Method and apparatus for hearing aid subscription support
US8767986B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/55
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hearing aid distribution and service plan based on periodic subscription serves a wide range of hearing aid users with various needs for functionality and considerations for financial or value. One or more codes are provided for each hearing aid to allow for fitting by an authorized professional and enablement of one or more specified functions for a specified period. In various examples, the present hearing aid includes hearing assistance circuitry with a programming lock configured to receive an unlocking signal and a locking signal. In various examples, a hearing aid fitting device for communicating with a hearing aid includes a user interface configured to receive a lock code enabling a lock functionality that allows the hearing aid to be unlocked for fitting and locked for preventing from the fitting. The present application includes variations of a method for subscription-based hearing aid distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.