Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Argosy Electronics, Inc.

Micro Ear Technology, Inc.

Other

Oticon A/s

Sonion Nederland B.v.

Starkey Kaboratories, Inc

James R Newton

Sidney A Higgins

Michael Karl Sacha

David A Preves

Wei Li Lin

Garry Richardson

Lawrence T Hagen

Thomas A Victorian

Harikrishna P Natarajan

Onno Geschiere

Mark Anthony Seel

Matthias Müllenborn

Per Kokholm Sørensen

Peter Salmi

Zheng Yan

Loren S Brink

Howard Kill

Howard Nicol

Per K Sorensen

Matthias Mullenborn

The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors, Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

Modular connection assembly for a hearing assistance device

The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid.

Hearing aid with magnetostrictive electroactive sensor

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for detecting and switching battery polarity in a battery charger. In various embodiments, a method includes grounding a first terminal of a battery inserted in a charger and sensing a bipolar voltage from a second terminal of the battery. The bipolar voltage is converted to a reduced unipolar voltage for sensing by an input to a microcontroller. A low resistance analog switch connects the battery to a charging circuit. The switch state of the analog switch is controlled using an output of the microcontroller, to present the proper battery polarity to the charging circuit based on the unipolar voltage. The battery is charged using the charging circuit, in various embodiments.

Detecting and switching battery polarity in a battery charger

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for controlling operation of a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device worn by a wearer. The method includes tracking eye movements of the wearer using a sensor on or in the hearing assistance device to obtain an electrooculogram (EOG). At least one parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted using the EOG, according to various embodiments.

Electrooculogram as a control in a hearing assistance device

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for detecting battery chemistry or battery type and reconfiguring a hearing assistance device based on the detected battery. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method of operating a hearing assistance device having a battery. A voltage of the battery is detected at a predetermined load current and a battery chemistry or battery type is determined based on the detected voltage. An operating parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type, in various embodiments. Examples of adjustments made based on the determined battery chemistry or battery type include gain, feedback cancellation (FBC) filter, self-diagnostic thresholds of the hearing assistance device, indicator loudness, low battery set point, or an end-of-discharge battery set point.

Automatic reconfiguration of a hearing assistance device based on battery characteristics

The present subject matter of the invention relates generally to the management of electromagnetic fields in hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids, and in particular to an insulated electromagnetic shield design for hearing assistance devices. The present disclosure includes various embodiments for electromagnetic shielding of a receiver using a magnetic shield that is electrically insulated from the receiver casing and electronics.

Method and apparatus for an insulated electromagnetic shield for use in hearing assistance devices

A hearing aid is powered by a rechargeable battery and senses a sound signal being a magnetic field using a telecoil. The hearing aid includes a battery recharge coil for receiving power from a hearing aid charger via an inductive couple. The telecoil and the inductive coil are integrated into a single device.

Hearing aid with integrated telecoil and battery recharge coil

A communication device comprising a coated surface having a fine grained coating, the coating including a high nickel content to provide magnetic shielding. The present coating process can be applied to a variety of components and surfaces to provide magnetic shielding in a communications device. Such devices, include, but are not limited to cell phones, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices.

Growing community of inventors

Burnsville, MN, United States of America

James R Newton