Telecoil in a detachable direct audio input accessory

• US 8,855,348 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Andrew Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ensey, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yu, Norman
• Application Number:
  US13/568,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20140044295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 381312-331, 455/575.1, 379/52, 600/25
• US Class Current: 381/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a hearing assistance device with a detachable telecoil. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a telecoil and a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil. The DAI connector is configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, in various embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device, comprising:

a telecoil; and

a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil and configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, wherein the telecoil includes an impedance configured to be sensed to indicate to the hearing assistance device that the apparatus is attached to the DAI port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier configured to amplify the signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising telecoil electronics.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the the input/output line includes a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin of the processor of the hearing assistance device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecoil is adapted for loop systems.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecoil is adapted for phone systems.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecoil includes multiple coils.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the multiple coils include coils with different sizes.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the multiple coils include coils with different orientations.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecoil includes surface mount coils.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the telecoil is housed within the housing and the DAI connector is included along a surface of the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a boot.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the boot is configured to fit over a portion of a housing of the hearing assistance device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.

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

detecting a telecoil signal received at a direct audio input (DAI) port of the hearing assistance device, the telecoil signal from a telecoil housed in an apparatus having a DAI connector configured to detachably attach to the DAI port of the hearing assistance device, wherein the telecoil includes an impedance configured to be sensed indicate to the hearing assistance device that the apparatus is attached to the DAI port.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting a telecoil signal includes detecting an active telecoil signal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting a telecoil signal includes detecting a passive telecoil signal.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting a telecoil signal includes sensing a low signal at the input/output line of the processor of the hearing assistance device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein sensing a low signal at the input/output line of the processor includes sensing a low signal at a GPIO pin of a digital signal processor (DSP).