Preprogrammed hearing assistance device with program selection using a multipurpose control device

A method for controlling a hearing assistance device disposed in a housing having a battery compartment door, wherein the hearing assistance device has a single multipurpose control device having an up control and a down control, a controller for sensing states of the up control and down control and for sensing open or closed states of the battery compartment door, and a processor for operating in a configuration mode and in one or more other operational modes, wherein the processor is operable to execute a configuration control routine selected from a plurality of configuration control routines while in the configuration mode, the method comprising:

• (a) pressing the up control or the down control continuously for an extended time while closing the battery compartment door;
• (b) the controller sensing the up control or down control being pressed continuously for at least a predetermined time during and after the closing of the battery compartment door;
• (c) the controller generating a first control signal based on step (b);
• (d) the processor entering the configuration mode based on the first control signal;
• (e) the controller sensing the opening and closing of the battery compartment door;
• (f) the controller generating a second control signal based on step (e);
• and
• (g) the processor exiting the configuration mode and entering one of the other operational modes based on the second control signal.

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;
• at least one contact switch which changes state based on opening or closing a battery compartment door on the one or more housings;
• 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, the processor further operable in a configuration mode for changing configuration settings of the programmable apparatus, wherein the processor is operable to enter the configuration mode when the at least one contact switch changes state based on an action performed by the person;
• 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 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,
• the multipurpose control device further for operating in the configuration mode in which the multipurpose control device is operable by the person to change configuration settings of the programmable apparatus;
• 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.

A method for controlling a hearing assistance device disposed in a housing having a battery compartment door, wherein the hearing assistance device has a single multipurpose control device having an up control and a down control, a controller for sensing states of the up control and down control and for sensing open or closed states of the battery compartment door, and a processor for operating in a configuration mode and in one or more other operational modes, wherein the processor is operable to execute a configuration control routine selected from a plurality of configuration control routines while in the configuration mode, the method comprising:

• (a) pressing the up control or the down control continuously for an extended time while closing the battery compartment door;
• (b) the controller sensing the up control or down control being pressed continuously for at least a predetermined time during and after the closing of the battery compartment door;
• (c) the controller generating a first control signal based on step (b);
• and
• (d) the processor entering the configuration mode based on the first control signal.