초록 ▼

A method is provided for programming a digital hearing aid using a program encoded in an audio band (20 Hz-20 kHz) signal, to transmit and verify programs and algorithm parameters. Preferably, this is in a digital hearing aid including filterbanks, filtering the audio signal into different frequency

A method is provided for programming a digital hearing aid using a program encoded in an audio band (20 Hz-20 kHz) signal, to transmit and verify programs and algorithm parameters. Preferably, this is in a digital hearing aid including filterbanks, filtering the audio signal into different frequency bands. The signal is encoded by the presence and absence of a signal in each frequency band or by other well-known modulation techniques used by computer modems. Special programming signals are provided alternating between the frequency bands in a manner to clearly distinguish the program data from any other interfering or normally present audio signal. The method does not require additional hardware, and offers reduced power consumption, as compared to some known wireless programming interfaces. It enables remote programming over a network using standard multimedia computer hardware.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of processing an audio band signal in a digital hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising a microphone, an analysis filterbank having a plurality of separate frequency band outputs, a programmable digital signal processor, a non-volatile memory, and a receiver, the method co

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of processing an audio band signal in a digital hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising a microphone, an analysis filterbank having a plurality of separate frequency band outputs, a programmable digital signal processor, a non-volatile memory, and a receiver, the method comprising the steps of:(1) programming an encoding scheme in said digital signal processor;(2) receiving said audio band signal at said microphone;(3) converting said audio band signal into a digital signal;(4) in said analysis filterbank, separating said digital signal into a plurality of separate frequency band signals each being representative of a specific frequency band;(5) providing said frequency band signals to said digital signal processor;(6) determining whether said separate frequency band signals have programming information encoded therein according to said encoding scheme; and(7) if programming information is encoded in said frequency band signals according to said encoding scheme, decoding said frequency band signals to obtain said programming information and storing said programming information in said non-volatile memory.