Body-worn hearing aid system

• US 20100150356A1
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Uzuanis, Richard Uzuanis
• Original Assignee: Michael Uzuanis, Richard Uzuanis
• Inventors: Uzuanis, Richard, Uzuanis, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/658,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20100150356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/23.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A binaural hearing aid system for a user is set forth. The system includes a casing adapted and constructed to encase a hearing aid system suitable for wearing below the neck of the user. A first digital signal processor, having an audio input from a first microphone of the hearing system, is also provided. The first digital signal processor produces a first audio output corresponding to a first hearing profile. A second digital signal processor having the audio input from the second microphone of the hearing system is also provided. The second digital signal processor produces a second audio output corresponding to a second hearing profile.

Claims

1. A body-worn hearing aid system comprising:

a body worn hearing aid device provided in a casing, the body-worn hearing aid device including first and second microphones adapted to receive an audio input signal,

a first digital signal processor adapted and constructed to receive an output from the first microphone and produce a first output signal according to a first unique hearing profile, and

a second digital signal processor adapted and constructed to receive the output from the second microphone and produce a second output signal according to a second unique hearing profile; and

a magnetic coupling charging element selectively and operatively connected to the casing of the body-worn hearing aid device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a hearing test system, operatively stored in the first and second digital signal processors, adapted and constructed to generate a plurality of tones to elicit responses from a user of the device, whereby the responses to the tones ascertain a hearing profile of the user provided in the first and second digital signal processors, and adapted and constructed to produce a custom hearing profile for the system.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power indicating light, wherein the power indicating light illuminates when power is on for the first and second microphones.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a row of leds, wherein the leds are illuminated to indicate a volume level for the system, and wherein a selection button is provided on an exterior casing of the body-worn hearing aid system for selecting the volume level of the system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a button is provided on the exterior casing of the system for selectively switching the power to the first and second microphones.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a headset including a first signal lead and a first ground lead for the first output signal, and a second signal lead and a second ground lead for the second output signal.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising earbuds connected to the first and second signal leads and first and second grounds, respectively, wherein the earbuds are adapted and constructed with a vent to deliver ambient sound to the ear.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery operatively connected to the system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein contacts are provided on a bottom of the casing of the body-worn hearing device for selectively electrically connecting the magnetic coupling charging element to the body-worn hearing device to form the body-worn hearing aid system.

10. A binaural hearing aid system for a user comprising:

a casing adapted and constructed to encase a hearing aid system suitable for wearing below the neck of the user;

a first digital signal processor having an audio input from a first microphone of the hearing system, the first digital signal processor producing a first audio output corresponding to a first hearing profile; and

a second digital signal processor having the audio input from a second microphone of the hearing system, the second digital signal processor producing a second audio output corresponding to a second hearing profile.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a hearing test system, operatively stored in the first and second digital signal processors, adapted and constructed to generate a plurality of tones to elicit responses from a user of the device, whereby the responses to the tones ascertain a hearing profile of the user provided in the first and second digital signal processors, and adapted and constructed to produce a custom hearing profile for the system.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a power indicator on an exterior of the casing.

13. The system of claim 10, a volume level indicator on an exterior of the casing.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising a power switch on an exterior of the casing.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a first lead and a first ground operatively connected to the first audio output, and a second lead and a second ground operatively connected to the second audio output.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a sound delivering device adapted and constructed to deliver sound to the ear canal, operatively connected to the first and second audio outputs.

16. The system of claim 16, further comprising first and second headset earbuds operatively and respectively connected to the first lead and the first ground and the second lead and the second ground.

18. The method of processing audio input in a hearing aid system comprising the steps of:

providing first and second digital signal processors in a casing having first and second microphone input;

generating first and second unique audio outputs according to a hearing profile of the user with the first and second digital signal processors, respectively, wherein each output is individually programmed; and

transmitting the first and second unique audio outputs to remote first and second sound delivering devices operatively connected to the first and second audio outputs.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

connecting a headset having a first lead and ground connected to the first unique audio output and a second lead and ground connected to the second unique audio output for transmitting the first and second unique audio outputs to the remote first and second sound delivery devices.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:

selectively charging the hearing aid system with a magnetic coupling charging element selectively connected to the casing of the hearing aid system.