WO2012167234A1

WO2012167234A1 - Earphones and hearing aids

Info

Publication number: WO2012167234A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/040699
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marisa PEDEMONTE; Daniel DREXLER; Andres BIANCO; Dario GEISINGER
Original assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Priority date: 2011-06-02
Filing date: 2012-06-04
Publication date: 2012-12-06

Abstract

An earphones system providing insert detection, volume limiting, and equalization features for use with audio players or systems, including systems that provide external sound treatment to individuals suffering from tinnitus, is described. The earphones system may include an audio player or may be useable with an audio player operative to provide audio signals (e.g., for the treatment of tinnitus). Also described is a hearing aid system providing insert detection that operates by sensing changes in temperature, skin conductance, pressure or strain, or changes in sound. The hearing aid system is operative to send insert detection information to an external device such as a computer or mobile phone. The external device is configured to generate an alarm or other notification alerting a user that the hearing aid has come out the ear. Data concerning the insertion of the hearing aid may also be collected for further analysis.

Description

EARPHONES AND HEARING AIDS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/492,574, filed June 2, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No.

61/549,085, filed October 19, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to earphones and hearing aids. More specifically, the present invention relates to earphones providing insert detection, volume limiting, and equalization features for use with audio systems, including audio systems that provide external sound treatment to individuals suffering from tinnitus, as well as hearing aids providing insert detection and notification features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of

corresponding external sound. Tinnitus is a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes, including damage due to abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal, ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, allergies, or other causes.

Treatments that are recommended for reducing the effects of tinnitus include medication, electric stimulation, surgery, psychological treatment, and external sounds.

External sound therapy may be used to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by drowning out or "masking" the noises at a similar decibel level at which they are heard in the patient's ear. External sound treatment may include music therapy, low-pitched sound treatment, auditive stimulation therapy, auditive destimulation therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, a tinnitus masker such as white noise, and other external sound treatments. The implementation of certain such therapies require the use of earphones. A hearing aid is an electroacoustic device that typically fits in or behind a wearer's ear, and is designed to amplify and modulate sound for the wearer. One type of hearing aid is an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. These devices fit in the outer ear bowl (the concha).

Depending on their size, ITE hearing aids may be visible when standing face to face with someone wearing one. ITE hearing aids are generally custom made to fit each individual's ear.

Another type of hearing aid is a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. These devices consist of a case, a tube, and an earmold. The case is small and is usually made of plastic. Generally, the case sits behind the pinna (outer part of the ear) with the tube coming down the front into the earmold. The case normally contains an amplification and/or processing system. The sound is routed from the hearing aid case to the earmold via the tube. The sound can be routed acoustically or electrically. The earmold is normally created from an impression taken of the individual's outer ear. BTE hearing aids are commonly worn by children who need a durable type of hearing aid.

Both newborns and infants (along with others such as people with some disabilities) may not be able to realize that the hearing aid has come out of their ear. This may be true because the piece has fallen out of the ear, the person intentionally took it away, or the earmold has come out of the ear canal (in BTE hearing aids). There are many other pathologies, disabilities, or circumstances where the patient may not be able to determine the situation when a hearing aid has come out of the ear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, the invention includes an earphones system for use with an audio player operative to output audio signals, the earphones system comprising: a pair of earphones, each earphone being positionable within the ear of a user and operative to provide sound to the user when in electronic communication with the audio player; an equalizer operatively coupled between the audio player and the earphones, the equalizer being operative to modify a frequency response of the audio signals output from the audio player; and a volume limiter operative to monitor the power of the audio signals, and to limit the power of the audio signals when above a threshold power level. The earphones system may further comprise an insert detector operative to detect when the pair of earphones is positioned in the ears of the user. The earphones system may be operative to communicate insert detection information and/or volume information to the audio player. The insert detector may be operative to sense one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain. The insert detector may be operative to generate a sound through the earphones, and to monitor the sound for changes indicative of a user wearing the earphones. The earphones may be custom molded for a particular user. The equalizer may be operative to modify the audio signals to provide a custom frequency response over a range of frequencies. The earphones system may further comprise a communications port that facilitates wired or wireless coupling between the earphones system and the audio player. The earphones system may further comprise circuitry for receiving and processing signals received from electrodes configured to measure biological signals. The threshold power level may be selectively programmable. The threshold power level may be a level that

corresponds to a volume that may be harmful or cause discomfort to the user.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing audio signals to a user, the method comprising: detecting the insertion of a pair of earphones into the ears of the user; outputting audio signals from an audio player coupled to the earphones;

equalizing the audio signals output from the audio player; monitoring the output power of the equalized audio signals; and limiting the power of the equalized audio signals when above a threshold power level. Detecting the insertion of the pair of earphones may comprise detecting one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain. The method may further comprise communicating insert detection information or volume information to the audio player. Equalizing may comprise modifying the audio signal to provide a custom frequency response over a range of frequencies. The method may further comprise receiving and processing signals received from electrodes configured to measure biological signals. The method may further comprise selectively programming the threshold power level. The method may further comprise selectively programming the threshold power level to a volume that may be harmful or cause discomfort to the user.

In another embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for providing audio signals to a user, the apparatus comprising: an audio player operative to output the audio signals; a pair of earphones positionable within a user's ears and operative to provide sound to the user when coupled to the audio player; an equalizer operatively couplable between the audio player and the earphones, the equalizer being operative to modify the frequency response of the audio signals output from the audio player; and a volume limiter operative to monitor the power of the audio signals, and to limit the power of the audio signals when above a threshold power level.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a hearing aid system comprising: an earmold positionable within the ear of a user; a case; and an insert detector operatively coupled to the earmold and the case, said insert detector configured to detect when the earmold and/or the case is positioned correctly with respect to the ear of the user. The hearing aid system may be operative to communicate insert detection information to an external device. The external device may be operative to generate an alert in response to receiving insert detection information indicating the earmold has dislodged from the ear of the user and/or that the case is not in a predetermined proper position. The insert detector may be operative to sense one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain. The hearing aid system may further comprise a communications port that facilitates wired or wireless coupling between the hearing aid system and an external device.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for monitoring use of a hearing aid, the method comprising: monitoring insertion of a hearing aid in an ear of a first user; detecting that the hearing aid is not positioned properly with respect to the ear of the first user; transmitting a detection signal to an external device of a second user; receiving the detection signal on the external device; and generating an alert on the external device notifying the second user that the hearing aid is not positioned properly with respect to the ear of the first user. Monitoring insertion of the hearing aid may comprise measuring one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of an earphones system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a flow chart of a process for operating the earphones system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 depicts a block diagram of a hearing aid system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 depicts a flow chart of a process for operating the hearing aid system shown in Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the several views, Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an earphones system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In general, the system 100 includes means for detecting when a pair of earphones is inserted into a patient's ears, and means for equalizing an audio signal and limiting its volume to a predefined threshold volume to prevent the patient from receiving sounds at harmful volumes and/or at volumes that may cause discomfort.

The system 100 is operative to communicate with an audio player 160 via a communications port 114. In some embodiments, portions or all of the system 100 may be integrated with the audio player 160. In some embodiments, the audio player 160 may form part of the system 100. The port 114 may include one or more wired or wireless interfaces that allow the system 100 to communicate with the audio player 160. As an example, the port 114 may be operative to interface with a docking port of the audio player 160. The audio player 160 may be any suitable portable or stationary audio output device. More generally, the audio player 160 may be any device capable of generating a signal capable of driving an earphone. In some embodiments, the audio player 160 may comprise an iPod® audio player manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA.

The system 100 includes earphones 128 that may be inserted into a user's ears so that the user may hear audio signals (e.g., sound therapy treatments and other audio signals including music, speech, and the like) output by the audio player 160. In some embodiments, the earphones 128 are made from a custom fit mold to fit a particular user. The earphones 128 may be coupled to the remainder of the system 100 using a wired or wireless interface.

The system 100 also includes an equalizer and volume limiting component or circuitry 112. The equalizer may be customized to allow the system 100 to provide a particular frequency response for the audio signals received from the audio player 160. The equalization function may be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, the audio signals may be equalized by digitally manipulating the output of the audio player 160, by passively equalizing the audio signals (e.g., using resistors, capacitors, etc.), or by actively equalizing the audio signals by utilizing a digital signal processor (DSP). The system 100 may also provide functionality for selecting a predefined equalizer setting or loading a filter or filter coefficients to achieve a custom frequency response. In particular, the system 100 may equalize audio signals to achieve certain frequency characteristics needed for audiometric measurements, such as audiology tests. These tests may include audiometry, high frequency audiometry, speech audiometry, and the like.

The volume-limiting portion of the component 112 may be operative to determine the power of a signal. Using the output relationship between the power of the signal and the resulting volume at the earphones 128, the output of the signal may be limited if the power (or volume) is above a predetermined threshold volume that may harm a user's ears or may otherwise be undesirable. The threshold volume may be fixed or may be selectively programmable by a user. As can be appreciated, the volume levels may depend on the frequency characteristics of the audio signal received from the audio player 160. If the earphones 128 have a substantially flat frequency response, the volume would mainly depend on the power of the signal independent of the frequency content. Thus, when the equalizer component 112 is operated to provide a flat frequency response, the power of the audio signal may be monitored independent of frequency to determine if the volume is above the predetermined threshold volume. For the case where the frequency response is not flat (i.e., the volume is determined by both the power and frequency content), the power of the signal may be monitored in individual frequency bands to determine whether the volume in any of the frequency bands exceeds the predetermined threshold volume.

The earphones system 100 also includes sensors 132 and an insert detector 116 that provide a way to determine if the earphones 128 are inserted into the ears of a user. As an example, this information may be used to signal to the audio player 160 to initiate playback of audio signals only when the earphones 128 are inserted into the user's ears. As another example, the system 100 may be operative to cause the audio player 160 to stop or pause playback of the audio signals when it is determined that the user is not currently wearing the earphones 128 or when they have become dislodged. The insert detection function may also be used to track or monitor the use of the system 100 by a user over a period of time.

The sensors 132 may be positioned on or adjacent to the earphones 128, and may be operative to sense or measure one or more parameters indicative of the user wearing the earphones. The insert detector 116 may be operative to receive measurement signals from the sensors 132 and to send information regarding whether the user is wearing the earphones to the audio player 160 (e.g., using the wired or wireless port 114).

The insert detection function may be implemented in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the insert detector 116 and sensors 132 may be implemented as a skin conductance detector. In this case, the sensors 132 may comprise two electrodes positioned on each of the earphones 128 at a location where the user's skin will contact the electrodes when the user is wearing the earphones. The detector 116 may be operative to measure the electrical conductivity between the two electrodes, which will change dependent on whether the user's skin is in contact with the electrodes. Using this measured change in electrical conductivity, the detector 116 can determine when the user is wearing the earphones 128.

In another embodiment, the insert detector 116 and sensors 132 may be implemented by detecting capacitance. In this embodiment, an electrode (not shown) is included within the earphone, configured such that it is positioned in the ear canal when the earphone is inserted into the user's ear. The electrode acts as a plate in the capacitive sensing system. The electrode may be a copper cylinder, although other materials and configurations may be used in alternate embodiments. The insert detector 116 may be operative to detect changes in capacitance in the sensors 132. The sensors 132 may be selected from any conductive material, which forms, with the circuit ground, a capacitor, and when the earpiece approaches the ear canal, a change in capacitance may be detected. Using this measured change in capacitance, the detector 116 can determine when the user is wearing the earphones 128.

In another embodiment, the sensors 132 may be configured to sense temperature (e.g., using temperature dependent resistors, or the like). In this case, the detector 116 may be operative to detect changes in temperature, as measured by the sensors 132 that indicate that a user is wearing the earphones 128. For example, the temperature of the sensors 132 may rise from room temperature to approximately the temperature of the user's skin when the earphones 128 are worn by the user.

In other embodiments, the detector 116 and sensors 132 may be operative to detect changes in pressure or strain. For example, in the case where the earphones 128 are custom molded, the earphones may seal a user's ear canal when worn. In this regard, the detector 116 and sensors 132 may be operative to take an air pressure measurement and to determine if the measurement corresponds to an air pressure of a sealed ear canal, indicating that the user is wearing the earphones 128. As another example, the detector 116 and sensors 132 may be configured to measure pressure or strain placed on the earphones 128 themselves. Since the ear canal is sealed by the earphones 128, it is possible to determine whether the earphones are subject to an external pressure or strain such as one applied to them by the ear canal when sealed.

In other embodiments, a low frequency audio signal may be output through the earphones 128 to detect whether the earphones are being worn by a user. For example, a low frequency (e.g., 50 Hz) pure tone signal may be output by the earphones 128 and measured by the sensor 132. The measurement of the pure tone signal will vary depending on whether the ear canal is sealed by the earphones 128. By detecting this difference, the insert detector 116 is able to determine whether the ear canal is sealed by the earphones, which indicates that the user is currently wearing the earphones.

In still further embodiments, the insert detector 116 may include a microphone. The microphone may be useful to determine the correct insertion of the earphone 128. The microphone may alternatively or additionally be useful for a variety of purposes, including, but in no way limited to, measuring the signal being delivered to the user's ear in the ear canal itself; determining the difference between the in-ear measurement and standardized measurements (such as in an artificial ear) to adjust the volume depending on the volume difference due to the morphology and other characteristics of the user's ear canal (this can be especially important at high frequencies, where the characteristics of the ear canal play an increasingly important role as to the actual volume experienced by a user); and determining the active equalization measurement.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may also include signal conditioning circuitry 124 operative to provide support for electrodes 140 configured to receive biological signals, such as, but in no way limited to, electroencephalogram (EEG), and that may be used in conjunction with sound therapy. In some embodiments, the electrodes 140 may be dry electrodes. The circuitry 124 may receive raw data from the electrodes 140, process the data in one or more ways, and send the processed data to a host device, such as the audio player 160. The signal conditioning circuitry 124 may be coupled to the electrodes 140 through wired or wireless communications interfaces.

As discussed above, embodiments of the earphones system 100 permit 2-way communication with external devices (e.g., the audio player 160) through wired or wireless interfaces. The system 100 is able to send data, which may comprise insert detection information, information relating to biological signals measured from the user (e.g., EEG), and the like. The system 100 is also able to receive data, such as audio signals, control commands (e.g., equalizer settings, filter settings, and the like). In some embodiments, the system 100 may also be configured to notify or warn the audio player 160 that the volume is near a predefined limit, and to notify the audio player when the volume is being limited by the system 100. As a security feature, the system 100 may also be able to communicate a unique identifier to the audio player 160 that is verified before audio signals are generated.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process 200 for operating an earphones system, such as the earphones system 100 described above and shown in Figure 1. The process 200 begins at block 210 where the system 100 detects the insertion of the earphones 128 in a user's ear. As discussed above, the detection may include detecting one or more of skin conductance, temperature, and pressure. Insert detection may also include detecting sounds produced by the earphones (e.g., a low frequency pure tone signal), or other detection systems.

Once it has been determined that the user is currently wearing the earphones 128, the process 200 continues at block 212 by initiating external sound treatment using an audio player. The audio signal from the audio player may be equalized so that it has a flat frequency response, block 216. Alternatively, the audio signal may be equalized according to predefined or programmed parameters. Next, the power of the audio signal may be measured and monitored, block 218. In the case where the audio signal has been equalized to provide a flat frequency response, the power of the audio signal may be monitored independent of its frequency content. In the case where the frequency response may not be flat, the power may be monitored at multiple frequency bands.

If the power at one or more frequencies is determined to be above a level

corresponding to a threshold volume, the volume may be limited to the threshold volume, block 220. The threshold volume may be preprogrammed or may be modifiable by a user as desired. As an example, the threshold volume may be a volume at which the user may be subjected to damaging levels of sound. The system may also provide feedback to the audio player that includes information regarding insert detection, equalization or filter settings, volume information, volume limiting information, and the like, block 224.

In another embodiment, Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a hearing aid system 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In general, the hearing aid system 300 includes means for detecting when a hearing aid is inserted into a patient's ears, and means for notifying the patient or another user (e.g., a parent or caregiver) when the hearing aid is not inserted into the patient's ears or have become dislodged from the patient's ears.

In some embodiments, the hearing aid system 300 is operative to communicate with an external device 360 via a communications port 314. In some embodiments, portions or all of the hearing aid system 300 may be integrated with the external device 360. The port 314 may include one or more wired or wireless interfaces that allow the hearing aid system 100 to communicate with the device 360. This may be achieve via FM, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, Wi- Fi®, or the like. The transmission may also be implemented over a cellular network (e.g., 3G, 4G, GSM, Edge, SMS, MMS, a phone call, etc.). The external device 360 may be any suitable portable or stationary device, such as a computer or a portable device that is able to communicate with the hearing aid system 300. Non-limiting examples of suitable devices include mobile phones, tablet computers, netbooks, notebooks, media players, etc. In general, the external device 360 comprises a processing unit 366, a wired and/or wireless communications port 364, and an output device or alert generator 370. The alert generator 370 may be configured to output any combination of audio signals, video signals, and wireless communication signals. As such, the alert generator 370 may comprise a speaker, a display, etc.

The hearing aid system 300 includes an earmold 328 that may be inserted into a user's ears so that the user may hear audio signals from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the earmold 328 is made from a custom fit mold to fit a particular user. The earmold 328 may be coupled to a case 312 using a wired or wireless interface. In the illustrated embodiment, the case 312 may sit behind the pinna with a tube and cable coming down the front and into the earmold 328.

The hearing aid system 300 also includes one or more sensors 332 positioned in the earmold 328 and an insert detector 316 and/or processor 318 that provide a way to determine if the earmold 328 is inserted into the ears of a user. Alternatively or in addition, sensors 333 may be positioned in the case 312. The signals from the sensors 332 may also be transferred to the external device 360 for external processing.

In operation, the insert detection information may be sent to the external device 360, which comprises the alert generator 370 that is operative to provide a notification to a user of the external device when the earmold 328 is not inserted into the user's ear. As an example, the alert generator 370 may generate audio signals (e.g., alarm sounds, ring tones, etc.) and/or visual signals (e.g., text or graphics shown on a display). The insert detection function may also be used to track or monitor the use of the hearing aid system 300 by a user over a period of time. This feature may be useful to track compliance with a prescribed use of a hearing aid or to detect problems with a hearing aid (e.g., poor fit).

The sensors 332 may be positioned on or adjacent to the earmold 328, and may be operative to sense or measure one or more parameters indicative of the user wearing the earmold. The insert detector 316 may be operative to receive measurement signals from the sensors 332 and to send information regarding whether the user is wearing the earmold to the external device 360 (e.g., using the wired or wireless communications port 314).

The insert detection function may be implemented in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the insert detector 316 and sensors 332 may be implemented as a skin conductance detector. In this case, the sensors 332 may comprise two electrodes positioned on the earmold 328 at a location where the user's skin will contact the electrodes when the user is wearing the earmold. The detector 316 may be operative to measure the electrical conductivity between the two electrodes, which will change dependent on whether the user's skin is in contact with the electrodes. Using this measured change in electrical conductivity, the detector 316 can determine when the user is wearing the earmold 328.

In another embodiment, the insert detector 316 and sensors 332, 333 may be implemented by detecting capacitance. In this embodiment, capacitive sensors 333 may be located in the case 312 to detect its position by interacting with the sensors 332 located in the earmold 328. The insert detector 316 may be operative to detect changes in capacitance in the case 312. The sensors 333 may be selected from any conductive material, which forms, with the circuit ground, a capacitor, and when the earpiece approaches the human skin, a change in capacitance may be detected. Using this measured change in capacitance, the detector 316 can determine when the case 312 is correctly located.

In another embodiment, the sensors 332 may be configured to sense temperature (e.g., using temperature dependent resistors, or the like). In this case, the detector 316 may be operative to detect changes in temperature, as measured by the sensors 332, which indicate that a user is wearing the earmold 328. For example, the temperature of the sensors 332 may rise from room temperature to approximately the temperature of the user's skin when the earmold 328 is worn by the user.

In other embodiments, the detector 316 and sensors 332 may be operative to detect changes in pressure or strain. For example, in the case where the earmold 328 is custom molded, the earmold may seal a user's ear canal when worn. In this regard, the detector 316 and sensors 332 may be operative to take an air pressure measurement and to determine if the measurement corresponds to an air pressure of a sealed ear canal, indicating that the user is wearing the earmold 328. As another example, the detector 316 and sensors 332 may be configured to measure pressure or strain placed on the earmold 328 itself. Since the ear canal is sealed by the earmold 328 in this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the earmold is subject to an external pressure or strain such as one applied to them by the ear canal when sealed.

In other embodiments, a low frequency audio signal may be output through a transducer in the earmold 328 to detect whether the earmold is being worn by a user. For example, a low frequency (e.g., 50 Hz) pure tone signal may be output by the earmold 328 and measured by the sensor 332. The measurement of the pure tone signal will vary depending on whether the ear canal is sealed by the earmold 328. By detecting this difference, the insert detector 316 is able to determine whether the ear canal is sealed by the earmold 328, which indicates that the user is currently wearing the earmold.

In still further embodiments, the detector 316 may include a microphone. The microphone may be useful to determine the correct insertion of the earmold 328. The microphone may alternatively or additionally be useful for a variety of purposes, including, but in no way limited to, measuring the signal being delivered to the user's ear in the ear canal itself; determining the difference between the in-ear measurement and standardized measurements (such as in an artificial ear) to adjust the volume depending on the volume difference due to the morphology and other characteristics of the user's ear canal (this can be especially important at high frequencies, where the characteristics of the ear canal play an increasingly important role as to the actual volume experienced by a user); and determining the active equalization measurement.

As discussed above, embodiments of the hearing aid system 300 permit 2-way communication with external devices (e.g., the external device 360 via a communications port 364) through wired or wireless interfaces. The hearing aid system 300 is able to send data that may comprise processed or pre-processed insert detection information. In some embodiments, the hearing aid system 100 may also be able to receive data, control commands, etc. from external devices.

Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of a process 400 for operating a hearing aid system, such as the hearing aid system 300 described above and shown in Figure 3. The process 400 begins at block 410 where the system 300 monitors the insertion of the earmold 328 in a user's ear. As an example, the user may be a newborn or an infant. As discussed above, the monitoring may include detecting one or more of skin conductance, temperature, pressure, or the like. Insert detection may also include detecting sounds produced by a transducer of the hearing aid 300 (e.g., a low frequency pure tone signal), or other detection systems.

Once it has been determined that the user is currently wearing the earmold 328, the process 400 continues at block 412 by detecting when the earmold 328 has come out of the user's ear. When this has occurred, the hearing aid system 300 may transmit a detection signal to the external device 360, block 416. As discussed above, the hearing aid system 300 may transmit raw or processed signals to the external device 360 using any suitable wired or wireless communications interface, blocks 416 and 418.

Once the external device 360 has received a signal indicating that the earmold 328 has come out of the user's ear, it may generate an alarm or other notification (e.g., a log, record, etc.), block 420. As an example, in one embodiment the external device 360 is a mobile phone of a parent of an infant wearing the earmold 328. In this example, the mobile phone may be configured to generate an audible sound and/or display a message to the parent, notifying them that the earmold 328 has come out and needs to be re-inserted into the infant's ear.

The hearing aid system 300 and/or the external device 360 may also log event data so that users, medical personnel, or others may track the history of insert detection events over time. For example, if an earmold 328 is repeatedly coming out of a user's ear, the system may detect this condition and alert an appropriate person so that the earmold may be modified or replaced.

The example provided above is described in the context of a BTE hearing aid system. However, the present invention is equally applicable to other types of hearing aid systems, including ITE hearing aid systems. Further, it should be appreciated that various components in the hearing aid system 300 may be physically positioned at locations different from shown in Figure 3. For example, in some embodiments, the sensors 332 may be located in the case 312 instead of or in addition to the earmold 328. As another example, the insert detection module 316 and/or the communications port 314 may inside the earmold 328, rather than inside a separate case.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).

It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two

recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An earphones system for use with an audio player operative to output audio signals, the earphones system comprising:

a pair of earphones, each earphone being positionable within the ear of a user and operative to provide sound to the user when in electronic communication with the audio player;

an equalizer operatively coupled between the audio player and the earphones, the equalizer being operative to modify a frequency response of the audio signals output from the audio player; and

a volume limiter operative to monitor the power of the audio signals, and to limit the power of the audio signals when above a threshold power level.

2. The earphones system of claim 1, further comprising an insert detector operative to detect when the pair of earphones is positioned in the ears of the user.

3. The earphones system of claim 2, wherein the earphones system is operative to communicate insert detection information and/or volume information to the audio player.

4. The earphones system of claim 2, wherein the insert detector is operative to sense one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain.

5. The earphones system of claim 2, wherein the insert detector is operative to generate a sound through the earphones, and to monitor the sound for changes indicative of a user wearing the earphones.

6. The earphones system of claim 1, wherein the earphones are custom molded for a particular user.

7. The earphones system of claim 1, wherein the equalizer is operative to modify the audio signals to provide a custom frequency response over a range of frequencies.

8. The earphones system of claim 1, further comprising a communications port that facilitates wired or wireless coupling between the earphones system and the audio player.

9. The earphones system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry for receiving and processing signals received from electrodes configured to measure biological signals.

10. The earphones system of claim 1, wherein the threshold power level is selectively programmable.

11. The earphones system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold power level is a level that corresponds to a volume that may be harmful or cause discomfort to the user.

12. An earphones system for use with an audio player operative to output audio signals, the earphones system comprising:

a pair of earphones, each earphone being positionable within the ear of a user and operative to provide sound to the user when in electronic communication with the audio player; and

an insert detector operative to detect when the pair of earphones is positioned in the ears of the user.

13. The earphones system of claim 12, wherein the insert detector further comprises a microphone.

14. A method for providing audio signals to a user, the method comprising:

detecting the insertion of a pair of earphones into the ears of the user;

outputting audio signals from an audio player coupled to the earphones;

equalizing the audio signals output from the audio player;

monitoring the output power of the equalized audio signals; and

limiting the power of the equalized audio signals when above a threshold power level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the insertion of the pair of earphones comprises detecting one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising communicating insert detection information or volume information to the audio player.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein equalizing comprises modifying the audio signal to provide a custom frequency response over a range of frequencies.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving and processing signals received from electrodes configured to measure biological signals.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising selectively programming the threshold power level.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising selectively programming the threshold power level to a volume that may be harmful or cause discomfort to the user.

21. An apparatus for providing audio signals to a user, the apparatus comprising: an audio player operative to output the audio signals;

a pair of earphones positionable within a user's ears and operative to provide sound to the user when coupled to the audio player;

an equalizer operatively couplable between the audio player and the earphones, the equalizer being operative to modify the frequency response of the audio signals output from the audio player; and

22. A hearing aid system comprising:

an earmold positionable within the ear of a user;

a case; and

an insert detector operatively coupled to the earmold and the case, said insert detector configured to detect when the earmold and/or the case is positioned correctly with respect to the ear of the user.

23. The hearing aid system of claim 22, wherein the hearing aid system is operative to communicate insert detection information to an external device.

24. The hearing aid system of claim 23, wherein the external device is operative to generate an alert in response to receiving insert detection information indicating the earmold has dislodged from the ear of the user and/or that the case is not in a predetermined proper position.

25. The hearing aid system of claim 22, wherein the insert detector is operative to sense one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain.

26. The hearing aid system of claim 22, further comprising a communications port that facilitates wired or wireless coupling between the hearing aid system and an external device.

27. A method for monitoring use of a hearing aid, the method comprising:

monitoring insertion of a hearing aid in an ear of a first user;

detecting that the hearing aid is not positioned properly with respect to the ear of the first user;

transmitting a detection signal to an external device of a second user;

receiving the detection signal on the external device; and

generating an alert on the external device notifying the second user that the hearing aid is not positioned properly with respect to the ear of the first user.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring insertion of the hearing aid comprises measuring one or more of temperature, skin conductance, pressure, capacitance and strain.