Processor controlled ear responsive hearing aid and method
First Claim
1. A processor controlled ear responsive hearing aid for an individual comprising:
- a first input circuit means for receiving and converting sound waves to electrical signals;
an amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals from the first input circuit means to provide an amplified output;
an output circuit means for receiving and converting the amplified output to sound waves and delivering the sound waves to the ear canal of the individual;
a second input circuit means for receiving and converting sound waves inside the ear canal to control electrical signals representing sound pressure levels; and
a signal processor means for receiving the control electrical signals from the second input circuit means, comparing the control electrical signals to a predetermined set of instructions, and controlling the amplification of the amplifier means to achieve desired sound pressure levels.
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Abstract
A processor controlled ear responsive hearing aid for the ear of a hearing impaired individual and method for operating a hearing aid. The input from the microphone is amplified and split into a plurality of band-pass channels each having a frequency range of approximately one-third octave. Each channel has an amplifier that is controlled by the processor. The processor receives control signals from a feedback microphone located in the ear canal and uses the control signals to develop a spectrum of the actual sound pressure levels by frequency at the eardrum. The processor compares averages of the actual sound pressure levels to the desired levels for each channel and for the overall output according to a predetermined set of instructions and controls the channel amplifiers and an output amplifier to produce the desired sound pressure levels for each frequency in the ear canal.
76 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A processor controlled ear responsive hearing aid for an individual comprising:
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a first input circuit means for receiving and converting sound waves to electrical signals; an amplifier means for amplifying the electrical signals from the first input circuit means to provide an amplified output; an output circuit means for receiving and converting the amplified output to sound waves and delivering the sound waves to the ear canal of the individual; a second input circuit means for receiving and converting sound waves inside the ear canal to control electrical signals representing sound pressure levels; and a signal processor means for receiving the control electrical signals from the second input circuit means, comparing the control electrical signals to a predetermined set of instructions, and controlling the amplification of the amplifier means to achieve desired sound pressure levels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a hearing aid comprising the steps of:
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receiving and converting ambient sound waves to electrical signals; amplifying the electrical signals to provide an amplified output; converting the amplified output to sound waves and delivering the sound waves to an ear canal; receiving and converting sound waves inside the ear canal to control electrical signals representing sound pressure levels; comparing the control electrical signals to a predetermined set of instructions; and controlling the level of amplification to achieve desired sound pressure levels. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification