IN THE EAR AUXILIARY MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR BEHIND THE EAR HEARING PROSTHETIC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system, comprising:
- a BTE unit of the ICS system, wherein the BTE unit includes a speech processor;
an earhook configured to be removably attachable to the BTE unit;
a microphone assembly, wherein the microphone assembly includes a microphone having three terminals, and wherein the microphone is configured to be electrically connected to the speech processor using a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor, wherein the first conductor is connected to a mating connector and wherein the second and third conductors are connected to a bias setting resistor; and
a bendable, formable stalk having a first end attached to the earhook and a second end directed towards the inside of an ear; and
wherein the microphone assembly is attached to the second end of the stalk.
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Abstract
An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.
46 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system, comprising:
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a BTE unit of the ICS system, wherein the BTE unit includes a speech processor;
an earhook configured to be removably attachable to the BTE unit;
a microphone assembly, wherein the microphone assembly includes a microphone having three terminals, and wherein the microphone is configured to be electrically connected to the speech processor using a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor, wherein the first conductor is connected to a mating connector and wherein the second and third conductors are connected to a bias setting resistor; and
a bendable, formable stalk having a first end attached to the earhook and a second end directed towards the inside of an ear; and
wherein the microphone assembly is attached to the second end of the stalk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system, comprising:
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a BTE unit of the ICS system, wherein the BTE unit includes a speech processor;
an earhook configured to be removably attachable to the BTE unit, wherein the earhook includes a mating connector;
a microphone configured to be electrically connected to the speech processor wherein the microphone includes a soundport in one end and multiple terminal on the other; and
a bendable, formable stalk having a first end attached to the earhook and a second end directed towards the inside of an ear; and
wherein the microphone is attached to the second end of the stalk. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification