Hearing aid with audible alarm
First Claim
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1. A hearing aid comprising:
- a hearing aid housing;
a microphone for receiving audio and for generating therefrom audio signals;
an amplifier for amplifying input signals, said amplifier having a first input connected to receive the audio signals generated by said microphone, a second input, and an output supplying amplified signals corresponding to signals received at said first and second inputs;
an earphone connected to receive said signals from said output of said amplifier and for converting said signals into sound energy;
a battery connected to supply power to said amplifier;
an alarm system mounted with the hearing aid housing for generating an audio alarm signal representative of an audible alarm in response to the voltage output of said battery falling below a predetermined threshold value, said audio alarm signal being directly connected for receipt by said second input of said amplifier such that both said audible alarm and said audio received by said microphone can be heard simultaneously by a user, said audible alarm being transmitted into the ear canal of the user such that the audible alarm is heard only by the user.
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Abstract
A low battery detection circuit is disclosed for detecting low battery voltages in hearing aids and other battery operated devices. The low battery detection circuit operates reliably on a small amount of current, which does not significantly increase overall battery drain. An output signal is generated whose amplitude and frequency increase as battery voltage decreases below a predetermined level. The circuit'"'"'s minimal number of components and output signal characteristics make it particularly applicable as a low battery early warning device for hearing aid devices.
35 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hearing aid comprising:
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a hearing aid housing;
a microphone for receiving audio and for generating therefrom audio signals;
an amplifier for amplifying input signals, said amplifier having a first input connected to receive the audio signals generated by said microphone, a second input, and an output supplying amplified signals corresponding to signals received at said first and second inputs;
an earphone connected to receive said signals from said output of said amplifier and for converting said signals into sound energy;
a battery connected to supply power to said amplifier;
an alarm system mounted with the hearing aid housing for generating an audio alarm signal representative of an audible alarm in response to the voltage output of said battery falling below a predetermined threshold value, said audio alarm signal being directly connected for receipt by said second input of said amplifier such that both said audible alarm and said audio received by said microphone can be heard simultaneously by a user, said audible alarm being transmitted into the ear canal of the user such that the audible alarm is heard only by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hearing aid comprising:
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a hearing aid housing;
a hearing aid circuit comprising a microphone for receiving audio and for generating therefrom audio signals and an amplifier for amplifying the audio signals generated by said microphone;
a battery connected to supply power to said hearing aid circuit;
an alarm system mounted with the hearing aid housing for generating an audio alarm signal representative of an audible alarm in response to the voltage output of said battery falling below a predetermined threshold value, said audio alarm signal being directly connected for amplification by said amplifier such that both said audible alarm and said audio received by said microphone can be heard simultaneously by a user, said audible alarm being transmitted into the ear canal of the user such that the audible alarm is heard only by the user. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification