Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for transmitting audio via the serial data port of a hearing instrument. At least one hearing instrument microphone may be used for receiving an audio input signal. A sound processor may be used for processing the audio input signal to compensate for a hearing impairment and generate a processed audio signal. At least one hearing instrument receiver may be used for converting the processed audio signal into an audio output signal. A serial data port may be used to couple the hearing instrument to an external device in order to transmit bi-directional audio signals between the hearing instrument and the external device. The serial data port may be coupled to the external device to transmit at least one of the audio input signal, the processed audio signal and the audio output signal to the external device.

Abstract: A low-noise directional microphone system includes a front microphone, a rear microphone, a low-noise phase-shifting circuit and a summation circuit. The front microphone generates a front microphone signal, and the rear microphone generates a rear microphone signal. The low-noise phase-shifting circuit implements a frequency-dependent phase difference between the front microphone signal and the rear microphone signal to create a controlled loss in directional gain and to maintain a maximum level of noise amplification over a pre-determined frequency band. The summation circuit combines the front and rear microphone signals to generate a directional microphone signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for a hearing instrument with self-diagnostics. A detection circuitry may be used to monitor the functional status of at least one transducer by measuring an energy level output of the transducer and comparing the energy level output to a pre-determined threshold level. The detection circuitry may generate an error message output if the measured energy level output of the transducer falls below the pre-determined threshold level. A memory device may be used to store the error message output generated by the detection circuitry.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for transmitting audio via the serial data port of a hearing instrument. At least one hearing instrument microphone may be used for receiving an audio input signal. A sound processor may be used for processing the audio input signal to compensate for a hearing impairment and generate a processed audio signal. At least one hearing instrument receiver may be used for converting the processed audio signal into an audio output signal. A serial data port may be used to couple the hearing instrument to an external device in order to transmit bidirectional audio signals between the hearing instrument and the external device. The serial data port may be coupled to the external device to transmit at least one of the audio input signal, the processed audio signal and the audio output signal to the external device.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for a hearing instrument with self-diagnostics. A detection circuitry may be used to monitor the functional status of at least one transducer by measuring an energy level output of the transducer and comparing the energy level output to a pre-determined threshold level. The detection circuitry may generate an error message output if the measured energy level output of the transducer falls below the pre-determined threshold level. A memory device may be used to store the error message output generated by the detection circuitry.

Abstract: A low-noise directional microphone system includes a front microphone, a rear microphone, a low-noise phase-shifting circuit and a summation circuit. The front microphone generates a front microphone signal, and the rear microphone generates a rear microphone signal. The low-noise phase-shifting circuit implements a frequency-dependent phase difference between the front microphone signal and the rear microphone signal to create a controlled loss in directional gain and to maintain a maximum level of noise amplification over a pre-determined frequency band. The summation circuit combines the front and rear microphone signals to generate a directional microphone signal.