Abstract:
A wireless signal processing device integrated with a hearing device is structured to form a wireless auditory system. Specifically, the system enables reception of radio and similar related broadcast, within a selected range of frequencies, directly into the hearing aid. A remote programmable unit operates as a transceiver and a selector to provide the user with several options to change frequencies, adjust volume and select among broadcast programs. A receiver is integrated with the hearing device to wirelessly receive transmission signals from the programmer unit. The hearing device may be fitted with a transceiver unit to directly receive and transmit signals. In this arrangement, the programmer unit is used to control channel, frequency and volume while simultaneously serving as a redundant reception and transmission unit. The system could be used to enable direct transfer of information, communication and entertainment in addition to its normal function as a hearing aid unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to implantable hearing aid technology. Specifically, the invention pertains to a wireless transfer and management of information in an implantable hearing aid device such that communications from radio, TV sound, intercom, telecom, cellular systems, computer generated sound and similar audio stimulus may be remotely received and heard via the implantable hearing device.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    In most types of partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing assistance systems, sounds produce mechanical vibrations which are transduced by an electromechanical input transducer into electrical signals. These electrical signals are in turn provided to an electronics unit which amplifies the signals to subsequently feed into an electromechanical output transducer. The electromechanical output transducer vibrates an ossicular bone in response to the applied amplified electrical signals. The vibration is communicated to the inner ear and, ultimately, hearing is improved.  
           [0005]    Although these types of hearing devices, as well as other hearing assistance systems, typically involve various mechanisms and electronics to convert mechanical vibrations to audible sound, they are not equipped to directly receive electronic signals from radio, TV and similar broadcast audio transmissions. Specifically, patients who wear hearing aid devices do not have the option to directly select and adjust broadcast frequencies adapted to their particular hearing aid features. Accordingly there is a need for a hearing device that is compatible with a wireless system to enable reception of a selectable set of frequencies from radio, TV and similar broadcast. Further there is a need to receive wireless transmission directly into a hearing aid device without an intermediate audio amplification or modification system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Accordingly, this invention provides a built-in receiver to receive broadcast from an external transmitter to directly receive RF broadcast in a hearing aid. A built in radio system with, preferably, a transceiver may be implemented in a hearing device to enable direct tuning and reception of certain broadcast programs. More specifically, a direct communication pipeline of information and entertainment is advantageously integrated with a hearing aid to enable a patient to directly access RF and similar transmissions. Optionally, a microphone may be implemented in any embodiment of this invention as a fail safe unit to enable the hearing device to receive a transmission in the event of failure of reception elements.  
           [0007]    Another embodiment of this invention provides a hand held transmitter that is adjustable and programmable to receive and transmit selected broadcast from radio, TV, cellular phone and any similar broadcasting device directly into the hearing aid device.  
           [0008]    In a further embodiment, a partially implantable unit including an RF link and a microphone and or transmitter assembled and adapted for cranial, subcranial, pectoral and dorsal implantation or to be worn externally, for example, as a necklace is used with the hearing assistance system.  
           [0009]    Accordingly the present invention generally and without limitations provides, inter alia, a broadcast receiver electronics built into the hearing device. The receiver electronics could implement a lead system from a transducer as an antenna. An external, preferably hand held, wireless programmer is used by the patient to control the hearing aid features including channel and frequency selections. Independent volume controls enable volume management and control from the broadcast unit and the input transducer. Alternately, the wireless programmer may be equipped to both receive and transmit signals to a receiver in the hearing aid. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a section of an anatomically normal human ear in which the present invention is implemented.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2A shows in block diagrams a representative circuit of a receiver.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2B shows in block diagrams a representative circuit of a transmitter.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2C shows in block diagrams a representative circuit of a transceiver.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2D shows in block diagrams the implementation of the present invention, fitted in a human ear.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the integration of the present invention with a middle ear implant hearing device.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a microphone is integrated with an external transmitter unit.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 shows a high level logic of the programmer as implemented in the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 shows a high level logic of a transceiver device implemented in the programmer and a unit in the hearing device.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates generally the use of the invention in a human auditory system. Sound waves are directed into an external auditory canal  20  by an outer ear (pinna)  25 . The frequency characteristics of the sound waves are slightly modified by the resonant characteristics of the external auditory canal  20 . These sound waves impinge upon the tympanic membrane (eardrum)  30 , interposed at the terminus of the external auditory canal  20 , between it and the tympanic cavity (middle ear)  35 . Variations in the sound waves produce tympanic vibrations. The mechanical energy of the tympanic vibrations is communicated to the inner ear, comprising cochlea  60 , vestibule  61 , and semicircular canals  62 , by sequence of articulating bones located in the middle ear  35 . This sequence of articulating bones is referred to generally as the, ossicular chain  37 . Thus, the tympanic membrane  30  and ossicular chain  37  transform acoustic energy in the external auditory canal  20  to mechanical energy at the cochlea  60 .  
         [0020]    The ossicular chain  37  includes three primary components: a malleus  40 , incus  45 , and a stapes  50 . The malleus  40  includes manubrium and head portions. The manubrium of the malleus  40  attaches to the tympanic membrane  30 . The head of the malleus  40  articulates with one end of the incus  45 . The incus  45  normally couples mechanical energy from the vibrating malleus  40  to the stapes  50 . The stapes  50  includes a capitulum portion, comprising a head and a neck, connected to a footplate portion by means of a support crus comprising two crura. The stapes  50  is disposed in and against a membrane-covered opening on the cochlea  60 . This membrane-covered opening between the cochlea  60  and middle ear  35  is referred to as the oval window  55 . Oval window  55  is considered part of cochlea  60  in this patent application. The incus  45  articulates the capitulum of the stapes  50  to complete the mechanical transmission path.  
         [0021]    Normally, prior to implantation of the invention, tympanic vibrations are mechanically conducted through the malleus  40 , incus  45 , and stapes  50 , to the oval window  55 . Vibrations at the oval window  55  are conducted into the fluid-filled cochlea  60 . These mechanical vibrations generate fluidic motion, thereby transmitting hydraulic energy within the cochlea  60 . Pressures generated in the cochlea  60  by fluidic motion are accommodated by a second membrane-covered opening on the cochlea  60 . This second membrane-covered opening between the cochlea  60  and middle ear  35  is referred to as the round window  65 . Round window  65  is generally considered part of cochlea  60  in this patent application. Receptor cells in the cochlea  60  translate the fluidic motion into neural impulses which are transmitted to the brain and perceived as sound. However, various disorders of the tympanic membrane  30 , ossicular chain  37 , and/or cochlea  60  can disrupt or impair normal hearing.  
         [0022]    A piezoelectric output transducer is also capable of effecting mechanical vibrations to the ossicular chain  37 . An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,366, issued to D. W. Schaefer on Mar. 8, 1988. In the &#39;366 patent, a mechanical-to-electrical piezoelectric input transducer is associated with the malleus  40 , transducing mechanical energy into an electrical signal, which is amplified and further processed. A resulting electrical signal is provided to an electrical-to-mechanical piezoelectric output transducer that generates a mechanical vibration coupled to an element of the ossicular chain  37  or to the oval window  55  or round window  65 . In the &#39;366 patent, the ossicular chain  37  is interrupted by removal of the incus  45 . Removal of the incus  45  prevents the mechanical vibrations delivered by the piezoelectric output transducer from mechanically feeding back to the piezoelectric input transducer.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIGS.  2 A- 2 D, an implantable middle ear hearing prosthesis includes a radio receiver  113  built into the electronics package. Generally, unit  112  is preferably structured in the manner of the receiver  113  wherein a receptor is wirelessly influenced by a radio or any similar frequency input. The input is fed into a front end or wide band filter which provides amplification and selectivity. The amplification chain increases the weak signal to a level sufficient to operate the detector which extracts the modulation information from the RF energy. The audio amplifier provides sufficient amplitude to the detached signal to drive transducer  110 . Subsequently, transducer  110  converts the detected signal to a form suitable for listening. Further, transmitter  115  is preferably structured for producing a signal or signals for broadcasting or communications purposes. Optionally, the signal consists of an electric current, radio waves, light, ultrasound, or any other compatible form of energy. The transmitter converts audio information into a signal to be sent to unit  112 . Transmitter  115  preferably includes an oscillator, a transducer, a modulator and a signal amplifier. The amplifier output is connected to an antenna system. The oscillator provides the carrier wave. The transducer converts audio information into electrical signals. The modulator impresses the output of the transducer onto the carrier wave. The amplifier increases the signal level to provide sufficient power for transmission over the required distance. The present invention may incorporate mixers to obtain mulitiband operation over the transmitter. In an alternate embodiment, audio information could be received by using the lead system to transducer  110  as an antenna.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2C shows transceiver  117  depicted in block diagrams.  
         [0025]    Programmer unit  114  includes transceiver  117  in addition to a receiver and a transmitter with a common frequency control. The principal components include a variable-frequency oscillator or channel synthesizer, a transmitter, a receiver and an antenna switching device. Generally, programmable unit  114  enables the user to select and set up frequencies and channels. Alternately, transceiver circuit  117  is advantageously incorporated into (receiver) unit  112 . In this embodiment, programmer unit  114  is preferably used for channel and frequency selection, volume adjustment and related functions.  
         [0026]    The present invention is intended to provide therapy to the broad patient population suffering from hearing loss ranges of 60 to 90 decibels. An implementation of the present invention may include the disarticulation or removal of one or more elements in the ossicular chain  37 . Disarticulation enables detection of sound from within the middle ear without the use of a microphone and without the possibility of acoustic feedback.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 3 programmer  114  receives radio, TV, intercom, telecom, voice and similar signals. Programmer unit  114  may include transceiver  117  and could be programmed to transmit a selected set of signals, which selection is made by the user (see FIG. 5). The selected entry of frequencies are isolated by the programmer and wirelessly transmitted to receiver  112 . The received impulse is introduced into transducer  110  and communicated to cochlea  65  wherein the auditory vibration is changed into nerve impulses for perception by the brain.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 shows the implementation of a fail safe device such as microphone  120 . If programmer  114  fails, microphone  120  could be used to provide audible sound to transducer  110 .  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a high level operational program logic of the hand held transceiver/programmer unit  114  is shown. Specifically, the program is started by the user under logic step  122  wherein the frequency selector is initiated. The user is prompted under logic step  124  to enter the selection of frequencies for reception by the implanted (receiver) unit  112 . Preferably, (receiver) unit  112  is set to receive specific frequencies from programmer  114 . Once the selection is made under logic step  124 , the program logic proceeds to decision block  126  where the system checks to see if there is transmission at the selected frequency. If the selected frequency does not match the available selection, the program logic reverts back to logic step  124  and prompts the user to enter another selection. Alternately, if the selected frequency is available, the program logic proceeds to logic step  128  where the transmission of the signal is executed at the selected frequency. Hereafter, the user may adjust the volume as needed and the session ends at logic step  130 .  
         [0030]    A further alternate embodiment includes the incorporation of transceiver circuit  117  in (receiver) unit  112 . This embodiment enables direct reception of a wireless transmission in the outer ear for subsequent transfer to transducer  110  and eventual auditory perception. In this embodiment, programmer unit  114  is used to adjust reception volume and select frequencies. Programmer unit  114  further functions as a fail safe redundant system in the event of failure of (receiver) unit  112 . Specifically, when unit  112  is fitted with circuit  117 , a transceiver is used to directly and wirelessly receive auditory RF signals and programmer  114  is used as a wireless channel and frequency selection system. However, if the transceiver circuit in unit  112  is malfunctioning, the transceiver in programmer  114  may be used to receive, transmit and program the user&#39;s selections, thus acting as a backup system for unit  112 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 shows a flow chart in which both programmer  114  and unit  112  are fitted with transceiver circuit  117 . The program starts at logic step  132  by initiating programmer  114 . Subsequently, a selector is activated at programmer  114  under logic step  134 . Further, the transceiver circuit at unit  112  in the hearing aid is initiated under logic step  136 . The subsequent logic includes decision block  138  in which the operational integrity of the transceiver in circuit  112  is verified. If the transceiver is functional, the program logic proceeds to logic step  140  where the signal is received in unit  112  and the selections and adjustments made as needed. In the alternate, if the transceiver in unit  112  is not operational, the program logic proceeds to logic step  142  where the transceiver at the programmer is initiated and the signal is sent to the unit  112  which is implemented to function as a receiver. Subsequently the signal is received by the receiver in unit  112  under logic step  144 . Thereafter the program logic advances to logic step  140  where the signal is received by the hearing aid and processed for auditory perception.  
         [0032]    The invention may alternately be used in the treatment of tinnitus. Tinnitus may be defined as “ringing” ears and similar head noises that are perceived without any external noise source or auditory stimulation. It is estimated that nearly 20% of the United States population experience a form of tinnitus. One method of treating tinnitus is by masking the sound. Masking involves the technique of generating external “white noise” sounds that mask the tinnitus to make it less audible to the patient and therefore less distracting. Masking devices come in both in-the-ear and portable models to produce sounds ranging from random white noise and other structured noise. Frequencies used are generally within a 1KHz-12KHz band. The RF signal of the present invention is advantageously adaptable to operate as a masker for tinnitus. Specifically, programmer unit  114  may be tuned to the proper AM/FM frequency to enable proper masking of the tinnitus. The hearing aid of the present invention enables fine tuning and adjustment of the RF signal to provide effective masking.  
         [0033]    Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been presented, it is contemplated that various changes could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, rather than by the description of the preferred embodiment.