Patent ID: 8396237

Claim:
A programmable apparatus for improving perception of sound by a person, the apparatus comprising: one or more housings configured to be worn in, on or behind an ear of the person; memory disposed within at least one of the housings, the memory for storing a plurality of available audio processing programs that may be used in processing digital audio signals; a processor disposed within at least one of the housings and connected to the memory, the processor operable to execute one or more of the available audio processing programs to process the digital audio signals; a multipurpose control device disposed on one of the housings and connected to the processor, the multipurpose control device for operating in a program switching mode in which the multipurpose control device is operable by the person to switch from one of the available audio processing programs directly to another of the available audio processing programs, the multipurpose control device further for operating in a volume control mode in which the multipurpose control device is operable by the person to adjust the volume of audible sound generated by an audio output section; a push button disposed on one of the housings and connected to the processor and operable by the person; the processor operable to change directly from the program switching mode to the volume control mode caused by the push button being pressed and held for at least some extended period of time; the processor operable to change directly from the volume control mode to the program switching mode caused by the push button being pressed and held for at least some extended period of time; a digital-to-analog converter disposed within at least one of the housings, the digital-to-analog converter for generating output analog audio signals based on the digital audio signals; and the audio output section disposed within at least one of the housings, the audio output section for receiving and amplifying the output analog audio signals, generating audible sound based thereon and providing the audible sound to the person.