Programmable hearing aid
First Claim
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1. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
- an analog part for processing incoming audio signals arising in plurality of auditory environments, including a first audio signal source, a second audio signal source comprising a telephone coil, pre-amplifier means for pre-amplifying respective signals from said first and second audio signal sources to produce a pre-amplified output, automatic gain control means for automatically amplifying said pre-amplified output with a variable gain dependent on a characteristic of said pre-amplified output to produce an AGC output, filter means for filtering said AGC output to produce a filtered output, a Class D amplifier means having an input supplied with said filtered output and having an output, for amplifying said filtered output with a selected gain, means connected to said Class D amplifier means for setting said selected gain thereof, and an earphone connected to said output of said Class D amplifier means;
said pre-amplifier means having first and second inputs and first and second amplifier units respectively connected to said first and second inputs, said first input being connected only to said first audio signal source and said second input being connected only to said second audio signal source, said first and second amplifier units each having a settable gain and said first and second amplifier units producing from said first and second audio signal sources, in combination, said pre-amplified output;
a digital part comprising means for generating and supplying a control signal to said pre-amplifier means for independently setting the respective gains of said first and second amplifier units for selectively amplifying said signals from said first and second audio signal sources individually with respectively different gains or in common with the same gain;
memory means for storing a stored gain setting for said second amplifier unit for at least one auditory environment using signals from said telephone coil;
manually actuatable switch means for causing said second amplifier unit to be set at said stored gain setting; and
power supply means connected to said analog part and to said digital part for supplying operating power to said analog part and said digital part.
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Abstract
A hearing aid that has an analog part with a Class D final amplifier stage for audio signal processing, a digital part with an interface, a memory stage as well as supply stage for generating the voltage and control signals. The hearing aid has a utilized integrated circuit which also includes a pre-amplifier stage with two inputs respectively connected to a microphone and a telephone coil, the signals from the two inputs being selectively pre-amplified individually or in common, with selectable or programmable gains. This gives the hearing aid a small structural size, a comprehensive functionality, versatile adaptability and especially low energy consumption.
148 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
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an analog part for processing incoming audio signals arising in plurality of auditory environments, including a first audio signal source, a second audio signal source comprising a telephone coil, pre-amplifier means for pre-amplifying respective signals from said first and second audio signal sources to produce a pre-amplified output, automatic gain control means for automatically amplifying said pre-amplified output with a variable gain dependent on a characteristic of said pre-amplified output to produce an AGC output, filter means for filtering said AGC output to produce a filtered output, a Class D amplifier means having an input supplied with said filtered output and having an output, for amplifying said filtered output with a selected gain, means connected to said Class D amplifier means for setting said selected gain thereof, and an earphone connected to said output of said Class D amplifier means; said pre-amplifier means having first and second inputs and first and second amplifier units respectively connected to said first and second inputs, said first input being connected only to said first audio signal source and said second input being connected only to said second audio signal source, said first and second amplifier units each having a settable gain and said first and second amplifier units producing from said first and second audio signal sources, in combination, said pre-amplified output; a digital part comprising means for generating and supplying a control signal to said pre-amplifier means for independently setting the respective gains of said first and second amplifier units for selectively amplifying said signals from said first and second audio signal sources individually with respectively different gains or in common with the same gain;
memory means for storing a stored gain setting for said second amplifier unit for at least one auditory environment using signals from said telephone coil;manually actuatable switch means for causing said second amplifier unit to be set at said stored gain setting; and power supply means connected to said analog part and to said digital part for supplying operating power to said analog part and said digital part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A programmable hearing aid comprising:
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an analog part for processing incoming audio signals, including a microphone, a telephone coil, pre-amplifier means for pre-amplifying signals from said microphone and said telephone coil to produce a pre-amplified output, automatic gain control means for automatically amplifying said pre-amplified output with a variable gain dependent on a characteristic of said pre-amplified output to produce an AGC output, filter means for filtering said AGC output to produce a filtered output, Class D amplifier means, having an input supplied with said filtered output and having an output, for amplifying said filtered output with a selected gain, means connected to said Class D amplifier means for setting said selected gain, and an earphone connected to said output of said Class D amplifier means; a digital part comprising means for generating and supplying a plurality of control signals for operating said analog part at a basic setting, including a first control signal for controlling respective amplification of signals from said microphone and said telephone coil in said pre-amplifier means and a second control signal supplied to said means for setting said selected gain for controlling the setting of the gain of said Class D amplifier means, memory means for storing a telephone coil mode setting, deviating from said basic setting, and interface means for selectively causing said means for generating said control signals to employ said telephone coil mode setting instead of said basic setting.
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Specification