Albert Eggert

Digital hearing aid and method

To match the operation of a digital hearing aid directly to user requirements, and to reprogram the hearing aid as the hearing aid and/or user response characteristics change, a digital data processing element (12) processing digitized audio signals is connected to a programmable memory such as an EEPROM or an EARAM which stores predetermined frequency vs. amplitude transfer functions in accordance with user requirements or preference and/or hearing aid operation. Additionally, a memory (ROM 17) is provided storing a test program which causes the digital processor to generate test frequencies or tones at varying amplitudes, so that the transfer function in the programmable memory (15) can be changed or modified by operation of a switch (19) which can be manually user-operated or automatically, for example by measuring stapedius reflexes. After setting or changing the transfer function in the programmable memory (15), the normal program of the digital data processor--which can be of standard construction--is engaged by switch-over by a user-controlled transfer switch (18).

Hearing aid responsive to signals inside and outside of the audio frequency range

A hearing aid having a microphone (10), a microcomputer (12) for digital signal processing of digitized microphone signals and an electroacoustic converter (14) for acoustic reproduction of the processed digitized signals, is equipped with at least one further sensor (16, 18) responsive to signals outside the acoustical range of audibility. These further sensor signals are processed according to a different program stored in a second memory (19) and supplied as additional data via an output (B2) of the microcomputer (12) preferably to the electro-acoustical converter (14). As a result, data such as the signals of a traffic light transmitter, signals from a paging system, or signals announcing a telephone call, door bell or the like, can be superimposed on the normal auditory functions. By appropriately coordinate signal trains, for example generated in accordance with the program stored in the second memory, a hearing-impaired person can easily distinguish among these additional functions.

Miniature hearing aid

The housing is essentially spherically shaped, formed with a flattened end wall (14), through which a sound receiving opening (42) extends in axial direction, located eccentrically with respect to the spherical housing. A volume control button (50) covers the sound receiving opening, the volume control button being maintained by a small distance (h) spaced from the spherical end wall to permit entry of sound to the sound receiving opening, while preventing masking of the sound receiving opening by the finger of a user, and free entry of contamination thereto. Preferably, the button is connected to the volume control element by an inwardly extending collar (52) which snaps over an adjustment rim (35) on a volume control positioned axially centrally on a printed circuit board (31) secured within the housing and passing through a central opening (47) formed therein. The flat end wall (14) can be formed with additional openings to permit access to adjustment screwdriver heads (36) of trimmer resistors, the additional openings likewise being masked by the volume control button for protection and to prevent contamination.

Modular hearing aid

A hearing aid has a circuit board having conductor strips thereon; first plug-in elements mounted on the circuit board and being electrically connected to selective conductor strips; a plurality of circuit board-supported modular structural units; and second plug-in elements mounted on each circuit board-supported modular structural unit. The first plug-in elements cooperate with respective second plug-in elements for securing selected circuit board-supported modular structural units on the circuit board.

Body vibration pickup

In a body vibration pickup including a housing, a piezoelectric element disposed in the housing and a vibration conductor mounted to conduct sound vibrations of a body to the piezoelectric element, a diaphragm is disposed in the housing between the piezoelectric element and the vibration conductor in an electrically conductive manner, and a resilient cast mass is disposed in the housing and the diaphragm, the piezoelectric element and the part of the vibration conductor which extends into the housing are embedded therein.

Hearing aid with audio path duct extension element, and extension element attachment

To match the frequency characteristics of the audio or acoustic path of a hearing aid to the remainder of the hearing aid system, an acoustic path extension element (10, 25, 40, 48, 52) is interposed in the acoustic path, the extension element being structural components separable and independent of the housing of the hearing aid, although it may be retained therein (FIG. 3), to permit matching of elements having different path lengths to the hearing aid. In a preferred form, the entrance and exit openings of the separable element are coaxial to permit replacement of existing audio duct connecting tubes, at least in part, by the element and thus permit adaptation and retrofitting of hearing aids with the matching element.

Hearing-aid with integrated circuit electronics

A hearing-aid has an electronic voltage stabilizing circuit (16) to compensate for change in supply voltage due to battery (18) aging and use. The electret microphone (11) is located within a housing, the voltage stabilizing circuit (16) being located within the same microphone housing, thus requiring no additional space or terminal connections. Preferably, an impedance transformer is provided; the electronic components (31-34) are placed on the same semi-conductor chip as the components (35, 36) of the voltage stabilizing circuit.