Hearing system having improved high frequency response

• US 20060251278A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EarLens Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rodney Perkins and Associates
• Inventors: Perkins, Rodney C., Puria, Sunil
• Granted Patent: US 7,668,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 23/008 using optical signals for detecting or generating sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/09 Non-occlusive ear tips, i.e. leaving the ear canal open, for both custom and non-custom tips H04R2460/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/40 Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/402 using contructional means
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/453 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response

Abstract

The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.

Claims

1. A hearing system comprising:

an input transducer positionable within an ear canal of a user to capture ambient sound that enters the ear canal of the user; and

a transmitter assembly that receives electrical signals from the input transducer, the transmitter assembly comprising a signal processor that has a frequency response bandwidth in a 6.0 kHz to 20 kHz range, the transmitter assembly configured to deliver filtered signals to an output transducer positioned in a middle or inner ear of the user, the filtered signal being representative of the ambient sound received by the input transducer,

wherein a configuration of the input transducer and transmitter assembly provide an open ear canal that allows ambient sound to directly reach the middle ear of the user.

2. The hearing system of claim 1 wherein the frequency response bandwidth allows for delivery of high-frequency localization cues in a 7 kHz to 13 kHz range to the middle ear of the user.

3. The hearing system of claim 1 comprising a shell with an open chamber that houses the input transducer and at least a portion of the transmitter assembly, an external surface of the shell configured to mate with characteristics of the ear canal of the user,

the shell comprising a first end that is configured to be positioned adjacent to an entrance of the ear canal and a second end that is configured to be positioned in proximity to the tympanic membrane, wherein the second end comprises one or more openings that allow the ambient sound from outside the entrance of the ear canal to directly reach the middle ear of the user.

4. The hearing system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter assembly comprises an optical transmitter.

5. The hearing system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter assembly comprises an acoustic transmitter

6. The hearing system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter assembly comprises a fluid pressure transmitter.

7. The hearing system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter assembly comprises an electromagnetic transmitter and transmission element that receive a signal from the signal processor, the electromagnetic transmitter delivering the filtered signals to the output transducer through the transmission element.

8. The hearing system of claim 7 wherein the signal processor, electromagnetic transmitter and transmission element are disposed within the ear canal of the user.

9. The hearing system of claim 7 wherein the signal processor is located behind a pinna of the user and the electromagnetic transmitter and transmission element are disposed within the ear canal of the user.

10. The hearing system of claim 7 the output transducer is coupled to an acoustic member of the middle ear, the transducer being configured to receive the filtered signals from the transmission element.

11. The hearing system of claim 10 wherein the filtered signals are in the form of a modulated electromagnetic field.

12. The hearing system of claim 11 wherein the transducer is a coupled to a tympanic membrane of the user.

13. The hearing system of claim 12 wherein the transducer is embedded in a conically shaped film that is configured to releasably contact a surface of the tympanic membrane.

14. The hearing system of claim 10 wherein the transducer comprises a permanent magnet.

15. The hearing system of claim 3 wherein the input transducer is positioned at a first end of the shell.

16. A method comprising:

positioning an input transducer within an ear canal of a user;

transmitting signals that are indicative of ambient sound received by the input transducer to a transmitter assembly;

filtering the signals at the transmitter assembly with a signal processor that has a bandwidth that is larger than about 6.0 kHz;

delivering filtered signals to a middle ear or inner ear of the user; and

wherein positioning of the input transducer and transmitter assembly provides an open ear canal that allows non-filtered ambient sound to directly reach the middle ear of the user.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the signal processor has a bandwidth between about 6 kHz and about 20 kHz.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the filtered signals comprise high-frequency spatial localization cues.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the transmitter assembly comprises an electromagnetic transmitter and a transmission element that are in communication with the signal processor, wherein delivering filtered signals to the middle ear of the user comprises:

directing signals from the signal processor to the electromagnetic transmitter;

delivering filtered electromagnetic signals from the electromagnetic transmitter to the middle ear through the transmission element.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising coupling a transducer to a tympanic membrane of the user,

wherein delivering filtered electromagnetic signals from the electromagnetic transmitter to the middle ear through the transmission element is carried out by delivering the filtered electromagnetic signals to the transducer which is mechanically vibrated according to the filtered electromagnetic signals.

21. The method of claim 19 comprising positioning the electromagnetic transmitter and the transmission element in the ear canal and positioning the signal processor outside of the ear canal.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein delivering filtered signals comprises delivering filtered optical signals.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein delivering filtered signals comprises delivering filtered acoustic signals.

24. The method of claim 16 comprising positioning the signal processor, electromagnetic transmitter, and the transmission element in the ear canal.

25. The method of claim 16 wherein providing an open ear canal is carried out by positioning the input transducer and at least a portion of the transmitter assembly within an open chamber of a shell, the shell comprising openings that allow the non-filtered ambient sound to directly reach the middle ear of the user.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein the positioning of the input transducer and transmitter assembly reduces feedback and provides a signal to noise ratio of about 3 dB to about 8 dB.

27. A hearing system comprising:

microphone means positionable within an ear canal of a user;

transmitter means for receiving electrical signals from the microphone means, the transmitter means comprising a frequency response bandwidth of more than about 6.0 kHz, the transmitter means configured to deliver filtered signals toward a middle ear of the user; and

means for providing an open ear canal that allows ambient sound to directly reach the middle ear of the user.