Multi-mode audio device and monitoring system

1. A multi-mode audio device, comprising:

a headphone body;

one or more speakers attached to the headphone body, the one or more speakers configured to emit sound responsive to an audio signal input;

a sound output control on the headphone body and communicatively coupled to the one or more speakers and configured to control a maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers, the sound output control having:

a control interface configured to receive selection of an operative mode of the multi-mode audio device from among a managed mode and a normal mode, wherein if the operative mode is set to managed mode, then the sound output control limits the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers to a level predetermined to be a safe maximum level, and if the operative mode is set to normal mode, then the sound output control configures the one or more speakers to emit sound based on a maximum dB output limit of the audio source; and

an access control that is communicatively coupled to the sound output control and requires an authentication to switch from the managed mode to the normal mode;

an electronic button attached to the headphone body that when activated switches from the managed mode to the normal mode if the authentication is received by the control interface;

a mode indicator communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to provide a visual indication of the operative mode; and

a monitoring system interface that monitors mode usage of the managed mode and the normal mode.

2. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , further comprising: a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to capture one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device and to generate a report regarding the one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device.

3. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the managed mode comprises more than one managed mode.

4. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the control interface comprises a physical switch.

5. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the control interface comprises a touch screen display.

6. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the mode indicator is configured to display one or more of a light, a color, and a pattern of lights associated with the managed mode when the operative mode is the managed mode.

7. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the mode indicator is configured to display one or more of a light, a color, and a pattern of lights visually distinct from the one or more of the light, the color, and the pattern of lights associated with the managed mode when the operative mode is the normal mode.

8. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the mode indicator is configured to switch off when the operative mode is the normal mode.

9. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the level predetermined to be a safe maximum level is approximately 80 dB.

10. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the level predetermined to be a safe maximum level is a level set by a user via the control interface.

11. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to receive via a wireless network a selection of the operative mode from a computer.

12. The multi-mode audio device of claim 2 , further comprising a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the sound output control and the monitoring system, the wireless communication interface configured to receive from a computer via a wireless network a selection of the operative mode and to transmit to the computer via the wireless network the report regarding the one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device.

13. The multi-mode audio device of claim 1 , wherein the managed mode comprises an assistive mode configured to adapt the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers to a level appropriate for a person with hearing loss.

14. An audio system comprising:

a headphone body;

one or more speakers attached to the headphone body, the one or more speakers emit sound responsive to an audio signal input;

a sound output control on the headphone body and coupled to the one or more speakers and control a maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers, the sound output control having

a control interface that receives selection of an operative mode of the audio system from among a managed mode and a normal mode, wherein if the operative mode is set to managed mode, then the sound output control limits the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers to a level predetermined to be a safe maximum level, and if the operative mode is set to normal mode, then the sound output control configures the one or more speakers to emit sound based on a maximum dB output limit of the audio source;

an access control that is communicatively coupled to the sound output control and requires an authentication to switch from the managed mode to the normal mode; and

a monitoring system coupled to the sound output control, wherein the monitoring system monitors and controls the sound output control to set a maximum daily time limit for use of the audio system, wherein the monitoring system is further coupled to an interface that monitors mode usage of the managed mode and the normal mode.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the interface further monitors time elapsed for mode usage of the managed mode and the normal mode.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the monitoring system controls the maximum output volume of the sound output control via the interface.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the monitoring system further controls a volume profile for particular frequencies for the hearing impaired via the interface.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the monitoring system further monitors and controls the sound output control to maintain a schedule of when the headphone is active and usable in normal or managed modes of operation.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the headphone body is one of an over-the-ear headphone or an earbud.