摘要 |
A hearing assistance system senses sound vibrations of an auditory element in the middle ear and provides a stimulus to an auditory sensory element. The vibrations are received through the tympanic membrane, and sensed at the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, or other auditory element. A capacitive sensor is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a vibrating auditory element, such as the malleus, and time-varying capacitance values resulting from the vibrations are detected. One embodiment allows pivotable mechanical coupling of the capacitive sensor to at least one of the auditory element and a carrier secured within the middle ear. An resulting electrical output signal is provided to the output stimulator for assisting hearing.
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