Patent Application
20110216927
The present invention relates to a hearing system, and more particularly, to an acoustic sound processing unit held in position with one or more implanted magnets.
Acoustic hearing aids have been known in the field for many years. The modern hearing aid was invented by G. H. Collins in 1898 and featured a device including a battery, signal processor, microphone, amplifier and a speaker (receiver) placed in the ear canal. The hearing aids of today, though vastly improved over the devices conceived by Mr. Collins, still rely on essentially the same functional blocks.
A number of inventions have described the various configurations of hearing aids and improvements to the microphone, speaker (receiver) and signal processing electronics. Numerous inventions relating to the insertion of the device have also been described. For example, some of the devices described cover new ways to place devices into the ear canal (e.g., one size fits all, or custom ear molds). However, since the 1950's, as electronics have improved and made hearing aids smaller, the acoustic hearing aid still typically uses some portion of the external ear to support the external electronics and sound delivery units of the hearing aid.
Exemplary types of current hearing aid configurations include Behind the Ear (BTE) devices, In the Ear (ITE) devices, and Completely in the Canal (CIC) devices. BTE devices include a plastic hearing aid where the electronics unit, power supplies and microphone are worn behind the Pinna of the external ear. A custom plastic ear mold with plastic tubing connects to the BTE unit and is worn in the patient's external ear canal.
ITE devices are typically custom units where an impression of the patients ear canal is made that is molded into a device worn within the concha region of the patient's ear. The electronics are imbedded within a plastic custom housing unit.
A CIC device 103 is shown in
Ironically, one hundred years after Mr. Collins invented the acoustic electronic hearing aid, today less than 10% of persons who suffer from hearing loss own a hearing aid and of those that do own one many wear it occasionally. Although many would argue that sound quality is a main problem with hearing aids, other reasons are often just as significant and include: feedback, chronic discomfort (in some cases pain) caused by the hearing aid; occlusion (an unnatural hollow sound quality caused when a hearing aid completely fills the outer part of the ear canal); cosmetics; and ease of use.
Alternative “direct drive” hearing devices have also been suggested. Instead of using acoustic sound to drive the tympanic membrane, such devices directly drive some portion of the ear with a small transducer that is implanted and/or attached to the middle ear 108. Although studies have shown that direct drive hearing devices have superior results for many types of hearing loss over conventional hearing aids, the cost of these devices is high and surgery is required. In many cases, for people who cannot or refuse to wear hearing aids, alternatives such as direct drive devices are often the only available option.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a hearing system for use by a user is presented. The hearing system includes an external portion for placement external the user. The external portion includes a sound processing unit for providing amplified acoustic sound to an ear of the user. The hearing system further includes an implantable portion for implantation under the skin of the user. The implantable portion and the sound processing unit have magnetic characteristics such that a magnetic attraction exists there between to retain the sound processing unit in a desired position.
In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, the implantable portion may include a magnet. The magnet may be hermetically sealed for example, in a titanium laser welded can. The sound processing unit may include a magnet. The implantable portion may include a first and second magnet positioned so as to have reverse polarity when the implantable portion faces the sound processing unit. The implantable portion and/or the sound processing unit may include a magnetic material, such as stainless steel, that is attracted to a magnet.
In accordance with further related embodiments of the invention, the sound processing unit may include a microphone. The microphone may be a directional microphone and/or an omnidirectional microphone. The directional microphone may include an inlet at a first end of the microphone, and a plurality of evenly spaced diffusion ports along the length of the microphone. The directional microphone may include a transducer operationally coupled to a second end of the microphone, the transducer for converting acoustic energy into an electrical signal proportional to sound. The transducer may be an electret type microphone transducer. The directional microphone may be a shotgun microphone. The shotgun microphone may have a sound input port having a length of between 3 and 8 cm, and an outer diameter between 0.5 and 5 mm. The microphone may be removable coupled to the sound processing unit. The sound processing unit may include a switch between omnidirectional and directional modes.
In accordance with still further related embodiments of the invention, the external portion may include a sound tube, the sound tube channeling amplified acoustic sound from the sound processing unit to the ear canal. The sound tube may be plastic and/or a polyvinyl. The sound tube may include a wax guard. The sound tube may have an inner diameter between substantially 0.25 mm and 1.5 mm.
In accordance with yet further related embodiments of the invention, the sound processing unit may includes a battery, the battery positioned at the bottom of the sound processing unit such that gravity promotes proper positioning of the sound processing unit. The battery is a zinc air type cell.
In accordance with even further related embodiments of the invention, the sound processing unit may be adapted to accommodate an ancillary device. The ancillary device may be a cell phone. The sound processing unit may include an interface for receiving at a FM signal, an AM signal, a blue tooth signal and/or a MP3 signal.
In accordance with yet further related embodiments of the invention, a hair clip for may facilitate placement of the sound processing unit. The hair clip may be magnetic. The hair clip may be made of a material attracted to a magnet, such as stainless steel. The hair clip may be a bayonet.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of positioning a sound processing unit on a user is presented. The sound processing unit for providing amplified acoustic sound to an ear of the user. The method include placing the sound processing unit externally to the user such that there is a magnetic attraction between the sound processing unit and an implanted portion of the acoustic sound hearing system that is implanted under the skin of the user, so as to retain the sound processing unit in a desired position.
In accordance with related embodiments of the invention, placing the sound processing unit such that there is magnetic attraction between the sound processing unit and an implanted portion may include using a magnet associated with at least one of the implantable portion and the sound processing unit. The implantable portion may include a first and second magnet positioned so as to have reverse polarity when the implantable portion faces the sound processing unit. Placing the sound processing unit such that there is magnetic attraction between the sound processing unit and an implanted portion may include using a magnetic material.
In accordance with further related embodiments of the invention, the sound processor may converting an acoustic signal to an electric signal via a microphone. Amplified acoustic sound may be channeled from the sound processing unit to the ear canal via a sound tube. A battery may be positioned at the bottom of the sound processing unit such that gravity promotes proper positioning of the sound processing unit. The sound processing unit may interface with an ancillary device such as a cellphone, and/or include an interface to receive a phone signal, a FM signal, an AM signal, a blue tooth signal and/or a MP3 signal. A hair clip may be used to facilitate placement of the sound processing unit. The hair clip may include a magnet, stainless steel, and/or a bayonet. The implanted portion may be void of any electronic components.
The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
a) shows an implantable portion of the acoustic hearing aid system that may be screwed directly into the skull, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
a) shows screw(s) having magnetic properties that may serve as the implantable portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
In illustrative embodiments, a system and method of positioning a sound processing unit of an acoustic hearing aid system is provided. The system includes a magnetic implant for placing under the skin of a patient, which is used to hold in place the sound processing unit of the hearing aid system. The majority of the sound processing unit of the hearing aid system may be concealed, for example, under the hair of a patient. Principal advantages include, but are not limited to, improved cosmetic appearance, improved comfort, reduced feedback and reduced occlusion. Details are described below.
The sound processing unit 205 is advantageously held in place on the patient, at least in part, by the implantable portion 203 of the acoustic hearing aid system. More particularly, the implantable portion 203 and the sound processing unit 205 exhibit magnetic characteristics such that a magnetic attraction exists there between to retain the sound processing unit 205 in a desired position. The implantable portion 203 may be, without limitation, implanted just under the skin of the patient, and positioned approximately 2-4 cm post-auricular (approximately 2-4 cm behind the ear). The correct positioning and/or orientation of the implantable portion 203 is often critical to correctly align the sound processing unit 205. For example, in various embodiments the microphones of the sound processing unit 205 must remain in a horizontal (or other) plane post-surgically for ideal performance to be realized. The surgery required to implant the implantable portion 203 may be done in less than 30 minutes by most surgeons, under a local anesthetic in an outpatient facility or a minor operating room.
The implantable portion 203 of the acoustic hearing aid system may be, without limitation, screwed directly into the skull, sutured into the skull, or simply placed under the skin without attachment to the skull.
Instead of including a base,
In various embodiments, the implantable portion 203 of the acoustic hearing aid system may include a magnet(s) that is capable of aligning itself with an external magnetic field, such as during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,838,963, U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,296, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,296, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Magnets of this type advantageously do not experience any torque as a result of an external magnet field, nor will they become demagnetized.
In various embodiments, the implantable portion 203 is void of any passive and/or active electronic components. Illustratively, the implantable portion may not include a coil for subcutaneous transfer of power.
Referring back to
Attached to the sound processing unit 502 is a sound tube 507. Amplified acoustic sound is output from the sound processing unit 502 to the ear canal insert piece 509 via the sound tube 507. The length of the sound tube 507 may be determined by the anatomy of the patient and the location of the sound processor unit 502. The sound tube 507 may, without limitation, have an inner diameter of 0.25 to 1.5 mm. The sound tube 507 may have a wax guard. The sound tube 507 may be made of plastic, polyvinyl and/or other similar material, which may be, without limitation, clear. The ear canal insert piece 509 can vary in size from approximately 4-9 mm based on the individual patient's anatomy.
In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the sound processor unit 502 may include a shotgun microphone 505. Microphones of this type are highly directional and have several technical advantages for the hearing impaired in specific situations (e.g., a cocktail party), but have not been realized in the past as they are typically 6 cm or more long in order to function properly. The flexibility in mounting, and secure positioning of the sound processor 501 on the patient due to magnetic attraction to the implantable portion 203 advantageously allows, from a user and human factor standpoint, such microphones to be utilized.
The shotgun microphone 505 may be, without limitation, 4-7 mm in length and 1-4 mm in diameter. In various embodiments, the shotgun microphone 505 may be mounted near the sound tube 507. The shotgun microphone 505 may be removably attached to the sound processor 501 via, for example, a connecting plug. The shotgun microphone 505 generally may be configured to have a sound inlet at its most distal end from the sound processor 501 and a series of evenly spaced diffusion ports (i.e., small holes or vents) along its length. Operatively coupled to the shotgun microphone's 505 proximal end relative to the sound processor 501, a microphone transducer may be provided that converts acoustic energy into an electrical signal proportional to acoustic sound received at the sound inlet. The transducer may be an electret type microphone transducer.
The sound processor 601 includes a housing 603, typically made of plastic, which may be waterproof or water resistant, and, as described above, one or more microphones, illustratively and without limitation, two directional microphone ports 607, an omnidirectional port 611, and a shotgun microphone port 609. The sound processor unit may also includes a sound output port 613 for coupling to a sound tube, and an optional program mode switch 615, which can be used to control what mode the sound processor 601 operates. Various modes include, without limitation, on/off, volume (e.g., loud or quiet) and/or what microphones are activated (e.g., omnidirectional or directional mode). The sound processing unit 601 may also includes a battery door 605, into which a battery may be inserted.
Sound processing unit 811 includes a battery 813 positioned at the bottom of the sound processing unit 811, as described above, which provides power to the sound processing unit 811. Battery 813 may be, without limitation, a zinc air battery cell. Sound processing unit 811 may also include program memory 815, a signal processor and an amplifier 833 that, at least in part, are used to amplify and otherwise modify (e.g., filter noise) acoustic sound received by, without limitation, omnimicrophone 817 and shotgun directional microphone 823. The amplified sound is then passed to speaker 819 and output thru a sound tube. A mode switch 817 may also be provided, as discussed above, to set various options within the sound processing unit 811, such as on/off, volume control, and omni/directional settings. The memory 815 may be programmable by, for example, a doctor, to achieve desired signal processing characteristics. Although not shown, various indicators may also be provided on the sound processing unit, that provide status of the sound processing unit, such as, without limitation, power on/off, and battery charged and/or battery low.
In various embodiments, the sound processing unit 811 may be adapted to accommodate and interface with ancillary devices, such as a cell phone. The sound processing unit 811 may receive signals FM, AM or other signals, or may be compatible with Blue Tooth or other compression systems for sound, such as MP3.
Compared to conventional BTE, ITE or CIC configuration, the above-described embodiments of the acoustic hearing aid system advantageously provide reduced feedback, since the sound processing unit, and hence the microphones (i.e., the sound input), of the acoustic hearing aid system can be positioned further away from the sound output. While some feedback may still occur, it will be reduced compared to the prior configurations. The advantage is two-fold. First, there will be a reduction in the annoying feedback “squeal.” Secondly, additional amplification may be provided due to the reduced feedback.
As the sound processing unit may be positioned at a more remote location to the ear, the amount of venting in the ear canal can also be greatly improved, thereby increasing the natural feeling of the ear canal. The occlusion effect which often distorts the perception of the users “own voice” will be reduced.
For many patients, the above-described embodiments of the acoustic hearing aid system will provide improved cosmetics and comfort. Tight fitting parts worn in the ear will be obviated. The sound processing unit may be positioned away from the auricle and Pinna mount that causes irritation and pain in many patients with conventional mounting methodologies (i.e., BTE, CIC, ITE etc. . . . ) Many patients will be able to wear the device for longer periods of time than they are able to tolerate conventional hearing aids. The device may be advantageous for patients living in extreme environments, such as high humidity. Wax intrusion may be reduced, which may also reduce the requirement for routine maintenance.
Although various exemplary embodiment of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention. These and other obvious modifications are intended to be covered by the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/309,632 filed Mar. 2, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61309632 | Mar 2010 | US |
