Dual microphone EAS system that prevents feedback
First Claim
1. An Electro-Acoustic Stimulator (EAS) hearing prosthesis system comprising:
- a cochlear implant system comprisinga first microphone configured to sense high frequency acoustic signals presented to a user, anda behind-the-ear sound processor coupled to the first microphone and configured to process the high frequency acoustic signals sensed by the first microphone and to direct a pulse generator implanted in the user to apply stimulation signals representative of the sensed high frequency acoustic signals to the user;
a hearing aid system comprisinga second microphone configured to sense low frequency acoustic signals presented to the user, andan amplifier coupled to the second microphone and configured to amplify the low frequency signals sensed by the second microphone and broadcast a resulting amplified signal into the ear canal of the user; and
a headpiece separate from the behind-the-ear sound processor and adapted to be worn by the user at a location that is on the head and behind an ear of the user, the headpiece connected to the behind-the-ear sound processor by way of a cable and comprising a coil configured to be inductively coupled to an additional coil included in the implanted pulse generator;
wherein the second microphone is positioned at a location on the headpiece such that the second microphone is acoustically remote from the amplifier and the ear canal of the user.
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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.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An Electro-Acoustic Stimulator (EAS) hearing prosthesis system comprising:
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a cochlear implant system comprising a first microphone configured to sense high frequency acoustic signals presented to a user, and a behind-the-ear sound processor coupled to the first microphone and configured to process the high frequency acoustic signals sensed by the first microphone and to direct a pulse generator implanted in the user to apply stimulation signals representative of the sensed high frequency acoustic signals to the user; a hearing aid system comprising a second microphone configured to sense low frequency acoustic signals presented to the user, and an amplifier coupled to the second microphone and configured to amplify the low frequency signals sensed by the second microphone and broadcast a resulting amplified signal into the ear canal of the user; and a headpiece separate from the behind-the-ear sound processor and adapted to be worn by the user at a location that is on the head and behind an ear of the user, the headpiece connected to the behind-the-ear sound processor by way of a cable and comprising a coil configured to be inductively coupled to an additional coil included in the implanted pulse generator; wherein the second microphone is positioned at a location on the headpiece such that the second microphone is acoustically remote from the amplifier and the ear canal of the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification