Switching structures for hearing aid

• US 20060013420A1
• Filed: 01/16/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Sacha, Michael Karl
• Granted Patent: US 8,284,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/312
• 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. An apparatus, comprising:

an input system including a GMR sensor adapted to detect information modulated on a time varying magnetic field;

an acoustic output system; and

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

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input system further comprises an acoustic input.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the input system is adapted to detect a proximal magnetic field based on signals derived from the GMR sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the input system selects the acoustic input and the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field based on detection of the proximal magnetic field based on signals derived from the GMR sensor.

5. The apparatus 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 apparatus 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 apparatus of claim 1, wherein the GMR sensor comprises a spin dependent tunneling sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the GMR sensor comprises a high sensitivity GMR material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein signals from the GMR sensor are adapted to have an output proportional to an alternating current magnetic field strength.

10. A method, comprising:

converting a modulated magnetic signal to an electrical signal using a GMR sensor in a hearing assistance device; and

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

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting a magnetic field in proximity to the hearing assistance device using the GMR sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising processing signals from an acoustic input and from the modulated magnetic signal source based on detections of a magnetic field in proximity.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

an input system including a AMR sensor adapted to detect information modulated on a time varying magnetic field;

an acoustic output system; and

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

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the input system further comprises an acoustic input.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the input system is adapted to detect a proximal magnetic field based on signals derived from the AMR sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the input system selects the acoustic input and the information modulated on a time varying magnetic field based on detection of the proximal magnetic field based on signals derived from the AMR sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the input system selects acoustic input when the signals derived from the AMR sensor do not indicate a magnetic field in proximity.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the AMR sensor comprises a spin dependent tunneling sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the AMR sensor comprises a high sensitivity AMR material.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein signals from the AMR sensor are adapted to have an output proportional to an alternating current magnetic field strength.

22. A method, comprising:

converting a modulated magnetic signal to an electrical signal using a AMR sensor in a hearing assistance device; and

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

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting a magnetic field in proximity to the hearing assistance device using the AMR sensor.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising processing signals from an acoustic input and from the modulated magnetic signal source based on detections of a magnetic field in proximity.