1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to hearing aids. In particular, it relates to an improved hearing aid and method that employs a combination microphone/speaker, inserted within the opening of the ear canal and sized not to obstruct the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Various hearing aids and earpiece devices are known in the art. Taenzer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,799B1 provides a noise cancellation earpiece with an ear canal tube sized for positioning in an ear canal so that the ear canal is at least partially open for directly receiving ambient sounds. It is designed to send an inverse noise signal into the ear canal thereby substantially canceling the ambient noise in the ear canal. Takada, U.S. Publication No. 2003/0095677A1 discloses a hearing aid adapted to primarily listed to a desired sound when a hearing impaired person makes conversation to others or is watching television. It employs bone conduction speakers connected with a headset yoke with a central magnetic pole surrounded by a voice coil to allow one to hear in noisy environments. Boesen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,043B1 discloses a voice sound transmitting apparatus and system with a voice sound transmitting and receiving unit having an earpiece that is adapted for insertion into the external auditory canal of a user. The voice sound-transmitting unit includes a sensor, which may be a bone conduction sensor an air conduction sensor, or both. Prior to transmission, an additional processing modification or formatting of sensor output may be done. Stites, III, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,867 discloses a voice transmission system and method for high ambient noise conditions employing an earpiece that fills the entire external auditory canal of a user. Stites, III, U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,506 discloses another voice transmission system and method for high ambient noise conditions employing a similar type of earpiece that fills the entire external auditory canal of a user. Pluvinage et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,146 discloses an ear canal microphone providing an open ear canal hearing aid system. It has a plurality of ear canal tubes sized for positioning in an ear canal so that the ear canal is at least partially open for directly receiving ambient sounds. Fretz et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,596B1 discloses another open ear canal hearing aid system with the speaker positioned in the ear canal leaving it partially open. Anderson et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,423B2 discloses a hearing aid assembly having a directional microphone aligned in a forward direction mounted externally to a hearing aid body, which may have an in-the-canal or completely-in-the-canal mounting.
Cited for general interest is the Bordewijk, U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,740B1 disclosing a hearing aid for placement in an ear including a carrier, an enclosure, a microphone, a battery and a speaker inserted within the ear canal to totally obstruct the same. Valley et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,547 discloses a hearing aid with a dual pickup for use in a high noise environment.
None of the above references provides a hearing aid with a combination microphone/speaker arrangement positioned within the ear canal, which provides an open ear canal hearing aid system for use with a variety of battery powered amplification hearing aid devices.
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus employing a universal combination microphone/speaker operably associated via a transmission line with a behind the ear hearing aid amplifier and power source. The transmission line is connected to a support with a circuit leading to the combination microphone/speaker to position the combination microphone/speaker within the center of the exterior ear canal. A positioning wire is attached to the combination microphone/speaker adapted to be bent to fit within the exterior bowl of the ear and assist in holding the combination microphone/speaker within the ear canal. Thus positioned, the combination microphone/speaker takes advantage of the sound collecting properties of the exterior ear to funnel and capture sound to direct it to the microphone of the combination microphone/speaker. This combination microphone/speaker is axially aligned and structured such that when placed within the ear canal the microphone is directed toward the exterior of the ear and the speaker is located within the ear canal to direct amplified sound therein. Preferably the speaker includes a wax cap to prevent obstruction.
The combination microphone/speaker is sized to only partially obstruct the ear canal when inserted to reduce wind noise and produce a more natural sound. The open ear canal allows for minimal amplification and avoids an echo chamber sound. It also avoids the plugged up feeling caused by other hearing aids, which fully obstruct the ear canal.
The bendable support with circuitry means is generally fitted in one visit to an audiologist so that it is placed within the antiragus to hold the combination microphone/speaker in position within the external auditory canal of the ear. It is then connected to the behind the ear hearing aid sound processor and amplifier and power source via a plug socket system.
The transmission line has a three or four prong connector to plug into the behind the ear hearing aid sound processor, which includes an on-off switch to conserve the life of the battery when not in use. The on-off switch is also employed to shut off the device when a user takes a telephone call. By employing different prong connectors, the combination microphone/speaker may be used with different model behind the ear hearing aid sound processors and amplifiers.
In operation, after the combination microphone/speaker is positioned within the ear canal, the microphone picks up the sound as it is funneled into the ear in a natural manner. The microphone signals are then transmitted to the behind the ear processor for processing via one of a two channel transmission line. The processor then translates and amplifies the microphone signals, and sends them back to the speaker via the second channel of the transmission line to amplify the sound entering the ear canal.
The present invention is therefore particularly adapted to provide an easily fittable universal combination microphone/speaker system within an unobstructed ear canal to provide more nature sound pick up and transmission.
The Microphone Hearing Aid System 10 is shown in the attached drawings.
In this position, the microphone picks up the funneled sound, as described above. The microphone 14 signals are then transmitted to the processor 18 via the transmission line 19 for processing. The processor 18 then transmits the amplified signal via the transmission line 19 to the speaker 12 to direct the amplified sound into the inner ear. In the preferred embodiment, the microphone, as well as the speaker, is suspended in the center of the ear canal, without touching the ear canal wall. This is possible because the transmission line 19 and the combination microphone/speaker have such a small diameters.
The positioning wire 20 is made of rust proof spring wire, which allows it to be formed to fit within the bowl of the ear for positioning the combination microphone/speaker 12. The positioning wire 20 may also be vinyl coated, which is firm yet bendable to fit different contours of the outer ear so that it rests in the bowel of the ear. It thus is rust proof and can be readily fitted without the need for multiple visits to an ear specialist.
The diameter of the combination microphone/speaker 12 is sized to be inserted within the ear canal without plugging said ear canal. The unobstructed positioning of this combination microphone/speaker 12 within the ear canal allows air circulation, and requires minimal amplification. It also reduces wind noise to produce a more natural sound. It is also virtually invisible and prevents echo chamber sounds.
The microphone/speaker 12 is operably associated with a sound processor 18 with a battery (not shown) and preferably includes an on/off switch 21 to selectively activate the same. This is especially important for shutting down the hearing aid for telephone use by the wearer.
Thus, the employment of the combination microphone speaker 12 with a sound processor 18 provides a more natural hearing system and method.
The size of the universal combination microphone/speaker 10 is preferably structured to come in three standard lengths to accommodate the different sized ears and ear canals. Thus inventory sizes are reduced as these three lengths accommodate almost all different ear sizes.
The above description and specification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims. The claims themselves recite those features deemed essential for the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of the provisional patent application entitled “Hearing Aid Apparatus and Method” filed Oct. 3, 2005, Ser. No. 60/722,621.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60722621 | Oct 2005 | US |