Wireless multiple input hearing assist device

• US 20080240477A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: America Hears Incorporated (AMERICA HEARS)
• Original Assignee: America Hears Incorporated (AMERICA HEARS)
• Inventors: Howard, Robert, Smith, Henry
• Application Number:
  US11/731,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20080240477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/55 using an external connection, either wireless or wired

Abstract

A wireless hearing assist device including a microphone unit and a receiver unit. The microphone unit includes a microphone that receives audio signals, a frequency profile adjustment control circuit that adjusts frequency profile of the received audio signals based on input by a user, and a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the adjusted audio signals. The receiver unit is adapted to be worn by the user and includes a receiver that wirelessly receives the adjusted audio signals transmitted by the transmitter, and a speaker that generates sound based on the adjusted audio signals. In at least one embodiment, the microphone unit includes a Bluetooth enabled RF communication link for wireless communication with an external device other than the receiver unit.

Claims

1. A wireless hearing assist device comprising:

a microphone unit comprising;

a microphone that receives audio signals from multiple sources;

a frequency profile adjustment control circuit that adjusts frequency profile of the received audio signals based on input by a user; and

a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the adjusted audio signals; and

a receiver unit adapted to be worn by the user, comprising;

a receiver that wirelessly receives the adjusted audio signals transmitted by the transmitter; and

at least one speaker that generates sound based on the adjusted audio signals.

2. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising a graphic equalizer that allows the user to select input to the frequency profile adjustment control circuit to adjust the frequency profile.

3. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, further comprising a switch that allows a user to send input to the frequency profile adjustment control circuit to adjust the frequency profile to two or more different pre-programmed frequency profiles.

4. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the microphone unit further comprises a volume control circuit that adjusts amplification of the audio signals based on input by the user.

5. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit comprises two speakers, and the microphone unit further comprises a balance control circuit that adjusts gain between the two speakers.

6. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit includes a housing that is at least partially flexible.

7. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the microphone unit further includes a battery.

8. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit further includes a battery.

9. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the microphone unit further comprises an adaptive noise reducer that minimizes distortion of sound produced by the audio signals.

10. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the microphone unit further comprises a digital signal processor that processes the audio signals.

11. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the microphone unit comprises an RF communication link for wireless communication with an external device other than the receiver unit.

12. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 11, wherein the RF communication link to the external device other than the receiver unit is Bluetooth enabled.

13. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter has a limited range.

14. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 8, wherein the receiver unit comprises:

a receiver unit main component;

at least one ear bud adapted to be worn at the ear of the user, the ear bud including the at least one speaker; and

a conductive wire that electrically connects the receiver main component to the at least one ear bud.

15. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 14, wherein the receiver is disposed within the receiver unit main component.

16. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 14, wherein the battery is disposed within the receiver unit main component.

17. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 14, wherein the receiver includes the conductive wire.

18. A wireless hearing assist device comprising:

a microphone unit comprising;

a microphone that receives audio signals from multiple sources;

a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the audio signals; and

a Bluetooth enabled RF communication link for wireless communication with a device external to the wireless hearing assist device; and

a receiver unit adapted to be worn by the user, comprising;

a receiver that wirelessly receives the audio signals transmitted by the transmitter; and

at least one speaker that generates sound based on the audio signals.

19. The wireless hearing assist device of claim 18, wherein the external device is at least one of the following:

a cellular phone, a compact disc player, a television and a computer.