Portable system for programming hearing aids

• US 7,929,723 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2009
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Ear Technology Incorporated (Starkey Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hagen, Lawrence T., Newton, James, Richardson, Garry, Preves, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang; Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dabney; Phylesha
• Application Number:
  US12/553,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20100086153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 381/60, 381/312, 381/314, 381/315, 381/322, 381/323, 381/306, 381/388, 710300-302, 710/69, 710 8- 14, 710 72- 73, 700/94
• US Class Current: 381/314
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/502 using analog signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A system for programming one or more hearing aids with a host computer, the system including a hearing aid programmer for wireless communications with the host computer. In various embodiments, the hearing aid programmer has at least one interface connector for communication with at least one hearing aid. Additionally, in various embodiments, the system includes a wireless interface adapted for connecting to the at least one interface connector of the hearing aid programmer, the wireless interface further adapted for wireless communication with one or more hearing aids. Varying embodiments of the present subject matter include a wireless interface which contains signal processing electronics, a memory connected to the signal processing electronics; and a wireless module connected to the signal processing electronics and adapted for wireless communications.

Claims

1. A method for programming one or more hearing aids with a host computer, comprising:

wirelessly communicating with the host computer using a hearing aid programmer, the hearing aid programmer having at least one interface connector for communication with at least one hearing aid;

providing a wireless interface adapted for connecting to the at least one interface connector of the hearing aid programmer, and further adapted for wireless communication with one or more hearing aids, wherein the wireless interface comprises signal processing electronics, a memory and a wireless module; and

providing at least one interconnecting conduit adapted for hanging the wireless interface on an individual'"'"'s neck.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising booting the wireless module using the signal processing electronics.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the wireless interface including providing the wireless interface to communicate at a radio frequency of approximately 3.84 Megahertz.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein wirelessly communicating includes communicating using a protocol compatible with a Bluetooth™

standard.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein wirelessly communicating includes communicating using a protocol compatible with a NOAHlink™

communication protocol.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein providing a wireless interface includes providing an output connector for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the interface connector is adapted for making a mechanical connection compatible with the NOAHlink™

hearing aid programmer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the wireless module behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the wireless interface is hook shaped and is adapted for hanging on an individual'"'"'s neck.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the wireless interface includes providing the wireless interface is shaped like a binaural stethoscope, comprising an interconnecting conduit adapted to be elastically deformed and adapted to clasp around an individual'"'"'s neck.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the wireless interface includes providing a housing adapted to be positioned behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the housing include output connectors for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the wireless interface includes providing a lanyard which is adapted for routing around an individual'"'"'s neck.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the lanyard includes providing the lanyard adapted to position a housing behind the individual'"'"'s neck.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the housing include output connectors for optional wired communication with hearing aids.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the wireless interface includes providing an over-voltage protection.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing over-voltage protection includes:

providing a detector; and

providing a line-protector connected to the detector,

wherein the detector controls function of the line-protector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the detector includes providing the detector to control power at the output connector by controlling the line-protector.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the detector includes providing the detector to control at least one power supply.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the detector includes providing the detector to disable power to the wireless interface by controlling the at least one power supply.