Schematic for Hi-Pro (Hipro) Box

Firstly, welcome to CR4.

I am afraid I've never heard of such a device... is it a trade name?

Have you tried Googling it?

John.

What are you planning to do with the device? If it needs repair just send it back to the manufacturer. If you are thinking of using it to program a hearing aid you would need much more than just a schematic. There are custom drivers for the PC and you would require information regarding the programming algorithm for the hearing aid chip, which is proprietary. These aren't things that you will just find lying around since the manufacturers require NDA's even for access to just the tools. It is a very protective industry.

I've found a variety of references on-line to the Hi-Pro, but not a schematic. This is an industry standard interface, so there may be multiple manufacturers. There are also multiple versions. Is yours a serial or USB? There should be a nameplate on the box with manufacturer, model, serial number, etc. Depending on the age of the unit, it may be obsolete. If it is, that may make it easier to get a schematic. Some companies are very touchy about handing out proprietary design info on current products.

It looks like the original manufacturer was Madsen in Germany, but they were bought by GN Store Nord (Denmark). the Madsen name was retained as a brand line, but GN renamed the subsidiary company GN Otometrics. You may have to contact them for assistance. Assistance in the U.S. may also be available from Siemens Hearing Instruments and MSR West.

First, you got a GA vote from me, because your GN Otometrics link was spot-on.

Second, it looks as if this product is used for hearing ability/quality assesments, not so much a 'link' to a hearing aid, but rather for a computerized analysis of a subjects hearing. As such, it would indeed have a rather complex (at least it would be to me...) algorithm, and likely some pretty fancy electronic components. Since it appears to be a currently-available device, I concur that the schematics are likely to be highly protected.

I do want to use it to program a hearing aid. I have both 'required' software to run what i want. I am just missing the interface. The current method is using 'noah-link' but that is really out of my price range. I believe that the hi-pro is not much involved (circuitry wise)...i don't want to copy it or anything, just for private study/use/research. I am more interested in hearing aid technology but i need the interface to experiment my hobby.

Thanks for the responses so far...much appreciated.

Daffy,

I don't know if this will be sufficient for your needs, but here's a patent drawing for a Hi-Pro which connects to a laptop via the PCMCIA slot. You can find it at http://www.patentgenius.com/image/6590986-4.html.

Regards,

Tony

Welcome aboard to you AND Daffy! Thanks for the clarification. I was actually guessing at the use based on the manufacturer's online literature. Guess I'm old-skool; about a hundred years ago I worked in a machine shop, one of our creations was an internal machined part for a hearing aid (close tolerances, 0.0001"± 2%) but programmable units are beyond my experience...

I am audiologist and looking to buy a hi pro box for hearing aid work. Do you want to sell your hi-pro box (assuming it works) ?

Kirk

kirkknutsen@yahoo.com

Hi Kirk

I assume it works - but I haven't ever switched the one that I own on - they were always available for me to use at work (dozens of them). I don't want to sell it, but why not try eBay - everything is for sale there.

Regards

John

I need a Hi Pro to replace a bad unit. I'm looking for a used one and since I've retired and doing only some work on the side, it must be a good price. Anyone have one or know where to get one? Thanks.

I have two hi pro boxes and and a compac video otoscope im selling priced right as I need to sell to help pay for nursing care. First come first serve. Thank you

millerleon@yahoo.com

John,

do you or anyone you know, know where to get a used Hipro box? We could use two of them actually. Prices for new are above our means right now. thanks, Bob

bhardie@sbgnet.com

I have two if youre still looking millerleon@yahoo.com

I too wanted to get shed of the audiologist and trying to explain what i was hearing or not hearing. Kind of like explaining the color blue to a blind person. I never could find or have access to a programing device until I went to 'America Hears' and bought a pair of self programable HAs. they came with the interface, hearing aids and software. My hearing problem is such that even this has not helped a lot.

Also available from a company called HearSource. www.hearsource.com They produce a system with different styles of hearing aids, programming interface and software for personal programming of hearing aids using your own home PC. Looks well put together and affordable.

I need a Hi Pro unit. I have the cables and software..mine is unfixable and I'm retired, do only some work on the side and need to replace mine. Used, good reasonable price since I'm retired....I really appreciate any help here. Thanks.

oh yes, I'm at W5UQ@verizon.NET if you want to contact me. Bob

I own and wear daily a set of hearing aids from www.HearSource.com. They are very small, comfortable and their fitting software is first rate. Very flexable and precise. In my humble opinion the best I have ever worn (on my 4th set now). The "kit" came with a programmer similar to the HiPro, cables, software, etc.

http://www.hearing-loss-help-co.com/2466.html

Hi i currently work with theses devices in my job employed by one of the largest Hearing Aid manufacturers in Denmark. The HiPro is an interface between a PC and the DSP in the hearing aid and converts signals to and from the aid into an industry adopted set of protocols, it is only used to program, fine tune and adjust digital hearing aids. To use it you will need the Hipro itself, the correct software fitting module for the brand of hearing aid to be adjusted and of course a PC, another industry adopted application called Noah is also used in the process of hearing tests and aid fitting but you don't specifically require this to program the aid, you will however require the correct cable to connect the HiPro to the aid and these are manufacturer specific. Many BTE aids (behind the ear) use plug in leads with 3 or 4 pins whilst ITE (In the Ear) types often have strip connectors that go into the aid often under the battery door and then plug into the 3 or 4 pin connector. The HiPro is currently available in 3 types, The traditional version with a Serial PC interface, the new USB version which looks the same but is smaller and the bluetooth wireless NoahLink. The older Serial version struggles with the amount of data involved with very modern digital aids and is being replaced by the newer USB model (so various hearing aid retailers may have older Serial models they may be willing to sell off) The Noahlink is best avoided mainly because every time Microsoft change something in the OS regarding the Bluetooth stack (which is quite frequent due to security updates) Himsa the company that support Noahlink have to catch up, Our company has dropped the Noahlink and switched to USB HiPro. Check out the web site WWW.HIMSA.COM they are the people that author and support Noah and you will find information there about Fitting modules, manufacturers, Noahlink and Hipro as well as Noah itself. What is true is that the industry is very secretive about fitting systems and protocols. Fitting modules are usually provided free by aid manufacturers to registered audiology companies who are their clients and buy their products. I doubt you could buy a HiPro new from GN unless you are in the industry and regarding a schematic this would be even harder, in the 6 years i have worked in the business i have been unable to locate one and i have been looking. One other possible route to programming your own aids might be to see if you can find an old hand-held programmer. These were manufacturer / aid specific and generally only support early generation digital products, but depending on the aids you have you again might be able to find a private hearing aid company that have old ones they don't need any more as they have probably moved on to PC based programming

I have a diagram of HI-PRO!Want me to send it

Yes please

The scheme is mounted on an experimental board.It is made with the original microprocessor 68HC11E9.I used it because he got a communication protocol.The scheme has two options: 1) RS232-input 2) Bluetooth-input.Also can work with CS44 cable and Wireless control of hearing aids.Some of the connecting wires of the scheme only marked by default.Now do a complete circuit with PCB.In this scheme has added some new elements.Scheme which will send no electrical separation of patient.The last version I used optoizolator and isolating transformer.Scheme you run in this kind of comments, observations and ideas.Send an email to let you give it.Excuse me for bad English.

Please if you have a diagram of HI-PRO to share it wih me.

Hi there! I would love to have a copy of the HIPRO circuit diagram. I have two units that have gone faulty and will be able to repair them if I had the circuit to enable me to trace the fault(s). Best wishes.

Here you are! Tell me what is your idea.I can save you a lot of time....

Regards!

Here you are!