System and method for creating auditory sensations

• US 5,712,917 A
• Filed: 11/22/1994
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George C. Offutt
• Original Assignee: George C. Offutt
• Inventors: Offutt, George
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, SINH N
• Application Number:
  US08/344,182
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 381/68.6, 381/68.3, 381/151, 381/68, 381/69, 381/68.2
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window

Abstract

Sound sensations are produced in the ear of a user by contacting the surface of the ear canal with an electrode and applying, between the electrode and another area of the user'"'"'s body, electrical signals representing sounds to be heard. Preferably the electrode is mounted on an ear mold and a lead connected to the electrode, the lead extending through the mold to a source of audio electrical signals. The source may be a microphone on the ear mold.

Claims

1. A system for providing auditory effects in the ear of a user comprising:

an electrode structure;

means for mounting said electrode structure in contact with the ear canal of the user, said means for mounting said electrode structure includes an ear mold on which said electrode structure is supported, said electrode structure includes an annular ring that extends over a surface portion of said ear mold adjacent to the end thereof which is adapted to fit farthest into the ear canal; and

means for applying electrical stimulation that corresponds to audio signals to said electrode structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for applying electrical signals comprises an electro-acoustic transducer mounted on said ear mold, the electrical output of said transducer being connected to said electrode structure.