Automatically switched hearing aid communications earpiece
First Claim
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1. Hearing aid apparatus comprising:
- a first signal path having a microphone for receiving sound in a vicinity of a user, a processor for processing the sound into a processed sound, and a speaker for outputting the processed sound into a vicinity of an ear canal of the user;
a second signal path for establishing communication between at least a portion of the first signal path and a location remote from the user; and
a switch for automatically selecting the first signal path or the second signal path in response to detected occurrence of a predetermined condition of the second signal path.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a hearing aid apparatus which can function in a hearing aid state and a communications state, by automatically switching between the hearing aid state and the communications state. Exemplary embodiments combine the functions of headset operation and hearing aid operation into an apparatus which can connect with communication devices and which can automatically reconfigure itself to function as a hearing aid for addressing a hearing impairment of the user. Exemplary embodiments can be configured small and comfortable to permit wear over extended periods of time.
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15 Claims
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1. Hearing aid apparatus comprising:
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a first signal path having a microphone for receiving sound in a vicinity of a user, a processor for processing the sound into a processed sound, and a speaker for outputting the processed sound into a vicinity of an ear canal of the user;
a second signal path for establishing communication between at least a portion of the first signal path and a location remote from the user; and
a switch for automatically selecting the first signal path or the second signal path in response to detected occurrence of a predetermined condition of the second signal path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification