20240040323. SOUND AWARENESS HEARING PROSTHESIS simplified abstract (Cochlear Limited)
Contents
SOUND AWARENESS HEARING PROSTHESIS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Peter Bart Jos Van Gerwen of Keerbergen (BE)
SOUND AWARENESS HEARING PROSTHESIS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240040323 titled 'SOUND AWARENESS HEARING PROSTHESIS
Simplified Explanation
The present application discloses a hearing prosthesis that is designed to alert a user to the presence of sound when operating in a sound awareness mode. Traditionally, when the external sound processor and microphone of a hearing aid are removed, no audio stimulus is produced. However, the systems and methods described in this patent application aim to notify the user of sounds in their environment when the external components are disconnected from the internal components of the hearing prosthesis. In some embodiments, the hearing prosthesis may include an implanted acoustic receiver that can detect a sound above a chosen threshold level, such as a loud sound like a fire alarm.
- The patent application describes a hearing prosthesis that alerts users to sounds in their environment when the external sound processor and microphone are removed.
- The system includes an implanted acoustic receiver that can detect loud sounds above a threshold level.
- The threshold level can be set to detect sounds like fire alarms.
- The purpose of this technology is to provide sound awareness to users even when they are not wearing the external components of the hearing prosthesis.
Potential Applications:
- Enhancing sound awareness for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Improving safety by alerting users to important sounds in their environment, such as emergency alarms or sirens.
- Assisting individuals who may need to remove the external components of their hearing prosthesis temporarily but still want to be aware of sounds around them.
Problems Solved:
- Traditional hearing prostheses do not provide any audio stimulus when the external components are removed, which can limit sound awareness for users.
- Users may miss important sounds in their environment when the external components are not connected.
Benefits:
- Increased sound awareness and safety for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Flexibility for users to temporarily remove the external components while still being alerted to important sounds.
- Improved quality of life for individuals with hearing loss by providing a more comprehensive hearing solution.
Original Abstract Submitted
the present application discloses a hearing prosthesis configured to alert a user of the presence of sound while operating in a sound awareness mode of operation. when a user of the hearing aid removes the external sound processor and microphone, traditionally, a hearing prosthesis does not produce any audio stimulus. here, the systems and methods will alert a user to sounds in his or her environment when the external sound processor and microphone are decoupled from the internal components of the hearing prosthesis. in some embodiments, the hearing prosthesis may have an acoustic receiver that is implanted in the recipient. the implanted acoustic detector may be used to detect an aspect of a sound above a threshold level. the threshold may be chosen so the detected sound is a loud sound such as a fire alarm.
