Hearing assist device with external operational support

Abstract

Hearing assist devices and devices and services that are capable of providing external operational support thereto are described. In accordance with various embodiments, the performance of one or more functions by a hearing assist device is assisted or improved in some manner by utilizing resources of an external device and / or service to which the hearing assist device may be communicatively connected. Such performance assistance or improvement may be achieved, for example and without limitation, by utilizing power resources, processing resources, storage resources, sensor resources, and / or user interface resources of an external device or service to which the hearing assist device may be communicatively connected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 662,217, filed on Jun. 20, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The subject matter described herein relates to hearing assist devices and devices and services that are capable of providing external operational support to such hearing assist devices.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Persons may become hearing impaired for a variety of reasons, including aging and being exposed to excessive noise, which can both damage hair cells in the inner ear. A hearing aid is an electro-acoustic device that typically fits in or behind the ear of a wearer, and amplifies and modulates sound for the wearer. Hearing aids are frequently worn by persons who are hearing impaired to improve their ability to hear sounds. A hearing aid may be worn in one or both ears of a user, depending on whether one or both of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a hearing assist device that can be used to improve the ability of people with hearing impairments to hear sounds. The device uses a microphone to pick up the surrounding sound and a battery to power it. Most hearing aids are designed to consume battery power quickly, so it is important that the device is designed to not consume battery power too quickly. The device is also lightweight and small so that it is comfortable to wear and not readily discernible to others. The text also describes various configurations and methods for associating the device with a user's ear, including a multi-sensor hearing assist device that can communicate with external devices. The device can also wirelessly charge its battery and generate and broadcast filtered sound based on sensor data. The technical effects of the patent text are to provide a hearing assist device that is designed to improve the ability of people with hearing impairments to hear sounds and to be comfortable and inconspicuous to wear.

Problems solved by technology

Persons may become hearing impaired for a variety of reasons, including aging and being exposed to excessive noise, which can both damage hair cells in the inner ear.

Most expensive models adapt via operating modes.

Furthermore, it is desirable that hearing aids be lightweight and small so that they are comfortable to wear and not readily discernible to others.

If the hearing aid batteries are dead or a hearing aid is left at home, a wearer needing hearing aid support is at a loss.

This often results in someone raising their speaking volume to help the wearer hear what they are saying.

Unfortunately, because hearing problems often have a frequency profile, merely raising one's volume may not work.

Similarly, raising the volume on a cell phone may not adequately provide understandable audio to someone with hearing impairment.

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