Patent No. 5047994 Supersonic bone conduction hearing aid and method

 

Patent No. 5047994

Supersonic bone conduction hearing aid and method (Lenhardt, et al., Sep 10, 1991)

Abstract

A supersonic bone conduction hearing aid that receives conventional audiometric frequencies and converts them to supersonic frequencies for connection to the human sensory system by vibration bone conduction. The hearing is believed to use channels of communications to the brain that are not normally used for hearing. These alternative channels do not deteriorate significantly with age as does the normal hearing channels. The supersonic bone conduction frequencies are discerned as frequencies in the audiometric range of frequencies.

Notes:

As another example, a source of supersonic sound (not shown) such as is readily available is radiated or beamed towards objects to be detected. Two spaced apart microphones one on each side of the head receives the radiated supersonic sound waves when they are reflected from the objects. The signal from the microphones convert the supersonic sound signals to electrical signals which are amplified by an amplifier and sent to the two bone conducting connectors which are supersonic electric to vibration transducers connected to each side of the head. The supersonic vibrations are transmitted to the human sensory system and assists in echo location of the detected objects.
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The invention described is fundamental and is expected that numerous improvements will be made to the technology as it continues to evolve and it is to be understood that the above described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.