A Hearing Device and A Method of Adapting A Hearing Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hearing device (10) comprising an electronic module (12) having at least one processor (14), a housing (18) for accommodating the electronic module (12), and at least one user control assembly (20) comprising at least one user control unit (22-22), accessible by a user of the hearing device (10). Said hearing device (10) further comprises at least one connector interface (24) operationally coupled to the electronic module (12), wherein said user control assembly (20) is detachably mounted to the housing (18), and said connector interface (24) is adapted to receive inputs from a plurality of different user control assemblies (20) and transfer said inputs to the electronic module (12) via at least one coupling means (28).

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A hearing device, the hearing device comprising: an electronic module having at least one processor; a housing configured to house the electronic module; a user control assembly comprising a user control unit; and a connector interface electronically coupled to the electronic module, wherein: the user control assembly is detachably mounted to the housing, the connector interface is configured to receive inputs from a plurality of different user control assemblies and transfer the received inputs to the electronic module, the connector interface is electronically coupled to the electronic module, and the connector interface is also configured to transfer hearing device notifications to the user control assembly.

13. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein the connector interface comprises an electrical circuit or wireless transceiver electronically coupled to the user control assembly.

14. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein the user control assembly is formed as an individual part detachably coupled to the housing of the hearing device.

15. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein the user control unit further comprises a switching element.

16. The hearing device of claim 15, wherein the switching element configured to receive tactile inputs.

17. The hearing device of claim 16, wherein the switching element comprises at least one of the following: a mechanical switch, capacitive element, or magnetic switch and resistive element adapted to change electric resistance within a resistive range in response to a user input.

18. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein electrical coupled includes at least one of the following a plurality of wires, a printed circuit board, solid contact, spring, molded interconnect device, or 20 to 30 printed conductive traces.

19. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein the user control assembly further comprises a cover, wherein the surface thereof contacts the surface of a portion of the housing.

20. The hearing device of claim 12, wherein the user control assembly is remotely located from the connector interface.

21. A hearing device, the hearing device comprising: an electronic module; a user control assembly detachably mountable to a housing; and a connector interface electronically coupled to the electronic module, wherein: the connector interface is configured to receive control signals from the user control assembly via a multiple pin configuration and transfer the control signals to the electronic module and the connector interface is connectable to other user control assemblies via the multiple pin configuration, the connector interface is electronically coupled to the electronic module, and the connector interface is also configured to transfer hearing device notifications to the user control assembly.

22. The hearing device of claim 21, wherein the hearing device is hearing aid, behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, or an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings jointly illustrating various exemplary embodiments which are to be considered in connection with the following detailed description. What is shown in the figures is:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a 4-pin connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a hearing device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention in a schematic illustration. The hearing device 10 comprises an electronic module 12 comprising at least one processor 14. The processor 14 can be fixedly installed on a printed circuit board 16 comprised by the electronic module 12. The hearing device 10 further comprises a housing 18 for accommodating at least the electronic module 12. The hearing device 10 further comprises a user control assembly 20 comprising at least one user control unit 22. The user control unit 22 is accessible from the outside of the housing 18 by a user of the hearing device 10. The user control assembly 20 is shown allocated in the housing 18. Hence, in case of replacing the housing 18, the required number and type of user control assemblies or rather user control units 22 can be changed in a flexible manner by the fitter and/or user of the hearing device 10 or during manufacturing thereof, for example. Hence, user's individual needs in respect of tactility, usability and appeal, for example, can be met. Further, functionality can be increased or decreased over time or price segments, which might be needed for experienced users or first time users.

[0030] The hearing device 10 further comprises a connector interface 24 coupled to the electronic module 12. The connector interface 24 comprises at least two electrical contacts 26, 26. Further, the electronic module 12 is connected to the user control assembly 20 by means of a coupling means 28, for example a wire, a line, etc. While not shown, the connection can be achieved by means of various further connection techniques, such as spring contacts, zebra connectors, conductive rubbers, further conductive elements or materials. The connector interface 24 can be used as input (e.g. at least one user control) or as output (e.g. at least one LED, indicator, vibrating element, acoustic element, etc.). While not shown, the connector interface 24 can comprise a wireless communication means comprising optic, inductive or capacitive element(s). As shown, the user control assembly 20 and the connector interface 24 are positioned remotely from each other.

[0031] In other words, advantageously, the user control assembly 20 can be placed independent from the position in which the switching occurs. Hence, the position of the user control assembly 20 can be chosen without any limitation. This involves an advantage which is unknown so far, since, in the prior art, the point of manual interaction is always at the point of the respective contact element. Hence, the inventive hearing device 10 is variable in position, size, functionality and/or appeal thereof.

[0032] The user control assembly 20 is detachably mounted to the housing 18 without changing the main part of the hearing device 10, for example its software. This feature provides an improved flexibility allowing to address different hearing device user needs as mentioned above.

[0033] The inventive hearing device 10 allows to better match with user needs. This is realized with the same electronic module 12 and different possibilities for positioning and attaching the user control assembly 20 according to hearing device user needs. This feature allows that all hearing device users with specific needs in terms of user's interaction or product appeal can benefit from the inventive hearing device 10. The connector interface 24 receives inputs from the user control assembly 20 and transfers said inputs to the electronic module 12 via at least one coupling means. While not shown, the connector interface 24 is able to transfer hearing device 10 related notifications to the user control assembly 20 notifying the hearing device user. As noted above, the connector interface 24 is coupled to the user control assembly 20 by means of the coupling means 28. While not shown, the connector interface 24 can be connected to the user control assembly 20 by means of a wireless connection.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a 4-pin connector adapted to connect the electronic module 12 to the housing 18 of the hearing device, which housing 18 comprises the user control assembly 20 (also refer to FIG. 1). As mentioned above, the user control assembly 20 comprises at least one user control unit 22-22. One of connectors of each of said user control units 22-22 are interconnected to each other, respectively. The interconnection thereof is routed via a connector interface 24 to a ground terminal of the processor 14 comprised by said electronic module 12. The remaining connectors of each of said user control units 22-22 are connected to distinct ports of the connector interface 24, respectively.

[0035] The connector interface 24 routes signal states of said user control units 22-22 to respective inputs of the processor 14. Said inputs comprise a push button (PB) input which is associated to a program change or any further command. The signal states of the remaining user control units 22,22 are routed to a volume-down port and a volume-up port of the processor 14, respectively. Said ports are associated with commands or rather user inputs requesting decreased or increased volume. Hence, three different user inputs can be routed to the processor 14 by means of solely one single user control assembly 20. Therefore, contrary to the prior art, the provision of for example three different user control units can be omitted. Hence, the size of the hearing device as well as costs thereof can be reduced.

[0036] On the other hand, as an example, the size of a volume control element can be increased which would allow improved tactile response and size thereof. In addition to the command which could be input to the user control assembly 20, i.e. a push button (PB) command (a program change or any other command), an increased volume/reduced volume command, etc., further commands could be input to the user control assembly 20. As an example, said further commands can comprise an on/off command, an LED state or any other lines needed for LCD displays or external electronics driving other or additional controls.