IN THE EAR AUXILIARY MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR BEHIND THE EAR HEARING PROSTHETIC
First Claim
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1. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system comprising:
- a BTE device including a speech processor;
a microphone, wherein the microphone converts audio sounds into electrical signals which are processed by the speech processor to generate signals provided to an implantable circuit adapted to generate electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the cochlea, wherein the microphone includes a soundport on one end and multiple terminals on the other;
means for positioning the soundport to receive sound from an earpiece of a communications handset held to the ear, wherein the soundport is open to the volume between the earpiece and the ear; and
means for electrically connecting the terminal end of the microphone to the speech processor of the BTE device.
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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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system comprising:
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a BTE device including a speech processor;
a microphone, wherein the microphone converts audio sounds into electrical signals which are processed by the speech processor to generate signals provided to an implantable circuit adapted to generate electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the cochlea, wherein the microphone includes a soundport on one end and multiple terminals on the other;
means for positioning the soundport to receive sound from an earpiece of a communications handset held to the ear, wherein the soundport is open to the volume between the earpiece and the ear; and
means for electrically connecting the terminal end of the microphone to the speech processor of the BTE device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification