Apparatus and method for monitoring magnetic audio systems

• US 6,603,860 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GN Resound North America (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: GN Resound North America (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Taenzer, Jon C., Sicurello, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC MINH
• Application Number:
  US08/902,196
• Time in Patent Office: 2,198 Days
• Field of Search: 735/85, 381/60, 381/79, 381/68-69, 381/328, 381/331, 600/25, 128/746
• US Class Current: 381/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/30 Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• 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

An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring magnetic hearing systems by receiving a magnetic hearing system in an acoustic hearing aid testing device and then detecting the magnetic field output by the magnetic hearing system with a magnetic-to-acoustic testing device when the magnetic hearing system is being tested by the acoustic hearing aid testing device. The magnetic-to-acoustic testing device then develops an acoustic output signal representative of the detected magnetic field which may then be used in traditional acoustic monitoring techniques, such as performing a listening check of the magnetic hearing aid system or performing standard ANSI types of measurements, by the audiologist or tester.

Claims

1. Test apparatus for a magnetic drive hearing device, including a drive coil for diving an ear lens magnet removably affixed to the ear drum of a wearer, the test apparatus comprising:

an acoustic chamber;

a stand for mounting the drive coil in the vicinity of the acoustic chamber; and

a magnetic-to-acoustic converer situated in proximity to the driving coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic-to-acoustic converter occupies a housing of a hearing-aid earpiece.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic-to-acoustic converter produces a calibrated acoustic output.