Ear-worn devices for tracking exposure to hearing degrading conditions
AssigneeStarkey Laboratories, Inc.
InventorJustin R. Burwinkel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments herein relate to ear-worn devices that can track exposure to hearing degrading conditions and/or provide notifications or warnings regarding the same. In an embodiment, an ear-worn device is included having a control circuit, a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, wherein the ear-worn device is configured to track exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time via at least one of the microphone and a sensor package and wherein the ear-worn device is configured to store data regarding the tracked exposure. Other embodiments are also included herein.
Claims19
An ear-worn device comprising:
- a control circuit;
- a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- wherein the ear-worn device is configured to track exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time via at least one of the microphone and a sensor package;
- wherein the ear-worn device is configured to store data regarding the tracked exposure;
- wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to issue a warning if the tracked exposure crosses a dynamic threshold;
- and
- wherein the ear-worn device or the accessory device is further configured to receive an input regarding a susceptibility factor of the ear-worn device wearer, the susceptibility factor comprising at least one of enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA);
- diabetes;
- heart disease;
- cancer;
- congenital ear deformities;
- albinism;
- tinnitus;
- noise-induced hearing loss;
- genetic testing results;
- ototoxic medication use;
- and
- exposure to cigarette smoke;
- wherein the dynamic threshold is adjusted based on the ear-worn device wearer having one or more of the susceptibility factors.
A method of monitoring hearing loss progression comprising:
- tracking exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time with an ear-worn device;
- storing data regarding the tracked exposure;
- and
- performing at least one of issuing a warning when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value;
- issuing preventative instructions to the ear-worn device wearer when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total exposure threshold value;
- and
- initiating a protective countermeasure when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value;
- and
- determining a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and directing the device wearer to orient themselves such that the predominant noise source is located in the direction of a directional microphone null of the ear-worn device.
An ear-worn device comprising:
- a control circuit;
- a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit;
- wherein the ear-worn device is configured to track exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time via at least one of the microphone and a sensor package;
- wherein the ear-worn device is configured to store data regarding the tracked exposure;
- and
- wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to determine a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and direct the device wearer to orient themselves in order to reduce and/or attenuate exposure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.