Transformable speech processor module for a hearing prosthesis

Abstract

A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

1 . A method, comprising:
 operating a speech processor module of an external device of an implant hearing system in a stand-alone mode;   removably mounting the speech processor module to an apparatus configured to have said speech processor module removably mounted thereto and including external device user controls;   determining whether or not to utilize an inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module; and   operating the speech processor in an external device controlled mode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the action of determining whether or not to utilize an inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module includes determining to utilize the inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module; and   the action of operating the speech processor in the external device controlled mode includes operating the speech processor in the external mode after the determination to use the inputted external volume control setting.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the action of determining whether or not to utilize an inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module includes determining not to utilize the inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module; and   separate from the action of operating the speech processor in the external device controlled mode, preventing operation of the speech processor in the external device controlled mode after the determination not to use the inputted external volume control setting.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 separate from determining not to utilize an inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module, determining to utilize a second inputted external volume control setting inputted by a user to the external device user controls of the external device to control the speech processor module; and   separate from the action of operating the speech processor in the external device controlled mode, operating the speech processor in the external device controlled mode after the determination to use the second inputted external volume control setting based on the second inputted external volume control setting.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the speech processor is operated in the stand alone mode, it is protected from water at elevated atmospheric pressures. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 placing a transcutaneous transfer coil assembly into signal communication with the speech processor, wherein the transcutaneous transfer coil assembly includes a transcutaneous transfer coil and a microphone, wherein the transcutaneous transfer coil assembly is configured to protect the microphone and transfer coil from water at elevated atmospheric pressures.   
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 using a first external component assembly of a hearing prosthesis to evoke a first hearing percept by transcutaneously communicating electrical signals from the first external component assembly to an implanted component of the hearing prosthesis such that the implanted component stimulates tissue to evoke the first hearing percept; and   after evoking the first hearing percept, replacing the first external component assembly with a second external component assembly to evoke a second hearing percept by transcutaneously communicating electrical signals from the second external component assembly to the implanted component of the hearing prosthesis such that the implanted component stimulates tissue to evoke the second hearing percept, wherein   the first external component assembly is one that is readily damaged by water and the second external component assembly is one that is protected from water.   
     
     
         8 . The method, of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first external component assembly uses a first transcutaneous transfer coil assembly including a first transcutaneous transfer coil and a first cable to transcutaneously communicate with the implanted component; and   the second external component uses a second transcutaneous transfer coil assembly including a second transcutaneous transfer coil and a second cable to transcutaneously communicate with the implanted component.   
     
     
         9 . The method, of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second transcutaneous transfer coil assembly also includes a microphone.   
     
     
         10 . The method, of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 after evoking the first and second hearing percepts, using the first external component assembly to evoke a third hearing percept by transcutaneously communicating electrical signals from the first external component assembly to the implanted component of the hearing prosthesis such that the implanted component stimulates tissue to evoke the third hearing percept.   
     
     
         11 . The method, of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the action of evoking the first hearing percept is executed while the first external component is adjustable via the recipient via a control input device of the first external component; and   the action of evoking the second hearing percept is executed while the second external component is unadjustable via the recipient.   
     
     
         12 . The method, of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 prior to evoking the second hearing percept, adjusting a functional operating parameter of the second external component; and   after adjusting the functional operating parameter and before evoking the second hearing precept, placing the second external component into a water ingress protection state that results in the functional operating parameter being non-adjustable by a recipient of the hearing prosthesis, and then evoking the second hearing percept.   
     
     
         13 . The method, of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first external component is in the form of a component that can be worn as a behind-the-ear (BTE) device when evoking the first hearing percept; and   the second external component is in the form of a body-worn component different from a BTE device when evoking the second hearing percept.   
     
     
         14 . The method, of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first external component is in the form of a component that can be worn as a behind-the-ear (BTE) device when evoking the first hearing percept; and   the second external component is in the form of a body-worn component that cannot be worn as a BTE device.   
     
     
         15 . The method, of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 prior to evoking the second hearing percept, adjusting a functional operating parameter of a sound processor of the second external component; and   after adjusting the functional operating parameter and before evoking the second hearing precept, placing a cover over the sound processor of the second external component such that electrical contacts of the sound processor that would otherwise be exposed to the ambient environment are covered.   
     
     
         16 . An external component of a cochlear implant system, comprising:
 a speech processor module including processing circuitry configured to receive signals output by a microphone and including a plurality of connectors establishing a power supply interface and at least one of a clinic interface or an accessory interface; and   a base member,
 wherein the speech processor module is operable in a first configuration whereby a cover member is mechanically mated with said base member to establish an enclosure around said speech processor module, thereby substantially preventing any potential fluid ingress that could adversely impact the speech processor module, and 
 wherein said speech processor module is operable in at least a second configuration whereby the cover member is not mechanically mated to the base member. 
   
     
     
         17 . The external component of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the at least one of the clinic interface or the accessory interface comprises electrical contacts, and the cover creates a battier between the electrical contacts and fluid in an ambient environment when the speech processor module is operated in the first configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The external component of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the speech processor module includes the accessory interface, and wherein an accessory device is configured to be placed into signal communication with the speech processor via the accessory interface.   
     
     
         19 . The external component of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the speech processor module includes the accessory interface, the accessory interface is part of an accessory connector, and wherein an accessory device is configured to connect to the accessory connector when the speech processor module is operated in the second configuration.   
     
     
         20 . The external component of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 the accessory device, wherein the speech processor module is in the second configuration and the accessory device is connected to the accessory connector.   
     
     
         21 . The external component of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the speech processor module includes the accessory interface, the accessory interface is part of an accessory connector; and   the external component is configured to prevent connection of the accessory device to the accessory connector when the cover is mechanically connected to the base.   
     
     
         22 . The external component of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the speech processor module includes the accessory interface, the accessory interface is part of an accessory connector; and   the external component is configured to enable connection of the accessory device to the accessory connector only when the cover is mechanically disconnected from the base.   
     
     
         23 . The external component of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the speech processor module includes the clinic interface; and   the external component is configured to prevent input into the clinic interface when the cover is mechanically connected to the base.