Multi-mode radio for hearing assistance devices
AssigneeStarkey Laboratories, Inc.
InventorJeffrey Paul Solum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of information for a hearing assistance device including a multi-mode radio adapted to provide communications at different frequencies using frequency control. In applications of hearing aids, the processor is adapted to perform correction of sound for a hearing impaired user. In certain examples the present subject matter provides an inductive portion for inductive communications. In various applications the multi-mode radio can be used for long range and short range communications.
Claims20
A hearing aid for a wearer having a hearing impairment, the hearing aid adapted to perform wireless communications, comprising:
- one or more antennas;
- a receiver comprising a multi-mode radio with frequency control adapted to provide near range and long range operation and to select modulation techniques for transmission and reception, the receiver configured to perform antenna selection and adapted to receive signals from the one or more antennas, wherein the multi-mode radio includes an inductive radio for the hearing aid;
- and
- a processor in communication with the multi-mode radio, the processor configured to process signals to correct for the hearing impairment of the wearer and for receipt of information from the receiver, and configured to control frequency of operation of the multi-mode radio.
A method of communications for a hearing aid, comprising:
- controlling frequency of operation of a multi-mode radio including a high frequency radio and a low frequency radio by inputs to a local oscillator, wherein the multi-mode radio includes an inductive radio for the hearing aid and is configured to perform antenna selection and to select modulation techniques for transmission and reception;
- receiving wireless signals from another device using the multi-mode radio;
- demodulating information from the wireless signals;
- and
- sending the information to a processor of the hearing aid, the processor configured to process signals to correct for hearing impairment of a wearer and configured to control frequency of operation of the multi-mode radio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.