GB2560233A

GB2560233A - A hearing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2560233A
Application number: GB1800123.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ruth Boorman Merrilyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-05
Filing date: 2018-01-04
Publication date: 2018-09-05
Also published as: GB201700126D0; GB201800123D0; GB2558568A

Abstract

A hearing aid for a vulnerable user 96 comprising a speaker 15, microphone 13 and a lockable volume control. The volume control is lockable so that once volume levels have been selected they cannot be changed. The hearing apparatus may be a set of headphones. The headphones may include individual ear volume control means. The volume control may include a digital memory function and a safety lock. The headphones may also include a rechargeable battery; a padded headband 1 which is adapted to receive the arms of a pair of spectacles; a lockable head adjustment means; a wireless receiver; and noise cancelling means. The headphones may have a carrying case (97, Fig. 8).

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Merrilyn Ruth Boorman

Wickam Place, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 2PF, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

H04R 25/00 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

EP 2362685 A1 WO 2014/054215 A1

WO 2007/103951 A2 US 20150334496 A1 US 20110051967 A1

JP H06233390 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLG10K, H04R

Other: WPI, EPODOC, Patent Fulltext (72) Inventor(s):

Merrilyn Ruth Boorman (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Ipconsult

21A Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH15 2NX, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A hearing apparatus

Abstract Title: Hearing apparatus with lockable volume control (57) A hearing aid for a vulnerable user 96 comprising a speaker 15, microphone 13 and a lockable volume control. The volume control is lockable so that once volume levels have been selected they cannot be changed. The hearing apparatus may be a set of headphones. The headphones may include individual ear volume control means. The volume control may include a digital memory function and a safety lock. The headphones may also include a rechargeable battery; a padded headband 1 which is adapted to receive the arms of a pair of spectacles; a lockable head adjustment means; a wireless receiver; and noise cancelling means. The headphones may have a carrying case (97, Fig. 8).

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A HEARING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hearing apparatus for a person with hearing difficulties. In particular apparatus for improving hearing of local audio or voices; more particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus for providing a hearing aid for vulnerable users, such as those suffering from dementia, who also have hearing problems.

The hearing apparatus is specifically designed as an aid to dementia sufferers who are hard of hearing and who cannot cope with normal hearing aids and who need careful assistance, or for a person of any age with learning difficulties who is also deaf and for who standard hearing aids are unsuitable.

Prior Art

WO2008121957 (Howard) discloses a wireless hearing assist device including a microphone unit and a receiver unit.

GB2285552A (Silver) discloses a sound amplification system for a hearing aid.

WO9205538 (Todter) discloses a noise cancelling system.

US5699436B (Claybaugh) discloses a handsfree noise cancelling headset.

US5815582B (Claybaugh) discloses an active plus selective headset system for provision of action attenuation of broadband noise.

EP0412901A (Moseley) discloses an electroacoustic device for hearing needs including noise cancellation.

EP2665292A (Short) discloses a hearing assistance device.

JPH06233388 (Sony) discloses a hearing aid device.

Background

Increasingly elderly populations are more prevalent in many societies across the world, as improvements in education, healthcare and alimentation improve life expectancy.

However many societies are ill-equipped to deal with isolation and the integration of these elderly persons.

In particular many older people feel isolated through worsening hearing, which leads to an inability to integrate or take part comfortably in communication with other people or with other audio devices.

The hearing (audio) market is increasingly complicated. Very sophisticated appliances or aids can cost a substantial amount, are very high tech, and aimed at fashion conscious people who are active and aware of their appearance. An increasing number of users are old, or young but vulnerable, and unable to make decisions for themselves and manage the aids currently available. For example, many batteries are tiny and impossible for those with poor coordination to handle. Used batteries are often replaced in the aid as the user cannot differentiate between new and used batteries.

Conventional hearing aids are frequently lost or discarded because 'they don't work'. Confused users often 'hide' their aid to avoid supposed possible theft. This is a very common problem.

In residential homes, an evening round to administer individual medication takes patience and concentration and if staff were additionally responsible for hundreds of different hearing aids, it would be impossible. Consequently, once a resident has problems with a hearing aid, the staff often give up and stop speaking to deaf residents.

It can be particularly difficult for users to hear above background noises, and known hearing aids are often invasive, and fiddly. Certain users, such as the elderly, therefore find hearing aids uncomfortable or difficult to use.

As such they do not wish to wear them, however they do wish to be aware of their environment and communicate with those around them.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hearing apparatus comprising: at least one speaker; at least one microphone; a processing means; and a lockable volume control which sets a range of sound to be emitted from the at least one speaker; the microphone transmits an audio signal to the processing means and the processing means is operable to relay the audio signal, within the specified range that is set by the lockable volume control, to the speaker.

Ideally a hearing apparatus includes two headphones and a rechargeable battery.

The headphones are intended for a vulnerable person who is hard of hearing and for whom standard hearing aids are unsuitable. In particular the headphones are intended for suffers of dementia who are liable to find standard hearing aids uncomfortable and may be prone to losing smaller conventional hearing aids.

Optionally the lock may be a mechanical lock which once set is fixed. Alternatively the lock may be an electronic lock that for example requires a password in order to change it once it has been set. Typically this is achieved either via a hardwire connection to the processor or by using a remote device, such as a control means with a Bluetooth (RTM) communication link and in which case a wireless receiver is also provided for receiving a command signal from the control means. In this arrangement once locked the headset may only be reset by using the password and via a menu that is presented on the control means.

In one particularly preferred embodiment a mobile communication device, such as a tablet or smartphone may be configured to operate as a control means when operating a suitable application specific software (APP) in order to provide a menu for a user to communicate with the headphones, select a suitable level of maximum and minimum volumes and then to lock these into the processing means of the headphones which may include dynamic memory for storing these levels.

The headphones of the present invention are much easier to locate than a hearing aid. If a standard hearing aid is lost it can be difficult to find. A wearer and their carer may spend many hours looking for the lost device. The present invention is much easier to locate due to its comparable size and therefore less time is loss searching for lost headphones or hearing aids.

The headphones are also suitable for other vulnerable users such as the elderly or disabled.

The present invention is designed to enable vulnerable users to remain part of society and not become isolated. The headphones of the present invention enable such users to receive mental stimulation, maintain friendships, and make effective family contact possible, eradicating shouting in the ear and writing notes to an elderly or vulnerable relative or patient. The headphones can enable a vulnerable user to communicate effectively which may improve longevity and reduce problems associated with not being able to communicate effectively such as loneliness, depression and sometimes aggression which is brought about by the frustration of being unable to communicate.

The present invention provides an easy to use headset that can be configured specifically for a user by setting the volume in each ear to the desired level and then locking the volume controls to prevent accidental changing of the volume settings. This permits a wearer, or typically the carer, to choose the correct levels for the wearer.

Preferably the headphone set includes a head adjustment means in order to be fitted exactly to wearer’s head. Ideally the head adjustment means may be locked to fix the headphones in the preferred configuration for a particular wearer. In this way a wearer with limited or compromised memory ability or limited motor facilities can have the headphones fitted to their heads. This negates the requirement for adjustment on repeated occasions and thereby improves ease of use.

Preferably the headphones are provided with a local electrical energy source, for example at least one battery. This permits wireless use of the headphone. In some embodiments such battery or batteries may be rechargeable. For example, the batteries may be removable from the apparatus. Alternatively or additionally the apparatus may comprise a charging socket.

In other embodiments the electrical energy source may be remote, for example wherein the apparatus comprises a mains electrical connection.

In some embodiments a case is provided to carry the headphones.

In some embodiments the case may include an energy source for the headphones. For example the case may provide a charging mechanism for the headphones, such as a docking station.

In some embodiments the case may comprise a battery and/or mains electrical connection and transformer, so as to minimise weight in the headphones, wherein after use the headphones are replaced in the case and their batteries are recharged. In some embodiments the case and headphones comprise wireless or inductive coil charging means.

The headphone set is a portable unit for easy provision of temporary hearing improvement for a user, whereby the headphones may be removed from the case and worn to improve hearing.

In some embodiments the case may include at least one microphone.

In some embodiments the headphones have a plurality of microphones. For example there may be one or more microphones arranged in relation with each earphone.

In some embodiments of the headphones the microphone(s) may be removable from the speakers and/or processing means, for example within a separate device such as the case. In such an arrangement there is provided either a wired or wireless connection from the microphone(s) with the speakers and audio processing means.

In some embodiments the microphone or microphones are adapted to be directed in a specific orientation or position so as to improve directional audio pick-up, for example wherein the microphone may comprise a directional microphone, for example directed towards a television, and/or comprising a separate device. The apparatus may comprise a microphone jack in some embodiments.

In some embodiments the processing means may be separately arranged with reference to each microphone or speaker so as to allow for differing processing according to ear preference.

The speakers are equipped with individual volume control to enable separate adjustment of the volume of each speaker, so as to accommodate differing levels of hearing.

In some embodiments the volume control may comprise a digital or mechanical memory function, so as to remember the volume preference at the speaker. This permits the volume controls to be set for a particular user.

It is appreciated that often adjustments to the volume control may be performed by a carer rather than the wearer of the device.

In some embodiments the memory may permit various volume profiles to be set up and saved on the memory, for example to reflect different user’s optimal volumes. In this way a headphone set may be pre-set for a number of users.

The volume controls can be locked in order to fix the volume at the preferred levels.

Preferably the lock means comprises a safety lock to limit accidental changing of the volume by a vulnerable user.

The safety lock provides a means of locking the volume control that prevents usual operation from altering the volume, for example once locked turning a volume dial or pressing a volume button will not alter the volume. It is envisaged that the safety lock may be similar to a child lock.

The volume control may include a mechanism to lock the volume control, such as a twist lock, a disengagement means or cover.

In an embodiment using a button to control volume it may be possible to deactivate the button, for example by means of a separate switch or sequence of actions, such pressing and holding the button for a predetermined time.

In some embodiments the headphone set is arranged to minimise ambient noise, for example wherein the earphones are arranged to cover over the user’s ear and limit ingress of extraneous or ambient noises.

Preferably the headphone set comprises over-ear headphones that comprise ear covering means. The ear covering means may comprise resiliently deformable means, for example cones, cups or muffs. The ear covering means may thereby comprise a collar arranged to surround the user’s ears. In some embodiments the headphone set comprises a hat structure.

In some embodiments the processing means comprises a noise reduction, cancelling or isolation processing means. Such processing means may be arranged to process out extraneous, ambient or background noise from the audio received from the microphone or microphones. The processing means may provide audio broadcast from the speaker or speakers.

In this way white or background noise may be cancelled and voices or music are made easier to hear.

The processing means in some embodiments may be configured during production to identify undesirable background noise patterns typically associated with ambient noise wherein the processing means is subsequently arranged to generate a sound wave of the same amplitude and frequency, but having crests and troughs or compressions and rarefactions that are arranged so that the crests or compressions of one wave line up with the troughs or rarefactions of the other wave and vice versa. In this way the sound waves cancel each other out, in the phenomenon known as destructive interference.

In some embodiments the processing means may be arranged to be updated, for example wherein the headphone set comprises a data input means, so as to enable software or firmware updating.

The processing means may comprise a data storage means. In way, for example, ambient undesirable noises particular to the user’s environment may be learned and remembered.

In a preferred embodiment the set of headphones has a headband that is adapted to receive the arms of a pair of spectacles. The headband is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the spectacle arm in order to prevent it from being uncomfortably pressed against the side of a wearer’s head. This has the advantage of enabling a wearer to comfortably don the headset for long periods of time without any discomfort.

The headband may include a notch or cutaway region for receiving the spectacle arm or an opening through which the arm passes.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the headphone set of an embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of an embodiment of a case for use with the embodiment of the headphones shown in Figure 1;

Figures 6 show isometric exploded views of the embodiment of the case as shown in Figures 5;

Figure 7 shows an isometric exploded view of a second embodiment of the case for use with the embodiment ofthe headphones shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the case, and the headphones, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 1 respectively; and

Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the case with the headphones, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 1 respectively.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures there is shown an embodiment of the headphone set, in a first part, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprising a set of headphones 96 internally comprising two speaker drivers 15, two microphones 13, and a processing means comprising a noise cancellation printed circuit board (PCB) 12. The electronics on PCB 12 sense input from the microphones and generate a fingerprint of the noise, noting the frequency and amplitude of the incoming wave and then they create a new wave that is 180 degrees out of phase with the waves associated with the noise.

The microphones 13 are arranged to transmit audio to the processing means, and the processing means to relay audio to the speakers 15.

The microphones and speakers and processing means are all maintained within a pair of headphones comprising a rigid body 2, with internal padding 1.

The headphones thereby comprise a body 2 to join ear covering cups 11 housing the speakers 15. The cups comprise rigid housing 11 and internal ear surrounding padding 8, providing passive noise cancellation.

The headphones’ ear coverings cover a user’s ears so as to limit entrance of extraneous noises.

The ear coverings comprise high density closed cellular structure foam, covered in leather, polyvinyl or other ‘wipe-clean’ material.

The pictured embodiment of the body 2 enables spacing of the speaker cups 11 and overall dimensions to be adjusted so as to allow comfortable fitting on the user.

The body comprises a headband 41, with distal frame extenders 6, which comprised an internal metal wire member, which extends from the headband’s ends.

Adjustment of the headphone fit is achieved by extending or retracting the extenders 6, and the pictured embodiment comprises a locking mechanism which mechanism enables the user to lock the adjusted headphones in place for future usage. The locking mechanism comprises a screw which screws downwards from the top of the headphones 96 into the headband 41 so as to displace it towards or away from the user’s head, to adjust the fit.

The pictured embodiment of the headphones comprises the following parts:

Size Adjustment Screw 9

Robust Body 4

Soft Padding 1

Recharging Locator 2

Ear Cushions 8

USB Charging Port 3 for recharging the internal battery

Rechargeable Battery 14

Individual Speaker Volume Dials 7

Microphone 13 placed inside the ear cup to listens to predefined external sounds that cannot be blocked passively

Driver Grate 15

Headphone Driver 10

Noise-cancellation means circuitry 12

In this way the circuitry creates its own sound waves that mimic the incoming undesirable noise but 180 degrees out of phase with the incoming waves. These waves are created by the noisecancelling circuitry and fed into the speakers along with the normal audio and erases the undesirable noise by destructive interference, with minimal effect to the desired sound waves recognised to be normal audio or speech.

The headphone set also comprises a case 97, which case 97 allows the headphones 96 to be stored and transported when not in use.

The case 97 comprises a substantially rigid material, which material describes an outer surrounding an inner volume 20. The inner volume 20 is subdivided by walls 24 and arranged so as to effectively maintain the headphones in a single position, providing an indented raised and lowered material form 23 arranged for acceptance of the headphones 96. This indentation 23 allows the headphones 96 to be easily placed into the case 97 and maintained in a single place, wherein the indentation 23 comprises slightly resilient material, which deforms to accept the headphones 96 and tends to reform to grip the headphones 96.

The outer comprises an electrical connector, comprising a known mains electrical plug 30 on the end of an extendable cable 32. The case is arranged with a reel 31 for cable storage.

The case 97 thereby comprises a means to charge an internal battery in the headphones, wherein the headphones are connected to the mains electrical supply when situated in the case.

A recharging locator 2 on both the headphones 96 and case 97 is arranged to ensure that the headphones are replaced correctly each time for charging.

The case 97 comprises an outer with perforated sides 27 for release of heat, and a segmented roller lid 22 having a catch 21 and button release 25.

The second embodiment of the case 97 further comprises a handle 26 for carrying the case and headphone set when the headphones are stored in the case, and has a segmented lid 22, which is arranged to latch closed and be easily displaced so as to enable easy access to the headphones.

The speakers are equipped with individual volume control dials 7, which dials 7 may enable adjustment of the volume of each individual speaker, and in some embodiments a digital or mechanical memory function, so as to remember the volume preference at the speaker.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A hearing apparatus for a vulnerable user comprising: at least one speaker; at least one microphone; a processing means; and a lockable volume control which sets a range of sound to be emitted from the at least one speaker; the microphone transmits an audio signal to the processing means and the processing means is operable to relay the audio signal, within the specified range that is set by the lockable volume control, to the speaker.

2. A hearing apparatus for a vulnerable user according to claim 1 wherein comprising a set of headphones.

3. A set of headphones according to claim 2 wherein the headphones include a rechargeable battery.

4. A set of headphones according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the headphones comprise a lockable head adjustment means.

5. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the headphones include a padded headband.

6. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the headband is adapted to receive the arms of a pair of spectacles.

7. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 6 including individual ear volume control means.

8. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the volume control comprises a digital memory function.

9. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the volume control includes a safety lock.

10. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 9 comprising noise cancelling processing means.

11. A set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 10 including a wireless receiver.

12. A carrying case for receiving a set of headphones according to any of claims 2 to 11.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1800123.0

1-12