Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Hearing aids – electrical – Remote control – wireless – or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2003-03-11
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2643)
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Hearing aids, electrical
Remote control, wireless, or alarm
C381S314000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532294
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hearing aids.
2. Background Information
There have been developed various hearing aids to assist users who suffer from a loss of hearing. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,937,876; 3,938,336; 5,889,874 and 4,476,353 all disclose devices for assisting hearing loss.
Hearing aids typically contain a battery that powers electrical circuits that amplify sound. To conserve power the hearing aid may have an on/off switch that allows a user to disconnect the battery from the circuits. The on/off switch must be constructed relatively small to allow the hearing device to fit within the ear. Small switches can be difficult to manipulate, particularly for elderly users who have arthritic conditions. Additionally, the user may forget to turn the hearing aid off when not in use, thereby resulting in a waste of power.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is a hearing aid that includes a pair of electrodes coupled to a hearing circuit and a power source. Power is provided to the hearing circuit when the electrodes are in contact with an ear.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3783201 (1974-01-01), Weiss et al.
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patent: 3983336 (1976-09-01), Malek et al.
patent: 4476353 (1984-10-01), Haertl
patent: 4539440 (1985-09-01), Sciarra
patent: 4679240 (1987-07-01), Heide
patent: 4870688 (1989-09-01), Voroba et al.
patent: 4937876 (1990-06-01), Biermans
patent: 4955729 (1990-09-01), Marx
patent: 5365593 (1994-11-01), Greenwood et al.
patent: 5881158 (1999-03-01), Lesinski et al.
patent: 5889874 (1999-03-01), Schmitt et al.
patent: 6067006 (2000-05-01), O'Brien
Dabney P.
Irell & Manella LLP
Kuntz Curtis
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