EP0969697A2 - Prothèse auditive - Google Patents
Prothèse auditive Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0969697A2 EP0969697A2 EP99304358A EP99304358A EP0969697A2 EP 0969697 A2 EP0969697 A2 EP 0969697A2 EP 99304358 A EP99304358 A EP 99304358A EP 99304358 A EP99304358 A EP 99304358A EP 0969697 A2 EP0969697 A2 EP 0969697A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hearing
- magnetic field
- aid device
- aid
- circuit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
- H04R25/558—Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/41—Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
Definitions
- a hearing-aid is a device which is worn within the ear to provide amplified sound directly to the user's ear.
- a typical hearing-aid is controlled by a manually operated rotary on/off-volume control switch on the outwardly facing surface of the hearing-aid.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional hearing-aid device 10 with an externally mounted rotary volume control 11, a battery door 12 for an internal battery housing, and an external microphone 13.
- the volume control switch To adjust the volume of the hearing-aid the user must rotate the volume control switch. This process is awkward to perform and is an act about which most hearing-aid users feel very self-conscious.
- many users of hearing aids operate their respective devices at a volume level which is often inappropriate.
- these relatively cheap designs are not well designed cosmetically and in general are not particularly aesthetically pieasing.
- More advanced designs utilize automatic-volume-control circuitry to control the volume of the hearing-aid device.
- Such devices do not require any external mountings and consequently are generally much more aesthetically pleasing since the outwardly facing surface can be sculpted and cosmetically-finished to match the user's ear.
- this technology is still relatively expensive and hearing-aids which incorporate this are generally outside of the price range suitable for the mass market.
- a hearing-aid device comprising a circuit which is responsive to an externally applied magnetic field to control a setting of the hearing-aid.
- the circuit is a variable gain amplifier circuit which is responsive to an externally applied magnetic field to control the volume setting of the hearing aid.
- variable gain amplifier is responsive to a magnetic field to cause a change in the gain of the amplifier proportional to the length of time of application of the magnetic field.
- variable gain amplifier circuit is responsive to a first application of a magnetic field to cause an increase in the gain of the amplifier proportional to the length of time of the first application of the magnetic field and to a second application of a magnetic field to cause a decrease in the gain of the amplifier proportional to the length of time of the second application of the magnetic field.
- the hearing-aid device comprises a switch responsive to an applied magnetic field and more preferably the switch is a magnetic reed relay switch.
- a hearing-aid system comprising a hearing-aid device according to the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a magnet.
- the magnet is a permanent magnet and more preferably it is mounted at one end of a hand-held rod.
- the settings of a hearing-aid device and system according to the present invention can be adjusted by the discrete raising and lowering of a magnet into the proximity of the device. This overcomes the problem of performing the awkward act of rotating the control switches or push-buttons associated with the prior art. Furthermore. because no external mountings are required. the device is generally much more aesthetically, pleasing since the outwardly facing surface can be sculpted and cosmetically-finished to match the user's ear. Also, because the device may be built using off-the-shelf electronic components. the cost of the device is within a price range suitable for the mass market.
- FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example of a hearing-aid according to the present invention.
- the hearing-aid comprises a microphone 20. a variable-gain amplifier circuit 21 and a transmitter 22 connected in series.
- the amplifier 21 is responsive to a magnetic field to control the gain, and hence the volume setting. Sound is detected by the microphone 20 and converted to an electrical signal which is then coupled to the amplifier 21 which amplifies the signal by a predetermined amount corresponding to the gain of the amplifier.
- the amplified signal is coupled to the transmitter 22 where it is converted back to a sound signal.
- FIG. 3 shows a more detailed block diagram of the variable-gain amplifier circuit 21 of the hearing-aid of Figure 1.
- the amplifier 21 comprises a variable impedance circuit 31 connected to an amplifier circuit 32, and a switch 33 which is responsive to an externally amplified magnetic field.
- the switch 33 is used to control the output impedance of circuit 31.
- the amplification circuit 32 includes an operational amplifier having a gain which is determined by the ratio of a fixed feed back resistor (not shown) within circuit 32 and the source impedance of circuit 32.
- the source impedance is equal to the output impedance of the variable impedance circuit 31 and therefore by changing the value of this output impedance. the overall gain of the amplifier can be determined.
- Suitable semiconductor devices for use in such a hearing-aid, as circuits 31 and 32, respectively, are those sold by GENNUM Corporation as chip-sets GT560 and GP509.
- the control switch 33 may be a magnetic reed relay switch having a coil and a switch (not shown). When an applied magnetic field energizes the coil of the relay the switch is closed, thereby causing the impedance of circuit 31 to increase or decrease. as will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 4.
- a suitable source for a magentic field is a permanent magnet mounted on one end of a rod (see Figure 5). The hearing-aid would be sold together with the magnetic rod.
- Figure 4 illustrates the response to the hearing-aid circuit to an externally applied magnetic field.
- a magnet is brought into close proximity of the hearing-aid housing to cause the switch 33 to close. This causes the output impedance of circuit 31 to increase in steps. and to continue to do so until the switch 33 is opened again. thereby causing proportionate stepwise adjustments in the gain of circuit 32.
- There is a maximum gain of the amplifier which is determined by the components used in circuits 31 and 32.
- variable gain amplifier circuit of the hearing aid which is adapted to be responsive to an applied magnetic field to set the volume.
- other more sophisticated hearing aid designs which, although they include automatic volume control technology, incorporate a push-button program selector. In this design. a user is required to push the button to select from a number of programs configured for different listening environments. It is possible to replace this push-button design with a magnetic field actuated circuit in accordance with the present invention and thereby provide a more discrete way of changing these program settings.
- Figure 5 shows a hearing-aid device 41 and a magnetic control "wand" 42. Since there is no need for any external control on the hearing-aid, the outside surface can be made of moulded coloured plastics to suit the colouring of the user's skin.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Neurosurgery (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Control Of Amplification And Gain Control (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9811947 | 1998-06-03 | ||
GBGB9811947.2A GB9811947D0 (en) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-06-03 | A hearing aid |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0969697A2 true EP0969697A2 (fr) | 2000-01-05 |
EP0969697A3 EP0969697A3 (fr) | 2002-02-06 |
Family
ID=10833153
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99304358A Withdrawn EP0969697A3 (fr) | 1998-06-03 | 1999-06-03 | Prothèse auditive |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0969697A3 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB9811947D0 (fr) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007103742A2 (fr) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-13 | Insound Medical, Inc. | Activation magnetique distante de dispositifs d'ecoute |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4679240A (en) * | 1985-04-15 | 1987-07-07 | Richards Medical Company | Touch sensitive hearing aid volume control circuit |
US5359321A (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1994-10-25 | Viennatone Gesellschaft M.B.H. | Remote control device for controlling apparatuses carried on the body, in particular hearing aids |
WO1996007295A1 (fr) * | 1994-08-31 | 1996-03-07 | Argosy Electronics Inc. | Appareil et procede pour la commande magnetique d'une prothese auditive |
-
1998
- 1998-06-03 GB GBGB9811947.2A patent/GB9811947D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1999
- 1999-06-03 EP EP99304358A patent/EP0969697A3/fr not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4679240A (en) * | 1985-04-15 | 1987-07-07 | Richards Medical Company | Touch sensitive hearing aid volume control circuit |
US5359321A (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1994-10-25 | Viennatone Gesellschaft M.B.H. | Remote control device for controlling apparatuses carried on the body, in particular hearing aids |
WO1996007295A1 (fr) * | 1994-08-31 | 1996-03-07 | Argosy Electronics Inc. | Appareil et procede pour la commande magnetique d'une prothese auditive |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007103742A2 (fr) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-13 | Insound Medical, Inc. | Activation magnetique distante de dispositifs d'ecoute |
WO2007103742A3 (fr) * | 2006-03-02 | 2008-09-04 | Insound Medical Inc | Activation magnetique distante de dispositifs d'ecoute |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0969697A3 (fr) | 2002-02-06 |
GB9811947D0 (en) | 1998-07-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP3375969B2 (ja) | 補聴器を磁気的に制御するための装置及び方法 | |
US5553152A (en) | Apparatus and method for magnetically controlling a hearing aid | |
US5524150A (en) | Hearing aid providing an information output signal upon selection of an electronically set transmission parameter | |
US5604812A (en) | Programmable hearing aid with automatic adaption to auditory conditions | |
DK167552B1 (da) | Programmerbart hoereapparat | |
US7394911B2 (en) | Control panel with activation zone | |
US5710820A (en) | Programmable hearing aid | |
US5636285A (en) | Voice-controlled hearing aid | |
US5202927A (en) | Remote-controllable, programmable, hearing aid system | |
US7248713B2 (en) | Integrated automatic telephone switch | |
CA2399331C (fr) | Commutateur automatique destine a une prothese auditive | |
US6563931B1 (en) | Auditory prosthesis for adaptively filtering selected auditory component by user activation and method for doing same | |
US4759071A (en) | Automatic noise eliminator for hearing aids | |
US9232322B2 (en) | Hearing aid devices with reduced background and feedback noises | |
US6748089B1 (en) | Switch responsive to an audio cue | |
US7428312B2 (en) | Method for adapting a hearing device to a momentary acoustic situation and a hearing device system | |
WO2009120148A1 (fr) | Prothèse auditive et boîtier de logement de batterie d'une prothèse auditive | |
EP1331835A2 (fr) | Amplificateur à gain numérique programmable | |
EP0969697A2 (fr) | Prothèse auditive | |
CA2475166C (fr) | Dispositif d'amplification audio avec reglage de volume | |
US5228089A (en) | Hearing aid | |
US7881487B2 (en) | Hearing aid device with digital control elements | |
CA2537165C (fr) | Appareil et procede pour la commande magnetique d'une prothese auditive | |
JPH05130698A (ja) | 補聴器 | |
Rutledge | Audiotone, Inc.: System 2000 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL PAYMENT 19990907;LT PAYMENT 19990907;LV PAYMENT 19990907;MK PAYMENT 19990907;RO PAYMENT 19990907;SI PAYMENT 19990907 |
|
RAP3 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: RESOUND DEUTSCHLAND GMBH Owner name: GN RESOUND LIMITED |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL PAYMENT 19990907;LT PAYMENT 19990907;LV PAYMENT 19990907;MK PAYMENT 19990907;RO PAYMENT 19990907;SI PAYMENT 19990907 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20020101 |