Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Michael Helgeson

Jeffrey Paul Solum

Beau Jay Polinske

David Tourtelotte

Jay Rabel

Jorge F Sanguino

Kirk Klobe

Daniel Mark Edgar

Stephen Paul Flood

Thomas Howard Burns

An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.

Antennas for standard fit hearing assistance devices

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for programming and modifying hearing assistance devices via low energy digital communications. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of using a hearing assistance device. The method includes providing characteristics and descriptors of the hearing assistance device compatible with a low energy digital communication protocol, the characteristics and descriptors accessible to an external communication device. According to various embodiments, the method also includes accepting individual read/write cycles from an external communication device configured to use the low energy digital communication protocol to read and update the characteristics and descriptors using an abstraction layer. The hearing assistance device is configured to compensate for a wearer's hearing loss based on the updated characteristics and descriptors, in various embodiments.

Managing a hearing assistance device via low energy digital communications

A heating assistance device for a user comprising a housing, a three dimensional electronic substrate disposed in the housing, the substrate adapted to conform to a battery of the hearing assistance device and hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate. Various embodiments include a flexible antenna configured to conform around a portion of the substrate, and spring loaded electrical contacts on the substrate, the contacts configured to mechanically engage and electrically connect to the flexible antenna.

Three dimensional substrate for hearing assistance devices

Parallel antennas for standard fit hearing assistance devices

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved telecommunication for hearing instruments. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance method. The method includes receiving a first signal from a first hearing assistance device, receiving a second signal from a second hearing assistance device, and processing the first signal and the second signal to produce an output signal for use in telecommunication. In various embodiments, processing the first signal and the second signal includes comparing the first signal and the second signal, and selecting one or more of the first hearing assistance device and the second hearing assistance device for use in telecommunication based on the comparison. According to various embodiments, processing the first signal and the second signal includes combining the first signal and the second signal algorithmically to produce the output signal.

Systems and methods of telecommunication for bilateral hearing instruments

A hearing assistance device for a user comprising a housing, a three dimensional electronic substrate disposed in the housing, the substrate adapted to conform to a battery of the hearing assistance device and hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate.

An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises an enclosure that includes a faceplate and a shell attached to the faceplate, a power source, a flex antenna, a transmission line connected to the flex antenna, and radio circuit connected to the transmission line and electrically connected to the power source. The flex antenna has a shape of at least a substantially complete loop around the power source, and maintains separation from the power source.

Antennas for custom fit hearing assistance devices

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

Growing community of inventors

New Richmond, WI, United States of America

Michael Helgeson