REAL EAR MEASUREMENT ADAPTOR WITH INTERNAL SOUND CONDUIT

• US 20090245560A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Zhang, Tao, Fideler, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,374,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/330
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/121 evaluating hearing capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a hearing assistance device housing for use in real ear measurements. The methods and apparatus for configuration of a hearing assistance device using an apparatus including an opening to receive a sound tube for real ear measurements and providing an opening for connection of a sound hook to a housing of the hearing assistance device.

Claims

1. A method for configuration of a hearing assistance device, comprising:

placing a cover onto the hearing assistance device housing, the cover including a sound tube port adapted for an acoustic connection to a microphone of the hearing assistance device; and

attaching an earhook to the hearing assistance device housing, the earhook and housing mating using an opening in the cover.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein placing includes acoustically sealing a second microphone port of the hearing assistance device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a first end of a sound tube with the sound tube port.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising coupling a second end of the sound tube to a coupler.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising coupling a second sound tube between the coupler and the earhook.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising positioning a second end of the sound tube in an ear canal of a wearer.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein positioning includes inserting the second end of the sound tube through an opening of an ear bud.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a real ear coupler difference (RECD) using the recorded sound.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing a plurality of sounds having a frequency between 0 and 8000 hertz.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the frequency of each sound of the plurality of sounds is separated in increments of about 100 hertz.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing sound within a linear range of a receiver to provide a substantially equal signal-to-noise ratio across a range of sound frequencies.

12. An apparatus for attaching to a hearing assistance device housing, comprising:

a first opening adapted to cover a portion of the housing;

a port to receive a sound tube and adapted to pass sound to a first microphone port of the hearing assistance device when the apparatus is placed on the hearing assistance device; and

an opening for connection between the housing and an earhook

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising the sound tube coupled to the port.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a flexible material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the flexible material is rubber.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the flexible material is an elastomer material.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a portion adapted to acoustically seal a second microphone port.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a sound tube coupled to the port.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the flexible material is an elastomer material.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the flexible material is rubber.