Binaural hearing aid system

• US 3,894,196 A
• Filed: 05/28/1974
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Briskey
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Briskey
• Inventors: Briskey, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blakeslee, Ralph D.
• Application Number:
  US05/473,970
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1G,17FD
• US Class Current: 381/23.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/552 Binaural

Abstract

An improved binaural hearing aid system comprises two complete electronic hearing aids, one for each ear of the user, with the hearing aid for the dominant ear having an emphasized high frequency response relative to that of the other hearing aid. Preferably, ear molds are provided for occluding ambient sounds from direct access to the ears. Means are provided for establishing a phase delay in the response of one hearing aid relative to that of the other, with the preferred phase delay between the audio signal components being substantially 180*. The sensitivity of the hearing aid for the dominant ear is preferably at least 3 but no more than 6 db greater for frequency components in the range from 3,000 to 4,000 hertz than that of the hearing aid for the non-dominant ear. The system provides materially enhanced hearing response, and specifically substantially improved speech discrimination, in high ambient noise environments for individuals with substantially balanced or symmetrical hearing losses, a group representing about 85% of those with correctable hearing impairment.

Claims

1. A system for binaurally enhancing auditory response in an individual having hearing impairments oF comparable character in both ears, which system comprises:

a first electronic hearing aid having a predetermined frequency response characteristic and comprising a microphone, an amplifier, a reproducer, and means for coupling the output of said reproducer to the non-dominant ear of said individual;

a second electronic hearing aid having a similar frequency response characteristic but with emphasized high-frequency response relative to that of said first hearing aid and comprising a microphone, an amplifier, a reproducer, and means for coupling said reproducer to the dominant ear of said individual; and

means for establishing a phase delay in the response of said second hearing aid relative to that of said first hearing aid.

2. A binaural auditory response enhancing system according to claim 1, in which said means for coupling the outputs of said reproducers to the non-dominant and dominant ears comprise respective ear molds adapted to be inserted in the ear canals of said individual for occluding direct aural response.

3. A binaural auditory response enhancement system according to claim 1, in which the response of said second hearing aid is emphasized by from 3 to 6 db relative to that of said first hearing aid in the frequency range from 3,000 to 4,000 hertz.

4. A binaural auditory response enhancement system according to claim 1, in which said phase delay in the response of said second hearing aid relative to that of said first hearing aid is substantially 180*.

5. A binaural auditory response enhancement system according to claim 4, in which said phase delay is established either by adding a phase reversal circuit in the amplifier or by reversing the output connections between the amplifier and the reproducer in said second hearing aid relative to those in said first hearing aid.

6. A binaural auditory response enhancement system according to claim 1, in which said first and second hearing aids are adapted to be head-worn with their microphones in the vicinity of the non-dominant and dominant ears, respectively.