HEARING AID WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELECTROACTIVE SENSOR

摘要

A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid.

主权项

1. A hearing aid, comprising:
a hearing aid circuit including a microphone, a receiver, and an audio processor coupled between the microphone and the receiver; a rechargeable battery coupled to the hearing aid circuit to power the hearing aid circuit; a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor configured to generate an power signal in response to a first magnetic field and generate a driving signal in response to a second magnetic field or a pressure; and a sensor processing circuit coupled to the ME sensor, the sensor processing circuit including:
a battery charging circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and configured to charge the rechargeable battery using the power signal; anda switch coupled to the hearing aid circuit and configured to control the hearing aid circuit using the driving signal.