My present hearing aids have two mics per unit which are programmable depending on environment.
My idea is to have a small battery pack(the components I am thinking of using are 3v with up to 7ma current draw. Hopefully a max of 10ma which would last several weeks and possibly be rechargeable.
As for size of unit, The ear buds as used for Ipods etc would be utilized as a cost saving measure. My projected cost is under $30 complete.
Sweat moisture, heat etc are the determent to hearing aids but this proposed unit would not(hopefully not) be affected.
Yes I know about the sonic ear units as advertised on tv. This would be similar BUT have noise canceling, bandpass filters etc. Using a PIC would control all the different functions.
Using an array of mics mounted on a necklace under the clothing similar to
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2010/10/j2001amicrophone.pdf
I hope I got the correct link.
The unit could possibly be programed for various noisy environments (hunting, hammering, banging, loud engines etc)
This is just in the planning stages. may or not even get built but maybe it will all come together. I have the headphones, 2- max4410 amps, the PICs. mics are on the shelf at electronic goldmine at a reasonable cost. A sample of the max5408 needs to be ordered but want to do more research on the use of digital pots.