Assistive Listening System
OwnerElwood G. Norris, John Boltoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes methods and systems that can allow a digital signal processor (DSP) in an ultrasonic audio system to be adjusted according to a listener's preferences. In one embodiment, the listener or user can attempt to configure a DSP through a plurality of user interfaces. In another embodiment, the listener can provide an audiogram, previously generated by an audiologist, and send said audiogram to the manufacturer in order to adjust the DSP in the ultrasonic sound system to his/her hearing preferences.
Claims18
1) An assistive listening device, comprising:
- a digital signal processor (“DSP”);
- a signal source operatively coupled to the DSP;
- an amplifier operatively coupled to the DSP;
- at least one ultrasonic emitter operatively coupled to the DSP;
- a hearing profile module, operatively coupled to the DSP, the hearing profile module and the DSP being cooperatively capable of receiving a unique hearing profile reflecting a user's range of hearing to thereby determine which frequencies the user has difficulty hearing, and are capable of adjusting an outgoing frequency response, equalization, compression, and/or volume so as to enable hearing by the user of frequencies indicated by the hearing profile as problematic;
- a remote computing device containing the user's unique hearing profile;
- and
- a communication module in communication with the remote computing device and the hearing profile module;
- wherein
- the remote computing device i) allows the user to load the personalized hearing profile through the communication module to the hearing profile module to thereby adjust the settings of the assisted listening device according to the personalized hearing profile, and ii) allows the user to manually configure the DSP to optimize the assisted listening device for the user's hearing deficiencies.
2) (canceled)
3) (canceled)
6) A method of providing hearing assistance to a hearing impaired person, comprising:
- obtaining a unique hearing profile reflecting ranges of frequencies for which a user has hearing deficiencies;
- providing an assisted listening device having at least one ultrasonic emitter, an amplifier, a digital signal processor (“DSP”) and a signal source;
- loading the unique hearing profile onto the DSP;
- and
- based on the unique hearing profile, adjusting one or more sound characteristics of sounds falling within the ranges of frequencies in which the user has hearing deficiencies to boost the frequencies in order to aid the user's ability to hear sounds falling in said ranges of frequencies;
- and
- allowing the user to manually adjust one or more of:
- a frequency response, an equalization, a compression, or an amplitude of a volume, according to the user's hearing deficiencies.
18) (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.