Programmable hearing aid unit

• US 5,404,407 A
• Filed: 06/29/1994
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weiss, Hans-Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, SINH N
• Application Number:
  US08/268,663
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 381/68, 381/68.2, 381/68.6, 381/69, 381/69.2, 381/68.7, 381/23.1, 200/2 R, 200/52 R, 439/188, 439/489
• US Class Current: 381/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/004 Application hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/61 Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/502 using analog signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks

Abstract

A programmable hearing aid is provided with a programming socket. A space-saving arrangement of switch elements is provided wherein a switch element for switching the hearing aid on/off, an MTO switch, a volume control, a tone control, a situation switch or the like can be introduced into the programming socket that is free except during the programming event.

Claims

1. A programmable hearing aid unit, comprising:

function parts including a current source, a microphone, an amplifier unit, an earphone, and a programming circuit arranged in a housing;

electrical contacts for connecting the programming circuit to an external programming unit via a programming socket at the housing, said external programming unit supplying setting data to the programming circuit; and

the programming socket having both programming contacts and a switch contact in addition to and separate from said programming contacts said programming socket accommodating a switch element when a programming plug is not plugged in the programming socket, said switch element connecting to said switch contact when accommodated in the programming socket.

2. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein the switch element is designed as one of the elements selected from a group consisting of an on/off switch, MTO switch, situation switch, tone control, volume control, and multi-function switch.

3. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said switch element comprises a situation switch for setting transfer functions of the hearing aid unit.

4. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said switch element comprises a push button.

5. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said switch element comprises a toggle switch.

6. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said switch element comprises a rotary switch.

7. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said switch element comprises a potentiometer.

8. A hearing aid unit according to claim 1 wherein said programming socket comprises a base for said switch element.

9. A programmable hearing aid unit, comprising:

a housing having electronic circuitry for the hearing aid unit contained therein including a programming circuit;

a socket on the housing connected to the programming circuit; and

said socket receiving being adapted to receive a cable from an external programming unit which supplies setting data for the programming circuit or alternatively said socket accommodating a switch element which is plugged directly into the socket, said socket having programming contacts for connecting to said cable and a switch contact in addition to and separate from said programming contacts, said switch contact for connecting to said switch element to provide functioning thereof.