HEARING-AID APPARATUS AND METHOD USING ULTRASONIC WAVES
First Claim
1. A hearing-aid apparatus using ultrasonic waves, comprising:
- a microphone that receives a sound signal;
a signal processor that generates an ultrasonic wave band signal by single side band amplitude modulation of the sound signal; and
an ultrasonic wave element array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic wave elements and that outputs an ultrasonic wave band signal and a carrier signal that is used for single side band amplitude modulation as an ultrasonic wave signal in a predetermined beam direction to a transfer medium,wherein the hearing-aid apparatus is inserted and mounted within an external auditory meatus of an ear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing-aid apparatus using ultrasonic waves is inserted and mounted within an external auditory meatus of an ear, generates an ultrasonic wave band signal by single side band amplitude modulation of a sound signal that is received through a microphone, and outputs the ultrasonic wave band signal and a carrier signal that is used for single side band amplitude modulation as an ultrasonic wave signal to a transfer medium in a predetermined beam direction. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave signal forms a focal area in a damaged hearing organ area, the ultrasonic wave band signal is restored to a sound signal by nonlinear characteristics of a transfer medium in the focal area, and the damaged hearing organ detects the sound signal.
16 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hearing-aid apparatus using ultrasonic waves, comprising:
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a microphone that receives a sound signal; a signal processor that generates an ultrasonic wave band signal by single side band amplitude modulation of the sound signal; and an ultrasonic wave element array comprising a plurality of ultrasonic wave elements and that outputs an ultrasonic wave band signal and a carrier signal that is used for single side band amplitude modulation as an ultrasonic wave signal in a predetermined beam direction to a transfer medium, wherein the hearing-aid apparatus is inserted and mounted within an external auditory meatus of an ear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hearing-aid method of a hearing-aid apparatus using ultrasonic waves, the hearing-aid method comprising:
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receiving a sound signal; modulating the sound signal to an ultrasonic wave band signal; outputting the ultrasonic wave band signal and a carrier signal that is used for the modulation as an ultrasonic wave signal to a transfer medium in a predetermined beam direction; forming a focal area of the ultrasonic wave signal in a damaged hearing organ area; and restoring the ultrasonic wave band signal to a sound signal by nonlinear characteristics of the transfer medium in the focal area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification