Integrated hearing aid for telecommunications devices

Abstract

A system integrates a hearing aid with devices such as wireless telephones, advantageously avoiding radio frequency (RF) interference. In one embodiment, a processor transforms an electrical signal to compensate for a hearing impairment. The function used for signal transformation can be accessed via a processor memory enhancement such as a smart card. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the transformed signal to an analog signal, which then goes to an amplifier and speaker. In other embodiments, an analog amplifier transforms the electrical signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to telecommunications and telephonic devices, and more specifically to the use of telecommunications devices by wearers of hearing aids. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Millions of Americans suffer from hearing loss. Most commonly, hearing loss is of one of four types. In slope loss, the ability to hear high frequencies is lost while the ability to hear sounds in the low frequencies is retained. In reverse slope loss, the ability to hear low frequencies is lost while the ability to hear sounds in the high frequencies is retained. Less frequently, the hearer loses the ability to hear sounds in all normally audible frequencies. Finally, some people lose the ability to hear in only a small range of frequencies. [0003] Typically, someone who suffers from hearing loss wears a hearing aid. Hearing aids are electroacoustical devices worn to compensate for a hearing impairment by amplifying sound. They include aids pla...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention includes an apparatus and method which allow a hearing aid to be integrated into a sound-producing device. Sound-producing devices compatible with the invention include wireless communications devices such as cellular telephones. In such uses, the hearing aid can be integrated with the earpiece, such as a headset or a handset. A programmable hearing aid can be programmed to compensate for the wearer's specific hearing loss. The mounting of the hearing aid is accomplished so that RF interference in the hearing aid output is avoided compared with conventional systems.

Problems solved by technology

Finally, some people lose the ability to hear in only a small range of frequencies.

Although hearing aids are of particular use in conversations and other face-to-face situations, they are less useful when combined with signals from electronic device, such as a wireless telephone.

Feedback, distortion and radio frequency (RF) interference often interfere with a wearer's hearing aid.

Some hearing aid wearers report interference from simply walking past a wireless device in use.

As the use of wireless communications devices proliferates, this problem is becoming more and more serious.

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