr 6~tun~i rmd, finnlly, n timos i~iven ~n n"' puemetu s~ttin~ The whistlin~ onr~ cen be output wnh, tor sx~mpln, ths sr~mrJ fraqu~ncy Thus, th~ u~ot ot tho hearlnja ald recr~ive~ information concsrnin~ th~ respectlvnly switched tran~rnlsslon param~ter throu~h the ~srpnon6 o~ the hr~nrln~ nld, b~e~d on tho actuat,on o~ thr~ Ch at ~ve~y r~wltchlng o~ the transmluion parr~meters, withou~ takin~ ~ny ~criditioncl ar~tlon to esc~rtaln inform~tlon about the swl~ch tran~ml~sion p~r~mntor Th~ ~witch for th~
.. - :, :. :~
Fl:8-.-5-'~i T~IU 1.~ 35 il~ ]!.! ...SIMPSI~ TFI 1`10:3lS.~a''6~ g3 Ul94 ;'E3~
progr~m so!ectionfparcm~ter settlna can bo d~ nsd B9 r~ mdnLlaliy wtuoteblo swltch, or s~ an autom~slcol~ oporntlna ~witch.
Irl a pnrticul~rly ndv~ntaoeous embocilment c~ ~ ho~rln~ ald con6ttuoted In accorcance wnh th~ prinolple6 of the present In~ntlon, a tlm~r circult Is providod. The ef~ct of ~ho m~nudly nctuatr~ble switch on tho sl~jnal output devico ~ndlor on tho oloctronic sCttin~ circu`,t is controlla~le throuah tho Slrner clrcul. ms tlrnar clrcult can control actuaUon ot th~ electronlc sonlng olrcuit ~nd t~lo output sl~nnl dovioo 6uch ~ha~
only tho ~i~n~l ou~put devke 13 switched alv~n c rlrst nctuathn ot th~ ~witch whhln a pr~sotli~r3~.tlm~ ~pan. As ~ rosult, thr~ ur~or ot tho h~rin~ ald Irl flrst provld~d wlth inforrn~tlon Concornin~ thr~ trsnsmis3ion patamQtar ~h31 hC6 already b~er, r~witr héd. When tho swltch Is oc11v~tod s~dn withln a prescrlb0d tlme pcriod, ~ ne~w trgn~mis~lon parameter 19 elr~ctronlcrdlly set. The n~w sat~in~ ot th~ new transmls~lon p~rcmetdr Is aonllrmed ~or ths user by outputtln~ 6 ~m6rcnt sl~nal Irom tllC slgn~l output davlca Consequently, th6 user of the h~arlng ai~ can call 1~ Intorm~tlon r;oncernln~
thr~ ~ransmisslon paramctor get at r~ ~Ivon point In timr~. Further, the user rscelvas a r~lnerent s~nal when ths swl~ch 16 sub~oqu~lntly rlctuat~d ~or tho prr~ram ~aloctlon/paramotor sottin~i t\l~t, ~or axampla, ch~ract0rlzas anothcr tran6ml~10n pnrerne~er that IB thsn oet. The dlfleront sl~nsl alsG r~ervos ~s ~ oonfll~nu~tion tO tho wer tn~t the othet parsm~ter hs~, In ~act,- bor~n sct. Thus, maNunctionln~ ol tha h~rln~ nld, which can oCCur wn~n the manually actuata~l9 BWltch ~r s~ttlr~ hrlarlng ald pararT o~crs iS actuetted, bu~ is insufnciontly actuatad such that a switchina to, for oxamplc, a dfflar~nt si~ncl pror~sin~ pro~ram ~o~s not cccur, can ba r~voidcd. ~hls 1~ p~r~lr,ul~rly advantal~r~ gl~r~n ol~or hsarin~i ai~ e!s.
Ir: cnother embodlment ot a h~srln~ cld constrlJcted In accord~noc wlth the principles of tho pr~sent inven~ion, tho ci~nnl out~ut ~vice lo d~ol~nod a~ ~ volco ' ; .
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- 2~90773 F~ 2~i-'9~ THl.l 12:35 ID:HILL ...s1PlP5n~1 TEL l`lO:~ E17~-08r~EI tllY~ P~17 ~en~raton As r~ rcsul~, ~ voice si~nfil that outputr~, ~or sxampla, the wotd~ "nrst ptogrrr~ml' can b~ mnde ncc~6~1bh to the usor ct the he~lno dd throu~h th~ d~rph~no of th~
h~at~n~;~ ald. Thus, ~IrrJct In~ormstion n~out the rjalect~d u~ttin~ o~ tho ho~rlna nld can be provido~i to th~ us~t.
Other PdvrJnt~es nnd bet~rr~ ~ thc Inv~ntion will be r~adlly cpparcnt trom th~ ~ollowin~ ~osoription o1 the pre~erred emt~oclrr~0nt~, tho dr~wln~s nnd clrirrns.
~1~ .
Fi~. 1 illustrate~ a block clrcult db~rsm of n h~crinQ oid con~tructed In ~ccordance wlth the prlncipl~s o~ ~he pre~ens Inwntlon.
Fl~. 2 illu~trates a hearin~ aid oonstr~l~ted in acoorci~nce wlth tha prlnr,lples ol th~ pres~nt inv~n~ion to bc worn bchinci th~ ~cr ot o us~r, wner~ ~ manually ar;tuatr~blc switch Is provlccd.
fl~i. 3 Illustratss a h~arln6i ald con3tructcd In accordnnco wit~ tne prinolpleso~ the prcs3nt In~/r~nlion to be wo~n in thc ear ot thc a~cr, whcrc a manuaily ac~uoS~blo swltch Is provl~crJ.
DE8CRIPTION OF THE PREFER~EP ~M~OPIMENT8 Flg. 1 Illustratss a ~oci~ r,lrcuit dlacram ot a hculn~ ald constructcd in aeeùtciane~ with til0 prlnelpl~s o~ the prasan.t Invention. The hcruln~ eld ~neludes an elaetronie ~i~nul pedth 1 eonneete~ ~otw~en ~ miorophone 2 ~nd an aatphona 3. The elaetronie ~ nal p~th 1 Contsins all eiroUit p~rts (not shown) noooSSory tor sl~n~l processin~. Further, the electronlc slgnal path 1 Includcs at loast ons dl~ctronle sottlne clrcult 4 tor electronlcolly sottln~ ot loost ono trsnsmlsslon p~r~moter, suoh o:r the volumo ol the hearin~ ald, In tha rii~nal psth 1. Tho ohctronio sottin~ circuit 4 ean be controlled S
~ ~LI :-~9 ".i ' i l lU 1~ HII L . . . Sl l l~ j~i91 i IEI I LI~ Ll','r~ iYI:i ri 1;J4 9~9 i7y ~ manurllly aotunt~bl~ ~wh2h 5, w by an automcti~ally operatln~ awitch 5'. l'h electrcnlc u~ttln~ oirault 4 can be pre~proi~t~mm~d. Pr~pro~ramm~d s~nin~ o~
transmission p~amt~tcr~ in the slgnal trransmkslon F~th ~! arc th~n tri~ red h 8 i~nown way by actur~tlna th~ manu~lly actud~able switc h 5, or by ~txlv~ n of tha ~usom~tically ~cturatabb switch 5'.
In a h~arln~ aid 6 ~,on~truot~d in nccorr~ance With til~ prlnc~pl~ ot tne prasen~ invention, th~ manuai switch 6. or tha automatlc ~witch S~, solsctively aa~iv~tc6 ian output sl~nal d~vlco, such ~s ~n ~udio tr~quenCy uenerRtcr 7. Tho man~al swhch 5 or the automatlc s~ltch S' can control tho ~ dh ~requHncy ~en3rator 7, sJch tha~ th~ ~udio ~rt~qUency ,,itaner~lor 7 li3, tor cxamplt~, brlstly 6wltch~d on iat ~h~ same ume tna tnansmission parame;er is sw'ltchod by tho eloctronlc seln~ clrcult 4. ~NhiiC tht,l oudio ~re~uency oen~ra~or 7 Is swltchod on, ~n output ~i~nal o~ 0t laast ono ~l~ctrlaal BlgnAl 15 output ~o tht~ s,~nal pa~h 1. The output slunal dltfsrs hr ~vory ~leo~roni~ally ~el transmlsslon paramet~r, and Is cha~acSeristic o~ ~vsry eleclronlcally sct transrnlsslcn param~ter. As o rssult, the u8cr of ths hrlatin~ ~id ~ r0cciws unambio~ous In~ormatlon throu~h tht earphone 3 conco~nin~ the r~spectlvoly selcctod ~nd 8et trrmsml~sionp3tsmeter or, rs~ptcll~/ely, of thr~ select~d and s~t si~nal procr~slno pr~run.
In accordr~ncc with the exsmplary ~mbodlment iliustrated In Fi~. 1, a r~stt clrcull 8 can b~ provlded In ~ccord~nco with tho prln~ipl9~ ot thc progcnt InY~ntion. Th~
rr~set clrcult ~ cc~s on she electronlC s~nln~ clrcuh 4 tor the 01rlcuonlc senln~; of ~
trangrnisslon p~r3rnCt~r, and ~Iso aot~ on ~13 raudlcl ~rcqu~noy a~neratl~r 7. ~oth thc ehctronlo sctting clrcuit 4 snd tha ~udb fr~qucncy ~ n~r~r 7 Can bo switch~ b~ck to ~n ,nltbl posi~lon with thr~ reso~ cl~cuit 8 Such r~switchinç; ~d~nt~Q;~ous~ ocrvllr3 given actuation of ~n on/oH ~witoh 9 ot thæ heuin~ r~ld e. However, n I also pos~lble ~o havo th~ reset cir~uit 8 tri~r ~iven ~r~ulty operstlDr, o~ ~hr~ swlt^h 5, or 6'. Ar~ ~ result, th~
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2~90773 FE9-25-'93 THU ~:3'3 ~D:HILL ...51~P501`~ TEL !10:31~ 3','6-~898 tJ194 Pe)9 nearln~ aici ~utomaUcally return6 Into ,h~ ~nnial senlna e~ th~ transmlar~lon p~th 1, ~Ivon oither hul~y oporrltlon of the ~wit~h 6, 5' er ~ctuation ~y the onl~ft switch 9 A counbr cirCuit 1D r an d90 be provldod In ecwrd~ncb with tho prlnc!ples o~ th~ prasCnt ~nvenllon Th~ ~unter cireuit 10 ~ r~noed wthln the In~oraGtlvo conneetion b~twerdr~ the menuaiiy r~tuatai~h ~r~oh 5 and the audio 1requency uonerator 7 Th0 switch slgn~ls output by the switch 5 r~re colJnted by ~h~ count~r elrcult 1~ The audio trequonr;y ~oncl ntot 7 Is thon controllr~d, tla5eld on the numbr~r e~ swltch 5~inal3 counteci oy tho counter clrcult 10 As ~ re3ult, It 1~ posslble to ull~ot~ a char~cteriatlr, audio ~roquenoy 61~inal tD avery switeh ¢ignPl output by the ~witch ~ in ~ simplo manner A timor circuit 11 cr~n also ~ provided in eocotdr~nce wltn the prlnclple6 ot thr~ present Invontion Th~ timer clrcuit 1 1 providoa an int~rar tivo conn~ctlon bstwo~dn tho mrmual actur,ltsb!~ switeh 5 and the electrDnlc scttlng clrcuit 4 ~or ~l~ctronlcally e0ttin~ a transmisslon p~r~me~or~ ~s well as the sudlo ~requency ~erl~rator 7. Tho Irlnu~nr;o ot tho manudly actu3tablr~ switch 5 on tho clocttonlc settin~ c~rcult 4 snd on tho ~udio ~raquency ~enr~ratDr 7 can b~ flddltlon~lly contrdleci in ~ tlme-dopendent msnncr Furthor, th~
control by the manunlly ~ctuata~le ~witch 5 can occur auch ~hat B awltchlno to ~ n~w ttansml3slon par~m3ter, or new pro~r~m, only oeeurc qlven a rei~ate~ aetu6tlon, r,uch a doubl~-~etuntion, of tho swltch 5 wlthln o dofined ~Ime p0riod Fin~lly, it i5 ~iso possible to de~l~n tho sl~nsl output do~c~ 7 ~ ~ volco ~rr~quenoy 6anar~trJr 12 arldlor to couple tho sl~nal output devlce to a volce ~ener~tc~
As a r~sult, a dira~ announ~amant o~ the rr~per~lvely soloctod ~rr~nsrnlsslon p~rr~meter snd/or si~nril proce6slng propram can bo made to the us~lr throu~h ths o~rphono 3 Fip 2 Illustratas B hasrln~ ald construr ted In accor~anca wlth the prlnclpleri ot the prosant InY~ntlon, whereln the h~arln~ rlld 18 worn behind tha esr ot a user The ~; 7 FEB-75-'93 THU 19:413 Ir~:HlLL ...SII`19501~ TI~L N9:'~lZ/S~o-889~ J P~
on/olt swltoh ~ end the m~nually ~ctua~0ble ~ritch 5 u~ ptovidsd on ~ ourf~ce of th~
hearln6-j ald. Th~ swl~ch 0 is ci~sianeci a~ ~ Koy bunon In th~ ~x~mplary ombocilment Illustreted In FID Z
Plg. 3 Illustrat~s a hoarin~ ald wnstru~tod In ~r,~ordanco wlth ths prihciplos o~ ~h~ pn~er.~ Inven~lon to ~e wotn In an ear ot tho us~r, or e concha h3arln~ ald. i~
Tho prssont invantion r~latrea ocnrlraUy to a hnrlrlng alci tO bc worn on tho he~d, partbult~rly bohlnd an oar of ~ user. The ho~rin~ r~ld indude6 c slansl p~th betwoon a mlctophon~ ond r~n earphonri. At l~ast one abt;tronlo ooU~in~ clrcuit i8 p~o~lded ~ the sli3nsl path ~or t~lor tronically gr~tt~n~ at bast on~ tNnsmlssion pararrt~tcr In the oi~nal p~th.
Th~ clcctronic sctlln~ circuit i5 conSrolbd by r,l rJwi~h ot the hearln~ old.
A h~arln~ ald Includln~ n slanal path berwaan 8 r~lcrophonc ~nci an ~uphonc havlng r~t IrJ09t one rjlaCSrOnlC senln~ clrr un prov~ed in t~e slgn~l p~th tor ah3ctrlr~1ly sattln~ st least ono tr~nsmlræslon pr~r~mtJ~tt In ~he si~nral prtth, whr~rs th~
el~ctronic ~eltln~ clrcult i6 controlled by a ~wRch of th~ hearlng 81d, iS dlsous~od, tor example"n Europ~lm Palent EP EI 0 064 042. Th~ 81~1n~1 pdh betw~en thc micr~phone and tho oarphone ~9 matchad to a vr,ul~ty o~ Yound onvlronments, or hg~rlnE~
r~nvlronm~ntrj, by a gwitch ot tho ne~ring ald, basod on pre-pro~ramrncd transmlsslon parametcra. Thc switch can ba elthor manuslly actuahblo or aUtomnticaay ~otuatable.
In order ~o manu~lly actuate th~ 3witch, th~ usor o~ thc he~rln~ ald must know what pro6ram Is sct at thc hearin~ ~Id l ~owCver~ a h~ulnf~l~!mpvirod us~r csnnot 9eO the hcbrlng ~Id whlle ur~ln~ the he~rln~ aid. Further, th~ hesrln~-lrrlpairc~ user cnr~not 50b ~I potential~ presr~nt markln~
o~ the s~l~c~ po~Klon o1~ manually el~tuata~lo prof,;rsm sclectlon 6witch provldcd on t~e hearin~ aid whllo uslng tho heaflng aid. As the sound onvironmor~, r,)r hr~nrln~ènvlronments, chrmae fr~quently for a he~rin~j-lmp~lred ur~cr, the u~er of the houln~ ~id can a~sily ~or~et ths rnost recent settln~ 6~1ect~d~ If th~ us~r forgsts thr~ most recent sottin~ of th~ hearinf~ ald s~lectad, nn~ wlshas to Idontlfy ths ~ttlny 3elect~d, the user mu~ r~lther r~mov~ ~he hesrln~ sld ~rom hls he~d to id~ntlfy the ~cloot~d pro~rem, bcs~d ~' .
- ~ , 2~90773 FEB-'5-~93 THU 12:3:; Irl:lllLL ...Slrll~SON TEL ~10:312.'87~-2~q8 ~lg4 P04 on thc mnrkln~ o~ th~ swltch posl~on, or must, tirst, ~wltch tho si~nal trsnsmi~lor~ p~th ot the hearln~ ald in~o an ini~lal rw~ition~ and prooeor~in~ trom thb In!tbl po~itlon, cor~tln~ e rjwitchlno ~he sw;tch up to tn~ dosirod 6~ttlno. Howavu, ~nr~nuall~, rldlwtin~ tnrt hearln~
aid in this m~nner, sccordin~ to ~uah a prwodur~, h extrem~ly tlme-conwmin~ Imd oompllcetrtd. 01dor users ot a hr~r~rin~ ~W, In particular, r~n b~ ov~rburd~nod ~ ~ rcsult ot tho compbxity ot such a procedure. Fursher, whon thc pro~ram seler;tbn ocour~ba~ed on rm wtomaticdlly opsratin~ clrcult, tine uscr rllc~tv~ no Inforrn~tion ri~out thr~
progrnm ~hat was ~utomatically se~cctod, or concr~rnln~i tho aut~m~tlrally selr~ct~d trnnSmiS$ion paramot~r.
~UMMA~ r~F T~E INVENTION
It 13 an obler~ ot th~ pr~nt invontlon to Irrprovo IJ~r r~co~nltlan ot n 8~1~ct~d tr~nsmlsslon pBrr~ et~r In a ho~rln~ ~Id Includlna ~ slund p~th bot~oon a mioroph~nc and an eatphon~ ~avln~ at Isad onr~ el~C~r0nlC ~ttlna clrc~llt tor sottlng nt l~st one trcnsmission pararnCtat ~n ths 61~nal psth, wh6rrJ ~ha el~otronlo 6ettln~ clrcult i5 controlled by o switch o~ tha hc~rin~ sld.
The above obJect 1~ Invsntlvely ac~llcvcd In ~ heuirl~ aid Includln~ 0 microphonr1 r~nd ~n carphon~. A~ lea~t one electronlo settin~ elrcuit 1~ pro~lldod. The ~bctronic ~ottin3 oircult 1~ eleetrleally conn~ded to tho mlerop~onr~ and the ~rphon~
rhe eioctronic ssltin~ eircuit sets at bast ono trr~n~mlsslon parametq. In ~ slgnd potn b~hveon the mlerophone ~nd the earphons. A sl~nal output devles !e also provlded. Th6 si~n~l output d0vic~ Is obctronloally conn0c~0d to tho elr~ctronic aottln~ clteult anrJ to tho enrphone. The sl~nsl output deYlc~ ~ransmits ~It Iso~t one sl~nd to the carphone, whore tn3 si~nal 1~ char~r,~erlstle of ~very electronically S~31 tr~nsmlsslon param~ter. A switch I
also provldcd. Tha swltch Is clcc~rlr ally connsct~d to ~h~ ctroni~ shttin~ elrcun end to tho sl~nol output dcvico. Tho swHch s~lectlvoly ~ctlvotos the eleetronlc riettln~ clrcult ond th~J sl~nal output dovlc~. r 209~773 ^`~
FEB-~5-'0~ THU lZ::~4 ir):HlLL ...911~PSal TEL NO:3i9~37~-13~98 tll~'l P05 Thu~, In acCorciancs with tho prlndples ot tho pr~unt Inv~ntion, a ~lan~l nutput d~vice that provldo~ sn o~ tp~Jt ~f ~ brlst onrt sl~inal that is rJharacterlsUo o~ overy el~ctronically 8et trrmsmlsslon puametflr and til0 diectronlc sottlni~ circuH ~ro bo~h oon~rolled by the 6witch Thus, thll 6witch no~ only sots o transmission p~rcmetor o~ ~he si~n~l p~th, matchln3 e partlcul~r hoarlng snvlronmont, or aound onvironm~rn, but ~Ito oontrol~ tho ~iS, nd outpJt do~ir,~
Tho si~inal csn oe output In an ~rbl~rary manner A partlcul~rly advantaiooue ernbodlment provldog a ~ nal output that c~n bo ~oous~ir;nlly percdved by th~ user d ~h0 hearln6i aid For oxample, tho ~Ignol rJutput devlce r an ~c d3d~ned es an eudlo troquoncy ~onorntor ~hd ou~putr~ al loast ono ~bctrlr~l slonal to tho sl~nal p~th ~twaon th~ mlcrûphone cnd the orlrphono, whor~ ~ha sl~nal 1~ r,~arsctrtrlstlc ot every eleotronloally set transmlsslon parametbr As a result, th~ r,~ricr~ nal output ot the eudio ~raquoncy ~en~rator proGstds throui~h thr~ oruphone nnd into an esr ot the user d the hoarinc aid, rmd ssrvrts ss an aoou~tlc ~icin~l throu6ih the aarphono o~ th~
hearlnrJ r~ld Tha hearln~ ald user can th~n perGelve ths acourstlc slgnai wUhout h~vln~
to rernove the hsarln~i ald from hl8 hr~d Thc sl~inal output from tho audio frequr~ncy oenerator ~hrou~h tho oarphon can b- oulput in ~ slrnplc manner and can provido, 10r example, a whistnn~ tono Tho whistllnj~ tone r~an, ~or sxampl~, be ou~pU~ only onr~ ~ii~n a nr6t param~tHr 6atUn9, twlCc ~ivsn a s~cr~nd p~ram~tdr 6~tun~i rmd, finnlly, n timos i~iven ~n n"' puemetu s~ttin~ The whistlin~ onr~ cen be output wnh, tor sx~mpln, ths sr~mrJ fraqu~ncy Thus, th~ u~ot ot tho hearlnja ald recr~ive~ information concsrnin~ th~ respectlvnly switched tran~rnlsslon param~ter throu~h the ~srpnon6 o~ the hr~nrln~ nld, b~e~d on tho actuat,on o~ thr~ Ch at ~ve~y r~wltchlng o~ the transmluion parr~meters, withou~ takin~ ~ny ~criditioncl ar~tlon to esc~rtaln inform~tlon about the swl~ch tran~ml~sion p~r~mntor Th~ ~witch for th~
.. - :, :. :~
Fl:8-.-5-'~i T~IU 1.~ 35 il~ ]!.! ...SIMPSI~ TFI 1`10:3lS.~a''6~ g3 Ul94 ;'E3~
progr~m so!ectionfparcm~ter settlna can bo d~ nsd B9 r~ mdnLlaliy wtuoteblo swltch, or s~ an autom~slcol~ oporntlna ~witch.
Irl a pnrticul~rly ndv~ntaoeous embocilment c~ ~ ho~rln~ ald con6ttuoted In accorcance wnh th~ prinolple6 of the present In~ntlon, a tlm~r circult Is providod. The ef~ct of ~ho m~nudly nctuatr~ble switch on tho sl~jnal output devico ~ndlor on tho oloctronic sCttin~ circu`,t is controlla~le throuah tho Slrner clrcul. ms tlrnar clrcult can control actuaUon ot th~ electronlc sonlng olrcuit ~nd t~lo output sl~nnl dovioo 6uch ~ha~
only tho ~i~n~l ou~put devke 13 switched alv~n c rlrst nctuathn ot th~ ~witch whhln a pr~sotli~r3~.tlm~ ~pan. As ~ rosult, thr~ ur~or ot tho h~rin~ ald Irl flrst provld~d wlth inforrn~tlon Concornin~ thr~ trsnsmis3ion patamQtar ~h31 hC6 already b~er, r~witr héd. When tho swltch Is oc11v~tod s~dn withln a prescrlb0d tlme pcriod, ~ ne~w trgn~mis~lon parameter 19 elr~ctronlcrdlly set. The n~w sat~in~ ot th~ new transmls~lon p~rcmetdr Is aonllrmed ~or ths user by outputtln~ 6 ~m6rcnt sl~nal Irom tllC slgn~l output davlca Consequently, th6 user of the h~arlng ai~ can call 1~ Intorm~tlon r;oncernln~
thr~ ~ransmisslon paramctor get at r~ ~Ivon point In timr~. Further, the user rscelvas a r~lnerent s~nal when ths swl~ch 16 sub~oqu~lntly rlctuat~d ~or tho prr~ram ~aloctlon/paramotor sottin~i t\l~t, ~or axampla, ch~ract0rlzas anothcr tran6ml~10n pnrerne~er that IB thsn oet. The dlfleront sl~nsl alsG r~ervos ~s ~ oonfll~nu~tion tO tho wer tn~t the othet parsm~ter hs~, In ~act,- bor~n sct. Thus, maNunctionln~ ol tha h~rln~ nld, which can oCCur wn~n the manually actuata~l9 BWltch ~r s~ttlr~ hrlarlng ald pararT o~crs iS actuetted, bu~ is insufnciontly actuatad such that a switchina to, for oxamplc, a dfflar~nt si~ncl pror~sin~ pro~ram ~o~s not cccur, can ba r~voidcd. ~hls 1~ p~r~lr,ul~rly advantal~r~ gl~r~n ol~or hsarin~i ai~ e!s.
Ir: cnother embodlment ot a h~srln~ cld constrlJcted In accord~noc wlth the principles of tho pr~sent inven~ion, tho ci~nnl out~ut ~vice lo d~ol~nod a~ ~ volco ' ; .
~' :
- 2~90773 F~ 2~i-'9~ THl.l 12:35 ID:HILL ...s1PlP5n~1 TEL l`lO:~ E17~-08r~EI tllY~ P~17 ~en~raton As r~ rcsul~, ~ voice si~nfil that outputr~, ~or sxampla, the wotd~ "nrst ptogrrr~ml' can b~ mnde ncc~6~1bh to the usor ct the he~lno dd throu~h th~ d~rph~no of th~
h~at~n~;~ ald. Thus, ~IrrJct In~ormstion n~out the rjalect~d u~ttin~ o~ tho ho~rlna nld can be provido~i to th~ us~t.
Other PdvrJnt~es nnd bet~rr~ ~ thc Inv~ntion will be r~adlly cpparcnt trom th~ ~ollowin~ ~osoription o1 the pre~erred emt~oclrr~0nt~, tho dr~wln~s nnd clrirrns.
~1~ .
Fi~. 1 illustrate~ a block clrcult db~rsm of n h~crinQ oid con~tructed In ~ccordance wlth the prlncipl~s o~ ~he pre~ens Inwntlon.
Fl~. 2 illu~trates a hearin~ aid oonstr~l~ted in acoorci~nce wlth tha prlnr,lples ol th~ pres~nt inv~n~ion to bc worn bchinci th~ ~cr ot o us~r, wner~ ~ manually ar;tuatr~blc switch Is provlccd.
fl~i. 3 Illustratss a h~arln6i ald con3tructcd In accordnnco wit~ tne prinolpleso~ the prcs3nt In~/r~nlion to be wo~n in thc ear ot thc a~cr, whcrc a manuaily ac~uoS~blo swltch Is provl~crJ.
DE8CRIPTION OF THE PREFER~EP ~M~OPIMENT8 Flg. 1 Illustratss a ~oci~ r,lrcuit dlacram ot a hculn~ ald constructcd in aeeùtciane~ with til0 prlnelpl~s o~ the prasan.t Invention. The hcruln~ eld ~neludes an elaetronie ~i~nul pedth 1 eonneete~ ~otw~en ~ miorophone 2 ~nd an aatphona 3. The elaetronie ~ nal p~th 1 Contsins all eiroUit p~rts (not shown) noooSSory tor sl~n~l processin~. Further, the electronlc slgnal path 1 Includcs at loast ons dl~ctronle sottlne clrcult 4 tor electronlcolly sottln~ ot loost ono trsnsmlsslon p~r~moter, suoh o:r the volumo ol the hearin~ ald, In tha rii~nal psth 1. Tho ohctronio sottin~ circuit 4 ean be controlled S
~ ~LI :-~9 ".i ' i l lU 1~ HII L . . . Sl l l~ j~i91 i IEI I LI~ Ll','r~ iYI:i ri 1;J4 9~9 i7y ~ manurllly aotunt~bl~ ~wh2h 5, w by an automcti~ally operatln~ awitch 5'. l'h electrcnlc u~ttln~ oirault 4 can be pre~proi~t~mm~d. Pr~pro~ramm~d s~nin~ o~
transmission p~amt~tcr~ in the slgnal trransmkslon F~th ~! arc th~n tri~ red h 8 i~nown way by actur~tlna th~ manu~lly actud~able switc h 5, or by ~txlv~ n of tha ~usom~tically ~cturatabb switch 5'.
In a h~arln~ aid 6 ~,on~truot~d in nccorr~ance With til~ prlnc~pl~ ot tne prasen~ invention, th~ manuai switch 6. or tha automatlc ~witch S~, solsctively aa~iv~tc6 ian output sl~nal d~vlco, such ~s ~n ~udio tr~quenCy uenerRtcr 7. Tho man~al swhch 5 or the automatlc s~ltch S' can control tho ~ dh ~requHncy ~en3rator 7, sJch tha~ th~ ~udio ~rt~qUency ,,itaner~lor 7 li3, tor cxamplt~, brlstly 6wltch~d on iat ~h~ same ume tna tnansmission parame;er is sw'ltchod by tho eloctronlc seln~ clrcult 4. ~NhiiC tht,l oudio ~re~uency oen~ra~or 7 Is swltchod on, ~n output ~i~nal o~ 0t laast ono ~l~ctrlaal BlgnAl 15 output ~o tht~ s,~nal pa~h 1. The output slunal dltfsrs hr ~vory ~leo~roni~ally ~el transmlsslon paramet~r, and Is cha~acSeristic o~ ~vsry eleclronlcally sct transrnlsslcn param~ter. As o rssult, the u8cr of ths hrlatin~ ~id ~ r0cciws unambio~ous In~ormatlon throu~h tht earphone 3 conco~nin~ the r~spectlvoly selcctod ~nd 8et trrmsml~sionp3tsmeter or, rs~ptcll~/ely, of thr~ select~d and s~t si~nal procr~slno pr~run.
In accordr~ncc with the exsmplary ~mbodlment iliustrated In Fi~. 1, a r~stt clrcull 8 can b~ provlded In ~ccord~nco with tho prln~ipl9~ ot thc progcnt InY~ntion. Th~
rr~set clrcult ~ cc~s on she electronlC s~nln~ clrcuh 4 tor the 01rlcuonlc senln~; of ~
trangrnisslon p~r3rnCt~r, and ~Iso aot~ on ~13 raudlcl ~rcqu~noy a~neratl~r 7. ~oth thc ehctronlo sctting clrcuit 4 snd tha ~udb fr~qucncy ~ n~r~r 7 Can bo switch~ b~ck to ~n ,nltbl posi~lon with thr~ reso~ cl~cuit 8 Such r~switchinç; ~d~nt~Q;~ous~ ocrvllr3 given actuation of ~n on/oH ~witoh 9 ot thæ heuin~ r~ld e. However, n I also pos~lble ~o havo th~ reset cir~uit 8 tri~r ~iven ~r~ulty operstlDr, o~ ~hr~ swlt^h 5, or 6'. Ar~ ~ result, th~
'' ` ~ ``' :
2~90773 FE9-25-'93 THU ~:3'3 ~D:HILL ...51~P501`~ TEL !10:31~ 3','6-~898 tJ194 Pe)9 nearln~ aici ~utomaUcally return6 Into ,h~ ~nnial senlna e~ th~ transmlar~lon p~th 1, ~Ivon oither hul~y oporrltlon of the ~wit~h 6, 5' er ~ctuation ~y the onl~ft switch 9 A counbr cirCuit 1D r an d90 be provldod In ecwrd~ncb with tho prlnc!ples o~ th~ prasCnt ~nvenllon Th~ ~unter cireuit 10 ~ r~noed wthln the In~oraGtlvo conneetion b~twerdr~ the menuaiiy r~tuatai~h ~r~oh 5 and the audio 1requency uonerator 7 Th0 switch slgn~ls output by the switch 5 r~re colJnted by ~h~ count~r elrcult 1~ The audio trequonr;y ~oncl ntot 7 Is thon controllr~d, tla5eld on the numbr~r e~ swltch 5~inal3 counteci oy tho counter clrcult 10 As ~ re3ult, It 1~ posslble to ull~ot~ a char~cteriatlr, audio ~roquenoy 61~inal tD avery switeh ¢ignPl output by the ~witch ~ in ~ simplo manner A timor circuit 11 cr~n also ~ provided in eocotdr~nce wltn the prlnclple6 ot thr~ present Invontion Th~ timer clrcuit 1 1 providoa an int~rar tivo conn~ctlon bstwo~dn tho mrmual actur,ltsb!~ switeh 5 and the electrDnlc scttlng clrcuit 4 ~or ~l~ctronlcally e0ttin~ a transmisslon p~r~me~or~ ~s well as the sudlo ~requency ~erl~rator 7. Tho Irlnu~nr;o ot tho manudly actu3tablr~ switch 5 on tho clocttonlc settin~ c~rcult 4 snd on tho ~udio ~raquency ~enr~ratDr 7 can b~ flddltlon~lly contrdleci in ~ tlme-dopendent msnncr Furthor, th~
control by the manunlly ~ctuata~le ~witch 5 can occur auch ~hat B awltchlno to ~ n~w ttansml3slon par~m3ter, or new pro~r~m, only oeeurc qlven a rei~ate~ aetu6tlon, r,uch a doubl~-~etuntion, of tho swltch 5 wlthln o dofined ~Ime p0riod Fin~lly, it i5 ~iso possible to de~l~n tho sl~nsl output do~c~ 7 ~ ~ volco ~rr~quenoy 6anar~trJr 12 arldlor to couple tho sl~nal output devlce to a volce ~ener~tc~
As a r~sult, a dira~ announ~amant o~ the rr~per~lvely soloctod ~rr~nsrnlsslon p~rr~meter snd/or si~nril proce6slng propram can bo made to the us~lr throu~h ths o~rphono 3 Fip 2 Illustratas B hasrln~ ald construr ted In accor~anca wlth the prlnclpleri ot the prosant InY~ntlon, whereln the h~arln~ rlld 18 worn behind tha esr ot a user The ~; 7 FEB-75-'93 THU 19:413 Ir~:HlLL ...SII`19501~ TI~L N9:'~lZ/S~o-889~ J P~
on/olt swltoh ~ end the m~nually ~ctua~0ble ~ritch 5 u~ ptovidsd on ~ ourf~ce of th~
hearln6-j ald. Th~ swl~ch 0 is ci~sianeci a~ ~ Koy bunon In th~ ~x~mplary ombocilment Illustreted In FID Z
Plg. 3 Illustrat~s a hoarin~ ald wnstru~tod In ~r,~ordanco wlth ths prihciplos o~ ~h~ pn~er.~ Inven~lon to ~e wotn In an ear ot tho us~r, or e concha h3arln~ ald. i~
3 Illustrate~ the ext~rn311y ~,rislble fraoe plate ol ~ho hear,ng ~Id 5 In ~ecord~nce wth thls ~mbodlm~nt o~ a hesrln~ ald r;onstruoted in accotdanc8 wlth ~h~ princlplos ot tho pr~sont inventlon, 8 k~y button is providod ~s tho owitch 5. Furtner, tho on/off owkch 919 comblnsd wlth the volume contrul In thls omb~dim~nt.
AUhough ~l~rious mlnor modlllcctlorls may ~e su~ se~d by thos~ vorssd in tho ut, it shouid b~ understocd th~t I wi~h to embody wlthin the rcop~ of the p~tsnt gr~nted h~roon nll such modlnc~tlc)n~ 8!~ r~o~onably ~nd proporly como within thO ocopc d my contrlbutlon to the ~rt.
AUhough ~l~rious mlnor modlllcctlorls may ~e su~ se~d by thos~ vorssd in tho ut, it shouid b~ understocd th~t I wi~h to embody wlthin the rcop~ of the p~tsnt gr~nted h~roon nll such modlnc~tlc)n~ 8!~ r~o~onably ~nd proporly como within thO ocopc d my contrlbutlon to the ~rt.
Claims (20)
1. A hearing aid to be worn behind the ear of a user comprising:
a microphone;
an earphone;
at least one electronic setting means, electrically connected to said microphone and to said earphone, for setting at least one transmission parameter in a signal path between said microphone and said earphone;
signal output means, electronically connected to said at least one electronic signal means and to said earphone, for transmitting at least one signal to said earphone, wherein said at least one signal is characteristic of every electronically set transmission parameter; and switch means, electrically connected to said at least one electronic setting means and to said signal output means, for selectively activating said at least one electronic setting means and signal output means.
a microphone;
an earphone;
at least one electronic setting means, electrically connected to said microphone and to said earphone, for setting at least one transmission parameter in a signal path between said microphone and said earphone;
signal output means, electronically connected to said at least one electronic signal means and to said earphone, for transmitting at least one signal to said earphone, wherein said at least one signal is characteristic of every electronically set transmission parameter; and switch means, electrically connected to said at least one electronic setting means and to said signal output means, for selectively activating said at least one electronic setting means and signal output means.
2. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch means is automatically actuated.
3. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one transmission parameter is pre-programmed, and wherein said at least one transmission parameter is selectible based on a sound environment of said user.
4. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal output means is further defined by an audio frequency generator that outputs an electrical signal to said signal path.
5. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reset circuit connected to said at least one electronic setting means, wherein said reset circuit is electrically activated by at least one faulty operation of said switch means and actuation of an on/off switch provided on said hearing aid.
6. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a counter circuit disposed between said switch means and said signal output means, said counter circuit counting output signals from said switch means and controlling said signal output means based on a counter reading of said counter circuit.
7. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal output means is further defined by a voice generator.
8. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch means is further defined by a manually actuatable switch, said hearing aid further comprising a timer circuit connected to said manually actuatable switch for controlling said manually actuatable switch.
9. A hearing aid comprising:
an earphone; and signal means, electrically connected to said earphone, for selectively generating an output signal to said earphone indicating a change in a transmission parameter of said hearing aid.
an earphone; and signal means, electrically connected to said earphone, for selectively generating an output signal to said earphone indicating a change in a transmission parameter of said hearing aid.
10. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an audio frequency generator electrically connected to said earphone for generating said output signal.
11. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a voice generator electrically connected to said earphone for generating said output signal.
12. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a switch electrically connected to said means for selectively actuating generation of said output signal.
13. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an automatically actuatable switch electrically connected to said signal means for automatically actuatically generation of said output signal.
14. A hearing aid comprising:
a microphone;
an earphone;
an electronic setting circuit disposed in a path between said microphone and said earphone and electrically connected to said microphone and to said earphone for setting at least one transmission parameter in said signal path;
a switch; and a signal output generator electrically connected to said switch, said earphone, and said electronic setting circuit, for generating an output signal based on a change in a transmission parameter of said hearing aid.
a microphone;
an earphone;
an electronic setting circuit disposed in a path between said microphone and said earphone and electrically connected to said microphone and to said earphone for setting at least one transmission parameter in said signal path;
a switch; and a signal output generator electrically connected to said switch, said earphone, and said electronic setting circuit, for generating an output signal based on a change in a transmission parameter of said hearing aid.
15. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14, wherein said switch is an automatically actuated switch.
16. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14, wherein said transmission parameter is pre-programmed.
17. A hearing aid is claimed in claim 14, wherein said signal output generator is an audio frequency generator.
18. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14, wherein said signal output generator is a voice generator.
19. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14, wherein said switch is electrically connected to said electronic setting circuit, further comprising a reset circuit connected to said electronic setting circuit, wherein said reset circuit is electronically activated by at least one of faulty operation of said switch means and actuation of an on/off switch provided on said hearing aid.
20. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a counter circuit disposed between said switch and said signal output generator, said counter circuit mounting output signals from said switch and controlling said signal output generator based on a counter reading of said counter circuit.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4206084A DE4206084C1 (en) | 1992-02-27 | 1992-02-27 | Hearing aid with acoustic indication of selected setting - has tone generator providing signals indicative of electronically set parameter, adjusted by manual switch |
| DEP4206084.2 | 1992-02-27 | ||
| DEP4217629.8 | 1992-05-27 | ||
| DE4217629A DE4217629A1 (en) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-05-27 | Hearing aid with variable signal transmission characteristics |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2090773A1 true CA2090773A1 (en) | 1993-08-28 |
Family
ID=25912271
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002090773A Abandoned CA2090773A1 (en) | 1992-02-27 | 1993-02-25 | Hearing aid providing an information output signal upon selection of an electronically set transmission parameter |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5524150A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0557847B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2090773A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE59301227D1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0557847T3 (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0676909A1 (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1995-10-11 | Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH | Programmable hearing aid |
| DE4419901C2 (en) * | 1994-06-07 | 2000-09-14 | Siemens Audiologische Technik | Hearing aid |
| US6633202B2 (en) | 2001-04-12 | 2003-10-14 | Gennum Corporation | Precision low jitter oscillator circuit |
| US6937738B2 (en) * | 2001-04-12 | 2005-08-30 | Gennum Corporation | Digital hearing aid system |
| DE60223869D1 (en) * | 2001-04-18 | 2008-01-17 | Gennum Corp | Digital quasi-mean detector |
| CA2382362C (en) * | 2001-04-18 | 2009-06-23 | Gennum Corporation | Inter-channel communication in a multi-channel digital hearing instrument |
| US20020191800A1 (en) * | 2001-04-19 | 2002-12-19 | Armstrong Stephen W. | In-situ transducer modeling in a digital hearing instrument |
| US7113589B2 (en) * | 2001-08-15 | 2006-09-26 | Gennum Corporation | Low-power reconfigurable hearing instrument |
| US6826286B1 (en) * | 2003-09-26 | 2004-11-30 | Unitron Hearing Ltd. | Audio amplification device with volume control |
| US20050078841A1 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-14 | Boor Steven E. | Method and apparatus for resetting a buffer amplifier |
| DE102004001500B3 (en) | 2004-01-09 | 2005-06-23 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing device with internally generated device signal and input signal matched to one another for ensuring audibility of device signal |
| DE102004035046A1 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2005-07-21 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid or communication system with virtual signal sources providing the user with signals from the space around him |
| DE102004037376B3 (en) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-12-29 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Freely configurable information signals for hearing aids |
| EP1626611A3 (en) | 2004-08-09 | 2009-02-18 | Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH | Hearing aid with continuous control |
| DE102005028742B3 (en) | 2005-06-21 | 2006-09-21 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid equipment, has signal source delivering test signal that is not directly coming from input signal, where information signal is delivered by equipment such that information signal is delivered from source and used as test signal |
| US8712063B2 (en) | 2005-12-19 | 2014-04-29 | Phonak Ag | Synchronization of sound generated in binaural hearing system |
| DE102006019728A1 (en) * | 2006-04-27 | 2007-11-15 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Time-adaptive setting of a hearing aid device and corresponding method |
| DE102006035090A1 (en) * | 2006-07-28 | 2008-01-31 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid system with recording for a control element |
| DK1885156T3 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2013-07-29 | Siemens Audiologische Technik | Hearing aid with an audio signal generator |
| US8077893B2 (en) * | 2007-05-31 | 2011-12-13 | Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne | Distributed audio coding for wireless hearing aids |
| US8588880B2 (en) | 2009-02-16 | 2013-11-19 | Masimo Corporation | Ear sensor |
| AU2009340273B2 (en) | 2009-02-20 | 2012-12-06 | Widex A/S | Sound message recording system for a hearing aid |
| US8792661B2 (en) * | 2010-01-20 | 2014-07-29 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Hearing aids, computing devices, and methods for hearing aid profile update |
| US8538049B2 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2013-09-17 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Hearing aid, computing device, and method for selecting a hearing aid profile |
| DE102010014315A1 (en) | 2010-04-09 | 2011-10-13 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Hearing instrument e.g. hearing aid has operating device e.g. touch screen for receiving input from user, where feedback is provided to user in the form of vibration |
| WO2011159349A1 (en) | 2010-06-14 | 2011-12-22 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Hearing aid system |
| US8761421B2 (en) | 2011-01-14 | 2014-06-24 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Portable electronic device and computer-readable medium for remote hearing aid profile storage |
| US9167339B2 (en) | 2010-07-07 | 2015-10-20 | Iii Holdings 4, Llc | Hearing damage limiting headphones |
| US8515110B2 (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2013-08-20 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Hearing aid with automatic mode change capabilities |
| US10687150B2 (en) | 2010-11-23 | 2020-06-16 | Audiotoniq, Inc. | Battery life monitor system and method |
| WO2017011461A1 (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2017-01-19 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Hybrid transducer |
| US9843292B2 (en) | 2015-10-14 | 2017-12-12 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Method and apparatus for maintaining DC bias |
| WO2017083679A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Method and apparatus to increase audio band microphone sensitivity |
| US10244332B2 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2019-03-26 | Cochlear Limited | Device monitoring for program switching |
| US9937346B2 (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2018-04-10 | Cochlear Limited | Downshifting of output in a sense prosthesis |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE428167B (en) * | 1981-04-16 | 1983-06-06 | Mangold Stephan | PROGRAMMABLE SIGNAL TREATMENT DEVICE, MAINLY INTENDED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY |
| US4777474A (en) * | 1987-03-26 | 1988-10-11 | Clayton Jack A | Alarm system for the hearing impaired |
| EP0335542B1 (en) * | 1988-03-30 | 1994-12-21 | 3M Hearing Health Aktiebolag | Auditory prosthesis with datalogging capability |
| DK45889D0 (en) * | 1989-02-01 | 1989-02-01 | Medicoteknisk Inst | PROCEDURE FOR HEARING ADJUSTMENT |
| US5140632A (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1992-08-18 | Lewis Anten | Telephone having voice capability adaptor |
| DK0480097T3 (en) * | 1990-10-12 | 1995-06-06 | Siemens Audiologische Technik | Hearing aid with a data warehouse |
-
1993
- 1993-02-15 DE DE59301227T patent/DE59301227D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-15 DE DE9321583U patent/DE9321583U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-15 DK DK93102343.6T patent/DK0557847T3/en active
- 1993-02-15 EP EP93102343A patent/EP0557847B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-02-25 CA CA002090773A patent/CA2090773A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1994
- 1994-11-22 US US08/347,185 patent/US5524150A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DK0557847T3 (en) | 1996-05-20 |
| US5524150A (en) | 1996-06-04 |
| DE9321583U1 (en) | 2000-05-25 |
| EP0557847B1 (en) | 1995-12-27 |
| DE59301227D1 (en) | 1996-02-08 |
| EP0557847A1 (en) | 1993-09-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |