JPS60154800A - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain small in size and high performance by dividing a sound collecting part and pronunciation part into two and by coupling them by using a beam. CONSTITUTION:A sound signal collected by a sound collecting microphone M is amplified up to a proper level by the first amplifier A1 and is impressed in an infrared-ray emitting diode LED through the an FM modulator FM on the next step. A light receiving device RV picks up the sound signal by a photodiode PD, amplifies it by the second amplifier A2, demodulates it by a PLLFM signal demodulator PLL on the next step, and impresses it on the third amplifier A3 to drive an electroacoustic transducer SP by its output. The hearing aid, thus using the beam as a carrier, disturbs no waveforms of internal fine current waves, thereby performing information transmission.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] By dividing the sound collection section and the sound production section into two and connecting them using light beams, we have created a compact, high-performance, eye-catching device that can be used even by people with heavy skin. This makes it possible to create a hearing aid that would otherwise be difficult to develop. The explanation is given below according to the figure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which the audio signal collected by the sound collecting microphone (M) is amplified to an appropriate level by the first amplifier (A1), and then The FM signal connected to the FM modulator (FM) of the stage is applied to the infrared light emitting diode I' (LED). Therefore, from the optical transmitter* (TM) configured in this way, the audio signal is converted into a set of light beams and is emitted.

The optical receiver (RV) uses a 77F die λ-F (PD) to shift the audio signal converted into an FM signal, and sends it to the second amplification a (A2). After amplifying it to an appropriate level, it is connected to the next stage PLL FM signal demodulator (PLL), and this demodulated audio signal is applied to the third amplifier (A3), and its output is used for electroacoustic conversion. It is configured to drive the device (sp).

Therefore, the optical receiving device N (FIV) is attached to the ear canal, and the optical transmitting device jl ('IM) is placed in a position where there is no risk of damage.
For example, by incorporating it into a necklace or the like, it is possible to realize a high-performance hearing aid that is almost invisible to third parties.

In addition, the infrared light emitting device F (LE) of the optical transmitter (1'M)
D) and photodiode-F (PD) of the optical receiver (RV)
) have a structure that allows them to fit closely to the body, infrared rays can be transmitted through the body relatively well, so the sounding part, or optical receiver (RV), must be worn in the mouth. etc., using the body as a conduction medium, an optical transmitter ('IM)
This is convenient because it can be combined with an optical receiver (RV). In this case, by incorporating the optical transmitting device ('l'M) into a wristwatch or the like, it is possible to construct a device in which the use of the hearing aid is not noticed at all from the outside. Alternatively, the optical transmitter (TM) and the optical receiver (FtV) may be coupled using an optical fiber. In this case, the loss within the optical fiber is small, so it is possible to It is not necessary to use a light emitting diode; instead, a light emitting diode emitting colorful visible light such as white or red may be used.

Although there have been examples in the past of dividing the sound collection section and the sound production section into two and connecting the two using radio waves, the regulations under the Radio Law, especially in foreign countries, are very strict, and there are restrictions on where they can be used, etc. In addition, there were li+4 issues of mutual interference between usage considerations, and it was not something that could be fully evaluated.

The method using light as a medium according to the present invention can be said to be an extremely effective coupling method because regulations such as the Radio Law exist all over the world and there is no possibility of causing any interference to others. Focusing on the property that infrared light conducts well within the body, its application is wide-ranging, not only in hearing aids, but also as a means of transmitting information for medical devices by installing optical transmitters and optical receivers in organs within the body. There are things, and since we are using light rays as +yaria, we can create minute current waves flowing inside the body, such as PjA'I! i, has the feature of being able to carry out information transmission without disturbing current waveforms such as nerve waves.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flock diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. Explanation of symbols M: Sound collecting microphone A1, A2, A3: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Amplifier FM: FM modulator LED: Infrared light emitting diode [TM: Forward (M qBp: Electroacoustic transducer PL
L: PLL FM demodulator PD NIPHOTODIO
Rv: Optical receiver

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A light transmitting device consisting of a sound collecting microphone, a means for optically modulating the collected audio signal, and a light emitting device driven by the light transmitting device, and a light receiving device for receiving light from the light emitting device. Sound collection is achieved by controlling an optical receiving device consisting of a transducer, demodulating means for demodulating the received light signal into the original audio signal, and an electroacoustic replacer driven by the demodulated audio signal. A hearing aid characterized by separating a sounding part and a sounding part and optically coupling the two. (2) Shame on the patent claim that the light-emitting element of the optical transmitter and the light-receiving element of the optical receiver can each be brought into close contact with the body! B
The hearing aid described in paragraph 1. (3) A hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical transmitter is mounted in a wristwatch. (4) A hearing aid according to claim 1, in which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver are coupled through an optical fiber.