Hearing Assistance Systems Configured To Detect And Provide Protection To The User From Harmful Conditions

Abstract

The present universal wearable computing device relates to a hearing assistance system, device, method, and apparatus that provide a discreet approach to user hearing assistance, without relying on a conventional hearing aid. The hearing assistance system and the requisite electronics may be incorporated into frames that also function as eyeglasses with earphone(s) that may be connected to the frame to assist user hearing. An earphone may be configured with minimal electronics, such that a power source enable sound transmissions to the ear, is provided by a connection to the frame of the eyeglasses. In another example, the earphone is configured without any electronics and sound is transmitted to the user/listener's ear(s) via a psychoacoustic system. The sound quality of the transmissions to the earphones may be optimized using a tuning/equalizer application operating from a computing device, such as an app on a mobile device. The tuning/equalizer application can be used by the user/listener to optimize volume input levels to the earphone(s). The hearing assistance system may also protect from damaging environmental noise, provide heightened hearing capabilities, collect and process physiological and physical measurements, and provide communication capabilities for interacting with other computing devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hearing system that measures physiological functions of a wearer, the hearing system comprising:
 a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user, the frame configured with at least one sensor for measuring physiological functions of the wearer;   a first transducer coupled to the frame, the first transducer including at least one microphone configured to receive an audio signal; and   a second transducer for emitting the received audio signal to earphones, and removably coupled to at least a portion of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The hearing system as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a temple area sensor for measuring the physiological functions. 
     
     
         3 . The hearing system as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a capacitive touch sensitive area that the wearer may touch with a body part for measuring the physiological functions. 
     
     
         4 . The hearing system as in  claim 1 , wherein the physiological functions include at least one of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         5 . The hearing system as in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor further measuring at least one of brain functions, eye functions, nasal functions, and skin resistance. 
     
     
         6 . The hearing system as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor measures physiological functions by at least one of electronic signals, sound pulses, light pulses, x-rays, and radiation. 
     
     
         7 . The hearing system as in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more computer processors embedded in the frame, the one or more computer processors process measurements collected by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The hearing system as in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors perform at least one of medical tests, medical procedures, and medical analysis using the collected measurements. 
     
     
         9 . The hearing system as in  claim 8 , wherein the medical tests include at least one of an EKG, EEG, GSR, stress test, vision test, and hearing test. 
     
     
         10 . The hearing system as in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of medical tests, medical procedures, and medical analysis are performed by at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. 
     
     
         11 . The hearing system as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors are at least one medical device. 
     
     
         12 . The hearing system as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors are at least one computing device that process the measurements using at least one medical program or medical application. 
     
     
         13 . The hearing system as in  claim 8 , wherein the medical analysis is performed by self-quantization or by a medical professional using the at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. 
     
     
         14 . The hearing system as in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors is coupled by at least one of wired connection, Bluetooth, and WiFi. 
     
     
         15 . The hearing system as in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors adjust the at least one sensor based on the collected measurements. 
     
     
         16 . The hearing system as in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors adjust at least one of volume, frequency, and pitch of the hearing system based on the collected measurements. 
     
     
         17 . The hearing system as in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors initiate communication with an emergency response service based on the collected measurements and using the at least one device communicatively coupled to the one or more processors.