Power Supply Or Programming Interface Terminals Patents (Class 381/323)
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Patent number: 8804988Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Solum, Michael Helgeson, Stephen Paul Flood
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Publication number: 20140198939Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a microphone on a proximal side of a device housing and a loudspeaker which via a transmission channel is in open communication with a sound-emitting opening of the device. A sound processing device serves to generate sound received by the microphone to the loudspeaker in amplified form. The device housing is provided on a distal side with an optionally sealed battery chamber for receiving a battery therein. The transmission channel is at least almost wholly separated from the microphone acoustically in order to prevent acoustic feedback. The battery chamber comprises ventilation means for the purpose of increasing the lifespan of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: EXSILENT RESEARCH B.V.Inventors: Aeldrik Pander, Michel Martin Marie Havenith, Marcus Johannes Aloysius Kaal
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Patent number: 8767990Abstract: A hearing aid with a child-proof battery compartment includes a shell and a battery door mounted in the shell for rotational movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism between a pivotal latch of the battery door and a corresponding arrest part is at an internal side of an arrest wall. The battery door in the closed position includes external wall parts facing away from the hearing aid and all of the external wall parts are flush with or recessed with respect to adjacent wall parts of the hearing aid shell, such that an opening force cannot be applied to the external wall parts. The arrest wall includes a narrow gap opening which grants access to the pivotal latch and allows an opening force to be applied to the pivotal latch through the opening to release the battery door.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Peter Spragge, Michael F. Jørgensen, Rune Værndal
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Publication number: 20140177893Abstract: A battery door for a hearing device includes: a body having a bottom part and a sidewall, the bottom part having a first bottom surface and the sidewall having a first wall surface, the first wall surface comprising contact points for supporting a battery with a battery radius, wherein the first bottom surface and the first wall surface at least partly defines a battery compartment for housing the battery with the battery axis, wherein the contact points of the first wall surface arranged at a battery distance from the battery axis, and wherein a center axis perpendicularly crosses the pivoting axis and crosses the battery axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Dongmei LU, Jens Sparre KOBBERNAGEL, Philip MEINERTZ
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Patent number: 8761423Abstract: Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. One such hearing device includes a hearing device core, defining a size and a shape, and including a battery and an acoustic assembly, with a microphone and a receiver with a sound port that is adjacent to a portion of the battery, and a flexible seal apparatus on the hearing device core. The size, shape and configuration of the hearing device core, and the flexibility of the seal, are such that the hearing device is positionable within the ear canal bony region with the entire microphone medial of the bony-cartilaginous junction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Paul Wagner, Stuart Wenzel, Michael Au, Igal Ladabaum
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Publication number: 20140169602Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Advanced Bionics AGInventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold, Lakshmi Narayan Mishra
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Patent number: 8750546Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Advanced BionicsInventors: Roger S. Meier, Lee F. Hartley, James P. Goodman
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Patent number: 8750548Abstract: The application relates to a miniature listening device (20) comprising a housing (200) for enclosing an energy source (23) and a number of functional (21, 22, 24, 60, 70) and/or electronic (251) components of the listening device. The application further relates to the use of such listening device, to a listening system and to a method of electrically connecting a listening device to an external device. The object of the present application is to provide a scheme for electrically connecting a miniature listening device to an external device.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Niels E. H. Christensen, Kenneth Rueskov Møller, Jan T. L. Larsen
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Publication number: 20140153760Abstract: A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: James R. Newton, Michael Karl Sacha, Wei Li Lin
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Publication number: 20140153759Abstract: An object containing electronic circuits and a rechargeable cell, wherein the cell is arranged close to a surface of the object, a charge coil being shiftable with respect to the cell between an operating position where it is arranged around the cell and a recharge position where it is axially offset with respect to the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventor: Frédéric Cantin
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Patent number: 8744105Abstract: A power management system for a digital processing core of a battery-powered hearing aid is adapted for providing power to the hearing aid circuit in a particularly efficient manner. The power management system comprises a first linear voltage regulator, and a second linear voltage regulator in series with a switched-capacitor 2:1 SC converter, a positive bulk biasing voltage supply, and a negative bulk biasing voltage supply, for controlling the switching speed, threshold voltage, and current leak from the semiconductor elements of the digital processing core when the core is operated at the reduced voltage provided by the power management system. The power management system may save between 50% and 70% of the power consumed by the digital processing core of the hearing aid circuit. The invention further provides a method for providing a supply voltage to a digital hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventor: Per Flemming Hoevesteen
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Patent number: 8737666Abstract: A headset (10) for audio communications comprising a speaker housing (11) and a boom (12) for a microphone (41, 51), the headset arranged to provide a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the boom is arranged to be wrapped around the speaker housing in the retracted state and be unwrapped from the speaker housing in the extended state. The headset may be used as a hands-free unit for a telephone.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Sami Saila, Mikael Jaakkola
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Patent number: 8737658Abstract: A hearing assistance device for a user comprising a housing, a three dimensional electronic substrate disposed in the housing, the substrate adapted to conform to a battery of the hearing assistance device and hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Helgeson, Jeffrey Paul Solum, David Tourtelotte, Beau Jay Polinske
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Patent number: 8718304Abstract: A hearing instrument configured to receive power from an energy source, the energy having an output voltage, the hearing instrument includes an analog-to-digital converter for conversion of an input audio signal to a digital input signal, a digital signal processor for processing the digital input signal into a processed signal, an audio amplifier for amplifying the processed signal, a communication unit for wireless data communication between the hearing instrument and another device, and a stabilizing circuit having an energy storing element and a rectifying element, wherein the energy storing element is configured to supply power to one or more of the analog-to-digital converter, the digital signal processor, and the audio amplifier, and the rectifying element is configured to prevent the energy storing element from supplying power to the communication unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: GN Resound A/SInventor: Brian Dam Pedersen
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Patent number: 8712085Abstract: A hearing aid includes a case and a photovoltaic cell located in the case near a translucent portion of the case. A detector circuit includes a voltage comparator for monitoring the voltage from the photocell and indicating variations in voltage. The variations are analyzed to detect data for operating the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Zounds Hearing, Inc.Inventors: Samuel L. Thomasson, Fan Wu
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Patent number: 8699733Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jorge F. Sanguino, Jay Rabel, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Michael Helgeson, David Tourtelotte
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Patent number: 8699719Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining an operating state of an earpiece of a personal acoustic device and/or the entirety of the personal acoustic device through tests to determine the current operating state, wherein the tests differ depending on a current power mode of the personal acoustic device, and wherein at least one lower power test is employed during at least one lower power mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Edwin C. Johnson, Jr., Hal Greenberger, Daniel M. Gauger, Jr., Benjamin D. Burge
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Patent number: 8682016Abstract: Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. Such hearing devices may have a hearing device core, which includes a battery and an acoustic assembly with a microphone and receiver positioned such that the lateral end of the receiver substantially abuts the medial end of the microphone, and a seal apparatus on the hearing device core.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Paul Wagner, Stuart Wenzel, Michael Au, Igal Ladabaum
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Patent number: 8666101Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard Gable, Ross Baker, Tom O'Hara
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Publication number: 20140056452Abstract: A wearable device has a motion detector configured to detect motion of the device and produce a motion signal relating to motion of the device, a contact sensor configured to detect if the device is in contact with an object and produce a contact signal relating to whether the device is in contact with an object, and a controller operatively coupled with the motion detector and the contact sensor. The controller is configured to switch between on and off-states as a function of at least one of the motion signal and contact signal. The device also has a sound transducer or other transducer operatively coupled with the controller. The controller is configured to change the state of the sound transducer between on and off-states in response to receipt of the motion signal, and the contact signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Brian Moss, Howard R. Samuels, Joseph Wayne Palmer, Alain Valentin Guery, James M. Lee
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Patent number: 8660658Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Advanced Bionics AGInventors: Thomas Patrick Walsh, Carla Mann Woods, Richard C. Ross, Rankiri Tissa Karunasiri, Anthony K. Arnold, Lakshmi Narayan Mishra
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Patent number: 8660283Abstract: A hearing aid is provided having a behind the ear component comprising a casing adapted to cover, accommodate or protect electronics components of the hearing aid. Further the hearing aid has at least one through going opening in the casing element and electronic switching elements placed at the through going opening. According to the invention a plate element is provided, which is mountable in the through going opening and adapted to form, when mounted herein, a surface flush with the casing. This plate element which covers the switches is used when the switches has been disabled such as is often the case with hearing aids for small children.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Steen Madsen, Thor Højlund Olsen
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Patent number: 8660284Abstract: This hearing aid comprises a main body case (1), a battery case (7) provided so that it can be pulled from inside the main body case (1) to outside of the main body case (1), a control device (14) that is actuated by electromotive force of an air battery (8) housed in the battery case (7), a microphone (4) and speaker (3) electrically connected to the control device (14), and a switching portion for cutting off power from the air battery (8) to the control device (14) in conjunction with manipulation that pulls at least part of the battery case (7) out of the main body case (1). A magnet (11) that blocks off air holes (10) in the air battery (8) is provided to the bottom part of the (7). The magnet (11) closes off the air holes (10) in conjunction with manipulation that pulls at least part of the battery case (7) out of the main body case (1).Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Minoru Tada
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Publication number: 20140044281Abstract: Techniques herein provide wireless energy transfer to audio devices such as headphones, headsets, hearing aids, and the like. Audio devices are integrated with a device resonator. The device resonator may be positioned and oriented to reduce interaction with lossy or sensitive components of the audio device. A repeater resonator and/or a source resonator is integrated into a headrest of a seat or a chair providing continuous power to the headphones while in use. The audio devices may be recharged wirelessly when positioned near source resonators that may be embedded in pads, tables, carrying cases, cups, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. Ganem, Hiroshi A. Mendoza, Morris P. Kesler, Konrad J. Kulikowski, Andre B. Kurs, Alexander P. McCauley, Eric R. Giler, Katherine L. Hall, Gozde Guckaya
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Publication number: 20140044293Abstract: Techniques herein provide wireless energy transfer to audio devices such as headphones, headsets, hearing aids, and the like. Audio devices are integrated with a device resonator. The device resonator may be positioned and oriented to reduce interaction with lossy or sensitive components of the audio device. A repeater resonator and/or a source resonator is integrated into a headrest of a seat or a chair providing continuous power to the headphones while in use. The audio devices may be recharged wirelessly when positioned near source resonators that may be embedded in pads, tables, carrying cases, cups, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Steven J. Ganem, Hiroshi A. Mendoza, Morris P. Kesler, Konrad J. Kulikowski, Andre B. Kurs, Alexander P. McCauley, Eric R. Giler, Katherine L. Hall, Gozde Guckaya
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Patent number: 8649541Abstract: A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: James R. Newton, Michael Karl Sacha, Wei Li Lin
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Patent number: 8644542Abstract: In an embodiment, a hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid may include a set of battery charging terminals configured to be connected to a battery. A receiver oscillator circuit is electrically coupled to the set of battery charging terminals, the receiver oscillator circuit includes a receiver coil. The receiver coil may be tuned to resonate at a resonance frequency in a range of MHz and at the resonance frequency. The receiver coil may be configured to receive magnetic energy in the form of electromagnetic waves of a frequency similar to the resonance frequency of the receiver coil and to convert the magnetic energy of the received electromagnetic waves to an electrical current to charge the battery via the set of battery charging terminals.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Harald Klemenz, Pei Chyi Kristy Lim, Benjamin Neumann
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Patent number: 8644535Abstract: A method for adjusting a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid, to an individual user, includes firstly recording data relating to at least one setting of the hearing device together with direct or indirect temporal information. Thereupon, a period of time during which the at least one setting was/is active is automatically determined. Finally, at least one parameter of the hearing device is automatically adapted as a function of the determined period of time and the at least one setting. This affords the possibility of adapting, for example, time constants according to individual usage. A corresponding hearing device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
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Patent number: 8644543Abstract: With a hearing aid device in a frame configuration, acoustic feedback is avoided with an opened battery charger. To this end, a seal surrounds the frame component in an annular manner, the seal sealing a gap between the frame component and the housing thus providing a more user friendly hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Marco Lederer, Andreas Ratay, Hartmut Ritter
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Patent number: 8634582Abstract: A hearing aid includes a housing for accommodation of a signal processor for processing an audio signal into a processed audio signal compensating a hearing loss, and a receiver that is connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the processed audio signal into a sound signal, wherein the housing is configured to be positioned in an ear canal of a user without obstructing the ear canal, thereby leaving a passageway between a part of an ear canal wall and a part of the housing so that sound waves can escape from behind the housing through the passageway to surroundings of the user, the housing having an output port for emission of sound towards an eardrum of the user when inserted in the ear canal, and wherein the housing is coupled to an elongate member, which is configured to be placed in a pinna and outside the ear canal of the user for retention of the housing in the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: GN Resound A/SInventor: Henrik Nielsen
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Patent number: 8634578Abstract: A multiband dynamics compressor implements a solution for minimizing unwanted changes to the long-term frequency response. The solution essentially proposes undoing the multiband compression in a controlled manner using much slower smoothing times. In this regard, the compensation provided acts more like an equalizer than a compressor. What is applied is a very slowly time-varying, frequency-dependent post-gain (make-up gain) that attempts to restore the smoothed long-term level of each compressor band.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventor: Earl C. Vickers
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Patent number: 8625827Abstract: A hearing-aid device comprising a housing and circuitry module, wherein the circuitry module comprises a battery, a microphone, and a receiver, and the circuit module is inserted in the hearing aid housing. The hearing aid device further comprises a retractable battery sleeve, wherein a battery slot is exposed when the battery sleeve is retracted, and a battery can be inserted into the battery slot from either side of the battery slot with either polarity. The hearing aid housing may comprise an ear-tip, wherein a microphone is mounted in the hearing aid housing near the ear-tip and the microphone receives sounds through at least one sound inlet located on a side surface of the hearing aid housing. The ear-tip additionally comprises three flanges decreasing in size toward the flange closest to the ear canal, and the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal in any orientation.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Gail Gudmundsen, Viorel Drambarean, Mead C. Killion, Jonathan K. Stewart
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Publication number: 20140003641Abstract: A power dongle for a hearing aid includes conductive wires, each wire having a computing device end and a hearing aid end. A first connector is connected to the computing device end of each of the plurality of conductive wires to releasably couple to an input/output port of the computing device and a second connector is connected to the hearing aid end of each of the plurality of conductive wires to releasably couple to an interface of the hearing aid, the second connector configured to deliver at least one of a first power supply and an audio signal from the computing device to the interface of the hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: AUDIOTONIQ, INC.Inventors: Frederick Charles Neumeyer, Russell J. Apfel, John Michael Page Knox
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Publication number: 20130343585Abstract: A hearing assist device is associated with an ear of a user. Health characteristics of the user are measured by sensors of the hearing assist device. The measured health characteristics may be analyzed in the hearing assist device, or transmitted from the hearing assist device for remote analysis. Based on the analysis, alerts, instructions, and other information may be displayed to the user in the form of text or graphics, or may be played by the hearing assist device in the form of sound/voice. Medical personnel may be alerted when problems with the user are detected by the hearing assist device. The user may provide verbal commands to the hearing assist device. The hearing assist device may be configured to filter sounds, and may be configured for a personal hearing frequency response of the user. The hearing assist device may be configured for speech recognition to recognize commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: James D. Bennett, John Walley
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Publication number: 20130329925Abstract: A hearing instrument system with a rechargeable battery or accumulator is optimized for everyday use, in particular for EOL detection, and the performance and service life of the accumulator. A hearing instrument, an accumulator system, and a charging system each have an energy transfer interface and a communication interface. The energy transfer interface and communication interface on the accumulator side can establish an energy transfer link and/or communication link on the charge and hearing instrument side. The accumulator system provides energy to the hearing instrument and transmits state of charge information generated by an accumulator control facility to the hearing instrument by way of the respective communication link. The transmission of the state of charge information enables a reliable state of charge detection in the case of batteries, whose state of charge cannot be identified on their voltage, for instance Li-ion systems with closed-loop controlled voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: MIHAIL BOGUSLAVSKIJ, SIMON HUETTINGER, FRANK KOCH, FRANK NAUMANN, BENJAMIN SEWIOLO, TOM WEIDNER
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Patent number: 8605927Abstract: A hearing aid includes a relatively rigid shell which holds hearing aid electronics and one or more flexible, shape-retaining filaments attached to the hearing aid shell. The filament(s) extend(s) out a proximal side of the hearing aid shell having a shape which interacts with the user's ear anatomy such as the conchae bowl. The shape determines an insertion depth of the hearing aid shell into the user's ear canal, and a spring action biases the hearing aid toward the desired insertion depth. The hearing aid supported by the filament(s) provides an open, unoccluding position in the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: IntriCon CorporationInventors: Robert J. Fretz, Jean Elvira Daavettila, Christopher Drake Conger, Vincent Joseph Mako
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Patent number: 8605926Abstract: The production of sealing units, and especially of face plates for hearing devices and other hearing apparatuses, is to be further automated. A sealing unit for sealing a shell of a hearing apparatus that can be worn in the auditory canal is accordingly proposed, with a face plate having a battery opening for holding a battery, with battery contacts, to which at least one signal processing module is connected, being arranged in or on the battery opening. A mount is removably affixed in or on the battery opening in order to hold the at least one signal processing module in or perpendicularly above/below the battery opening. The mount thus serves not only to retain the signal processing components during transport, but also to affix them into the face plate for example during milling of positioning holes for microphones.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Peter Nikles, Erika Radick, Benjamin Schmidt, Christian Schmitt, Erwin Singer, Cornelia Wiedenbrüg
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Publication number: 20130315425Abstract: A hearing device has a housing and a first electrode arranged to abut the skin of the individual. The hearing device further comprises at least two different elements selected from the group comprising: a brain-wave measurement circuit receiving measurement signals from the first electrode and from a second electrode arranged to abut the skin of the individual; a communication circuit receiving communication signals from and/or transmitting communication signals to the first electrode; a touch-sensing circuit transmitting sensing signals to the first electrode; a thermoelectric generator thermally connected to the outer surface of the housing mainly through the first electrode; and a charge control circuit sinking a charging current in dependence on a voltage across the first electrode and a third electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Oticon A/SInventor: Thomas LUNNER
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Publication number: 20130308808Abstract: Sound processor housings, sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Advanced Bionics AGInventor: James P. Goodman
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Patent number: 8565457Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jorge F. Sanguino, Jay Rabel, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Michael Helgeson, David Tourtelotte
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Patent number: 8559662Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an apparatus for fitting a hearing assistance device using a genetic algorithm. The apparatus includes a first population of a plurality of parent sets representing at least one device parameter. A first pair from the parent sets is presented with assistance of the hearing assistance device, the first pair comprising a first and second set. A user selects a preference between the first and second sets. A child set is determined by operating on at least one set of the plurality of parent sets. The child set can include a crossover of the at least one parent set, where the crossover includes an arithmetic or geometrical operation to parameter values of the parent set, or a mutation of the at least one parent set, where the mutation includes replacing a lowest ranked parameter value in the parent set with a randomly generated parameter value.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Deniz Baskent
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Patent number: 8553916Abstract: A method, hearing aid, and computer product for changing the sequence of program positions of hearing programs are provided. The program positions of the hearing programs have a predefinable sequence. Time periods, within which hearing programs are selected, are measured. A new sequence of the program positions is calculated taking the measured time periods into account. The sequence of the program positions after a predefinable time span is modified in accordance with the calculated sequence. As a result hearing aids adapt to changed environments and place favorite programs in the front section of the program positions in accordance with the hearing aid wearer's preference.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Andre Steinbuss
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Patent number: 8553918Abstract: A hearing device or another hearing apparatus is to be made smaller in terms of its dimensions. It is proposed for this purpose to develop a battery contact at least in one section as an induction coil. The current produced by the battery can thus compensate for an interference field of a telephone coil, said interference field being produced for example by a hearing device earpiece, and no separate coils need to be provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Thomas Kasztelan, Vincent Ong, Lit Min Sam
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Publication number: 20130259278Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for detecting battery chemistry or battery type and reconfiguring a hearing assistance device based on the detected battery. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method of operating a hearing assistance device having a battery. A voltage of the battery is detected at a predetermined load current and a battery chemistry or battery type is determined based on the detected voltage. An operating parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type, in various embodiments. Examples of adjustments made based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type include gain, feedback cancellation (FBC) filter, self-diagnostic thresholds of the hearing assistance device, indicator loudness, low battery set point, or an end-of-discharge battery set point.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Howard Kill, James R. Newton, Zheng Yan, Harikrishna P. Natarajan
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Patent number: 8548182Abstract: This auxiliary member for a hearing aid comprises a main body case (1) having an insertion hole (3) of a hearing aid (2) on a top face, a hearing aid accommodating space (1A) provided to the portion corresponding to the insertion hole (3) inside this main body case (1), a holding member (15) that holds the hearing aid (2) accommodated in this hearing aid accommodating space (1A), a manipulation component (11) for manipulating this holding member (15), and an opening component (16) for opening a battery case (5) of the hearing aid (2) accommodated in the hearing aid accommodating space (1A).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shinichi Yasui, Makoto Yagi
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Publication number: 20130243229Abstract: A modular canal hearing aid assembly having a main module and a disposable battery module that docks perpendicularly into the main module which surrounds the battery module circumferentially and laterally for secure connection that eliminates inadvertent separation of the modules during removal of the hearing aid assembly from the ear canal. The disposable battery module incorporates battery cell, sound port, and handle, in a unitary structure that is easy to handle and replace as an integrated unit when any of the degradables within are consumed. The disposable battery module also comprises a membrane filter for filtering out earwax and liquids. The perpendicular docking mechanism provides highly space efficient design for comfortable and inconspicuous fit deep in the ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: iHear Medical Inc.Inventors: Adnan Shennib, Victor Valenzuela, Patrick Contioso
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Publication number: 20130243230Abstract: A hearing instrument having an audio signal source for providing for audio signals; an audio signal processing unit for processing said audio signals; a unit to be worn at or in a user's ear or to be implanted in the user's head for stimulating the user's hearing according to the processed audio signals, and a rechargeable power source, in which the rechargeable power source is a wound capacitor comprising a capacitor foil arrangement which has at least a first electrically conducting layer, a second electrically conducting layer and a dielectric layer in-between and which is wound in a manner so as to form an induction coil for generating a current for charging of the capacitor when exposed to an external alternating electromagnetic field generated by a charging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2010Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Jan Angst, Erdal Karamuk, Hilmar Meier, Roland Hug, Andi Vonlanthen
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Patent number: 8538054Abstract: A switching operation is performed in response to an externally applied DC control signal from an external load. An input connector receives an input audio signal from an external audio source, and an output connector that provides an audio output signal. A DC isolator couples the input audio signal from the input connector as the audio output signal on the output connector while isolating the externally applied DC control signal from the input connector. A switch is responsive to the externally applied DC control signal applied to the output connector so as to perform the switch operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Switchcraft, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Cooper, Benjamin H. Morales, Jordan D. McCormick
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Publication number: 20130236041Abstract: An at least two-piece battery holder is provided for use with a hearing device. The respective individual parts of the battery holder mainly differ here in their material and their material properties. An inner component which is prone to be worn is manufactured from a harder material than a more optically attractive outer component of the battery holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventor: UWE FLAIG
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Patent number: 8520874Abstract: A hearing aid device includes ear engagement structure, including a speaker, which actuates the hearing device when pressed against the ear of a user. Withdrawing the ear engagement structure from the ear deactuates the hearing aid device.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Inventor: Gary Beutler