Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a hearing aid apparatus which can function in a hearing aid state and a communications state, by automatically switching between the hearing aid state and the communications state. Exemplary embodiments combine the functions of headset operation and hearing aid operation into an apparatus which can connect with communication devices and which can automatically reconfigure itself to function as a hearing aid for addressing a hearing impairment of the user. Exemplary embodiments can be configured small and comfortable to permit wear over extended periods of time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to hearing aid devices, and more particularly, to hearing aid devices which can alternately function as two-way communication devices.  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    Hearing aid devices are well known, and are used to improve the quality of an individual&#39;s hearing by amplifying portions of sound that are particular to the individual&#39;s hearing impairment. Known hearing aids typically include a sound pick-up device, such as a microphone, located in a vicinity of the individual&#39;s ear, some processing circuitry for modifying the sound, and an output device such as a speaker for providing the modified sound to the ear canal of the individual. An exemplary hearing aid device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,806, entitled “Hearing Aid Amplifier”. This patent describes a programmable hearing aid amplifier having a multiple band amplification with controllable gain and compression signal processing characteristics. The processed signal is fed to a power amplifier to drive a hearing aid transducer, such as a speaker. The hearing aid amplifier includes various bandpass restricted channels for individually shaping the gain, attack and decay characteristics of the selected channel. Signals are supplied to the channels via a high pass filter connected to a microphone input.  
           [0005]    Although devices as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,806 are typically used exclusively for addressing hearing impairments, it is also known to use similar devices as communication devices for unimpaired users as well. For example, communication devices are known which use headsets for conveying sound from any of a variety of sources including, but not limited to, telephone networks, portable radios or CD players, or from any other sound transmitting system such that sound can be delivered with relatively high quality to the ear of the user without disturbing others in a vicinity of the user. Such systems have also found widespread use in communication devices used by police, firefighters, secret service agents and the like to receive sound transmissions from remote locations and to transmit sound to the remote locations.  
           [0006]    In some cases, the capabilities of a hearing aid device and a two-way communication device have been combined. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,783 entitled “Hearing Aid With Wireless Remote Processor” describes a hearing aid device which can communicate with, for example, a cellular telephone system or other source of information. As described therein, an ear piece headset interacts with a remote processing unit to process ambient sound in a manner which addresses the hearing impairment of the user. The remote processing unit can include, as an optional feature, a telephone transceiver for communication with a secondary wireless link. However, in such an embodiment, the transceiver unit includes push buttons and controls which the user must activate to communicate via the secondary wireless link.  
           [0007]    In addition, conventional communication headsets cannot function effectively with hearing aids. That is, individuals with hearing impairments cannot easily function in jobs requiring headset use, or cannot use headsets to improve communication with secondary sources. Further, hearing aids do not allow bidirectional communication signals to be sent between the hearing aid and communication devices such that the hearing impaired can have the signal processing associated with their hearing enhancement exploited during the use of the communication devices.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for a hearing aid device which can function as a communication earpiece for bidirectional communication with a remote source, and which can switch between a hearing aid mode, when not in use as a communication device, and a communications mode for bidirectional communication with secondary sources.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention is directed to a hearing aid apparatus which can function in a hearing aid mode wherein the apparatus can automatically and alternately switch between a hearing aid state and a communications state, or be used in a communications mode wherein the apparatus can automatically and alternately switch between a communications state and a sleep state. Exemplary embodiments combine the functions of headset operation and hearing aid operation into an apparatus which can connect with communication devices and which can automatically reconfigure itself to function as a hearing aid for addressing a hearing impairment of the user. Exemplary embodiments can be made small and comfortable to permit wear over extended periods of time.  
           [0010]    Generally speaking, exemplary embodiments are directed to a hearing aid apparatus comprising a first signal path having a microphone for receiving sound in a vicinity of a user, a processor for processing the sound into processed sound, and a speaker for outputting the processed sound into a vicinity of an ear canal of a user. The apparatus also includes a second signal path for establishing communication between at least a portion of the first signal path and a location remote from the user. A switch is provided for automatically selecting the first signal path or the second signal path in response to detected occurrence of a predetermined condition of the second signal path.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a hearing aid apparatus configured for two-way communications in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 shows an operational state diagram associated with the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 shows a hearing aid apparatus  100  having a first signal path, associated with a hearing aid state. The first signal path is established between a microphone  102 , configured to receive sound in a vicinity of a user, and an output device such as a speaker  106 . A processor  104  is provided for processing sound received via the microphone into processed sound. The sound can, for example, be processed to accommodate a hearing impairment of the user. An output of the sound processor is supplied along the first signal path into a vicinity of an ear canal of the user, via use of the speaker  106 .  
         [0015]    The hearing aid apparatus  100  can alternately establish a second signal path for communication between at least a portion of the first signal path and a location remote from the user. For example, the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment shows a second signal path which can be established from the microphone  102  to a location remote from the user via a connection to a cell phone or radio  108 . Alternately, the signal path can be established from the cell phone or radio  108  back to the hearing aid apparatus for output into a vicinity of an ear canal of the user via the speaker  106 .  
         [0016]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the alternate selection of the first signal path or the second signal path is achieved via inclusion of a switch  110 . The switch  110  can selectively close the path between the microphone  102  and the speaker  106  during a hearing aid state, or can alternately establish signal paths between the microphone  102  or speaker  106  and the remote location represented by the cell phone of a telephone network or radio  108 , during a communications state.  
         [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the switching between the hearing aid state and the communications state can be achieved automatically, in response to a detected occurrence of a predetermined condition of the second signal path. In the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, a detector  112  is illustrated for providing an automatic switching between the first signal path of the hearing aid state and the second signal path of the communications state in response to a predetermined condition.  
         [0018]    More particularly, switching from the hearing aid state to the communications state can be effected automatically in response to detection of a predetermined condition, such as the detection of a ring signal from the exemplary cell phone  108 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, cell phones include a signal output to indicate a ring condition when a call is being received, and the detector  112  can be used to sense this signal. In response thereto, the detector can initiate a reconfiguration of the switch from the hearing aid state and use of the first signal path, to the communications state and use of the second signal path.  
         [0019]    Alternately, automatic switching from the hearing aid state to the communications state can be achieved , in response to a predetermined condition, such as a detection of a user request to initiate a call via cell phone  108 . For example, the detector  112  can be used to detect an active telephone line when, for example, the user wishes to place a call. In this case, the detector monitors the speaker output line of the telephone and performs the switching function so as to activate the second signal path and deactivate the first signal path.  
         [0020]    The switch from the hearing aid state to the communications state need not only be effected in response to automated detection of a predetermined condition. For example, the switch can also be effected manually via a manually controlled switch  174  that, in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, is associated with the detector  112 .  
         [0021]    The switching back from the second signal path of the communications state to the first signal path of the hearing aid state can also be effected automatically or manually. For example, automatic switching can be effected using a timeout function such that when the second communications path is inactive for a predetermined time (e.g., ten seconds, or any other set time), the switch  110  automatically returns to the hearing aid state wherein the first signal path between microphone  102  and speaker  106  is activated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that whenever the second signal path (i.e., the communications state) is active, a low level signal will exist on the line (e.g., tonal signal, background signal or other signal) and can be used as a measurable parameter to determine that the line is active. When the user completes communications over the second signal path, this signal will disappear. After it has disappeared for the predetermined period of time, a switch back to the activation of the first signal path can be effected via switch  110 .  
         [0022]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by providing a timeout feature, occasional drop-out of the low level signal will not result in an immediate switch back to the hearing aid state. The timeout is selected to accommodate the possibility of brief drop-outs of the low level signals, but is not so long as to cause an undesired delay in the switching operation.  
         [0023]    Alternately, or in addition to the automatic switching between the hearing aid state and the communications state, the manually controlled switch  174  can be provided to effect a switch between the communications state and the hearing aid state. For example, the user can activate the manually controlled switch  174  to toggle between the hearing aid state and the communications state.  
         [0024]    The foregoing automatic and manual switching between a hearing aid state and a communications state is reflected in a hearing mode  202  of the FIG. 2 state diagram.  
         [0025]    Although the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment can be configured to have a single hearing aid mode  202  that can be switched between two states (for example, the hearing aid state and communications state), those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of states can be employed. For example, in addition to, or in lieu of, the two states described, a sleep state can be provided to conserve power.  
         [0026]    Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any number of operational modes, each having any number of states can be employed. For example, the FIG. 1 switch  174 , rather than merely effecting manual switching between two states within a hearing mode, can be used to define different modes of operation, wherein each mode has different operational states. More particularly, as illustrated in the state diagram of FIG. 2, the switches  172  and  174  can be used to not only manually toggle between the hearing aid state and the communications state, but can be used to define two different modes of operation shown in FIG. 2 as a hearing aid (e.g., hearing health care, or HHC) mode  202  and a communications (e.g., telecommunications) mode  204 .  
         [0027]    A user can select which mode is appropriate for that user, depending upon whether or not the user has a hearing impairment, and from that point forward, generally the apparatus will be used only in the selected mode. Thus, mode selection will be used rarely and primarily to configure the apparatus for a particular user&#39;s needs at the time of acquisition. However, should a user subsequently require the opposite mode (for example, if a user develops a hearing impairment during the useful life of the apparatus), the apparatus can, at any time, be switched to the desired mode.  
         [0028]    In an exemplary embodiment, to change the hearing aid mode  202  to the communications mode  204 , the user first places the apparatus into the communications state associated with the hearing aid mode by momentary activation of push button  174 , e.g., as if to initiate a call. Then the user subsequently depresses manual push button  172 , which changes the mode and places the apparatus into the sleep state associated with the communications mode. The hearing aid state of the hearing aid mode is the default state for that mode, and the sleep state of the communications mode is the default state for that mode. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is moved from one mode to the other via the default states.  
         [0029]    To change from the communications mode  204  to the hearing aid mode  202 , the user first places the apparatus into the communications state associated with the communications mode by momentary activation of push button  172 , e.g., as if to initiate a call. Then the user depresses manual push button  174 , which changes the mode and places the apparatus into the hearing aid state of the hearing aid mode. The mode and state changing methods are shown in the diagram of FIG. 2.  
         [0030]    When the apparatus is placed into the communications mode by a momentary depression of switch  174  followed by a momentary depression of switch  172 , the apparatus can automatically alternate between a communications state for communicating via cell phone/radio  108  and a sleep state. However, when the apparatus is placed into the hearing aid mode by a momentary depression of switch  174 , the apparatus can automatically alternate between a communications state for communicating via cell phone/radio  108  and a hearing aid state.  
         [0031]    Switch  172  can be used to manually effect the sleep state in either mode. When in the sleep state, at least some components of the FIG. 1 apparatus are powered down to conserve battery power. The operational characteristics associated with the automatic awaking of the apparatus from the sleep state will differ depending on whether the apparatus is in the communications mode or the hearing aid mode. However, when manually placed into the sleep state via momentary depression of switch  172 , switch  174  has no effect on operation of apparatus  100 .  
         [0032]    More particularly, when the hearing aid mode is selected via switch  174 , the apparatus  100  will automatically switch between the hearing aid state and the communications state (e.g., incoming calls will activate the communications state). The apparatus will not automatically enter the sleep state. However, manual activation of the sleep state via switch  172  will power down components of the apparatus  100  until the sleep state is manually deactivated (see hearing aid mode  202  of FIG. 2).  
         [0033]    When the communications mode  204  is selected via the FIG. 1 switches  172  and  174 , the hearing aid mode  202  is disabled. When the communications state is inactive, the apparatus will automatically switch to the sleep state. Placement into the sleep state will result in a shutdown of power to various components of the FIG. 1 apparatus (such as the processor  104 ) until either an incoming signal via cell phone/radio  108  is detected, or an outgoing signal to cell phone/radio  108  is desired. In the communications mode, switch  172  can be used to place the apparatus into a sleep state wherein power consumption is conserved until the apparatus is manually switched out of the sleep state via switch  172  to, for example, initiate a call or, as described above, an incoming call automatically does so. Alternately, the apparatus will automatically revert to the sleep state upon termination of a call and time out of detector  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, an option can be included whereby incoming calls can still be received when in a sleep state by powering up the apparatus for the duration of the call in response to the detection of the incoming call (or communications signal) via detector  112 . Subsequent activation of switch  174  will toggle the FIG. 1 apparatus back into the hearing aid mode, wherein the sleep state can only be activated or deactivated in response to switch  172 .  
         [0034]    Having provided an overview of the functionality of the FIG. 1 apparatus, aspects of the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment will now be described in greater detail. The microphone  102 , processor  104  and speaker  106  can be configured in known fashion. For example, these components of the hearing aid apparatus  100  can be configured in accordance with hearing aid devices such as those described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,806, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Alternately, the processor can be any hearing aid processor, including, but not limited to, those available from GN ReSound, such as the GN ReSound products BTP, BT4 or EDS, the specification sheets of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. As shown, the exemplary processor  104  includes circuitry for processing the output from a microphone, represented as a preamplifier  114  and automatic gain control feedback block  116  that turns the preamplifier into an automatic gain control (AGC) preamplifier to prevent signal distortion by limiting the outputs of the preamplifier. The output from the AGC preamplifier  114  is directed to a bandsplit filter  118  which supplies the microphone output to multiple channels of the processor  104 .  
         [0035]    As shown, the output from the bandsplit filter is supplied to a first channel which includes a high band compressor circuit  120 , a controllable high pass gain block  122 , and an amplifier  124 . Another output of the bandsplit filter is supplied via an RC circuit that includes a resistor  126  and a capacitor  128 , the resistor being in parallel with a switch  130 . This second channel includes a low band compressor  132  and a low pass gain block  134 , as well as an output amplifier  136 . Outputs from the multiple channels of the processor are summed and supplied via the switch controlled by the detector  112 , via a capacitive filter  138  and a driver amplifier  140  to the speaker  106 .  
         [0036]    The parameters used to control the various channels of the processor  104  can be adjusted and supplied to the processor via a controller  142  of the hearing aid apparatus. This controller can also be configured in a manner similar to the control circuitry described in the aforementioned U.S. Patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,806, or in any known fashion. The controller, like the processor can be obtained from GN ReSound in any of a variety of available products including, but not limited to, the GN ReSound BTP, BT4 or ED3. Information used to program the various components of the multiple channels in the processor can be stored in a memory, such as the EEPROM device  144  shown in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 1, the controller  142  includes a voltage supply, such as a switchable voltage supply V cc , to supply non-detector circuits. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller  142  is coupled to the EEPROM device  144  via a signal path  146  that supplies an Enable Autodetect function. By supplying an enable signal on signal path  146 , the apparatus  100  is enabled to permit an automatic switching between the first and second signal paths. Control signals from the controller  144  control the various switches  110 ,  130  of the FIG. 1 embodiment via signal paths  143  in response to outputs from the detector  112 , which are supplied to the EEPROM device  144  via the controller  142  and signal paths  145 ,  147 .  
         [0038]    A signal path  148  from the EEPROM  144  to the controller  142  is used to place the hearing aid apparatus in a hearing aid mode or in a communications mode, in response to inputs from the switches  172  and  174  associated with the detector  112 . For example, a logic level high on the signal path  148  can be used to place the hearing aid apparatus into a hearing aid mode (designated hearing health care, or HHC, mode), while a logic level low on signal path  148  can place the hearing aid apparatus  100  into a non-HHC, or communication, mode.  
         [0039]    The switch  166  can also be used, when switching between the hearing aid state and the communications state, to initiate the download of either a communications program for controlling sound processing in the second path or a hearing aid program for controlling sound processing in the first path. Depending on the state of operation, the appropriate data is transferred from the EEPROM  144  into registers of the controller  142 .  
         [0040]    The programs stored in the EEPROM can be first and second sets of sound processing control parameters for each of the components in the first and second channels (or any number of channels) of processor  104  for use in the hearing aid state and the communications state, respectively. The information stored in these registers is used to control components of the processor  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the controller  142  is configured as a digital chip, and information stored in the registers is supplied, via digital-to-analog converters, as control currents used by processor  104 , which in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, is an analog processor. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller  142  and the processor  104  can be configured as analog devices, as digital devices, or as any combination of analog or digital devices.  
         [0041]    As already mentioned, the components of the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment can be configured in a manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,806 or as disclosed in hearing aid processors available from GNReSound. Alternately, or in addition, these devices can be configured in a manner as described in any one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,517 entitled “VARIOLOSSER”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,761 entitled “LOW VOLTAGE PROGRAMMABLE COMPRESSOR”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,762 entitled “MULTI-BAND PROGRAMMABLE COMPRESSION SYSTEM”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,912 entitled “MULTI-BAND PROGRAMMABLE COMPRESSION SYSTEM”, and/or U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,668 entitled “MULTI-BAND PROGRAMMABLE COMPRESSION SYSTEM”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.  
         [0042]    A more detailed discussion will now be provided of the switch  110  and associated detector  112 . As shown in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, the switch  110  includes switch elements  150 ,  152  and  154 . In a hearing aid state, switch  150  is closed and switches  152 ,  154  are opened. In a communications state, either or both of switches  152 ,  154  are closed and switch  150  is opened. The switches can, for example, be implemented as transistors controlled in response to outputs from the controller  142  via signal paths  143 , based on the detection of predetermined conditions by detector  112 .  
         [0043]    The program that is downloaded from the EEPROM  144  into the controller  142  for purposes of providing control currents to the various components of the processor  104  can be selected depending on whether a hearing aid state or a communications state is active. When in a hearing aid state, a specific program tailored to address hearing impairments of the user can be used to process audio inputs received via the microphone  102  for output into the user&#39;s ear via speaker  106 . In contrast, when in a communications state, an audio input received via a microphone  102  need not be processed to address the hearing impairment of the user, because the audio inputs will be sent via the second path to the cell phone or radio  108 . As such, when in a communications state, the processor  104  need not be programmed to address the hearing impairment of the user, but could be programmed to improve the quality of the signals received and/or sent over the cell phone or radio  108  to, for example, filter ambient background noise. As such, the sound processing control parameters can be selected based on the desired quality of the transmitted signal.  
         [0044]    Signals that are received via the cell phone or radio  108  for output into the ear canal via the speaker  106  can be supplied directly to speaker  106  without further sound processing. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, if desired, the output signals from the cell phone or radio can be supplied through sound processing circuitry of the processor  104 , programmed in a manner to improve the quality of sound supplied to the ear canal of the user via the speaker  106 , or to address a hearing impairment of the user.  
         [0045]    In the signal paths between the switch  110  and the cell phone or radio  108 , variable gain amplifiers  156  and  158  are provided. The variable gain amplifier  156  is associated with a parallel resistor (e.g., shown as a 2.5 kilo-ohm resistor  160 ). The output impedance associated with the signal path from the switch  110  to a microphone input of the cell phone or radio  108  is, in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, approximately 100 ohms, with a gain of −10 to 20 dB, the exact gain being programmed by the controller  142  in response to inputs received from the EEPROM  144 . Typical microphone input circuit parameters of the cell phone or radio  108  are, in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, in the range of 1 to 100 kilo-ohms, with a 10 millivolt root mean square voltage. The variable gain amplifier  156  allows the hearing aid apparatus  100  to be adjusted to match the input requirements of any of the various communications equipment, as exemplified by cell phone or radio  108 .  
         [0046]    The speaker output of the cell phone or radio  108  has, in the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, an output impedance on the order of 0 to 40 ohms, and provides an output voltage ranging from approximately 100 millivolts to 4 volts root means square. The input impedance to the hearing aid device at the variable gain amplifier  158  is higher, with an exemplary gain of −30 to 10 dB, the exact gain being adjustable in response to a programmable gain set by the EEPROM  144 . Again, variable gain amplifier  158  allows the hearing aid apparatus to be matched to, and used with any communications equipment, including but not limited to, cell phone or radio  108 .  
         [0047]    As already mentioned, a signal from the cell phone or radio  108  can be monitored via a signal path  162  that is supplied to the detector  112  to automatically switch the apparatus  100  into an active communications state via activation of an exemplary switch  164  in detector  112 . The signal path can be optionally used to monitor an active speaker output line from the cell phone or radio  108  to maintain the hearing aid apparatus  100  in the communications state. In the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, the speaker output line of the cell phone  108  is monitored, and an automatic switch to a communications state is effected when a voltage V p  on this line exceeds a threshold voltage V th  of approximately 10 millivolts at least three times over the course of a 6 millisecond period. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact threshold and the conditions used to automatically detect a signal on the speaker output line of the cell phone  108  can be varied as desired (e.g., exceeding of any desired threshold, any number of times, over any desired period of time) to effectuate the automatic switching. Alternately, or in addition, the detector  112  can be configured to monitor a ring line of the cell phone or radio to activate a communications state.  
         [0048]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, where the user has engaged the second signal path to a cell phone, and the user is communicating via the voice signal input of the cell phone, the detector will maintain the hearing aid apparatus in the communications state by, for example, monitoring a sidetone signal on the receive line via signal path  162 . Although the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment only shows the detector  112  as monitoring the speaker output line of the cell phone  108 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional cell phones provide some feedback of the user&#39;s voice (sidetone) when the user is communicating via a cell phone. Accordingly, even when the user is speaking to the voice signal input of the cell phone  108 , a small feedback of the user&#39;s voice will be provided over the speaker output line of the cell phone, and can be monitored via signal path  162  to maintain the hearing aid apparatus in a communications state.  
         [0049]    However, when no signal is being received from the cell phone or radio  108 , and the user is not communicating to the cell phone or radio  108 , the detector will sense the absence of activity on the second signal path and return the hearing aid apparatus to the hearing aid state or the sleep state, depending on whether the hearing aid mode or the communications mode has been activated via switches  172  and  174 .  
         [0050]    In the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, the switch  164  in detector  112  changes state (e.g., opens) upon a determination by detector  112  that no signal is available for monitoring via signal path  162  for a predetermined period of time. In the exemplary FIG. 1 embodiment, a 10 second delay is provided before switching the hearing aid apparatus back to the hearing aid state or into the sleep. state. As shown in FIG. 1, when switch  164  toggles (e.g., changes state) and the hearing aid mode has been selected via switch  174 , normally closed switch  166  toggles to switch between the hearing aid state and the communications state (provided switch  166  is not held in an open position by selecting the sleep state via switch  172 ). Toggling of switch  166  causes the controller  142  to change the operating status of switches  150 ,  152  and  154 , and to configure them in a hearing aid state. If the communications mode is selected via switches  172  and  174 , automatic switching to the hearing aid state is disabled, and instead the device automatically switches to the sleep state when not actively communicating, to conserve battery power.  
         [0051]    In operation, switch  166  constitutes a power switch which is open in a sleep state to power down at least portions of the apparatus  100 . In the FIG. 1 example, switch  166  is open when in a sleep state, although the circuit can, of course, be configured such that the sleep state is active when switch  166  is in a closed position. The detector  112  includes two inputs labeled  168  and  170 . Input  168  is activated by the manual switch  172  to alternately switch the detector  112  between an on state and a sleep state.  
         [0052]    When the communications mode is selected via switches  172  and  174 , the apparatus enters the sleep state and remains asleep following activation of the sleep state until a signal is either received via the cell phone/radio  108 , or until the user manually activates the apparatus  100  out of the sleep state to, for example, initiate a call. The switch  166  controls the supply of power to the processor  104  via the controller  142 . If, for example, an incoming call is detected by detector  112  from the cell phone/radio  108 , the detector supplies a signal to the controller  142  (which, in an exemplary embodiment, remains active even in a sleep state). The controller  142  then reactivates the processor  104 . Similarly, when the user manually reactivates the apparatus  100  from the sleep state by momentarily depressing switch  172 , the controller  142  receives a signal via the detector  112  to power-up processor  104 .  
         [0053]    If the hearing aid mode is selected via switch  174 , the apparatus goes into the hearing aid state where it can then be placed into the sleep state by activation of push button switch  172 , or into the communications state by activation of push button switch  174 . Thus, switches  172  and  174  provide the user an ability to acquire and use the apparatus in the hearing aid mode as a communications/hearing aid device having a power saving feature, or to use the apparatus exclusively in the communications mode, wherein the device sleeps whenever not actively in communications operation.  
         [0054]    In the communications mode, when the detector  112  senses that the hearing aid apparatus  100  is to be placed into the active communications state, either in response to a detected signal on signal path  162  or a manual activation of switch  172 , switch  164  and switch  166  close. The closing of switch  166  supplies a V cc  input to the EEPROM  144  which results in a program used to drive the processor  104  being supplied to the processor  104  via the controller  142 .  
         [0055]    In an exemplary communications state, the two channels of the processor  104  are used; that is, one channel that includes the low band compressor  132 , low pass gain  134  and amplifier  136 , and a second channel that includes high band compressor  120 , high pass gain amplifier  132  and amplifier  124 . The two channels process sound received by microphone  102  for output via the cell phone  108 . The use of both channels permits operation in the typical telecommunications band above 300 Hz. The switch  130 , along with the resistor  126  and capacitor  128  form a high pass filter in series with a low band portion of the circuitry in processor  104 .  
         [0056]    In the hearing aid state, the switch  130  is closed to short the resistor  126  so that the full frequency band is retained and not cut off below 300 Hz. As already mentioned, different parameters, as desired, can be used to program the various components of the two channels during the hearing aid state and communications state, with the exact parameters downloaded from the controller  142  to the processor  104  being selected in response to outputs from the detector  112 .  
         [0057]    Thus, during a communications state, sound picked up by the microphone can be delivered to the remote location (i.e., the cell phone  108  as shown in FIG. 1) via a portion of the first signal path that includes the sound processing circuitry. This permits a recipient of the sound at a downstream link of the cell phone to receive the sound with, for example, reduced ambient noise. Sound which is supplied from the remote location (e.g., from the cell phone, radio, or any other sound source) passes through the second signal path via the switch  110  to the speaker  106 .  
         [0058]    In a hearing aid state, the switch  164  toggles switch  166 , such that information supplied from the EEPROM  144  to the processor  104  configures the various channels included therein in accordance with the hearing impairment of the user. As such, sound received via the microphone  102  is processed in the various channels, and delivered via switch  150  directly to the speaker  106  associated with the earpiece of the hearing aid apparatus.  
         [0059]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.