Multi-coil coupling system for hearing aid applications
First Claim
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1. A hearing improvement device comprising:
- a first inductor for converting electrical signals representative of sound into a first magnetic field having a first magnetic field orientation for efficient coupling to a first type of hearing aid;
a second inductor for converting electrical signals representative of sound into a second magnetic field having a second magnetic field orientation for efficient coupling to a second type of hearing aid;
a switch for selecting one of the first inductor and the second inductor for coupling a respective one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to a telecoil of a hearing aid; and
wherein the first inductor, the second inductor, and the switch are arranged in a common housing suitable for wearing proximate an ear of a user.
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Abstract
A hearing improvement device using a multi-coil coupling system and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may use an array microphone to provide highly directional reception. The received audio signal may be filtered, amplified, and converted into a magnetic field for coupling to the telecoil in a conventional hearing aid. Multiple transmit inductors may be used to effectively couple to both in-the-ear and behind-the-ear type hearing aids, and an additional embodiment is disclosed which may be used with an earphone, for users not requiring a hearing aid.
67 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hearing improvement device comprising:
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a first inductor for converting electrical signals representative of sound into a first magnetic field having a first magnetic field orientation for efficient coupling to a first type of hearing aid; a second inductor for converting electrical signals representative of sound into a second magnetic field having a second magnetic field orientation for efficient coupling to a second type of hearing aid; a switch for selecting one of the first inductor and the second inductor for coupling a respective one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to a telecoil of a hearing aid; and wherein the first inductor, the second inductor, and the switch are arranged in a common housing suitable for wearing proximate an ear of a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A hearing improvement device comprising:
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a plurality of inductors, each inductor arranged to generate, during operation, a magnetic field having a magnetic field orientation most suitable for coupling to a different one of a plurality of hearing aid types; switch circuitry for selectively passing an electrical signal representative of sound to one of the plurality of inductors; and a housing suitably arranged for wearing proximate an ear of a user, the housing containing at least the plurality of inductors and the switch circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hearing improvement system comprising:
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a hearing aid comprising a telecoil; a hearing improvement device comprising at least two inductors and a housing, each of the at least two inductors having a magnetic field orientation for coupling to a type of hearing aid; and wherein the hearing improvement device comprises switch circuitry for passing an electrical signal representing sound to one of the at least two inductors, the switch circuitry enabling a user to select a magnetic field orientation supporting a most efficient coupling arrangement to the telecoil of the hearing aid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification