Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Thomas A Victorian

David A Preves

J Virgil Bradley

James R Newton

Jeffrey Paul Solum

Rob Duchscher

Randy L Magstadt

Terrance A Ruzicka

JVirgil Bradley

Ear-level full duplex audio communication systems each include one or two ear attachment devices, such as in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, that wirelessly communicates to a remote device such as a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a walkie talkie, or a language translator. When used as a hearing aid, such a system allows a hearing impaired individual to communicate with or through the remote device, such as to talk to another person through a cellular phone. When being used as an ear piece wirelessly extended from the remote device, such system allows an individual with normal hearing to privately communicate with or through the remote device without the need of holding the device or wearing any device wired to the remote device. Each ear attachment device includes a voice operated exchange (VOX), housed within the device, to preserve energy and hence, maximize the period between battery replacement or recharges. The VOX also gates various sounds detected by the system to control possible echoes and ringing.

External ear canal voice detection

The present subject matter provides a system for wireless communications between one or more wireless audio devices and other electronics for providing a rich set of streaming audio, control, programming and enhanced hearing functions.

Communication system for wireless audio devices

A hearing communication device with wireless components is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to hearing communication devices, which include, but are not limited to, hearing aids and other hearing assistance devices. According to an embodiment, the device includes an enclosure and at least one microphone within the enclosure. The device also includes an amplifier, a speaker, and a signal processing circuit within the enclosure. In various embodiments, the device includes a power supply, such as a battery, electrically connected to the at least one microphone, the amplifier, the speaker and the signal processing circuit. In varying embodiments, at least one of the at least one microphone, the amplifier, the speaker and the signal processing circuit is adapted to communicate wirelessly. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Method and apparatus for wireless components for hearing communication devices

The present subject matter includes a hearing aid housing, a microphone, a wireless communication circuit, hearing aid electronics disposed in the housing, the hearing aid electronics connected to the wireless communication circuit and the microphone, an insertion removal handle connected to the hearing aid housing, the insertion removal handle extending away from the hearing aid housing and an antenna disposed within the insertion removal handle, the antenna connected to the wireless communication circuit, wherein at least a portion of the antenna disposed within the insertion removal handle is coiled.

Method and apparatus for a wireless hearing aid antenna

One aspect relates to a hearing aid having a housing with a face plate to which a handle is connected. Additionally, an at least partially coiled antenna is located proximal to the face plate. Another aspect relates to an apparatus comprised of a means for locating hearing aid components in a housing, a means for inserting and removing the hearing aid with a handle, a means for connecting the handle to the housing, and a means for integrating an antenna with the handle, wherein the antenna is located proximal to the housing. Another aspect relates to a method of making a hearing aid, including connecting an antenna to a handle and connecting the handle to the hearing aid, wherein the antenna is located proximate to the hearing aid housing.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Thomas A Victorian