WO2005029918A1

WO2005029918A1 - Hearing aid for people hard of hearing

Info

Publication number: WO2005029918A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/010702
Authority: WO
Inventors: Udo D. Schlegel
Original assignee: Schlegel Udo D
Priority date: 2003-09-23
Filing date: 2004-09-23
Publication date: 2005-03-31
Also published as: EP1707031A1; DE10344032A1; EP1707031B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid for directing ambient sound to the ear of a person, especially to a hearing aid for people hard of hearing. The inventive system is characterized by the following features: (a) a central unit (4) comprising an amplifier (30) and a power source for supplying current for the amplifier (30); (b) at least one auditory sound sensor (16), mounted separately from the central unit (4) and being coupled to the central unit (4) for the purpose of signal transmission; (c) and at least one microphone (14), mounted separately from the central unit (4) and being coupled to the central unit (4) for the purpose of signal transmission and being located in the vicinity of the ear of the person using the hearing aid (2).

Description

Hearing system usable for hearing-impaired persons The subject matter of the invention is a hearing system for bringing sound coming from the environment to a person's ear, in particular a horse system for hearing-impaired people, having the following dimensions:

(a) a central processing unit (4) which has an amplifier (30) and a current source for supplying the amplifier (30);

(b) at least one ear sound transmitter (16) separate from the central unit (4) and coupled to the central unit [4) for signal transmission; (c) and at least one microphone (14) separated from the central unit (4), which is coupled to the central unit (4) for signal transmission and is placed near the ear of the user during operation of the hearing system (2) ,

Today's hearing systems for the hearing impaired are either worn in the ear or behind the ear, in the latter case the sweat transmission into the ear canal takes place through a small air tube. A hearing aid of this type has a microphone for picking up the outer scarf, an amplifier fed by a disposable battery and a scarf. Since such hearing aids have to be made very small due to the nature of the system, the core components named microphone, amplifier, battery, and pulse generator must be made extremely small. The sound quality of the sound waves emitted by the sensor is unsatisfactory. This is unfortunate because the hearing impaired would receive the most effective hearing aid by receiving sound in high 7 oπ quality.

The invention solves the technical problem of providing a hearing system which can be used for hearing-impaired people and which is designed for sound delivery in very good sound quality and therefore provides very effective hearing aid.

In contrast to the hearing aids common today, the system according to the invention has a central unit which is separate from the microphone and the ear sound generator. For this central unit, but also for the microphone and the ear sounder, the rigid space constraints no longer apply as with the conventional hearing aids. This is an important prerequisite for sound output in very good sound quality. On the basis of the invention, it is possible to use a microphone and an ear sound generator, each with very high quality sound processing.

The components of the hearing system responsible for this are preferably designed such that the signal processing from the microphone input to the ear sound generator output takes place with a quality which is essentially at least at the level of today's good music reproduction from a music preserve. A typical example of today's good music reproduction from a canned music is a CD player with loudspeaker or good headphones. A modern DVD player with loudspeaker or good headphones delivers very good music reproduction from a music preserve today.

The components of the hearing system responsible for this are preferably designed such that the signal processing from the microphone input to the ear sound generator output comprises at least the frequency range 40 Hz to 16 kHz, preferably 30 Hz to 18 kHz, more preferably 20 Hz to 20 kHz , In comparison, current hearing aids often only have a frequency range of approximately 80 Hz to 10 kHz or less.

The components of the hearing system responsible for this are preferably designed such that the signal processing from the microphone input to the ear sound generator output takes place with very little distortion. The

Distortions can be so small that they are practically no longer measurable. The distortion factor can be less than 5%, more preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1%, more preferably less than 0.09%.

The signal processing is preferably digital, except in the microphone and in the ear sound generator.

A sampling frequency of at least 35 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 17.5 kHz), preferably at least 90 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 45 kHz), is preferably used.

A quantization of at least 16 bits, preferably at least 24 bits, is preferably used.

A dynamic range of at least 100 dB, preferably at least 130 dB, is preferably achieved.

The central unit of the hearing system according to the invention is - on an absolute scale - a very small and light unit. Typical dimensions are around the volume of a German matchbox, but flatter. In general, relatively flat designs are preferred due to the fact that they can be accommodated. The central unit is carried separately by the user of the hearing system from the microphone and the ear sounder, particularly typical is carrying it in a jacket pocket or carrying it on the neck by means of a band or chain, as is known, for example, from carrying glasses that are not used all the time. It goes without saying that the central unit and its "neck hanger" are designed as elegantly and chic as possible, so that they are perceived more as jewelry than as a technical ballast. The microphone and the ear sound generator are preferably combined to form a module, so that one does not have to deal with these components as separate parts. Alternatives are practicable, in particular a microphone at a distance from the ear sound generator on a line between the central unit and the ear sound generator or microphone on the central unit. 100 There are a few preferred options for placing the ear sound generator near the ear canal or in the end area of the ear canal. A first possibility is to provide a support part for the ear sounder in the manner of a headband, so that the ear sounder is worn like a single-sided headphone. A second option is a support part

105 to be provided in the manner of an ear hook, so that the ear sound generator is placed by a part of the bracket close to the end of the auditory canal of the user. A third possibility is that the ear cup transmitter is designed in such a way that it can be used at least in part in the end region of the auditory canal for use (earplug headphones). A fourth option

110 consists of providing glasses as a supporting part for the ear sound generator, the central unit preferably being integrated somewhere in the area of the glasses or a temple for the ear sound generator. The possibilities mentioned in this paragraph apply analogously to the microphone.

115 The microphone and / or the ear transmitter are preferably coupled to the central unit via an electrical line or an optical line. Preferably, one only has passive components on the ear, such as a microphone and / or ear transmitter, but not active components, such as amplifiers, radio wave receivers, etc. The line can be or

120 run together with the neck hanger. The line is optically visible and a foreign element on the outside of the head of the hearing system user. On the other hand, signal transmission via line is extremely easy to do technically. It is by no means excluded in the invention, the signal transmission between the microphone and / or the ear transmitter

125 on the one hand and the central unit on the other hand wirelessly, in particular by radio wave transmission. The signal transmission via line avoids any radio wave exposure near the ear.

The volume of the ear sounder is preferably adjustable by the user, 130 particularly preferably on the central unit, but alternatively also on the ear sounder or in the vicinity of the ear sounder. The power source is preferably a rechargeable power store, for example a lithium ion battery. In practice, this is a significant difference to the 135 disposable battery used in today's hearing aids, because running operating costs can be saved to a considerable extent.

According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, the hearing system has an audio processor with which audio signals are transmitted before being emitted

Have 140 processed on the ear transmitter. In this case, the sound signals picked up by the microphone are not only converted into electrical or optical signals in high quality, amplified and converted back into sound signals emitted by the ear-cup transmitter, but also improved in that the user of the hearing system has a better hearing result than

145 without editing.

There are a number of preferred functions for the audio processor, some of which can be implemented cumulatively and some alternatively.

150 The first function is the different amplification of different frequencies. Hearing impaired people often do not have hearing loss uniformly over the entire range of audible frequencies, but are more pronounced at certain frequencies than at other frequencies. These frequency-dependent differences ("hearing curve") can be

Compensate for 155% of frequency-dependent amplification.

A second function is to filter out background noises. Hearing-impaired people suffer particularly if their hearing aid also amplifies the background noise in the same way as the "desired" sound information, e.g. 160 B. from a conversation partner or from a music source. In the hearing system according to the invention, the audio processor can have the function of filtering out background noises, preferably more effectively than with hearing aids common today, in particular with software. Suitable software is known in particular from the field of mobile phones. The audio processor particularly preferably has the function of filtering out background-specific (or job-specific) background noises and / or impressing counter-noise against a noise impression felt by the user due to illness ^' . For this purpose, dentists (Schall

170 of turbine drills), truck drivers (engine noise), pilots (sound from jet engines and / or helicopter wings), tinitus patients and hyper-hearing-sensitive people. It can be seen immediately that it is a great relief for users of the hearing system according to the invention with such a function, from the constant sound reinforcement with annoying background noise

175 to be released. It is emphasized that the phrase "filter out background noise" should also include the considerable damping of background noise.

Preferably, the audio processor has several settings from which 180 can be selected. As a good example of the existence of several programs from which you can choose, the following can be mentioned: restaurant background noise, workplace noise, car driving noise, "feel good listening" with less amplification than during important conversations. The selection of a specific program can preferably be carried out by means of a 185 or more keys or one or more switches on the central unit.

The audio processor is preferably programmable, particularly preferably by the user himself. As a particularly prominent example of the pro

The ability to adapt the hearing system to the user's personal hearing curve is called grammability. The user can e.g. fall back on an existing recording of his hearing curve or also record his own hearing curve (a tone generator generates a tone for a sufficient number of specific frequencies over the entire hearing frequency range,

195 whose volume increases over time. The user presses a button as soon as he starts to hear the respective tone. The hearing curve indicates the objective volume at which the subjective hearing perception begins at each of the frequencies tested). A frequency-dependent gain curve for the amplifier results from the recorded hearing curve. This can be as 200 programs can be programmed for the audio processor or for the amplifier. The simplest example is the manual input of gain factors using a key for a sufficiently large number of individual frequencies.

In general, it is preferred if the audio processor in the delivery state of the hearing system is not programmed in terms of hardware or software, so that the owner / user of the hearing system can program the audio processor himself from scratch.

A far more convenient and therefore more preferred option of 210 programmability is the provision of an interface on the central unit in order to be able to program the audio processor from the outside. In the simple case, the interface can be a plug connection. However, an interface for wireless data transmission can also be provided. It is a preferred option to enter the respective program from an external computer (where it is available on a data carrier, for example a CD or DVD or hard disk, or has been downloaded from the Internet or after being created by the user on a memory is available). Another option is to load a program directly by connecting a program memory (e.g. memory card) to the central unit.

220 It is emphasized that the introduction of one or more programs into the central unit, which has been described primarily using the example of frequency-dependent amplification, also applies correspondingly to programs for other functions of the audio processor. As particularly prominent examples

225 programs for Nebe ^{'ngeräuschdämpfung} and background noise suppression (a background noise or a plurality of noise, one or more situation-specific or job-specific noise, one or more disease-specific noise) mentioned. With such programs, self programming will be rare and the procurement of

230 programs, especially on data carriers or from the Internet, are more the rule. It is emphasized that programming by the user, especially when the hearing system is tuned to his hearing curve, gives the user the opportunity to

235 possibility to record several situation-specific hearing curves, e.g. a first listening curve in the living room and a second listening curve in the workplace. The hearing system can then be used with the appropriate setting in the relevant environment. Even if you only work with a single, self-recorded hearing curve, this represents an essential

240 is an improvement over the current situation, in which an acoustician records a hearing curve in a room with little sound reflection, which is foreign to the later practical use of the hearing aid.

The central unit of the hearing system preferably has a radio receiver,

245 more preferably a radio transmitter and a radio receiver, for radio signals of at least one radio frequency. This feature enables the user of the hearing system to no longer transmit certain types of sound information via sound waves, but rather to introduce them directly into the hearing system by radio. Prominent examples include: listening to the radio, listening to

250 canned music, listening to the television sound, listening to the sound of video preserves, telephoning, doorbell, listening to lectures or simultaneous translation in lecture rooms / conference rooms, listening in the cinema, listening in the theater, listening in the church, listening in the department store. In all of these applications, the "original radio frequency" (e.g. of the radio transmitter) is generally not intended to be through the hearing system

255 are received, but a radio frequency designed for radio transmission over a comparatively short distance. For this purpose, the systems known under the name "Bluetooth" and the systems known as "W-LAN" (wireless local area network) are known in particular. To give a concrete example: The domestic television receiver is connected to a Bluetooth

260 transmitters and the hearing system receives the Bluetooth signals.

As already mentioned in principle, the hearing system is particularly preferably equipped for bidirectional radio communication. Certain functions, such as making calls, are only possible with this. It is possible to use the near-ear microphone 265 as a microphone for bidirectional radio communication. As an alternative to a radio connection, other types of wireless connection, for example via infrared, are also possible.

270 The hearing system is preferably provided with a display, particularly preferably on the central unit and / or as an LCD (liquid crystal display). The display facilitates the operation of the hearing system.

The hearing system is preferably combined with an audio playback device (e.g. playback device for optical storage disks or playback device with semiconductor memory). In this way, the hearing impaired can listen to music on the go. On the other hand, a lover for the mobile listening of music is no longer cut off from the environment, but can be reached from the outside via the microphone of the hearing system. Typical examples: 280 children listening to music walking on a sidewalk can hear the warning horn of a car; Music-listening joggers can hear the call of another jogger running nearby. This feature is an important security factor!

285 The hearing system is preferably combined with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. In this case, the hearing system "knows" where the user wearing the hearing system is located. One can couple the GPS receiver - in the manner of a motor vehicle navigation system - with a device for acoustic announcements, so that the user can hear acoustic announcements e.g. of Art

290 "You are now before crossing the x-road" will be given. The primary target group for the design of the hearing system with GPS receiver are blind people, who can be given continuous information about the exact location in this way. The hearing system designed in this way can also be used in such a way that an accompanying person is a blind person

295 accompanied initially on a certain route (e.g. from the blind man's apartment to his regular supermarket) and speaks information announcements of the kind mentioned on a sound carrier at important points along this route. If you later use the blind without a companion, the hearing system will correlate the hearing due to the GPS receiver.

300 announcements with the positions of the blind. The hearing system preferably has a microphone for the left and a microphone for the right and / or an ear transmitter for the left and an ear transmitter for the right. This is necessary for people with hearing loss on both sides.

305 But this is also advantageous for persons with only one-sided hearing loss from the point of view of the other functions of the hearing system described. It is emphasized that many of the features described above are duplicated in this case, namely for left and for right, e.g. electrical line to the central unit, volume control, etc. The amplifier is then in the

310 rule a two-channel amplifier.

The audio processor preferably has the "directional hearing" function. In practice, this can be achieved in particular by linking the signals from the left microphone and the right microphone. The

The audio processor detects a delay time difference and increases the volume of the ear sounder on the "earlier arriving side" of the user and / or decreases the volume of the ear sounder on the "later arriving side" of the user. This causes the user to turn his head so that the volume difference between left and

320 becomes smaller or disappears on the right.

The audio processor preferably has the function "active sound suppression". In practice, this function can be realized in particular by not only (per ear) the regular microphone for sound

325 received from the outside, but also has a second microphone between the ear cup and the eardrum of the user. The second microphone detects which sound supply the user actually has. The hearing system can then do "active noise control", i.e. those parts of the sound that are recognized as not belonging to speech or music (projected into the future)

330 dampen or eliminate.

The hearing system can be designed for deaf people on one side. In practice, this can be achieved in particular by picking up sound arriving at the deaf ear with the microphone there and this 335 gives information to the user on the non-deaf ear using the ear cuff transmitter there. This can be the sound as it has reached the deaf ear, or simply a warning tone or the like. The one-sided deaf user can therefore be addressed "from the deaf side" and will then turn his face more towards the sound source.

340 The hearing system can be designed for "musician monitoring". Here listens to a z. B. musicians on stage perform their own singing including accompanying instruments (but after the usual sound processing by an equalizer and possibly a hailing device and other) e.g. played by a 345 loudspeaker in front of him or via radio and can sing his own singing part much better. There are similar functions when playing vocals on instrument background music and when singing as playback.

The preceding explanations have shown that the hearing system according to the invention in many embodiments (but not in all embodiments) is a hearing system for hearing impaired people. There are other embodiments in which no hearing impairment function is required or available at all, but rather the function "bringing in sound coming from the environment", e.g. B. All-round addressability of one-sided deaf people, addressability of a person who is currently listening to a canned music using pairs of headphones, "musician monitoring". There are even embodiments of the hearing system according to the invention in which it is neither about sound amplification for the hearing impaired, nor about "bringing sound coming from the environment to a person's ear", e.g. B. 360 suppression of job-specific or illness-related noises, ongoing position announcements in the blind; hearing systems of this type also belong to the scope of the invention.

If the hearing system according to the invention has a microphone for the left and a Mi-365 microphone for the right, as well as an ear shaper for the left and an ear shaper for the right, the advantage of the hearing system according to the invention becomes particularly clear. The sound information recorded on both sides is processed in a single central unit, whereas today current hearing aids must each have a processing unit for left and right 370. It has become clear from the preceding description that there are hearing system designs in which a concatenation or linkage of the left-hand signals and the right-hand signals is favorable and is possible with the hearing system according to the invention.

375 The inventor has found that, in many cases, depending on the type of hearing impairment of the user, the use of the hearing system according to the invention does not require any background noise suppression because the user can hear much more clearly by applying the broadest teaching of the invention. One can often with the invention also with lower sound pressure

380 (volume) work in the user's ear because the high sound quality means that what is heard is perceived as clear even at low sound pressure levels.

Hearing aids that were common until now were devices that represented closed systems for the user. He was unable to influence signal processing in the hearing aid on his own, e.g. B. (hypothetically) to use a program "Coping with deafness in the classroom" that is now available online. In contrast, the invention with its corresponding configurations creates an open system in which the user can always try out new programs.

390 Preferably, the hearing system has a neck hanger with which it can be worn by the user on the body (which is usually clothing between a part of the neck hanger and the central unit on the one hand and the body skin on the other hand) and the lines are between

395 integrated into the ear pendant and the central unit as well as the microphone and the central unit on part of their length in the neck hanger. With this integration, there is a first type of integration, in which the lowest possible visibility of the integrated part of the lines is in the foreground. But there is also a second type of integration in which - regardless of

400 "as little visible as possible" or "quietly visible" - the focus is on the fact that the length portion shortened in this development of the invention, which is not integrated in the neck hanger, is much easier to "untangle" is as without the training measure. If you take the hearing system out of a drawer or a handbag, for example, the comparatively short, unintegrated partial lengths of the cables are without disentanglement or with a lot

405 much less untangling, so that the hearing system can be used easily and conveniently. As the exemplary embodiments will demonstrate more clearly below, the unintegrated line parts can either go away from the actual neck hanger at two spaced locations (particularly practical at two locations in the

410 substantially below the left ear and essentially below the right ear); but you can also plan to leave practically at a common place for the left and for the right (especially practical in the back, around the middle of the neck).

415 In practice, there is a whole series of favorable possibilities for the integration of partial line lengths preferred in a development of the invention. The neck hanger can be tubular, in particular made of textile material, leather, links (e.g. made of metal, wood, pearls, etc.) of a hollow chain. Or you can include the cables in the structural structure of the neck hanger,

420 e.g. braided neck hanger, in which a braided strand or several braided strands are the cables. Or you can use a chain that is not necessarily composed of hollow chain links and thus has a hollow channel, but in which the line partial lengths simply continue from chain link to chain link and in a suitable manner to the chain.

425 ten links are supported; in this case, one usually has to deal with the partial cable lengths visible there.

The hearing system preferably has glasses and the ear-cup transmitter and the microphone are carried by a temple, so that

430 of the hearing system of the ear pusher is located in the area of the ear entrance. It is true that hearing loss glasses are known from earlier times, which are left and right in a thickened area of the temple ends, i.e. in use "behind the ears", which housed hearing aids (essentially consisting of a microphone, amplifier, battery, sounder). The distance from the sounder

435 sound was given over the skin and the bones behind it Directed user to his hearing organ. The hearing system developed according to the invention differs fundamentally from this in that an ear cuff is provided which emits its sound into the auditory canal of the user. This enables a much better sound quality than with the old 440 hearing impaired glasses. The central unit is preferably integrated in the spectacles, with one spectacle temple or both spectacle temples, which, compared to conventional spectacle temples, only have to be slightly enlarged in the vertical direction, are particularly suitable.

445 As already described above in the other context, the ear cuff can either be provided for wearing in the end region of the auditory canal (earplug headphones) or for wearing somewhat outside before the end of the auditory canal.

450 A preferred hearing system in a further development of the invention is characterized in that it has at least one image sensor coupled to the central unit; that the central unit has a speech recording and speech reproduction device; and that the central unit is equipped with the "image recognition" function and an acoustic announcement to the user,

455 which correlates with the current information from the image sensor. The term "image sensor" preferably stands for a dimensionally small digital camera, such as is used e.g. with newer mobile phones. In practice, the use of the hearing system developed in this way can e.g. so imagine having a caregiver along with the visually impaired person who

460 wearing the hearing system, a certain distance is running, e.g. from the visually impaired person's apartment to a supermarket. The visually impaired person stops at precise points along this route and directs the image sensor against an object with strong characteristics, e.g. a house facade, a sculpture erected there, a telephone booth, a shop with on the outside of the building

465 capitalized name of the store or the like. The assistant speaks a voice recording into the voice recording and speech counter and sets a reference to the object currently being recorded by the image sensor, eg object 1 "we are now on the other side of the street opposite the bank building and have to cross the street. 470 wait for the green traffic light ". The same goes for the entire route and back. After the voice recording and speech reproduction device has been fed with announcements in this way and there is a relationship between the object and the individual announcement, the visually impaired can Person to cover the distance independently and without an assistant.

475 disabled person knows e.g. also the approximate number of steps from object to object, so that it can point its image sensor at the right place at the object. The "image recognition" function in the central unit 'then recognizes the object when the visually impaired person is approximately at the check point and detects the object and the person concerned.

The announcement of the visually impaired person was announced at the end of the checkpoint.

It can be seen from the above description that the central unit must have the function of storing images taken by means of the image sensor, otherwise "image recognition" would not be possible.

485 Nowadays, software is available that performs the image recognition function required here. There is software in which the image recognition works reasonably reliably even if the viewing perspective is somewhat different than in the "first shot" and / or if minor changes to the object have occurred in the meantime, e.g. Provide balcony with awning, other display in shop window.

An alternative practical possibility of using the hearing system developed in this way is e.g. in person recognition. The visually impaired

495 person takes pictures of other people with the help of an auxiliary person, e.g. Colleague, neighbor, on. The associated voice input would be e.g. "Ms. Meier is standing in front of you now". Software is commercially available today with which e.g. the face or body of a person using biometric key data (e.g. distance left eye to chin, distance right eye to

500 chin, distance of the eyes, distance of the earlobes). Yet another practical example is to recognize simpler things in the household, such as "gas stove on / gas stove off" or "outside it is already dark / outside it is still light". 505 The hearing system according to the invention represents a reversal of the previous habit of thinking. Hearing loss is no longer hidden as an affliction, but is consciously shown to the outside; the hearing system is understood as jewelry or a decorative accessory. The invention and preferred embodiments of the invention are

510 explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. It shows:

1 shows a hearing system;

FIG. 2 shows a central unit of the hearing system from FIG. 1 in plan view;

515 Figure 3 shows the central unit of Figure 2 in front view.

Fig. 4 microphone ear transducer modules of the hearing system of Fig. 1;

520 FIG. 5 shows a functional diagram of the essential electrical components of the central unit;

6 shows another embodiment of a hearing system;

525 FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of a hearing system;

8 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a hearing system;

9 shows a system which makes visually impaired persons an acoustic announcement 530 about optically recorded environmental information.

The hearing system 2 shown in FIG. 1 has as its essential components: a central unit 4 and a pair of microphone-ear sounding modules 6, which are connected to the central unit 4 via electrical 535 lines 8 when the hearing system 2 is ready for operation. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central unit 4 has - roughly speaking - the shape of a slightly curved cuboid, which in the plan view of FIG. 2 is approximately 60 mm long and 40 mm wide and is approximately 10 mm thick. The

540 central unit 4 has a weight of about 40 g without a power source. The central unit 4 has on its upper side (which faces the viewer in FIG. 2) an LCD display 8 and several pushbuttons 10. The housing of the central unit 4 can be opened in order to insert a rechargeable power store (not shown). For recharging the power storage

545, a charging cradle, not shown, can preferably be provided, which also serves to store the central unit 4 in times of non-use.

4 that each microphone-ear sounder module 6 (hereinafter "ear module" for short) has an earphone 12 and a microphone 14. The earphone 12 is designed as a bow earphone, which is placed behind the ear cup in the groove between the ear cup and the head. An extension protrudes from the corresponding bracket area of the earphone 12 to the center and carries an actual sound generator 16 there. When using the hearing system 555, the sound generator 16 is located directly at the outer end of the outer auditory canal. The microphone 14 is positioned at the lower end of the bracket area and aligned so that when in use it is oriented essentially forward, ie essentially in the direction of the user's view. From each ear module 6, four electrical conductors 18 lead to 560 below. The total of eight conductors 18 of the two ear modules 6 are electrically connected to the central unit 4 by means of a common plug 20.

For each ear module 6, an additional microphone 52 is drawn a little way in front of the sound emission side of the sound generator 16; the additional microphone 565 phon 52 is available in the "active sound suppression" function.

As an alternative to the ear module 6 shown and described so far, an ear module can be present in each case, which is worn from the outside in the manner of a more conventional headphone against the auricle. 570 The microphone can be integrated closer to the headphones. The most important electrical components of the central unit 4 are shown in the functional diagram of FIG. 5. The two microphones 14 are each connected to a digital signal processor 30, each via an analog-digital converter 32, and the two sound transmitters 16 are also each connected via a digital-analog converter 34. In the simplest case, the digital signal processor 30 merely has the function an amplifier, in the more complex case additional functions, some of which have been addressed in the general part of the description and some of which are explained below.

Each microphone 14 is of high sound quality, frequency response 8 Hz to 23 kHz. Each sounder 16 is of high sound quality. Overall, a frequency range of at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz is processed practically without distortion. The converters 32 and 34 each have a bandwidth of 24 bits. The system has a sampling frequency of 96 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 48 kHz) and a dynamic range of 144 dB.

The digital signal processor 30 is controlled by a microcontroller 36. Separate volume controls 38 for left and right are connected to micorcontroller 36. In addition, an electronic memory 40, preferably an EEPROM, is connected to the microcontroller 36, furthermore the aforementioned display 8 and a bidirectional radio transmitter / radio receiver 42, preferably for W-LAN or for Bluetooth. Finally, situation buttons 44 and program buttons 46 (both types of buttons, such as the push buttons 10 mentioned earlier) are connected to the microcontroller 36.

In a particularly simple case, the memory 40 contains an amplification curve, ie frequency-dependent amplification factors, obtained from the user's hearing curve. In a somewhat more complex case, the memory 40 contains several gain curves for the user, obtained from several hearing curves that have been recorded in different rooms. In another, more complex case, the memory 40 contains means for damping / filtering out background noises in special situations or environments, 605 as mentioned in the general part of the description. With the situation buttons 44, the user of the hearing system 2 can select the measures with which the signals picked up by the microphones 14 are processed and then emitted to his ears via the sound generator 16.

610 The radio transmitter / radio receiver 42 is used on the one hand to give certain sound information to the user of the hearing system 2 without using the microphones 14, for. B. listening to the radio and much more (detailed in the general part of the description). In addition, the radio transmitter / radio receiver 42

615 can be used to program certain programs. B. via situation-specific noise suppression (further examples are mentioned in the general part of the description) in the memory 40. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a plug-in interface on the central unit 4 for loading such programs. With the program buttons 46, the user of the hearing system 2

620 select which of the audio offers that come in via the radio transmitter / radio receiver 42 he wants to hear.

If a user of the hearing system 2 is hearing impaired only on one side, he can naturally manage with a single ear module 6.

625 If the hearing system 2 is combined with an audio playback device and / or a GPS receiver, the central unit 4 becomes a bit larger. Since audio playback devices and GPS receivers are small units in their own right today, the increase in the size of the central unit 4,630 is very limited.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the actual sound generators 16 are designed in such a way that they can be used as light and comfortable plugs in the end region of the auditory canal of the user. Each 635 sounder 16 is closely integrated with a microphone 14 in the sense that the microphone 14 is attached to the outside of the sounder 16 (when using the hearing system). The lines 18 from or to the microphones 14 and sounders 16 lead to the (when used) at the back of the neck. sensitive area of a neck hanger 50, e.g. B. in the form of a chain. The central unit 4 hangs on the 640 of the neck hanger 50.

It is generally the case that the lines 18 between the microphones 14 and the sounders 16 and the central unit 4 can be led down on the back of the neck of the user or on the front of the neck. From 645 the neck area of the user, the further line routing depends on where the central unit 4 is carried. In the case of a neck hanger 50, continuation of the lines combined with the neck hanger 50 is preferred, but not absolutely necessary. The further cable routing can be above or below the clothing.

650 The hearing system 2 according to FIG. 7 differs from the hearing system according to FIG. 6 only in the following: The neck hanger 50 is designed in the form of a thin tube with an inner channel, e.g. sewn from fabric, sewn from leather, made like a thick shoelace, tubular golden

655 chain, series of spherical links each with a channel leading through and held together by plastic thread or metal thread as with conventional chains. At a point 54 at the top left and at an analog point 54 at the top right, a line 18 (each including four conductors) emerges from the neck hanger, with enlarging blocks (not shown)

660 locking elements on the lines 18 ensure that the lines 18 do not slide further into the neck hanger 50 and cannot be pulled further out of the neck hanger 50. The openings 54 are located in such a way that, when the neck hanger 50 / hearing system 2 is worn by the user, they are located approximately below the left ear and approximately below the right ear

665 lie. The ear modules 6 have no additional microphones 52 in front of the sound emission side of the sounder 16. The central unit 4 is by means of a hook 56 which can be repeatedly opened and closed by the user, as e.g. is known from sailing ships, releasably attached to the neck hanger 50. The lines 18 lead from the openings 54 in the interior of the neck hanger 50

670 down and emerge from the neck hanger 50 near the hook 56. At the end of the lines 18 are provided with a plug 58 with which a releasable electrical connection to the central unit 4 is established. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8, the hearing system 2 is with glasses

675 60, which is drawn in a side view in FIG. 8, is integrated. One can see the left temple 62, which is slightly enlarged in the vertical direction over a portion of its length, see reference numeral 64. The central unit 4 is accommodated there, optionally also distributed over the left and right temple, e.g. Electricity storage on one side, rest on the other. The

680 in the use state behind the ear, the rear end region of the temple 62 is, as in conventional glasses, not thickened. A line 18, containing the required number of conductors, is led out of this end region. As in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 6 and 7, an ear module 6 is seated at the free end of the line 18.

685 module 6, which is used as a plug in the end region of the auditory canal of the user, the lines 18 are held flexibly. However, it is also possible to attach the ear module 6 to the bracket 62 by means of a relatively rigid support part, so that when the sound generator 16 is used, a small piece is placed outside in front of the end of the auditory canal. A

Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when the function of a hearing system for the hearing impaired is less important than the function of an announcement to the user, see in particular the combination described with a GPS receiver or the described system with image recorder and image recognition.

695 Further details, including sound quality values, as have been described with reference to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, can be present individually or in a plurality analogously in the exemplary embodiments 6, 7, 8. This also applies to the central unit 4.

700 The system 2 according to FIG. 9 has the appearance of a pair of glasses 60, FIG. 9 showing a frontal view of the glasses 60 from the perspective of a person opposite the user of the system. In the upper left corner area of the eyeglass frame and in the upper right corner area of the eyeglass frame, an image sensor 62 (small 705 digital camera) is accommodated in a corresponding opening of the material of the eyeglass frame. The image recording data of the image recorders 62 go on a central unit 4, which is accommodated on the glasses 60, for example analogously to FIG. 8. The central unit 4 or the "two half central units" also contain an image storage unit and a voice recording and playback device and the "image recognition" function. Instead of being accommodated on the glasses 60, the central unit can also be provided separately from the glasses 60, in particular along the lines of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 7. The function "hearing aid for hearing impaired persons" can be present, but need not be.

It is expressly pointed out that systems are disclosed in the present application which, if desired, without the function "hearing system for bringing sound coming from the environment to a person's ear" and / or without the function "hearing aid system for hearing impaired persons "and / or without the feature" central unit with amplifier and power source "and / or without the feature" at least one microphone separated from the central unit ", as the average person skilled in the art will readily recognize when reading the present application. This applies in particular to hearing systems which have the features listed in claims 16 and / or 19 and / or 20 and / or 21 and / or 22 and / or 23 and / or 24 (because this can also be used by people who are not hard of hearing is) for the feature mentioned in claim 29 (because it is also useful for non-hearing impaired people and for people not externally exposed to sound) for the feature specified in claim 30 (because that also applies to non-hearing impaired people and not for outside sound exposure) Persons and can be used without a microphone), for the features claimed in claim 36 (because this can also be used for people who are not hard of hearing and for people who are not exposed to external sound), and for the features specified in claim 38 (because these also apply to non- people with hearing loss and for people who are not exposed to sound from outside and even without a microphone). In the hearing system with the features specified in claim 36, you can also work without providing the microphone. It is thus emphasized that all of these systems, in spite of the fact that the claim set refers back to at least claim 1, can also be implemented in a technically meaningful manner without the features mentioned in claim 1. This system separate from claim 1, are disclosed as own inventions in the present application.

Claims

K 62 871/8 PATENT CLAIMS 750

1. A hearing system for bringing sound coming from the environment to a person's ear, in particular a hearing system for hearing-impaired people, having the following features:

755 (a) a central processing unit (4) which has an amplifier (30) and a current source for supplying the amplifier (30);

(b) at least one earpiece transmitter 760 (16) separated from the central unit (4) and coupled to the central unit (4) for signal transmission;

(c) and at least one microphone (14) separated from the central unit (4), which is coupled to the central unit (4) for signal transmission and which, when the hearing system (2) is in operation, is close to an ear of the user

765 person is placed.

2. Hearing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the responsible components (14, 32, 30, 34, 16) of the hearing system (2) are designed such that the signal processing 770 device from the microphone input to the ear sound generator. Output with a quality 'which is essentially at least at the level of today's good music reproduction from a canned music.

3. Hearing system according to claim 1 or 2,

775 characterized in that the responsible components (14, 32, 30, 34, 16) of the hearing system (2) are designed in such a way that the signal processing from the microphone input to the earphone output is at least the frequency range 40 Hz to 16 kHz , preferably 30 Hz to 18 kHz, more preferably 20 Hz to 20 kHz. 780 4. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the responsible components (14, 32, 30, 34, 16) of the hearing system (2) are designed such that the signal processing from the microphone input to the Sound generator output 785 with very low distortion.

5. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal processing, except in the microphone (14) and in the ear-cup transmitter (16), is carried out digitally.

790 6. Hearing system according to claim 5, characterized in that a sampling frequency of at least 35 kHz, preferably at least 90 kHz, is used.

795 7. Hearing system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a quantization of at least 16 bits, preferably at least 24 bits, is used.

8. Hearing system according to one of claims 5 to 7,

800 characterized in that a dynamic range of at least 100 bB, preferably at least 130 dB, is achieved.

9. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the microphone (14) and the ear transmitter 805 (16) are combined to form a module (6).

10. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the microphone (14) via an electrical line (18) or an optical line with the central unit (4) is coupled 810.

1 1. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ear cup transmitter (16) is coupled to the central unit (4) via an electrical line (18) or an optical line.

12. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the ear cup transmitter (16) is provided with a supporting part with which it can be held on the head of the user.

13. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the ear cup transmitter (16) is designed such that it is used for use at least in part in the end region of the auditory canal.

14. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the volume of the ear sound generator (16) is adjustable by the user.

15. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the power source is a rechargeable power storage.

16. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the central unit (4) has an audio processor (30, 36, 40) with which audio signals can be processed before being delivered to the ear cuff.

17. Hearing system according to claim 15, characterized in that can be controlled with the audio processor (30, 36, 40) that different frequencies are amplified differently.

18. Hearing system according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that with the audio processor (30, 36, 40) can filter out noise.

850 19. Hearing system according to claim 18, characterized in that situation-specific noise can be filtered out with the audio processor (30, 36, 40).

855 20. Hearing system according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that with the audio processor (30, 36, 40) counter-sound can be impressed against a noise impression felt by the user due to illness.

860 21. Hearing system according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the audio processor (30, 36, 40) has several settings from which to choose, e.g. Setting for ambient noise, setting for a specific type of ambient noise, setting for sound insulation, setting for protection

865 against specific type of sound, adjustment to tinitus disease, adjustment to hyper-hearing-sensitive person.

22. Hearing system according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the audio processor (30, 36, 40) is programmable 870.

23. Hearing system according to claim 22, characterized in that the central unit (4) has an interface and the audio processor (30, 36, 40) can be programmed from the outside.

24. Hearing system according to claim 23, characterized in that the audio processor (30, 36, 40) is programmable by means of an external computer.

880 25. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the central unit (4) has a radio receiver for radio signals on at least one radio frequency.

885 26. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the central unit (4) has a radio transmitter and a radio receiver for radio signals on at least one radio frequency.

890 27. Hearing system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the radio frequency is a radio frequency used for transmitting audio signals in buildings, e.g. Connection telephone-hearing system, connection radio receiver-hearing system, connection audio playback system -Hearing system, connection video playback-

895 System -Hearing system, connection doorbell— Hearing system, connection audio system Lecture room / conference room -Hearing system.

28. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that a display (8) is provided.

900 29. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that it is combined with an audio playback device.

905 30. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that it is combined with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.

31. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 30, 910 characterized in that a microphone (14) for left and a microphone (14) for right are available.

32. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 31,

915 characterized in that there is an ear shaper (16) for the left and an ear shaper (16) for the right.

33. Hearing system according to one of claims 16 to 32, characterized in that the audio processor (30, 36, 40) has the function 920 "active sound suppression".

34. Hearing system according to one of claims 16 to 33, characterized in that the audio processor (30, 36, 40) has the function "directional hearing".

925 35. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that it is designed for one-sided deaf people.

36. Hearing system according to one of claims 10 to 35,

930 characterized in that it has a neck hanger (50) with which it can be worn on the body by the user, and that the lines (18) between the ear transmitter (16) and the central unit (4) and the microphone (14) and the central unit (4) is integrated over part of its length in the neck hanger (50).

935 37. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that it has glasses (60) and in that the ear shaper (16) and the microphone (14) are worn by a temple (62), so that when in use the hearing aid the ear transducer (16) is located in the area of the ear entrance.

38. Hearing system according to one of claims 1 to 37 for visually impaired people, characterized in that it has at least one image sensor (62) coupled to the central unit (4); that the central unit (4)

945 includes a voice recorder and player; and that the central unit (4) is equipped with the "image recognition" function and the User can make an acoustic announcement that correlates with the current information from the image sensor (62).