CA2207184A1 - Hearing instrument with head activated switch - Google Patents
Hearing instrument with head activated switchInfo
- Publication number
- CA2207184A1 CA2207184A1 CA 2207184 CA2207184A CA2207184A1 CA 2207184 A1 CA2207184 A1 CA 2207184A1 CA 2207184 CA2207184 CA 2207184 CA 2207184 A CA2207184 A CA 2207184A CA 2207184 A1 CA2207184 A1 CA 2207184A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hearing instrument
- hearing
- sensor
- decoder
- user
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
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
- H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing
-
- 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
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Neurosurgery (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
Description
.
CA 02207184 1997-0=,-27 ~l~,ARll~G l[NSTRUMENT WITE{ HEAD ACTIVATED SWITClEI
FIELD OF TIIE lNVENTION
The present invention is a hearing instrument having a head activated switch.
DESCRIPTION OF TTIE PRIOR ART
Hearing instruments have evolved considerably since their inception. What were once bulky and lln.cigh~ly hearing instruments are now available in a variety of formats, such as hearing instruments which fit behind a user's ear, or which can be inserted in the ear canal. Recent innovations have also produced what are known as "completely in canal" (hereinafter CIC) hearing instruments, i.e; those which completely fit within the 15 ear canal of a user and thus are very discreet.
Along with these innovations, it is also now possible to tailor the response parameters of a hearing instrument to the specific hearing impediment of the user for whom the instrument is being fitted. Such hearing instruments are generally referred to as being programmable.
There are presently two types of programmable hearing instruments available presently: "analog" hearing instruments, where the response parameters are tailored using analog circuitry for the signal path and digital circuitry for the pro~ ing path, and "digital" hearing instruments, where the response parameters are tailored using digital signal processing. The latter hearing instruments may further include a plurality of response parameters within their signal processing means which can be changed by a user.
~urthermore, some hearing instruments provide for manual switching between an omni-directional microphone, a directional microphone or a telephone coil. This switching is usually effected by the user, with a finger, m~ml~lly activating a switch. In other cases, particularly in the case of programmable or digital hearing instruments, a user is provided with a wireless remote control, such as infrared or ultrasonic, which can control this ~wi~cl~ing and may further switch the hearing instrument prog.~ ,irlg from -CA 02207184 1997-0=,-27 one program to another, depending on the acoustical environment the user is in.
A disadvantage with the above methods of switching, either microphones or prog~ g, is that the user must either use a finger, which is indiscreet, or carry a remote control, which is impractical. E'urthermore, CIC instruments have a very small 5 surface on which to place potentiometers or switches.
U.S. Patent no. 5,553,152 to Newton is an attempt to overcome this problem.
This patent discloses an apparatus and method for magnetically controlling a hearing aid, and is particularly directed to a CIC hearing aid. The hearing aid has a plurality of adjustable operational parameters which can be controlled by the movement of an 10 external m~gnP.tir actuator (a magnet) into and out of pl ~Xi~ y with the hearing aid. In use, the magnetic source is moved into and out of proximity with the hearing aid a selected number oftimes to activate the magnetic switch each time. This device has the same disadvantage as the manual hearing instruments described above, i.e. it is indiscreet as the user has to physically move a magnet in and out of the ear canal in order to 15 activate the magnetic switch.
SUMMARY OF T13iE INVENTION
It is an object ofthe invention to provide a hearing instrument which obviates the 20 above-noted defects in the prior art. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a hearing instrument of the type comprising at least one input transducer having an input for receiving ambient signals and an output for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the ambient signals, a signal processing means having at least one input for receiving and processing said electrical signal to produce a processed electrical 25 signal and an output for outputting the processed electrical signal, the processing means being progl~~ lable and being programmed with at least two di~;lelll sets of response parameters and incl~ltling means to switch from one program to another, an output transducer having an input connected to the output of the signal processing means and an output for generating an audio signal corresponding to the processed electrical signal.
30 The hearing instrument is further provided with a movement activated switch, operatively connected to the processing means.
The movement activated switch includes a sensor and a decoder. The sensor CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 senses head movements ofthe user. The decoder decodes the movements and validates only those which are specific to the hearing instrument.
In use, a user moves his or her head in pre~let~nined patterns. The sensor relays these movements to the decoder which analyses all of the movements and responds only to those specific to the hearing instrument. Once the movements have been validated and correspond to a predetermined function, the decoder sends a signal to the signalprocessing means to perform the function corresponding to the predetermined pattern.
Thus, it can be readily seen that the novel hearing instrument according to the invention has the advantage of not requiring a remote control in order to take advantage 10 of the full potential of the hearing instrument. Furthermore, this hearing instrument obviates the need for manual operation, which can be indiscreet and troublesome,particularly for CIC hearing instruments.
As an example, the movement activated switch sensor can be of any type such as gravitational, displacement, velocity, acceleration or Hall-effect type and can be omni-15 directional or directional on one or more directions or even two- or three-dimensional.
However, for the purposes of simplicity, it is pl erell ed that the head movements be few and simple so as to not discourage users from taking advantage of the potential of this novel hearing instrument.
The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of pl~r~;lled embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hearing instrument according to a pl~;r~lled embodiment ofthe invention;
Figures 2a and 2b are a representation of a sensor for the hearing instrument ofFigure 1, in use;
~igure 3 is a representation of another sensor for the hearing instrument of Figure 30 1;
Figure 4 is a representation of yet another sensor for the hearing instrument ofFigure 1;
CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the hearing instrument of Figure 1, including a plurality of input transducers;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the functioning of the movement activated switch according to the invention; and l~ig. 7 is a schematic representation of a three-dimensional matrix for use with a sensor.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRI~FERRED lEMBODIM:l~NT QF TH~ INVI~NTION
The invention lies principally in the combination of a movement actuated switch with a traditional hearing instrument. Pigure 1 shows schematically a typical hearing instrument 10 comprising at least one input transducer 20 having an input 21 forreceiving ambient signals and an output 23 for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the ambient signals.
The hearing instrument 10 also has signal processing means 30 having at least one input 31 for receiving and processing the electrical signal to produce a processed electrical signal and an output 33 for outputting the processed electrical signal. The processing means is programmable through a proglil"llllil~g port 35 and is programmed with at least two di~elell~ sets of response parameters. The signal processing means 30 20 includes means 37 to switch from one program to another.
The hearing instrument 10 has an output transducer 40 having an input 41 connected to the output 33 of the signal processing means and an output 43 for generating an audio signal corresponding to the processed electrical signal.
In accordance with the invention, the hearing instrument 10 is further provided 25 with a movement activated switch 50, operatively connected to the signal processing means 30 through a port 39.
The movement activated switch 50 includes a sensor 51 and a decoder 53. The sensor 51 senses head movements of the user. The decoder 53 decodes the movements and validates only those which are specific to the hearing instrument 10.
In use, a user moves his or her head in predetermined patterns. The sensor 51 relays these movements to the decoder 53 which analyses all of the movements andresponds only to those specific to the hearing instrument 10. Once the movements have CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 been validated and correspond to a prçdet~rmin~-l function, the decoder 53 sends a signal to the signal processing means 30 through port 39 to perform the function corresponding to the predetermined pattern.
Thus, it can be readily seen that the novel hearing instrument 10 according to the 5 invention has the advantage of not requiring a remote control in order to take advantage ofthe full potential ofthe hearing instrument. Furthermore, this hearing instrument 10 obviates the need for manual operation, which can be indiscreet and troublesome,particularly for CIC hearing instruments.
The movement activated switch sensor 51 can be of any type such as 10 gravitational, displacement, velocity, acceleration or Hall-effect type and can be omni-directional or directional on one or more directions or even two- or three-dimensional.
However, for the purposes of simplicity, it is prere..ed that the head movements be few and simple so as to not discourage users from taking advantage of the potential of this novel hearing instrument 10.
In a pl~r~lled embodiment which is for illustration purposes only, the sensor 51is a gravitational sensor. Figures 2a and 2b shows such a sensor, comprising a semi-circular h~ .tic~lly sealed container 60 having a first fixed conductor 61 at the bottom thereof, and a second fixed conductor 63 at the top and around the periphery of the container 60. The container 60 contains a predetermined amount of a substance 65, 20 preferably liquid, that conducts electricity. For example, the substance 65 could be mercury.
The first 61 and second 63 conductors are operatively connected to the decoder 53. In use, when a user tips his or her head by a predetermined amount, as shown on Fig.
2b, the mercury 63 makes contact with the two conductors 61, 63 and closes the circuit.
25 The decoder 53 senses the closing of the circuit and processes the information. For example, the decoder 53 may be programmed to recognize three such closings within a short period of time, indicating that the hearing instrument 10 change the progr~mming from the one presently active to the next one in sequence.
As can be seen, this sensor 51 is omni-directional, in that notwithst~ntling the30 orientation of the "tipping", as long as the circuit is closed a predetermined amount of times, or for a predetermined length of time, the decoder 53 will analyze the signal and respond accordingly if the pattern matches one that is stored in the decoder 53.
CA 02207l84 l997-0~-27 Alternatively, such a sensor 51 can be directional, as shown on Fig. 3, where the circuit will be closed only when there is movement along the axis, any other movement failing to close the circuit.
Yet another alternative is shown in Fig. 4, where the sensor there again is 5 directional, but in two perpendicular directions. One of the directions could be for going fol w~rd in the prog~ , lin3~ sequence, whereas the other direction could be for going backward in the progli.",~ g sequence.
Yet another alternative is shown in Fig. 7, where the sensor is gravity type, but on three dimensions. The sensor is in the shape of a semi-sphere, such as the one on 10 Figs. 2a and 2b, but the container is provided with a matrix of conductors. Thus, when a user moves his or her head, the quantity of mercury makes contact with diaele.lL
conductors. This type of sensor can be particularly beneficial in the case where the hearing instrument 10 is equipped with a directional microphone and an omni-directional microphone. In use, a user may move his or her head, for example, gradually fulw~ld, 15 with the result that the sensitivity ofthe omni-directional microphone decreases in favour ofthe directional microphone in a desired direction. Such a sensor would be referred to as "analog", since the "zoom" ofthe directional microphone is proportional to the degree of tilting of the head with respect to the original position.
In a standard hearing instrument 10, the input transducer 20 is usually an omni-20 directional microphone. However, a hearing instrument can be provided with adirectional microphone or a telephone coil, or both as mentioned above. As such, the sensor 51, and the detector 53, may be used to switch from one to the other, depending on the configuration of the hearing instrument 10.
In a case where the hearing instrument 10 includes more than one input 25 tr~n.c~ cf~r as shown on Pig. 5, each of the input transducers 20, 20', 20" are operatively connected to a respective input 31, 31', 31" of the signal processing means 30.
Furthermore, the signal processing means 30 includes means 39 for switching between one or the other of the input transducers. Accordingly, the decoder 53 is appl opliately configured to send a signal to the signal processing means 30 to switch between one or 3 0 the other of the input transducer 20 in response to a predetermined movement pattern.
The decoder 53 according to a prer~lled embodiment of the invention is a microprocessor, which, due to advances in mini~tllrization of such electronic CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 components, can be comp~etely inserted within the hearing instrument in the limited space available. The decoder 53 may also be provided with a "learning circuit" 55. This allows for differences in movement between one person and another. For example, a person may execute a predetermined pattern in a very short time, whereas another will take longer to execute the same pattern. As such, the decoder 53 of the hearing instrument can "learn" that a user executes the predetermined pattern in a given manner, and will respond accordingly. It is also possible to conceive a decoder 53 which may itself be programmed with predet~.rmined patterns by a user, instead of having the patterns "hard-wired" by the m~mlf~cturer of the hearing instrument and/or the decoder.
In any event, it should be understood that the patterns should be kept simple, and the dilrerelll movements be kept to a minimllm This encourages users to benefit from the potential of the hearing instrument 10, rather than be discouraged by it due to movements that are too complicated or too conspicuous, particularly when one is in a social context.
Advantageously, the decoder 53 also includes an "enable" and "disable" pattern.
Thus, should a user be participating in strenuous physical activity or be in a position where head movements are frequent and uncontrolled, the user may disable the decoding function to avoid having the decoder 53 respond to llnintentional movements, and thus accidentally or inadvertently send a code to the signal processing means.
It should be stressed that the invention described herein is not limited to a particular embodiment described, but is concerned with the combination of a hearing instrument with a movement activated switch whereby a user may, upon making predetermined head movements, benefit from the full potential of a programmable hearing instrument, including the possibility to switch between a plurality of input 25 transducers.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.
CA 02207184 1997-0=,-27 ~l~,ARll~G l[NSTRUMENT WITE{ HEAD ACTIVATED SWITClEI
FIELD OF TIIE lNVENTION
The present invention is a hearing instrument having a head activated switch.
DESCRIPTION OF TTIE PRIOR ART
Hearing instruments have evolved considerably since their inception. What were once bulky and lln.cigh~ly hearing instruments are now available in a variety of formats, such as hearing instruments which fit behind a user's ear, or which can be inserted in the ear canal. Recent innovations have also produced what are known as "completely in canal" (hereinafter CIC) hearing instruments, i.e; those which completely fit within the 15 ear canal of a user and thus are very discreet.
Along with these innovations, it is also now possible to tailor the response parameters of a hearing instrument to the specific hearing impediment of the user for whom the instrument is being fitted. Such hearing instruments are generally referred to as being programmable.
There are presently two types of programmable hearing instruments available presently: "analog" hearing instruments, where the response parameters are tailored using analog circuitry for the signal path and digital circuitry for the pro~ ing path, and "digital" hearing instruments, where the response parameters are tailored using digital signal processing. The latter hearing instruments may further include a plurality of response parameters within their signal processing means which can be changed by a user.
~urthermore, some hearing instruments provide for manual switching between an omni-directional microphone, a directional microphone or a telephone coil. This switching is usually effected by the user, with a finger, m~ml~lly activating a switch. In other cases, particularly in the case of programmable or digital hearing instruments, a user is provided with a wireless remote control, such as infrared or ultrasonic, which can control this ~wi~cl~ing and may further switch the hearing instrument prog.~ ,irlg from -CA 02207184 1997-0=,-27 one program to another, depending on the acoustical environment the user is in.
A disadvantage with the above methods of switching, either microphones or prog~ g, is that the user must either use a finger, which is indiscreet, or carry a remote control, which is impractical. E'urthermore, CIC instruments have a very small 5 surface on which to place potentiometers or switches.
U.S. Patent no. 5,553,152 to Newton is an attempt to overcome this problem.
This patent discloses an apparatus and method for magnetically controlling a hearing aid, and is particularly directed to a CIC hearing aid. The hearing aid has a plurality of adjustable operational parameters which can be controlled by the movement of an 10 external m~gnP.tir actuator (a magnet) into and out of pl ~Xi~ y with the hearing aid. In use, the magnetic source is moved into and out of proximity with the hearing aid a selected number oftimes to activate the magnetic switch each time. This device has the same disadvantage as the manual hearing instruments described above, i.e. it is indiscreet as the user has to physically move a magnet in and out of the ear canal in order to 15 activate the magnetic switch.
SUMMARY OF T13iE INVENTION
It is an object ofthe invention to provide a hearing instrument which obviates the 20 above-noted defects in the prior art. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a hearing instrument of the type comprising at least one input transducer having an input for receiving ambient signals and an output for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the ambient signals, a signal processing means having at least one input for receiving and processing said electrical signal to produce a processed electrical 25 signal and an output for outputting the processed electrical signal, the processing means being progl~~ lable and being programmed with at least two di~;lelll sets of response parameters and incl~ltling means to switch from one program to another, an output transducer having an input connected to the output of the signal processing means and an output for generating an audio signal corresponding to the processed electrical signal.
30 The hearing instrument is further provided with a movement activated switch, operatively connected to the processing means.
The movement activated switch includes a sensor and a decoder. The sensor CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 senses head movements ofthe user. The decoder decodes the movements and validates only those which are specific to the hearing instrument.
In use, a user moves his or her head in pre~let~nined patterns. The sensor relays these movements to the decoder which analyses all of the movements and responds only to those specific to the hearing instrument. Once the movements have been validated and correspond to a predetermined function, the decoder sends a signal to the signalprocessing means to perform the function corresponding to the predetermined pattern.
Thus, it can be readily seen that the novel hearing instrument according to the invention has the advantage of not requiring a remote control in order to take advantage 10 of the full potential of the hearing instrument. Furthermore, this hearing instrument obviates the need for manual operation, which can be indiscreet and troublesome,particularly for CIC hearing instruments.
As an example, the movement activated switch sensor can be of any type such as gravitational, displacement, velocity, acceleration or Hall-effect type and can be omni-15 directional or directional on one or more directions or even two- or three-dimensional.
However, for the purposes of simplicity, it is pl erell ed that the head movements be few and simple so as to not discourage users from taking advantage of the potential of this novel hearing instrument.
The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of pl~r~;lled embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hearing instrument according to a pl~;r~lled embodiment ofthe invention;
Figures 2a and 2b are a representation of a sensor for the hearing instrument ofFigure 1, in use;
~igure 3 is a representation of another sensor for the hearing instrument of Figure 30 1;
Figure 4 is a representation of yet another sensor for the hearing instrument ofFigure 1;
CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the hearing instrument of Figure 1, including a plurality of input transducers;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the functioning of the movement activated switch according to the invention; and l~ig. 7 is a schematic representation of a three-dimensional matrix for use with a sensor.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRI~FERRED lEMBODIM:l~NT QF TH~ INVI~NTION
The invention lies principally in the combination of a movement actuated switch with a traditional hearing instrument. Pigure 1 shows schematically a typical hearing instrument 10 comprising at least one input transducer 20 having an input 21 forreceiving ambient signals and an output 23 for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the ambient signals.
The hearing instrument 10 also has signal processing means 30 having at least one input 31 for receiving and processing the electrical signal to produce a processed electrical signal and an output 33 for outputting the processed electrical signal. The processing means is programmable through a proglil"llllil~g port 35 and is programmed with at least two di~elell~ sets of response parameters. The signal processing means 30 20 includes means 37 to switch from one program to another.
The hearing instrument 10 has an output transducer 40 having an input 41 connected to the output 33 of the signal processing means and an output 43 for generating an audio signal corresponding to the processed electrical signal.
In accordance with the invention, the hearing instrument 10 is further provided 25 with a movement activated switch 50, operatively connected to the signal processing means 30 through a port 39.
The movement activated switch 50 includes a sensor 51 and a decoder 53. The sensor 51 senses head movements of the user. The decoder 53 decodes the movements and validates only those which are specific to the hearing instrument 10.
In use, a user moves his or her head in predetermined patterns. The sensor 51 relays these movements to the decoder 53 which analyses all of the movements andresponds only to those specific to the hearing instrument 10. Once the movements have CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 been validated and correspond to a prçdet~rmin~-l function, the decoder 53 sends a signal to the signal processing means 30 through port 39 to perform the function corresponding to the predetermined pattern.
Thus, it can be readily seen that the novel hearing instrument 10 according to the 5 invention has the advantage of not requiring a remote control in order to take advantage ofthe full potential ofthe hearing instrument. Furthermore, this hearing instrument 10 obviates the need for manual operation, which can be indiscreet and troublesome,particularly for CIC hearing instruments.
The movement activated switch sensor 51 can be of any type such as 10 gravitational, displacement, velocity, acceleration or Hall-effect type and can be omni-directional or directional on one or more directions or even two- or three-dimensional.
However, for the purposes of simplicity, it is prere..ed that the head movements be few and simple so as to not discourage users from taking advantage of the potential of this novel hearing instrument 10.
In a pl~r~lled embodiment which is for illustration purposes only, the sensor 51is a gravitational sensor. Figures 2a and 2b shows such a sensor, comprising a semi-circular h~ .tic~lly sealed container 60 having a first fixed conductor 61 at the bottom thereof, and a second fixed conductor 63 at the top and around the periphery of the container 60. The container 60 contains a predetermined amount of a substance 65, 20 preferably liquid, that conducts electricity. For example, the substance 65 could be mercury.
The first 61 and second 63 conductors are operatively connected to the decoder 53. In use, when a user tips his or her head by a predetermined amount, as shown on Fig.
2b, the mercury 63 makes contact with the two conductors 61, 63 and closes the circuit.
25 The decoder 53 senses the closing of the circuit and processes the information. For example, the decoder 53 may be programmed to recognize three such closings within a short period of time, indicating that the hearing instrument 10 change the progr~mming from the one presently active to the next one in sequence.
As can be seen, this sensor 51 is omni-directional, in that notwithst~ntling the30 orientation of the "tipping", as long as the circuit is closed a predetermined amount of times, or for a predetermined length of time, the decoder 53 will analyze the signal and respond accordingly if the pattern matches one that is stored in the decoder 53.
CA 02207l84 l997-0~-27 Alternatively, such a sensor 51 can be directional, as shown on Fig. 3, where the circuit will be closed only when there is movement along the axis, any other movement failing to close the circuit.
Yet another alternative is shown in Fig. 4, where the sensor there again is 5 directional, but in two perpendicular directions. One of the directions could be for going fol w~rd in the prog~ , lin3~ sequence, whereas the other direction could be for going backward in the progli.",~ g sequence.
Yet another alternative is shown in Fig. 7, where the sensor is gravity type, but on three dimensions. The sensor is in the shape of a semi-sphere, such as the one on 10 Figs. 2a and 2b, but the container is provided with a matrix of conductors. Thus, when a user moves his or her head, the quantity of mercury makes contact with diaele.lL
conductors. This type of sensor can be particularly beneficial in the case where the hearing instrument 10 is equipped with a directional microphone and an omni-directional microphone. In use, a user may move his or her head, for example, gradually fulw~ld, 15 with the result that the sensitivity ofthe omni-directional microphone decreases in favour ofthe directional microphone in a desired direction. Such a sensor would be referred to as "analog", since the "zoom" ofthe directional microphone is proportional to the degree of tilting of the head with respect to the original position.
In a standard hearing instrument 10, the input transducer 20 is usually an omni-20 directional microphone. However, a hearing instrument can be provided with adirectional microphone or a telephone coil, or both as mentioned above. As such, the sensor 51, and the detector 53, may be used to switch from one to the other, depending on the configuration of the hearing instrument 10.
In a case where the hearing instrument 10 includes more than one input 25 tr~n.c~ cf~r as shown on Pig. 5, each of the input transducers 20, 20', 20" are operatively connected to a respective input 31, 31', 31" of the signal processing means 30.
Furthermore, the signal processing means 30 includes means 39 for switching between one or the other of the input transducers. Accordingly, the decoder 53 is appl opliately configured to send a signal to the signal processing means 30 to switch between one or 3 0 the other of the input transducer 20 in response to a predetermined movement pattern.
The decoder 53 according to a prer~lled embodiment of the invention is a microprocessor, which, due to advances in mini~tllrization of such electronic CA 02207184 1997-0~-27 components, can be comp~etely inserted within the hearing instrument in the limited space available. The decoder 53 may also be provided with a "learning circuit" 55. This allows for differences in movement between one person and another. For example, a person may execute a predetermined pattern in a very short time, whereas another will take longer to execute the same pattern. As such, the decoder 53 of the hearing instrument can "learn" that a user executes the predetermined pattern in a given manner, and will respond accordingly. It is also possible to conceive a decoder 53 which may itself be programmed with predet~.rmined patterns by a user, instead of having the patterns "hard-wired" by the m~mlf~cturer of the hearing instrument and/or the decoder.
In any event, it should be understood that the patterns should be kept simple, and the dilrerelll movements be kept to a minimllm This encourages users to benefit from the potential of the hearing instrument 10, rather than be discouraged by it due to movements that are too complicated or too conspicuous, particularly when one is in a social context.
Advantageously, the decoder 53 also includes an "enable" and "disable" pattern.
Thus, should a user be participating in strenuous physical activity or be in a position where head movements are frequent and uncontrolled, the user may disable the decoding function to avoid having the decoder 53 respond to llnintentional movements, and thus accidentally or inadvertently send a code to the signal processing means.
It should be stressed that the invention described herein is not limited to a particular embodiment described, but is concerned with the combination of a hearing instrument with a movement activated switch whereby a user may, upon making predetermined head movements, benefit from the full potential of a programmable hearing instrument, including the possibility to switch between a plurality of input 25 transducers.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207184 CA2207184A1 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Hearing instrument with head activated switch |
| PCT/CA1998/000517 WO1998054928A2 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1998-05-27 | Hearing instrument with head activated switch |
| AU75176/98A AU7517698A (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1998-05-27 | Hearing instrument with head activated switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207184 CA2207184A1 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Hearing instrument with head activated switch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2207184A1 true CA2207184A1 (en) | 1998-11-27 |
Family
ID=4160839
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207184 Abandoned CA2207184A1 (en) | 1997-05-27 | 1997-05-27 | Hearing instrument with head activated switch |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU7517698A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2207184A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998054928A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6449662B1 (en) * | 1997-01-13 | 2002-09-10 | Micro Ear Technology, Inc. | System for programming hearing aids |
| ATE527827T1 (en) | 2000-01-20 | 2011-10-15 | Starkey Lab Inc | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HEARING AID ADJUSTMENT |
| DE10351509B4 (en) * | 2003-11-05 | 2015-01-08 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid and method for adapting a hearing aid taking into account the head position |
| DE102004019353B3 (en) | 2004-04-21 | 2005-09-15 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Control system using proximity sensor and evaluation unit for hearing aid enables control functions when user's hand is moved near ear with installed hearing aid |
| EP2908549A1 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-19 | Oticon A/s | A hearing aid device comprising a sensor member |
| US10798499B1 (en) * | 2019-03-29 | 2020-10-06 | Sonova Ag | Accelerometer-based selection of an audio source for a hearing device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2952110A1 (en) * | 1979-12-22 | 1981-07-02 | Dornier System Gmbh, 7990 Friedrichshafen | Rotary velocity sensor for marine aerial - has liq. filled sphere as buoyant member in spherical or toroidal container of larger dia. |
| IT1146461B (en) * | 1981-06-23 | 1986-11-12 | Basaglia & Bollina Bologna | DEVICE FOR OPTICAL VISUALIZATION, AT A DISTANCE, OF THE LEVEL OR PRESSURE LOCATED IN LIQUID OR GAS CONTAINERS UNDER PRESSURE, IN PARTICULAR IN LPG SYSTEMS OR CNG FOR AUTOTRATION |
| US4624140C1 (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 2001-01-30 | Jack A Ekchian | Liquid medium capacitive displacement sensor |
| GB8616904D0 (en) * | 1986-07-11 | 1986-08-20 | Texas Instruments Ltd | Motion sensing device |
| IL88882A (en) * | 1989-01-04 | 1991-07-18 | Amrad Res & Dev | Electronic level indicator |
| JP3274168B2 (en) * | 1992-03-25 | 2002-04-15 | 日本放送協会 | Automatic sound level fitting device |
| EP0712261A1 (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1996-05-15 | Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH | Programmable hearing aid |
-
1997
- 1997-05-27 CA CA 2207184 patent/CA2207184A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1998
- 1998-05-27 AU AU75176/98A patent/AU7517698A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-05-27 WO PCT/CA1998/000517 patent/WO1998054928A2/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1998054928A3 (en) | 1999-03-04 |
| WO1998054928A2 (en) | 1998-12-03 |
| AU7517698A (en) | 1998-12-30 |
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