Portable system for programming hearing aids

• US 20050008175A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Ear Technology Incorporated (Starkey Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Preves, David A., Hagen, Lawrence T., Newton, James, Richardson, Garry
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/314
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/502 using analog signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A system for programming one or more hearing aids with a host computer, the system including a hearing aid programmer for wireless communications with the host computer. In various embodiments, the hearing aid programmer has at least one interface connector for communication with at least one hearing aid. Additionally, in various embodiments, the system includes a wireless interface adapted for connecting to the at least one interface connector of the hearing aid programmer, the wireless interface further adapted for wireless communication with one or more hearing aids. Varying embodiments of the present subject matter include a wireless interface which contains signal processing electronics, a memory connected to the signal processing electronics; and a wireless module connected to the signal processing electronics and adapted for wireless communications.

Claims

1. A system for programming one or more hearing aids with a host computer comprising:

a hearing aid programmer for wireless communications with the host computer, the hearing aid programmer having at least one interface connector for communication with at least one hearing aid; and

a wireless interface adapted for connecting to the at least one interface connector of the hearing aid programmer, and further adapted for wireless communication with one or more hearing aids, the wireless interface comprising;

signal processing electronics;

a memory connected to the signal processing electronics; and

a wireless module connected to the signal processing electronics and adapted for wireless communications.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal processing electronics are adapted for booting the wireless module.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface communicates at a radio frequency of approximately 3.84 Megahertz.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing aid programmer is adapted for wireless communications with the host computer using a protocol compatible with a Bluetooth ™

standard.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the system is adapted for compatibility with a NOAHlink™

communication protocol.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the wireless interface includes an output connector for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the interface connector is adapted for making a mechanical connection compatible with the NOAHlink™

hearing aid programmer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes at least one interconnecting conduit adapted for hanging the wireless interface on an individual'"'"'s neck.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface is adapted to position the wireless module behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface is hook shaped and is adapted for hanging on an individual'"'"'s neck.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface is shaped like a binaural stethoscope, comprising an interconnecting conduit adapted to be elastically deformed and adapted to clasp around an individual'"'"'s neck.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless interface is adapted to position the plastic housings behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plastic housings include output connectors for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface includes a lanyard which is adapted for routing around an individual'"'"'s neck.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the lanyard is adapted to position the plastic housings behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plastic housings include output connectors for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

17. They system of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface includes an over-voltage protection.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein over-voltage protection includes:

a detector; and

a line-protector connected to the detector,

wherein the detector controls function of the line-protector.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the detector controls power at the output connector by controlling the line-protector.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the detector controls at least one power supply.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the detector disables power to the wireless interface by controlling the at least one power supply.