Abstract: An auditory prosthesis is provided with datalogging capability whereby the use of a plurality of settings as selected by the user is maintained. The recorded datalog can be periodically read and used for revising a prosthetic prescription by altering the settings and used as a means of refining initial prescriptions of other patients whose audiometric characteristics are similar to those of the user. In one embodiment for a programmable auditory prosthesis the datalogging information includes the number of times control programs are changed, the number of times a given control program is selected, and the total time duration for which a given program is selected. Accordingly, the processing of signals by a signal processor can be tuned to fit the needs of an individual user. The prosthesis can have a remote control unit, and a datalog memory can be provided in the remote control unit along with a programmable memory which stores the control programs.

Abstract: A programmable hearing aid having a battery compartment which holds a battery under normal operating conditions is also adapted to hold a coupler member for connecting an external programming device to the hearing aid. To connect an external programming device to the hearing aid, lead wires in contact with the programming device are contacted with battery and programming terminals in the battery compartment by means of a coupling member. The coupling member is shaped to fit in the battery compartment and has electrodes in contact with the lead wires from the programming device arranged for contacting the battery and programming terminals in the battery compartment.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for holding a probe tube in the ear canal of a person's ear. The device includes two members. The first member has a clip for clipping the first member to an ear lobe, and a first magnetic member coupled to the clip. The second member has a microphone coupled to a probe tube, and a housing for holding the probe tube at fixed position relative to the housing. The microphone generates amplified signals corresponding to sound conducted by the probe tube. In addition, a second magnetic member is coupled to the housing of the second member so that the second member can be held in a selected position relative to the first member by the magnetic attraction of the first and second magnetic members. The first and second magnetic members preferably each have a flat surface which enables the relative positions of the first and second members to be adjusted both angularly and laterally.

Abstract: An attachment device for a probe microphone adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the external ear canal of a person having an ear lobe. A housing is adapted to contain the probe microphone and secures the housing in a fixed relationship with respect to the ear lobe of the person. A probe tube is coupled to the housing and is adapted to be coupled to the probe microphone and adapted to be inserted into the external ear canal of the person. A holding mechanism is coupled to the housing and receives the probe tube and slideably secures the probe tube in a repositionably fixed relationship to the housing. In this manner the housing may be secured and positioned with respect to the ear lobe and the probe tube may be slid through the holding mechanism and positioned reliably in the external ear canal.