Hearing aid bowtie antenna optimized for ear to ear communications

Abstract

A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hearing aid, comprising:
 a housing;   wherein the housing contains components that include a microphone for converting an audio input into an input signal, a digital processing circuitry for processing the input signal, an output state to produce an output signal in a manner that compensates for the patient's hearing deficit, and a wireless transceiver connected to the digital processing circuitry;   an antenna having a feedpoint connected to the wireless transceiver;   wherein the antenna is a bowtie-type antenna integrated with the housing and configured to radiate with polarization optimized for ear to ear communications.   
     
     
         2 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is formed by two half-sections of the housing made of conductive material and separated by a dielectric material. 
     
     
         3 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is formed by flex circuits disposed on the interior of two half-sections of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is printed on the exterior of two half-sections of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  further comprising an internal framework within the housing and wherein the bowtie-type antenna is printed on the internal framework. 
     
     
         6 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the housing contains a speaker for converting the output signal into an audio output so as to constitute a behind-the-ear (BTE) type of hearing aid. 
     
     
         7 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the output stage contained within the housing is connected electrically to a speaker for converting the output signal into an audio output, wherein the speaker is adapted to be worn in the auditory canal of user to constitute a receiver-in-canal (RIC) type of hearing aid. 
     
     
         8 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the housing further contains a speaker for converting the output signal into an audio output and is adapted to be worn in the ear of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The hearing aid of  claim 8  wherein the housing comprises a shell adapted to be worn in the ear in which is integrated one-half of the bowtie-type antenna and a faceplate in which is integrated the other half of the bowtie-type antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the wireless receiver is designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz band. 
     
     
         11 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the antenna is a solid bowtie-type antenna. 
     
     
         12 . The hearing aid of  claim 1  wherein the antenna is a form bowtie-type antenna. 
     
     
         13 . A hearing assistance system, comprising:
 first and second hearing aids adapted to be worn in each ear of a user;   wherein each of the first and second hearing aids comprises:   a housing containing a wireless transceiver connected to digital processing circuitry for enabling communications between the first and second hearing aids;   an antenna having a feedpoint connected to the wireless transceiver, wherein the antenna is a bowtie-type antenna integrated with the housing and configured to radiate with polarization optimized for ear to ear communications.   
     
     
         14 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is formed by two half-sections of the housing made of conductive material and separated by a dielectric material. 
     
     
         15 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is formed by flex circuits disposed on the interior of two half-sections of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is printed on the exterior of two half-sections of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the bowtie-type antenna is printed on the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the wireless receiver is designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz band. 
     
     
         19 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the antenna is a solid bowtie-type antenna. 
     
     
         20 . The hearing assistance system of  claim 13  wherein the antenna is a form bowtie-type antenna.