Dual microphone EAS system that prevents feedback
First Claim
1. A method of operating an EAS system to prevent feedback, the EAS system having a cochlear implant (CI) portion and a hearing aid portion, wherein the CI portion includes an electrode array adapted to be inserted into a user'"'"'s cochlea, the electrode array including a plurality of electrode contacts through which direct electrical stimulation may be applied to the basal region of the cochlea;
- and wherein the hearing aid portion includes a speaker adapted to be placed in or near the ear canal of the user through which sound signals amplified and processed by the hearing aid portion are broadcast into and through the ear canal;
the method comprising;
coupling a first microphone to the CI portion of the EAS system, whereby sounds sensed through the first microphone are processed by the CI portion and applied to the electrode contacts in order to directly electrically stimulate the basal region of the cochlea;
coupling a second microphone to the hearing aid portion of the EAS system, whereby sounds sensed through the second microphone are processed by the hearing aid portion and broadcast from the speaker into the ear canal; and
acoustically separating the second microphone from the speaker to avoid feedback within the hearing aid portion of the EAS system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing prosthesis includes both a hearing aid adapted to sense and amplify low frequency acoustic sound signals and a cochlear implant system adapted to sense high frequency acoustic sound signals. The hearing aid has a first microphone adapted to sense the low frequency acoustic sound signals, amplify these sensed low frequency acoustic sound signals, and present the resulting amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals in the ear canal of a user, thereby enabling the user to better hear these amplified sounds using his or her normal hearing processes. The cochlear implant system includes a second microphone adapted to sense the high frequency acoustic sound signals and selectively stimulate the inner ear with electrical stimulation that will be perceived as high frequency acoustic sound signals. Both the cochlear implant system and the hearing aid system are coupled to operate on the same ear of the user. Feedback within the hearing aid portion of the system is eliminated by positioning the first microphone at a location that is acoustically remote from the ear canal where the amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals are presented. High frequency acoustic sound signals are better sensed by placing the second microphone at a location that is in or near the ear canal where the amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals are presented.
72 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of operating an EAS system to prevent feedback, the EAS system having a cochlear implant (CI) portion and a hearing aid portion, wherein the CI portion includes an electrode array adapted to be inserted into a user'"'"'s cochlea, the electrode array including a plurality of electrode contacts through which direct electrical stimulation may be applied to the basal region of the cochlea;
- and wherein the hearing aid portion includes a speaker adapted to be placed in or near the ear canal of the user through which sound signals amplified and processed by the hearing aid portion are broadcast into and through the ear canal;
the method comprising;coupling a first microphone to the CI portion of the EAS system, whereby sounds sensed through the first microphone are processed by the CI portion and applied to the electrode contacts in order to directly electrically stimulate the basal region of the cochlea; coupling a second microphone to the hearing aid portion of the EAS system, whereby sounds sensed through the second microphone are processed by the hearing aid portion and broadcast from the speaker into the ear canal; and acoustically separating the second microphone from the speaker to avoid feedback within the hearing aid portion of the EAS system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- and wherein the hearing aid portion includes a speaker adapted to be placed in or near the ear canal of the user through which sound signals amplified and processed by the hearing aid portion are broadcast into and through the ear canal;
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9. A method of applying electro-acoustic stimulation to a patient for the purpose aiding the patient to hear comprising:
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electrically stimulating those areas of the inner ear responsible for perceiving high frequency sound; amplifying low frequency acoustic signals; presenting the resulting amplified low-frequency acoustic signals into the ear canal; and eliminating feedback of low frequency acoustic signals; whereby acoustic low frequency signals are perceived through normal hearing processes initiated by presenting the amplified low-frequency acoustic signals into the ear canal; and whereby high frequency acoustic signals are perceived through electrical stimulation presented to the inner ear. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification