Listening device cap

• US 8,107,661 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Lynch, Douglas P., Woods, Carla Mann
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US12/546,500
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 381/314, 381/315, 381/322, 381/323, 381/324, 381/326, 381/328, 381/330, 381/331, 381/381, 600/25, 600/559, 607/55, 607/56, 607/57, 455/569.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.2
• US Class Current: 381/330
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622

Abstract

An assistive listening device cap attaches to a headpiece of a cochlear implant behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, an other BTE unit, an earhook, or an external component unit to supplement or replace components thereof. The cap may receive signals from sources outside the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit. The cap communicates with the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit using direct, wired, or wireless technology.

Claims

1. A system for an individual with impaired hearing, comprising:

a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit;

a phone adapter configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the BTE unit;

a head-mounted external component in communication with the BTE unit; and

an external assistive listening device cap configured to mechanically attach to the head-mounted external component, the assistive listening device cap including data communication electronics configured to communicate with corresponding communication electronics within the head-mounted external component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter includes Bluetooth wireless communication technology and is configurable to wirelessly communicate with a phone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the assistive listening device cap includes Bluetooth wireless communication technology and is configurable to communicate with the phone adapter.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the phone adapter includes a microphone capable of receiving audio input from a user'"'"'s voice which is transmitted through the Bluetooth technology of the adapter to the phone.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter further includes a microphone in communication with a speech processor of the BTE unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter further includes an LED light indicator configured to indicate the operational status of the phone adapter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter further includes a multi-function button accessible along the exterior surface of the phone adapter.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the button controls initiating, answering, transferring, and ending telephone calls.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the button is adapted for use to turn the adapter on and off and pair the adapter to a particular phone employing Bluetooth communications.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the phone adapter includes a primary cell.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the phone adapter includes a rechargeable battery.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the phone adapter is inductively powered by an outside source.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the phone adapter is directly powered by a battery located within the BTE unit.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein

the head-mounted external component includes a bottom external surface that faces the head and a top external surface opposite the bottom external surface;

and

the external assistive listening device cap is configured to mechanically attach onto the top external surface of the head-mounted external component.

15. Apparatus for use with a listening device, comprising:

a phone adapter configured to mechanically and electrically couple with a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit; and

an assistive listening device cap including means for mechanically attaching the assistive listening device cap to a head-mounted external component that is in communication with the BTE unit such that no portion of the wearer'"'"'s body is located between the assistive listening device cap and the head-mounted external component.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the phone adapter further includes Bluetooth wireless communication technology and is configurable to wirelessly communicate with a phone.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the assistive listening device cap includes Bluetooth wireless communication technology and is configurable to communicate with the phone adapter.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the phone adapter further includes a microphone in communication with a speech processor of the BTE unit.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the phone adapter further includes an LED light indicator configured to indicate the operational status of the phone adapter.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the phone adapter further includes a multi-function button accessible along the exterior surface of the phone adapter.

21. A system for an individual with impaired hearing, comprising:

a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit;

a phone adapter configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the BTE unit and to wirelessly communicate with a phone, wherein the phone adapter includes;

a microphone in communication with a speech processor of the BTE unit and capable of receiving audio input from a user'"'"'s voice which is wirelessly transmitted to the phone;

an LED light indicator configured to indicate the operational status of the phone adapter; and

a multi-function button accessible along the exterior surface of the phone adapter;

a head-mounted external component in communication with the BTE unit; and

an external assistive listening device cap configured to mechanically attach to the head-mounted external component, the assistive listening device cap including data communication electronics configured to communicate with corresponding communication electronics within the head-mounted external component.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein

the head-mounted external component includes a bottom external surface that faces the head and a top external surface opposite the bottom external surface;

and

the external assistive listening device cap is configured to mechanically attach onto the top external surface of the head-mounted external component.