Hearing system having improved high frequency response
First Claim
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1. A hearing system comprising:
- an input transducer configured to capture ambient sound, including high frequency localization cues, and convert the captured sound into electrical signals; and
a transmitter assembly configured to receive the electrical signals from the input transducer, the transmitter assembly comprising a signal processor configured to generate filtered signals from the received electrical signals, the transmitter assembly comprising a transmitter and a transmission element, the transmitter assembly configured to deliver both power and filtered signals from the transmitter through a tip of the transmission element to produce mechanical vibrations with an output transducer configured to be positioned in or on a middle ear of the user, the filtered signals being representative of the ambient sound received by the input transducer;
wherein the transmitter assembly is positionable at least partially within the ear canal to provide an open canal to allow the ambient sound to pass through the open canal and bypass the transmitter assembly to directly reach the middle ear of the user,wherein the signal processor is configured to amplify the filtered signals that comprise the high frequency localization cues below a saturation level and to decrease current consumption and provide greater equivalent sound pressure to the eardrum with the ambient sound than equivalent sound pressure of the output transducer above the saturation level.
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Abstract
The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A hearing system comprising:
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an input transducer configured to capture ambient sound, including high frequency localization cues, and convert the captured sound into electrical signals; and a transmitter assembly configured to receive the electrical signals from the input transducer, the transmitter assembly comprising a signal processor configured to generate filtered signals from the received electrical signals, the transmitter assembly comprising a transmitter and a transmission element, the transmitter assembly configured to deliver both power and filtered signals from the transmitter through a tip of the transmission element to produce mechanical vibrations with an output transducer configured to be positioned in or on a middle ear of the user, the filtered signals being representative of the ambient sound received by the input transducer; wherein the transmitter assembly is positionable at least partially within the ear canal to provide an open canal to allow the ambient sound to pass through the open canal and bypass the transmitter assembly to directly reach the middle ear of the user, wherein the signal processor is configured to amplify the filtered signals that comprise the high frequency localization cues below a saturation level and to decrease current consumption and provide greater equivalent sound pressure to the eardrum with the ambient sound than equivalent sound pressure of the output transducer above the saturation level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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receiving electrical signals with a transmitter assembly positioned to provide an open ear canal, wherein the electrical signals are indicative of the sound captured by an input transducer, the sound including high frequency localization cues; filtering the signals at the transmitter assembly with a signal processor; delivering both power and the filtered signals through a tip of a transmission element of the transmitter assembly to produce mechanical vibrations with an output transducer positioned in or on a middle ear of the user; and reducing current consumption above a saturation level and providing greater equivalent sound pressure to the eardrum with the ambient sound than equivalent sound pressure of the output transducer by amplifying the filtered signals that comprise the high frequency localization cues below the saturation level and saturating or switching off the filtered signals above the saturation level, with the signal processor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A hearing system comprising:
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an input transducer configured to capture ambient sound, including high frequency localization cues, and convert the captured sound into electrical signals; and a transmitter assembly configured to receive the electrical signals from the input transducer, the transmitter assembly comprising a signal processor that is configured to generate filtered signals from the received electrical signals, the transmitter assembly comprising a transmitter and a transmission element, the transmitter assembly configured to deliver both power and filtered signals from the transmitter through a tip of the transmission element to produce mechanical vibrations with an output transducer configured to be positioned in or on a middle ear of a user, the filtered signals being representative of the ambient sound received by the input transducer; wherein the transmitter assembly is positionable at least partially behind a pinna of the user to provide an open canal to allow the ambient sound to pass through the open canal and bypass the transmitter assembly to directly reach the middle ear of the user, wherein the signal processor is configured to amplify the filtered signals that comprise the high frequency localization cues below a saturation level and to decrease current consumption and provide greater equivalent sound pressure to the eardrum with the ambient sound than the equivalent sound pressure of the output transducer above the saturation level. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method comprising:
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receiving electrical signals with a transmitter assembly at least partially positioned behind a pinna of a user to provide an open ear canal, wherein the electrical signals are indicative of the ambient sound captured by an input transducer, the ambient sound including high frequency localization cues; filtering the signals at the transmitter assembly with a signal processor; delivering, with a transmitter of the transmission assembly, both power and the filtered signals through a tip of a transmission element of the transmitter assembly to produce mechanical vibrations with an output transducer positioned in or on a middle ear of the user; and reducing current consumption above a saturation level and providing greater equivalent sound pressure to the eardrum with the ambient sound than equivalent sound pressure of the output transducer by amplifying the filtering signals that comprise the high frequency localization cues below the saturation level and saturating or switching off the filtered signals above the saturation level, with the signal processor. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification