Wireless hearing aid system and method
First Claim
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1. A wireless hearing aid comprising:
- (a) headset body further comprising an audio output assembly, speech audio input assembly, and directional audio input assembly;
wherein said headset body is configured to permit said audio output assembly to be inserted into an ear canal of the person wearing said headset body, said speech audio input assembly to collect audio input from the mouth of said person, and said directional audio input assembly to collect audio input from individuals other than said person;
said audio output assembly further comprises an earpiece and audio transducer;
said speech audio input assembly further comprises a speech microphone directed towards said mouth of said person;
said directional audio input assembly further comprises a directional microphone directed away from said mouth of said person;
said audio output assembly, said directional audio input assembly, and said speech audio input assembly form a connected arcuate structure which hangs from the ear of said person;
said headset body further comprises electronics incorporating wireless interface and programmable audio filter configured by one or more hearing aid profiles selected by a profile selector;
said electronics filters audio output to said transducer in response to input from said directional microphone.
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Abstract
A wireless hearing aid system and method is disclosed that incorporates a traditional wireless transceiver headset and additional directional microphones to permit extension of the headset as a hearing aid. The disclosed invention also incorporates a mode selector and programmable audio filter to permit the headset to be wirelessly programmed with a variety of hearing aid profiles that may be downloaded via the Internet or tailored to the hearing impairment of the patient. The present invention also anticipates incorporation of circuitry within the headset to facilitate remote generation of hearing aid profiles to suit a variety of patient and/or environmental requirements.
219 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless hearing aid comprising:
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(a) headset body further comprising an audio output assembly, speech audio input assembly, and directional audio input assembly;
wherein said headset body is configured to permit said audio output assembly to be inserted into an ear canal of the person wearing said headset body, said speech audio input assembly to collect audio input from the mouth of said person, and said directional audio input assembly to collect audio input from individuals other than said person;
said audio output assembly further comprises an earpiece and audio transducer;
said speech audio input assembly further comprises a speech microphone directed towards said mouth of said person;
said directional audio input assembly further comprises a directional microphone directed away from said mouth of said person;
said audio output assembly, said directional audio input assembly, and said speech audio input assembly form a connected arcuate structure which hangs from the ear of said person;
said headset body further comprises electronics incorporating wireless interface and programmable audio filter configured by one or more hearing aid profiles selected by a profile selector;
said electronics filters audio output to said transducer in response to input from said directional microphone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a wireless hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising a headset body further comprising an audio output assembly, speech audio input assembly, and directional audio input assembly, said method comprising:
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(3) Selecting an audio input source for audio transducer output to said audio output assembly, from a variety of sources, including but not limited to directional microphones, wireless remote audio monitors, cell phones, IPOD®
/MP3 players, AM/FM/TV radios, and alternate audio sources;
(4) Applying a hearing aid profile to said audio input and transmitting this modified audio to said audio output assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification