Transformable speech processor module for a hearing prosthesis

• US 20070106344A1
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Original Assignee: Cochlear Limited
• Inventors: Single, Peter, Goorevich, Michael, Darley, Derek
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/021 Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/57 Aspects of electrical interconnection between hearing aid parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/67 Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/02 adapted to be supported entirely by ear
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/60 Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/604 of acoustic or vibrational transducers
• 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 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture

Abstract

A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Claims

1. An external component of a cochlear implant hearing system, comprising:

a speech processor module comprising a housing and processing circuitry that receives signals output by a microphone; and

a protective case;

wherein said speech processor unit is removably mountable within said case and operable while mounted therein.

2. The external component of claim 1, wherein said case comprises:

a base member; and

a cover member matable with said base member to form an enclosure,

wherein when said cover member and said base member are attached to each other, said case is at least resistant to fluid ingress.

3. The external component of claim 1, wherein said speech processor module is configured to receive signals output from an internal microphone mounted on or within said housing of said speech processor module.

4. The external component of claim 3, wherein said speech processor module is configured to receive and process signals generated by a microphone external to said speech processor module.

5. The external component of claim 4, wherein said speech processor module is configured to be operably connected to a power supply.

6. The external component of claim 5, wherein a second connector is provided on either of said housing or said power supply to provide suitable electrical transmission between said power supply and said speech processor module.

7. The external component of claim 1, wherein said case is adapted to prevent all fluid ingress when said cover member is closed relative to said base member.

8. The external component of claim 1, wherein said case is adapted to at least substantially prevent dust ingress when said cover member and said base member are mated to each other.

9. The external component of claim 2, wherein said case further comprises:

a sheath with a gasket around the perimeter thereof that overlies said speech processor module when said speech processor module is mounted in said base member, wherein said gasket and sheath, when in position, can seal with a perimeter wall of said base member.

10. A protective case for a speech processor unit of a hearing prosthesis, comprising:

a base member for removably receiving a dual-mode speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation; and

a cover member adapted to mate with said base member to form said protective case,

wherein said speech processor module implements in said body-worn mode of operation when mounted in said base member.

11. The protective case of claim 10, wherein when the cover member is closed relative to the base member, the case can be at least resistant to fluid ingress.

12. The protective case of claim 10, wherein said case is adapted to prevent fluid ingress when said cover member is closed relative to said base member.

13. The protective case of claim 12, wherein said case is adapted to at least substantially prevent dust ingress when the cover member is closed relative to the base member.

14. A speech processor module configured to operate as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit.

15. The speech processor module of claim 14, where said stand-alone speech processing unit is a behind-the-ear (BTE) speech processing unit.

16. The speech processor module of claim 14, comprising:

An operational mode controller configured to select functional components internal to speech processor module or functional components implemented in an external component system other than said speech processor module based on whether said speech processor module is to be implemented in said stand-alone mode of operation or said body-worn mode of operation.

17. The speech processor module of claim 16, where said operational mode controller determines said operational mode of said speech processor based on an identifying feature of a power supply connected to said speech processor module.

18. A speech processor module configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.