Switching structures for hearing aid

• US 8,284,970 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Sacha, Michael Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Briney, III, Walter F
• Application Number:
  US11/037,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20060013420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,823 Days
• Field of Search: 381/331, 379/52, 379/443
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/51 Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/03 Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/305 Self-monitoring or self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/43 Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics H04R25/407 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/50 Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes an input system, an output system, and a sensor for sensing magnetic fields. In one example, a signal processing circuit electrically connects the input system to the output system, and a magnetic sensor adapted to inhibit the acoustic input and function as a magnetic input in the presence of a magnetic field. In one example, the magnetic sensor includes a giant magneto resistive (GMR) sensor. In another example, the magnetic sensor includes an anisotropic magneto resistive (AMR) sensor. The magnetic field can be generated by, among other things, a magnet in a telephone handset. The hearing aid further is programmed based on time-varying characteristics of the magnetic field. Wireless activation or deactivation of the hearing aid is also described. Other examples and options are provided herein.

Claims

1. A hearing aid adapted to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

an input system including;

an acoustic input, such as a microphone; and

a solid state magnetic transducer adapted to detect a magnetic field strength and information modulated on a time varying magnetic field emanating from a source external to the hearing aid;

an acoustic output system;

a signal processing circuit connected to the input system and the output system, the signal processing circuit adapted to process signals from the input system and to present processed signals to the output system; and

a switch circuit adapted to switch the input system from the acoustic input to the solid state magnetic transducer when the magnetic field strength detected is above a threshold, the switch circuit comprising filters to remove a high frequency component from a signal from the solid state magnetic transducer to prevent false triggering of the switch circuit, and adapted to provide a signal including the information modulated on the time varying magnetic field to the signal processing circuit, and

wherein the solid state magnetic transducer provides a compact input system for the hearing aid.

2. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the solid state magnetic transducer comprises a GMR sensor.

3. The hearing aid of claim 2, wherein the input system is adapted to detect the time varying magnetic field information using small signal detection.

4. The hearing aid of claim 3, wherein the input system selects the acoustic input or the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field based on detection of a proximal magnetic field.

5. The hearing aid of claim 4, wherein the input system selects acoustic input when the signals derived from the GMR sensor do not indicate a magnetic field in proximity.

6. The hearing aid of claim 4, wherein the input system selects the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field when signals derived from the GMR sensor indicate a magnetic field in proximity.

7. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the solid state magnetic transducer comprises a spin dependent tunneling sensor.

8. The hearing aid of claim 1, further comprising a pulsed power supply configured to supply power to the solid state magnetic transducer.

9. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein signals from the solid state magnetic transducer are adapted to have an output proportional to an alternating current magnetic field strength.

10. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the solid state magnetic sensor comprises an AMR sensor.

11. The hearing aid of claim 10, wherein the input system is adapted to detect a proximal magnetic field based on signals derived from the AMR sensor.

12. The hearing aid of claim 11, wherein the input system selects the acoustic input or the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field based on detection of the proximal magnetic field.

13. The hearing aid of claim 12, wherein the input system selects acoustic input when the signals derived from the AMR sensor do not indicate a magnetic field in proximity.

14. The hearing aid of claim 12, wherein the input system selects the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field when signals derived from the AMR sensor indicate a magnetic field in proximity.

15. The hearing aid of claim 10, wherein the AMR sensor comprises a spin dependent tunneling sensor.

16. The hearing aid of claim 10, further comprising a pulsed power supply configured to supply power to the AMR sensor.

17. The hearing aid of claim 10, wherein signals from the AMR sensor are adapted to have an output proportional to an alternating current magnetic field strength.

18. A method of operating a hearing assistance device, comprising:

selecting between an acoustic input and a solid state magnetic transducer input using a signal from the solid state magnetic transducer;

filtering a high frequency component of the signal to prevent false selection of the solid state magnetic transducer;

converting a modulated magnetic signal produced from a source external to the hearing assistance device to an electrical signal using the solid state magnetic transducer in the hearing assistance device;

processing the electrical signal to produce a processed electrical signal; and

producing an acoustic signal for output by a speaker of the hearing assistance device using the processed electrical signal.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising detecting a magnetic field in proximity to the hearing assistance device using the solid state magnetic transducer.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising processing signals from an acoustic input and from the modulated magnetic signal source based on detections of a magnetic field in proximity.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the solid state magnetic transducer is a GMR sensor, an AMR sensor, or a spin dependent tunneling sensor.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising processing signals from an acoustic input and from the modulated magnetic signal source based on detections of a magnetic field in proximity.