James L Potter

US Patent:

63209594, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Aug 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/136272

Inventors:

Shirley Aline Crouch - Colorado Springs CO
James D. Potter - Scottsdale AZ
Joan Phillips Waldron - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

H04M 100
H04R 2500
G10L 502

US Classification:

379430

Abstract:

A hearing aid telephone interconnect system for permitting hearing impaired persons to use conventional telephone instruments employs a T-coupler adapted to hook over the ear of a user of a conventional behind-the-hear, in-the-ear, or eyeglass hearing aid of the type employing an input T-coil. The T-coupler, as well as the telephone base unit and the telephone receiver, are connected to an adaptor box that permits switching the telephone receiver signal between the telephone receiver and the T-coupler to permit use of the telephone by persons with and without hearing impairment. When interfacing the T-coupler to cellular telephones and princess style landline telephones in which the touchtone keypad and receiver form an integrated unit, the adaptor box may be eliminated because switching of the receiver signal is not necessary. In order to permit the use by hearing impaired persons of various other products that produce an audible sound, it is only necessary to provide an electrical connection between the T-coupler and an output audio signal of those products.

US Patent:

57968217, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Aug 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/512563

Inventors:

Shirley Aline Crouch - Colorado Springs CO
James D. Potter - Scottsdale AZ
Joan Phillips Waldron - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

H04M 100

US Classification:

379430

Abstract:

A hearing aid telephone interconnect system for permitting hearing impaired persons to use conventional telephone instruments employs a T-coupler adapted to hook over the ear of a user of a conventional behind-the-hear, in-the-ear, or eyeglass hearing aid of the type employing an input T-coil. The T-coupler, as well as the telephone base unit and the telephone receiver, are connected to an adaptor box that permits switching the telephone receiver signal between the telephone receiver and the T-coupler to permit use of the telephone by persons with and without hearing impairment. When interfacing the T-coupler to cellular telephones and princess style landline telephones in which the touchtone keypad and receiver form an integrated unit, the adaptor box may be eliminated because switching of the receiver signal is not necessary. In order to permit the use by hearing impaired persons of various other products that produce an audible sound, it is only necessary to provide an electrical connection between the T-coupler and an output audio signal of those products.