Method and apparatus for hearing aid location

US9078074B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Starkey Laboratories, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Bryant Sorensen · Colorado Springs, US
• Jeffrey Paul Solum · Greenwood, US
• Andrea Lea Pociecha · Apple Valley, US
• Krishna Sarbadhikari Rodemerk · Hopkins, US
• Jay Ashwin Shah · Eden Prairie, US
• John E. Overland · Plymouth, US
• John Juri Jurisoo · Hopkins, US
• Charles William Reid, II · Shoreview, US
• Nasser Thomas Pooladian · Roseville, US
• Jorge F. Sanguino · Hopkins, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 26, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04R2225/51
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A hearing aid includes electronics, a physically manipulable member, and a receiver. The receiver is configured to output sound in a first mode at a first decibel level and in a second mode at a second decibel level higher than the first decibel level. The first mode is based on an input from a microphone. The second mode is based on the physically manipulable member not having been manipulated over a selected period of time. In various examples, wireless approaches are used to perform location identification. Examples using antennas and radio frequency identification (RFID) are provided. Various location approaches are possible using different location tones and methods for generation of such tones. Other apparatus are provided for location identification in a system with one or more hearing aids.