Hearing aid

• US 6,690,807 B1
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erika Kochler
• Original Assignee: Erika Kochler
• Inventors: Meyer, Serge Eduard Hektor
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US09/959,177
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 381/327, 381/381, 381/328, 381/330, 381/329, 381/322, 351/123, 351/111, 351/41, 351/158, 455/344, 455/89, 455/396, 455/182, 455/186, 455/158, 2 1/3, 2 1/2
• US Class Current: 381/327
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/06 Hearing aids construction of hearing aids H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/143 having special ear pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/20 adjustable, e.g. telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/61 Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/60 Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal

Abstract

The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

Claims

1. Listening assistance device (1) comprising at least one hearing module (3) for supporting a portion of a spectacle frame (2) from an ear, the hearing module comprising a microphone, an amplifier and an acoustics transducer which converts the amplified microphone signals into acoustical signals, characterized in that the hearing module is equipped with a housing projection (5) which projects into the auditory channel in a not closing same off manner and which includes the sound exit opening (6), and in that the spectacle frame (2) comprises at least one spectacle temple (7, 8) with a first portion (10) extending from the frame (9) for the lenses substantially rectilinearly towards the back, and a second portion (12, 13) extending from the first portion at an angle downwards which carries at its free end the hearing module (3),

characterized in that the hearing module (3) comprises a substantially cylinder shaped housing on which the projection (5) is arranged asymmetrically relative to its longitudinal axis, and

characterized in that the hearing module is rotatable around its longitudinal axis.

2. Listening assistance device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (5) comprises at least in part a conical shape.

3. Listening assistance device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hearing module comprises a means, specifically a channel (19) for an ensuring of a direct sound connection in the ear.

4. Listening assistance device according to claim 2, characterized in that the spectacle frame comprises temples (7, 8) with an adjustability of their length.

5. Listening assistance device according to claim 3, characterized in that the spectacle frame comprises temples (7, 8) with an adjustability of their length.

6. Listening assistance device according to claim 3, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

7. Listening assistance device according to claim 2, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

8. Listening assistance device according to claim 4, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

9. Listening assistance device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing module comprises a means, specifically a channel (19) for an ensuring of a direct sound connection in the ear.

10. Listening assistance device according to claim 9, characterized in that the spectacle frame comprises temples (7, 8) with an adjustability of their length.

11. Listening assistance device according to claim 10, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

13. Listening assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spectacle frame comprises temples (7, 8) with an adjustability of their length.

14. Listening assistance device according to claim 13, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

15. Listening assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

16. Listening assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing module comprises a fixed set amplification.

17. Listening assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing module comprises a substantially language specific frequency characteristic and a linear dynamic.

18. Listening assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing module comprises a fixed set amplification in the range of 10 to 20 db.

20. Temple or temple part for practicing the method according to claim 10, characterized by hearing module with a microphone, amplifier and acoustics transducer arranged at the temple or temple part which is designed for a supporting of the temple in the ear and provided with a housing projection adapted to project into the auditory channel, whereby the temple (7, 8) or the temple part is provided with a first portion (10, 11) extending from the frame for the lenses substantially rectilinearly backwards, and a second portion (12, 13) extending from the first portion at an angle downwards and which carries at each of its free ends the hearing module (3).

12. Listening assistance device according to claimed 9, characterized in that the hearing module is arranged at the spectacle frame to be adjustable regarding its position.

19. Method of providing a listening assistance device, characterized in that a hearing module with a microphone, an amplifier and a transducer is arranged at the frame temple or a frame temple part of a spectacle frame in such a manner that it forms a support of the temple or temple part in the ear, whereby the hearing module has a housing projection which projects into the auditory channel not closing same off, and in that the temple or the temple part is mounted to a lens frame provided with lenses or adapted to receive lenses, or in that the temple part is mounted to a second temple part arranged at the lens frame, whereby the temple (7, 8) or the temple part is provided with a first portion (10, 11) extending from the lens frame substantially rectilinearly backwards and a second portion (12, 13) extending from the first portion at an angle downwards, which carries at either of its free and the hearing module (13),

characterized in that the hearing module (3) comprises a substantially cylinder shaped housing on which the projection (5) is arranged asymmetrically relative to its longitudinal axis, and

characterized in that the hearing module is rotatable around its longitudinal axis.