Time-delay hearing instrument system and method
First Claim
1. A binaural hearing instrument system, comprising:
- a first hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a first ear of a hearing instrument user;
a second hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a second ear of the hearing instrument user;
the first and second hearing instruments including wireless communications circuitry configured to transmit signals, including sound signals, over an air interface between the first and second hearing instruments;
binaural processing circuitry configured to apply a time delay to a sound signal received by the first hearing instrument to generate a delayed sound signal;
the first hearing instrument being configured to transmit the received sound signal into the first ear of the hearing instrument user;
the second hearing instrument being configured to transmit the delayed sound signal into the second ear of the hearing instrument user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A binaural hearing instrument system includes a first hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a first ear of a hearing instrument user, and a second hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a second ear of the hearing instrument user. The first and second hearing instruments include wireless communications circuitry configured to transmit signals, including sound signals, over an air interface between the first and second hearing instruments. Binaural processing circuitry is configured to apply a time delay to a sound signal received by the first hearing instrument to generate a delayed sound signal. The first hearing instrument is configured to transmit the received sound signal into the first ear of the hearing instrument user, and the second hearing instrument is configured to transmit the delayed sound signal into the second ear of the hearing instrument user.
101 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A binaural hearing instrument system, comprising:
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a first hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a first ear of a hearing instrument user;
a second hearing instrument configured to transmit sound signals into a second ear of the hearing instrument user;
the first and second hearing instruments including wireless communications circuitry configured to transmit signals, including sound signals, over an air interface between the first and second hearing instruments;
binaural processing circuitry configured to apply a time delay to a sound signal received by the first hearing instrument to generate a delayed sound signal;
the first hearing instrument being configured to transmit the received sound signal into the first ear of the hearing instrument user;
the second hearing instrument being configured to transmit the delayed sound signal into the second ear of the hearing instrument user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A binaural hearing instrument system comprising:
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a first hearing instrument;
a second hearing instrument;
the first hearing instrument and second hearing instrument being operable to communicate with each other;
the first hearing instrument being operable to receive a first signal, transmit the first signal to the second hearing instrument, and transmit the first signal to a first speaker;
the second hearing instrument being operable to receive the first signal and transmit the signal to a second speaker;
the first speaker transmitting the first signal before the second speaker transmits the first signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for enhancing the hearing of sounds, the steps of which comprise:
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receiving a signal;
transmitting the signal as a sound wave to a first ear;
applying a time delay to the signal;
transmitting the delayed signal as a sound wave to a second ear. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A hearing instrument system comprising:
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means for receiving a signal;
means for transmitting the signal as a sound wave to a first ear;
means for applying a time delay to the signal; and
means for transmitting the delayed signal as a sound wave to a second ear. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for enhancing communication, the steps of which comprise:
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receiving sound from at least a first and second direction;
communicating the sound to a binaural hearing instrument system;
transmitting sound from the first direction to a first ear; and
transmitting sound from the first direction to a second ear after the sound is transmitted to the first ear. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification