Two-wired hearing aid system utilizing two-way communication for programming
First Claim
1. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
- a microphone;
an amplifier;
a receiver;
a bypass capacitor connected across the receiver; and
circuitry for disconnecting at least one load and the bypass capacitor during a hearing aid programming operation, and for reconnecting the at least one load and the bypass capacitor after the hearing aid programming operation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing aid system is disclosed that enables a two-wire configuration for power, data and ground, and two-way communication between a hearing aid and an external programming device or system. In one embodiment, the hearing aid includes a receiver and a bypass capacitor, such as commonly found with Class D receivers. Circuitry is included that switches between a normal hearing aid operating mode in which the bypass capacitor is connected, and a programming mode in which at least the bypass capacitor is disconnected. Switching may occur in response to the input voltage of the hearing aid rising above and falling below a predetermined threshold. The hearing aid may operate using three different voltages, one for normal operation and two others representative of logic signals during the programming mode.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
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a microphone;
an amplifier;
a receiver;
a bypass capacitor connected across the receiver; and
circuitry for disconnecting at least one load and the bypass capacitor during a hearing aid programming operation, and for reconnecting the at least one load and the bypass capacitor after the hearing aid programming operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27)
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13. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
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a microphone;
an amplifier;
a receiver;
a bypass capacitor connected across the receiver; and
circuitry for switching between a hearing aid operating mode in which at least one load and the bypass capacitor are connected and a hearing aid programming mode in which at least the bypass capacitor is disconnected.
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24. A method of operating a programmable hearing aid comprising:
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providing power to a hearing aid microphone, amplifier, receiver, and bypass capacitor;
detecting an input voltage;
shutting off power to at least the bypass capacitor when the detected input voltage is above a predetermined threshold;
recognizing a first logic signal when the detected input voltage is at a first voltage level greater than the predetermined threshold;
recognizing a second logic signal when the detected input voltage is at a second voltage level greater than the predetermined threshold and the first voltage level; and
restoring power to the at least bypass capacitor when the detected input voltage falls below the predetermined threshold.
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25. A method of operating a programmable hearing aid comprising:
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providing power to a hearing aid receiver and bypass capacitor;
detecting an input voltage;
shutting off power to at least the bypass capacitor when the detected input voltage rises above a predetermined threshold; and
performing a programming operation when the detected input voltage is above the predetermined threshold.
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Specification