U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Patient controlled master hearing aid

Patent 4759070 Issued on July 19, 1988. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject May 27, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

3784750

3818149

Method and apparatus for setting an aural prosthesis to provide specific auditory deficiency corrections
Patent #: 3989904
Issued on: 11/02/1976
Inventor: Rohrer ,   et al.

Hearing aid with recruitment compensation
Patent #: 4099035
Issued on: 07/04/1978
Inventor: Yanick

Digital hearing aid and method
Patent #: 4471171
Issued on: 09/11/1984
Inventor: K/o/ pke ,   et al.

Apparatus for use in the adjustment of the secondary adjustment means of a hearing aid
Patent #: 4575586
Issued on: 03/11/1986
Inventor: Topholm

Method of fitting hearing prosthesis to a patient having impaired hearing
Patent #: 4577641
Issued on: 03/25/1986
Inventor: Hochmair ,   et al.

Method for quantitatively measuring a hearing defect Patent #: 4637402
Issued on: 01/20/1987
Inventor: Adelman

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 06/867487 filed on 05/27/1986

US Classes:

381/60, Testing of hearing aids381/328, Ear insert600/559Ear or testing by auditory stimulus

Examiners

Primary: Brown, Thomas W.
Assistant: Schroeder, L. C.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

H04R 25/00 (20060101)
A61B 5/12 (20060101)

Abstract

A programmable patient controlled master hearing aid is disclosed which consists of a hearing aid test module, an operator's console and a patient's console, both of which are microprocessor based, and all of which are interconnected to provide a testing apparatus which is used by the patient to select electronic components to be imployed in a hearing aid. The testing device has selectable electronic components that match the components which will be used in the hearing aid which the patient selects as best assisting or addressing the patient's hearing loss. The patient is located in the center of a sound field created by multiple speakers which accurately reproduce both pre-recorded environmental background sounds and pre-recorded or live "target-stimuli" such as speech. Thus surrounded by a simulation of real-world listening situations, the patient initially selects a hearing aid shell assembly which comfortably fits in the patient's ear. A test module which is connected to the patient's console is then employed which snaps into the hearing aid shell assembly and provides decision tree choices of electronic components and concomitant sound qualities which the patient chooses by listening to various combinations of components and sound conditions. The patient chooses those components which give the most acceptable amplification and performance characteristics, which best address the patient's hearing loss. Similarly, tinnitus conditions can be addressed as well.After the patient has completed the test procedure and selected those components which best address the patient's hearing condition, electronic components with the same specifications as those used during testing are snapped into the earshell assembly used during the test so that the patient can leave with the hearing aid that he or she has selected.

Other References

  • Hearing Aid Journal, article entitled "New Master Hearing Aid with Flexibility for Research", Martin, Apr., 1981, pp. 7, 39-41
  • Amplification for the Hearing-Impaired, Ed. Pollack, "Chapter 9: The Search for a Master Hearing Aid", Berger 1980; New York, Grune & Straton; pp. 305-322
  • Application of Signal Processing Concepts to Hearing Aids, "Chapter 5: The Master Hearing Aid", Franks, 1978; pp. 85-124
  • Perspectives on the State of Hearing Aid Fitting Practices, Voroba, four page pamphlet reprinted from article published in Audecibel, vol. 31(2), 1982, pp. 12-16
  • A Tool for the Optimization of Hearing Aid Fittings, Voroba, four page pamphlet reprinted from article published in Hearing Instruments, Jan. 1984
  • Sound Pressure Instruments, published in "Hearing Instruments", Feb. 1977
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