Integrated hearing aid for telecommunications devices

Abstract

A system integrates a hearing aid with devices such as wireless telephones, advantageously avoiding radio frequency (RF) interference. In one embodiment, a processor transforms an electrical signal to compensate for a hearing impairment. The function used for signal transformation can be accessed via a processor memory enhancement such as a smart card. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the transformed signal to an analog signal, which then goes to an amplifier and speaker. In other embodiments, an analog amplifier transforms the electrical signal.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A telecommunication device suitable for use by a person having a hearing impairment, comprising: 
 a speaker for producing sound in response to an electrical signal; and    a processor for processing the electrical signal and providing the electrical signal to the speaker,    wherein the processor is programmed with a prescription for compensating for the hearing impairment, the processor transforming the electrical signal according to the prescription so that sound produced by the speaker compensates for the hearing impairment.    
     
     
         24 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the processor transforms the electrical signal by applying a transfer function having more gain in frequency ranges where the user has lost hearing.  
     
     
         25 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising a memory for storing the prescription.  
     
     
         26 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the memory comprises a bay for receiving a removable memory device.  
     
     
         27 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the removable memory device comprises a smart card.  
     
     
         28 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the removable memory device comprises a Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM).  
     
     
         29 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the memory is configured for storing a plurality of prescriptions, each of the plurality of prescriptions for compensating for a particular hearing impairment.  
     
     
         30 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein each of the plurality of prescriptions is associated with a code, the code being selected for causing the processor to be programmed with the prescription with which the code is associated.  
     
     
         31 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising an antenna for receiving a wireless signal and a receiver for converting the wireless signal received by the antenna to the electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is provided to the processor.  
     
     
         32 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising an amplifier coupled between the processor and the speaker for amplifying the electrical signal provided to the speaker.  
     
     
         33 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 32 , further comprising a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) coupled between the processor and the amplifier for converting the electrical signal from a digital signal to an analog signal.  
     
     
         34 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising a microphone for converting sound into a second electrical signal and transmitter for converting the second electrical signal into a wireless signal for being transmitted by the antenna.  
     
     
         35 . A telecommunication device suitable for use by a person having a hearing impairment, comprising: 
 an antenna for receiving a wireless signal;    a receiver for converting the wireless signal received by the antenna into an electrical signal;    a speaker for producing sound in response to the electrical signal;    a memory for storing a prescription for compensating for the hearing impairment; and    a processor for processing the electrical signal from the receiver and providing the electrical signal to the speaker,    wherein the processor is programmed with the prescription, the processor transforming the electrical signal according to the prescription so that sound produced by the speaker compensates for the hearing impairment.    
     
     
         36 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the processor transforms the electrical signal by applying a transfer function having more gain in frequency ranges where the user has impaired hearing.  
     
     
         37 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the memory comprises a bay for receiving a removable memory device.  
     
     
         38 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the removable memory device comprises a smart card.  
     
     
         39 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the removable memory device comprises a Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM).  
     
     
         40 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the memory is configured for storing a plurality of prescriptions, each of the plurality of prescriptions for compensating for a particular hearing impairment.  
     
     
         41 . The telecommunication device as claimed in  claim 35 , further comprising an amplifier coupled between the processor and the speaker for amplifying the electrical signal provided to the speaker.