CN101507293B - A hearing aid with an elongate member - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing for accommodation of a signal processor for processing an audio signal into an audio signal compensating a hearing loss and a receiver that is connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the processed compensated audio signal into a sound signal, and wherein the housing is attached to an earpiece part adapted for positioning in the ear canal of the user in such a way that the housing extends through a central part of the earpiece part.

Description

A kind of hearing aids with slender member

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of Novel audiphone, this hearing aids has and is suitable for being positioned at the shell in user's duct.

Background technology

Conventional inner ear type (in the ear, ITE) or completely duct-type (completely-in-the-canal, CIC) hearing aids have and are customized to be applicable to respectively the shell of user's duct.Hearing aids parts for example electronic unit, microphone, receiver, battery etc. are included in this shell, and this shell is sealed by the panel of the end away from duct.In order to reduce obstruction, it is that airway is for the opening of panel and the connection between user's duct that alleged blow vent is set.This blow vent can pass shell or housing, or can form this blow vent at inner pipeline or the flexible pipe that extends and the opening in panel is connected with the opening of the opposite end of shell of hearing aids.The effect of blow vent can be increased by the length that increases cross section and reduce airway.

Hard of hearing formula (behind-the-ear, BTE) hearing aids is well known in the art, and the sound conduction that wherein sound pipe produces the receiver of hearing aids is to duct.For sound pipe is positioned in duct securely and cosily, be provided with the earphone inserting in user's duct.

Conventionally, ITE or CIC shell or BTE earphone be respectively customization with the duct of match user critically, and do not cause user's pain, meanwhile shell or earphone are firmly held in to the appropriate location in duct, prevented earphone because user's action, for example chew or yawn and drop out from ear, and avoiding acoustic feedback to produce uncomfortable and irritating howling or ululation.The earphone of customization has increased the cost of hearing aids and has installed the needed time of hearing aids.

Conventionally, the hearing aids of customization is by order to guarantee that the solid material of fixing and compactness makes.These hearing aidss are to be completely or partially placed in duct.Due to when lower jaw is in when motion, for example, while chewing, auditory canal wall can be moved, and in duct, placing this type of solid unit can be associated with the uncomfortable of user.

Attempted in order to eliminate the number of ways of this discomfort, wherein a kind of approach is that for example WO02/03757A1 is disclosed by the duct part of soft material manufacturing installation.This device manufacture is complicated and limited ventilation can only be provided.

In WO2004/010734, a kind of duct hearing devices is disclosed, this device has for preventing from feeding back and minimizing the dual sealing system of blocking effect.This two-part device comprise for by sound conduction to eardrum and be sealed in primary module and the elongated tubular insert in duct bone district.This primary module is positioned in the cartilage portion of duct.This tubular insert comprises phonocatheter and is positioned between two parties the cylinder hollow primary seal in bone district.This device also comprises the inferior seal of located lateral in cartilage area.

WO01/08443 discloses a kind of one-size-fits-all (one-size-fits-all) hearing aids, and this hearing aids is suitable for putting into any user's duct, reaches the degree of depth that approaches eardrum.This hearing aids is by forming in order to hold two half housings that are joined together of hearing aids parts.Engage housing and flexible termination is fixed on to the far-end of housing.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of hearing aids, wherein, a part for this hearing aids can firmly and cosily be located and be remained in user's duct, and the shell of this and CIC hearing aids is similar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of standard-sized hearing aids, has exempted the needs of customization.

According to the present invention, by a kind of hearing aids, realize above and other object, this hearing aids has shell, this shell is used for holding signal processor and receiver, this signal processor is for becoming Audio Signal Processing the audio signal of compensation hearing loss, this receiver is connected to the output of signal processor, for converting processed compensating audio signal to voice signal.With shell, extend through the mode of the core of earphone unit, shell is attached to the earphone unit in the duct that is suitable for being positioned at user.

This shell can be attached to and be suitable for being positioned in user's auricle and the slender member of duct outside.

This slender member has first end and the second relative end, and this first end is attached to shell.

According to hearing aids term, when shell is positioned in duct with its expection service position and can not block duct time, this shell means open type shell.In open type shell, between a part for auditory canal wall and a part for shell, will there is passage, so that sound wave can be from spreading out of after the shell between eardrum and shell and arriving around user via this passage and earphone unit.Like this, reduced blocking effect, and be preferably and substantially eliminated blocking effect.

Wear the normally change of their voice that first people of hearing aids notices.They are described as in following term by its oneself voice conventionally: " my sound has echo ", " my sound is empty " or " sounding that I speak in bucket ".They are mainly because duct has been blocked by shell or earphone to the variation of self sound perception.

The sound that derives from sound channel (larynx and mouth) is transferred in duct via the cartilaginous tissue between duct outside and these chambeies.

While not locating anything in duct, most main bass spread out of from duct simply.Yet when duct is blocked, these osteophonies can not spread out of from duct.Result is to have accumulated high sound pressure level in remaining duct volume.The all-bottom sound pressure energy increasing is heard and can be caused that sound that user hears oneself is very large and is rendered as rumble.To the variation of self sound perception, be and discontented relevant main obstacle, but be not unique obstacle.Other obstacle relevant issues comprise to thering is the hearing aid user of good low frequency hearing, carry out that too much low frequency amplifies, the intelligibility of speech reduces, location is poorer, the discomfort on health and the risk of external ear inflammation and infection increase.The inadaptable obstruction of hearing aid user and blocking effect are quoted conduct to the discontented reason of their hearing aids by 27% more than hearing aid wearer.This just gives prominence to the key points and need to alleviate or preferably eliminate blocking effect.

Hearing aids comprises microphone, signal processor and loudspeaker.This microphone is used for converting tones into audio signal, and this signal processor is for becoming Audio Signal Processing the audio signal of compensation hearing loss, and this loudspeaker is connected to the output of signal processor, for converting processed compensating audio signal to voice signal.In addition, hearing aids comprises the battery for the electric parts power supply to its this hearing aids.

According to hearing aids term, this loudspeaker also represents the receiver in this specification.

In one embodiment of the invention, shell holds the above-mentioned hearing aids parts that comprise microphone in the similar mode of the shell with CIC hearing aids.In another embodiment, slender member is contained in its second end by microphone, and shell holds other parts, and signal conductor extends into slender member, for by other parts electrical interconnection of microphone and hearing aids shell.

In one embodiment, shell and slender member form the integral member that is manufactured into a part.

In another embodiment, slender member and shell form the separative element that is manufactured into separation member.

In yet another embodiment, shell and slender member are fabricated at during the manufacture of hearing aids mechanical interconnection and may the interconnected separating component of electricity.

Shell according to the present invention is preferably with many standard size manufactures, to coordinate the human anatomy of most of user's ducts.Like this, production cost has reduced than the production cost of customized shell.

Slender member according to the present invention is preferably with many standard size manufactures, to coordinate the human anatomy of most of user's auricles.Like this, production cost has reduced than the production cost of customization slender member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, slender member interconnects with shell removably, so that can be by the shell combination of the slender member of various criterion size and various criterion size being provided to the hearing aids of a large amount of different models.

The battery cover providing to the entrance of battery flat can be provided shell.By the connector for slender member and battery cover are together got off from disassembling shell, slender member can be attached to battery cover, and this battery cover can removablely be attached to shell.

When battery cover is attached to shell, this connector be also suitable for slender member in holding wire electrically contact.

In one embodiment, slender member is suitable for around being positioned in user's auricle in abutting connection with Antihelicine concha auriculae periphery, and covers at least in part to keep its position by anthelix.

For be easy to by slender member be matched with in auricle desired location, in manufacture process, can prefabricated slender member, preferably slender member is prefabricated into arch, this arch has the curvature slightly larger than anthelix curvature.

This slender member can be flexible, for assisting, shell is remained in user's duct, thereby this shell is firmly held in the appropriate location in duct, and can, because of user's action, such as chewing or yawning, and drop out from ear.The maintenance providing can not cause user's pain.

When shell has been inserted in duct, slender member also can be suitable in abutting connection with the part of the concha auriculae of antitragus, towards duct, power is applied to shell and shell is remained on to appropriate location whereby, in this suitable position, this shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in duct.

It is important that hearing aids is remained on to appropriate location.Lower jaw action can be applied to outside power the duct part of hearing aids.In one embodiment of the invention, slender member has elasticity, and this elasticity is enough to offset this power and is enough to protect hearing aids to avoid the outwards impact of motion.

Preferably, slender member has elasticity in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension, further provides shell is remained on to the ability in user's duct whereby.Shell is being positioned in the process of the desired location in user's duct, the transverse elasticity of slender member contributes to shell to insert in user's duct.

Preferably, in the time of in shell is positioned user's duct, slender member is suitable in abutting connection with anthelix and at least extends to Antihelicine leftover bits and pieces (inferior crus).

More preferably, in the time of in shell is positioned user's duct, slender member is suitable for the second end to be positioned the cymba below user's fossa triangularis of ear.

Slender member can be suitable for microphone to be contained in the second end.This slender member is holding the second end of microphone than the larger cross section that has of the remainder of the slender member extending from this second end towards first end.

The second end that the microphone of hearing aids is positioned to slender member provides large distance, whereby minimum feedback between microphone and receiver.

Feedback has limited the available maximum gain of hearing aid user.Feedback refers to mainly via the passage between shell and auditory canal wall, from hearing aids delivery outlet, turn back to the voice emplifying of hearing aid microphone.When the decay being provided by feedback path is less than hearing aids gain, there will be vibration.Between microphone and receiver, can relax this problem at a distance.

As following further describing, also can be by electrical feedback restraint measure in hearing aids according to the present invention.

Slender member also can hold electric hearing aid parts.

The second end at slender member has in the embodiment of microphone, and this slender member is preferably essentially rigidity in the direction of its longitudinal extension, thereby protection is arranged in the electric lead of slender member, avoids damaging.

At its second end, have in the slender member of microphone, during position in microphone is located in auricle, substantially kept location, wherein, microphone receives voice signal, and this voice signal makes user awareness towards the direction of sound source.Then, the voice signal of user's energy perceived direction institute foundation is transferred to user's eardrum by hearing aids.For example, when cymba below microphone is positioned in auricle intermediate cam nest, can substantially keep sense of direction.

Two microphones can be contained in to the second end of slender member, for noise suppressed and/or further directivity are provided.

In a preferred embodiment, shell is along its longitudinal extension angulation, so that shell is contained in user's duct.

Preferably, this shell is flexible, in order to change the different angles of holding the angle of shell and mating different user.

Preferably, this shell is flexible, in order to shell is cosily contained in user's duct, provides high-caliber comfort level.

Hearing aids also can comprise ear wax filter, and this ear wax filter is suitable for utilizing buckle connection to be assembled on loudspeaker.

Shell can have the cross section that is less than duct cross section, thereby substantially there will not be obstruction.When shell is inserted in user's duct, the smaller cross-sectional area of shell allows to be communicated with between the duct between eardrum and shell and surrounding environment and prevents from blocking.

Shell can comprise blow vent.When shell is inserted in user's duct, this blow vent provides being communicated with and preventing from blocking between duct between eardrum and shell and surrounding environment.This blow vent can be the pipe that extends through shell, and duct below of shell and the connection between external ear are provided.This pipe can have the annular of being essentially or oval-shaped cross section.

By shell, extend through the core of flexible earphone unit and be attached to the mode of earphone unit, shell can with flexible earphone unit combination.This flexibility earphone unit can be the disclosed type of EP 1 594340.

Flexible earphone unit is suitable for being positioned in user's duct and can comprises substrate and at least one sidewall.This substrate is connected to shell, and shell extends through this substrate.This at least one sidewall is attached to substrate and has the edge that substantially extends to the opening of earphone unit from substrate.The width of this opening is adapted to fit in user's duct.Earphone wall is in abutting connection with auditory canal wall, and for shell is remained in duct, so this shell can not touch auditory canal wall, thereby allows user feel the most comfortable.

The rigidity of earphone unit substrate and thickness are enough to carrying and support attached shell and earphone unit sidewall and indeformable.This sidewall makes and plays by soft and flexible material sheet the effect that shell is remained on to the desired location in user's duct.In this position, substrate can not touch auditory canal wall.Owing to inserting at earphone unit and can be along this edge of surface displacement of duct during against auditory canal wall, so this edge makes sidewall adapt to the size and dimension of user's duct.The circumferential displacement at edge makes sidewall adapt to the shape and size of user's duct, and can wrinkle also not can with duct loose contact, thereby there will not be less desirable leakage.

Preferably, the sidewall of earphone unit has conical shaped shape.Therefore, earphone unit utilization coordinates with duct between minimum cross-section and the cross section between maximum cross section of circular cone sidewall.Whereby, earphone unit can coordinate the duct size of wide region.

This cone shape can have and is essentially oval-shaped cross section.Because the shape of most of ducts is all more or less avette or oval-shaped, therefore, this is favourable.Thus, earphone unit will be very suitable, and user also can more easily insert the optimum position in duct by this earphone unit.

In addition, substrate can comprise blow vent.When earphone unit is inserted in user's duct, being communicated with between the duct that this blow vent provides earphone unit base substrate rear surface and surrounding environment.This blow vent can be in substrate, to have the annular of being essentially or oval-shaped hole.Thus, prevented that obstruction and user from can also receive the sound of walking around hearing device processing, i.e. naturetone.When user when having confined hearing impairment in high-frequency range, the latter is for example normally desirable in headset, headphone or hearing aids.In this case, user can hear bass well, and does not therefore need hearing device to process these signals.

Earphone unit is preferably molded as integrated unit.Extremely applicable material is silicones.

In another embodiment, above disclosed earphone unit is substituted by the custom component for shell being located and remained in user's duct.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provide electrical feedback compensation.Feedback is well-known problem in hearing aids, and in this area, has all systems that is used for suppressing and eliminating feedback.Along with the development of minimum Digital Signal Processing (DSP) unit, carry out also having become possibility for rejection ratio as the improvement algorithm of the feedback inhibition of the micro device of hearing aids, referring to US Patent No. 5,619,580, US5,680,467 and US6,498,858.

Above-mentionedly for eliminating the prior art systems of the feedback of hearing aids, process external feedback, along the passage of hearing aid device outside in the loudspeaker (typically referring to receiver) of hearing aids and the transmission sound between microphone.For example, when hearing aid earphone parts not exclusively coordinate user's ear, or in the situation that earphone unit comprises blow vent, there will be the problems that is also called acoustic feedback.In these two examples, sound may, from receiver " leakage " to microphone, cause feedback thus.

External feedback problem has limited the obtainable maximum gain of hearing aids.

Therefore, hearing aids also can comprise feedback compensation circuit and substracting unit.The feedback compensation signal that this feedback compensation circuit provides for acoustic feedback signal passage and mechanical feedback signal passage by molding hearing aids the signal being extracted by microphone, this substracting unit is for reducing feedback compensation signal to form from audio signal the compensating audio signal that is imported into hearing aid signal processor.

Feed-back channel is the sound passage between microphone and receiver normally, and external feedback signal is via the air borne around hearing aids.

Preferably, feedback compensator comprises sef-adapting filter, according to the variation in feedback path, changes the filter of its impulse response.

Technical staff for hearing aids field, static filter and sef-adapting filter are all well-known, therefore no longer discuss in detail here.

Tinnitus is in the sound perception of people Er Nei when not there is not corresponding external voice.Tinnitus is considered to a kind of illusion sound appearing in auditory system.For example, the cicada cried sound, buzz, fizz or roar can think tinnitus.Tinnitus may be continuity or intermittent, and any one situation can be disturbed to such an extent that people is much troubled very much, and can obviously reduce the quality of life of the people with this worries.

Tinnitus itself is not a kind of disease, but the undesirable symptom being caused by following situation, comprise such as the external foreign material in pressure, disease (infectious disease, plum Ni Ershi is sick, ear sclerosis etc.), ear or earwax and because of the psychological factor of injury of noise and so on.Tinnitus is also the side effect of some drugs, yet may be caused by worried and melancholy intensity of anomaly.

The tinnitus sound of institute's perception can be between from quiet background sound to the range of signal that is enough to drive all external voices.Term " tinnitus " is often referred to more serious situation.In 1953 research projects, 80 university students without tinnitus are placed in to soundproof room, find 93% people report hear buzz, beat pulse sound or fizz.Yet, can not think that this situation is normal, colony's research has shown that the unusual level by noise is very general to the damage of hearing.

Tinnitus can not be corrected by operation, and does not have up to now the active drug confirming to treat, and so-called tinnitus masker has been widely known by the people.They are compact battery drive units, after being worn on ear or in ear, and for example by hearing aids microphone, emulation sound are injected in duct as hearing aids, acoustically cover tinnitus and reduce thus tinnitus sensation whereby from psychology.

By the emulation sound of sheltering device generation, be generally narrow-band noise.Conventionally can for example by programmer, adjust spectrum position and the loudness level of noise, thereby adapt to as far as possible best special tinnitus condition.In addition, developed so-called retraining method, for example tinnitus retraining treatment (Jastreboff PJ. tinnitus custom treatment (THI) and tinnitus retraining treatment (TRT).Come from TylerRS, ed. tinnitus handbook .San Diego: separate edition; 2000:357-376), wherein, by near the wideband voice (noise) combination mental training program and threshold of audibility, characterize, the perceptibility of tinnitus is considered to equally obtain great inhibition under quiet condition.These devices are also referred to as " noise apparatus (noiser) " or " poly-acoustic device (sound enrichment devices) ".Such device or method are for example from DE29718 503, GB2 134 689, US2001/0051776, US2004/0131200 and US5, and 403,262 know.

Although current tinnitus masker can provide instant tinnitus to remove to a certain extent, but part is because S/N (language/noise) reduces than the increase because of noise, and part is conventionally lower owing to suffering from the ability that the people of tinnitus understands the voice in noise than the people with normal good hearing, what therefore by tinnitus masker, produced shelters sound and can have a negative impact to the understanding of voice.

For a lot of people, the known device of sheltering does not provide any long-term tinnitus to remove.(sense of hearing comment that the research of being undertaken by Del Bo, Ambrosetti, Bettinelli, Domenichetti, Fagnani and Scotti recently " is used open type hearing aids " in tinnitus treatment, in August, 2006) in, show, if the poly-sound that so-called tinnitus custom is caused by the sound utilizing from surrounding environment by tinnitus patient causes, can realize the better long-term effect that tinnitus is removed.Habituation basic principle behind relies on two basic sides of cerebral function: the habituation of edge and stomodaeal nervous system reaction, and allow people to ignore the sound sensation custom that tinnitus exists.Although tinnitus masker transmitting is the sound that partly or entirely covers the tinnitus sound of institute's perception, Del Bo, Ambrosetti, Bettinelli, Domenichetti, Fagnani and Scotti propose to use the ambient sound being amplified by hearing aids or the emulation sound by application such as band limited noise.According to an aspect of the present invention, hearing aids also comprises tinnitus relieving circuit, for example, produce for removing the tinnitus relieving circuit of the sound of tinnitus as mentioned above.This relieving circuit can be for example tinnitus masker, poly-acoustic-electric road etc.

According to a further aspect in the invention, tinnitus decontrol is provided with shell and the slender member that the disclosure discloses in full.This tinnitus decontrol does not have microphone.In one embodiment, tinnitus decontrol uncompensation hearing loss.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Describe in conjunction with the drawings exemplary embodiment of the present invention in detail, above and other feature and advantage of the present invention will be apparent for the person of ordinary skill of the art, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows the first embodiment that is positioned user Er Nei,

Fig. 3 shows the second embodiment that is positioned user Er Nei,

Fig. 4 shows the position that hearing aids shell is positioned at duct during use,

Fig. 5 shows the second embodiment of the present invention with earphone unit,

Fig. 6 illustrates in greater detail the earphone unit of the embodiment of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 shows the third embodiment of the present invention with custom component,

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment with battery cover,

Fig. 9 shows the embodiment with battery cover and connector,

Figure 10 shows the simplified block diagram packing into according to the digital deaf-aid in shell of the present invention, and

Figure 11 shows the block diagram of the hearing aids with feedback compensation filter.

Embodiment

Describe more fully below with reference to accompanying drawings the present invention, in accompanying drawing, shown exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Yet, can and not will be understood that by the multi-form the present invention of realization the present invention is only confined to embodiment as herein described.On the contrary, provide these embodiment, therefore, concerning those of skill in the art, this openly will more thoroughly and improve and also contain category of the present invention completely.Reference number 1-16 in Fig. 5 represents electronic circuit, and reference number identical in all the other accompanying drawings all represents identical element.

Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment according to hearing aids 10 of the present invention with perspective fashion.Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 1 that is positioned user Er Nei.Shown hearing aids 10 has shell 12, and this shell, for holding hearing aids parts and being suitable for being positioned in user's duct 120, cosily mates duct 120, in order to shell 12 is remained in user's ear.Shell 12 has loudspeaker (not shown), and this loudspeaker is for the eardrum transmitting towards user by sound via delivery outlet (not shown).Shell 12 also can have blow vent (not shown), and this blow vent is eliminated blocking effect when interior substantially for be inserted into user's duct 120 at shell 12.

Hearing aids 10 also comprises slender member 14, and this slender member is attached to during use shell 12 and is suitable for being positioned in auricle 100.More particularly, slender member 14 is suitable for being positioned in user's the cymba 160 of ear.In the illustrated embodiment, slender member 14 and shell 12 form and make the separate unit that separate piece is manufactured.The microphone of hearing aids 10 is positioned the microphone input port 16 of the second end 18 of slender member 14.Shell 12 holds other parts.Signal conductor is in the interior extension of slender member 14, for by other parts electrical interconnection in microphone and shell 12.

Than the respective distance between microphone in conventional ITE and CIC hearing aids and delivery outlet, the second end that (a plurality of) microphone of hearing aids is positioned to slender member 14 provides the distance between (a plurality of) microphone and delivery outlet to increase, and reduces whereby acoustic feedback.

In the illustrated embodiment, shell 12 and slender member 14 are manufactured to the individual components of removable machinery and electrical interconnection.

Shown shell 12 and slender member 14 are with many standard size manufactures, in order to mate the human anatomy of most of users' ear.Like this, production cost has reduced than the production cost of customized shell.

As Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 illustrate in more detail, slender member 14 removable with shell 12 interconnection so that can be by the slender member of various criterion size 14 and shell 12 combinations of various criterion size being provided to the hearing aids 10 of a large amount of different models.

Slender member 14 is suitable for being positioned in the concha auriculae of user's auricle 100, and has longitudinal shape, and this longitudinal shape is with first end 20 and the second relative end 18, and first end 20 is attached to shell 12.

Slender member 14 assists shell 12 to remain in user's duct 120, thereby this shell 12 is firmly held in the appropriate location in duct 120, and can not drop out from ear.The maintenance providing does not cause user's pain.It is important that device is remained on to appropriate location.For example, lower jaw action during chewing can be applied to outside power on the shell 12 of hearing aids.Slender member 14 has been offset this power, and protective device 10 is avoided the impact of external action fully whereby.

Shown slender member 14 has elasticity in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension, further provides shell 12 is remained on to the hold facility in user's duct 120 whereby.Shell 12 is being positioned in the process of the desired location in user's duct 120, the transverse elasticity of slender member 14 contributes to shell 12 to insert in user's duct 120.

When hearing aids 10 is positioned in user's ear, slender member 14 is suitable in abutting connection with anthelix 130 and extends to Antihelicine leftover bits and pieces 150, thereby the second end 18 is positioned in the cymba 160 below fossa triangularis of ear.

Slender member 14 has larger cross section at the second end 18 that holds microphone than the remainder of the slender member 14 extending towards first end 20 from this second end.

Slender member 14 also can hold electric hearing aid parts.

Shown slender member 14 is rigidity substantially in the direction of its longitudinal extension, thereby protection is arranged in the electric lead of slender member 14, avoids damaging.

The second end 18 that utilization is positioned the cymba 160 below fossa triangularis of ear in slender member 14 has microphone, because this microphone is positioned at the position in auricle 100, therefore can substantially keep location, in this position, the voice signal having received makes user basis to transfer to the signal perception of user's eardrum towards the direction of sound source by hearing aids 10.

Two microphones can be contained in to the second end 18 of slender member 14, for noise suppressed and/or further directivity are provided.

Fig. 3 show be positioned user Er Nei according to another embodiment of hearing aids of the present invention.Shown hearing aids can have all features of the hearing aids shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Except the feature of the slender member 14 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, when shell 12 has been inserted into duct 120 when interior, slender member shown in Fig. 3 is also suitable in abutting connection with the part of the concha auriculae at antitragus 180 places, towards duct, power is applied to shell and shell is remained on to appropriate location whereby, in this suitable position, this shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in duct.

Fig. 4 shows hearing aids shell is positioned in user's duct 120.The cross section of Fig. 4 is along the line AB intercepting of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3.Arrow has indicated direction of observation.Shell 12 is along its longitudinal extension angulation, so that shell is contained in user's duct 120.

Preferably, this shell is flexible, in order to change the different angles of holding the angle of shell and mating different user.Preferably, this shell is flexible, in order to shell is cosily contained in user's duct, provides high-caliber comfort level.

Illustrated shell 12 has the cross section that is less than duct 120 cross sections, therefore due to the blow vent (not shown) of earphone 42, substantially there will not be obstruction.When shell 12 is inserted into user's duct 120 when interior, the smaller cross-sectional area of shell allows to the connection of surrounding environment, to prevent from blocking via the blow vent of earphone 42 at the duct between eardrum and shell.Similar with conventional CIC hearing aids, shown hearing aids shell 12 is positioned in user's duct completely.When hearing aids shell inserts in user's duct rightly, the end that is outwardly directed to the hearing aids shell of battery cover 60 aligns or substantially aligns with cavity of concha 190, and battery cover 60 overlaps or is similar to coincidence with the line of demarcation between cavity of concha and duct.

Fig. 5 shows the embodiment that its housing 12 is attached to flexible earphone unit 30.Shell 12 extends through the core of flexible earphone unit 30 and is attached to earphone unit 30.Flexible earphone unit 30 is suitable for being positioned in user's duct and comprises the substrate 32 that is connected to shell 12.As Fig. 6 is shown in further detail, flexible earphone unit has two sidewalls 34,36 that are attached to substrate 32.Each sidewall 34,36 all has edge 38,40 separately, and these edges extend to the opening 42 of earphone unit 30 substantially from the adjacent component of substrate 32.The width of opening 42 is adapted to fit in user's duct.Earphone wall 34,36, in abutting connection with auditory canal wall, in order to shell 12 is remained in duct 120, so that shell 12 can not touch auditory canal wall, thereby allows user feel the most comfortable.

The rigidity of the substrate 32 of earphone unit and thickness are enough to carrying and support attached shell 12 and earphone unit sidewall 34,36 and indeformable.Sidewall 34,36 is made by soft and flexible material sheet and shell 12 is remained on to the desired location in user's duct 120.In this position, substrate 32 can not touch auditory canal wall.Due at plugged earphone parts, and auditory canal wall is applied to pressure sidewall 34,36 o'clock whereby, can be along the surface displacement edge 38,40 of duct 120, so edge 38,40 makes sidewall 34,36 adapt to the size and dimension of user's ducts 120.The circumferential displacement at edge 38,40 makes the shape and size of sidewall match user duct 120, and can wrinkle also not can with duct 120 loose contacts, thereby there will not be less desirable leakage.

Sidewall 34,36 re-covers mutually, thereby the edge of a sidewall is covered by another sidewall, thereby in the use procedure of earphone unit, and one of them that only have edge 38,40 directly contacts with duct 120 skins.This has reduced in earphone unit along the less desirable opening at the edge 38,40 of sidewall 34,36 or the risk of leakage.

The sidewall 34,36 of earphone unit 30 gives earphone unit 30 conical shaped shapes.Therefore, earphone unit utilization coordinates with duct between minimum cross-section and the cross section between maximum cross section of circular cone sidewall 34,36.

As shown in the figure, cone shape has oval-shaped cross section substantially.Because duct has avette or oval-shaped shape substantially conventionally, so this is favourable.

One of them sidewall is the thickest along the edge of the first side wall, and another sidewall is the thinnest along the edge of the second sidewall.Therefore, the first side wall has more rigidity along its edge, and the second sidewall is along the softer of edge or have more flexibility.If the edge of the second sidewall is positioned between duct and the first side wall, the rigidity of the first side wall will be provided to outside pressure on the second sidewall in the direction on duct surface.Therefore, the flexibility of the second sidewall guarantees between itself and the first side wall, and and duct surface between close contact.Therefore, can prevent along the sealing in the less desirable leakage of sidewall edge and duct and closely cooperate.

Preferably, the thinnest part of sidewall is approximately half of thick thickness.The thinnest part can have the thickness within the scope of 0.05 millimeter to 0.5 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.1 millimeter to 0.45 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.15 millimeter to 0.4 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.2 millimeter to 0.35 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.25 millimeter to 0.3 millimeter.Therefore, the thickest part can have the thickness within the scope of 0.1 millimeter to 1.0 millimeters, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.2 millimeter to 0.9 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.3 millimeter to 0.8 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.4 millimeter to 0.7 millimeter, such as the thickness within the scope of 0.5 millimeter to 0.6 millimeter.

In addition, substrate can comprise blow vent 44.When earphone unit is inserted in user's duct, being communicated with between the substrate 32 that blow vent 44 provides earphone unit 30 duct below and surrounding environment.This blow vent can be in substrate, to have to be essentially annular oval-shaped hole.Therefore, prevented obstruction.

Even if make us when unexpectedly the earphone shown in Fig. 6 does not have blow vent in substrate, also can provide ventilation.This is considered to because the wall of edge is at least enough thin and can see through sound, so that sound is propagated and substantially can not decay via the earphone in duct, user can not stand blocking effect whereby.

Earphone unit 30 is molded.Extremely applicable material is silicones.

Fig. 7 shows embodiments of the invention, and wherein, shell 12 has custom component 50, and this custom component is for locating shell 12 remain in user's duct.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate in greater detail the embodiment of the battery cover 60 of shell 12.When hearing aids 10 is positioned in ear, battery cover 60 is arranged on shell 12 towards the most proximal end of duct outside.Battery cover 60 has the cabin 62 that holds battery (not shown).When opening battery cover 60, battery flat 62 is shown outside shell 12, and available whereby new battery is changed this battery.Utilize connector 64 that long member 14 is attached to battery cover 60, and by the removable shell 12 that is attached to of battery cover 60, this connector comprises elasticity electric contacts 66, and these elasticity electric contacts are used for the electric parts electrical interconnection in the signal conductor of long member 14 and shell 12

Figure 10 shows the simplified block diagram according to digital deaf-aid of the present invention.Hearing aids 1 comprises one or more sound receivers 2, for example two microphone 2a and a phonosensitive coil 2b.The analog signal of microphone is coupled to analog to digital conversion circuit 3, the analog to digital converter 4 that this circuit comprises each microphone.

Digital signal output from analog to digital converter 4 is coupled to shared data line 5, and this data wire is guided to digital signal processor (DSP) 6 by signal.To dsp program, in order to digital signal is carried out to necessary signal processing operations, thereby need to compensate hearing loss according to user.DSP is further programmed, in order to automatically to adjust signal processing parameter according to the present invention.

Then, output signal is supplied to D-A converter 12, analog output signal is supplied to the sonic transducer 13 such as mini-loud hailer from this D-A converter.

In addition, hearing aids is included in outside relevant to DSP 6 memory cell 14, and the memory cell shown in this example is EEPROM (EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memo)).For example, when new hearing aids is distributed to specific user, when user accurately adjusts hearing aids for this reason, or when user upgrades its hearing aids and/or for example readjusts user's actual hearing disability level by audiologist, can provide the external memory storage 14 that is connected to shared serial data/address bus 5 by thering is the interface 15 of the program that enters from PC (personal computer) 16, data, parameter etc.

DSP 6 comprises central processing unit (CPU) 7 and many internal storage unit 8-11, and these memory cell comprise current program and the data of carrying out in DSP circuit 6.DSP 6 comprises program ROM (read-only memory) 8, data ROM 9, program RAM (random access memory) 10 and data RAM 11.First program and data that two memories mentioning comprise the constant composition in built-up circuit, and last-mentioned two memories comprise program and the data that can change or rewrite.

Conventionally, outside EEPROM 14 is much larger than internal RAM, and the 4-8 that for example outside EEPROM 14 is internal RAM doubly, this means that specified data and program can be stored in EEPROM, thereby they can be read in to internal RAM for carrying out as required.Then, these exclusive datas and program can be rewritten by routine operation data and working procedure.Therefore, outside EEPROM only can comprise a series of programs for special circumstances, for example start-up routine.

Figure 11 shows the block diagram of the embodiment of the hearing aids with feedback compensation filter 106.This hearing aids comprises for receiving external sound and converting thereof into the microphone 101 of audio signal.Receiver 102 converts the output from hearing aids processor 103 to output sound, for example, in hearing aids, supposes this output sound of change and compensates hearing user damage.Therefore, hearing aids processor 103 comprises the element such as amplifier, compressor reducer and noise reduction system etc.

Feedback path 104 is shown as the dotted line between receiver 102 and microphone 101.Due to this feedback path, microphone 101 can extract the sound from receiver 102, and this can cause well-known feedback problem, for example howling.

(frequency dependence) gain response (or transfer function) H (ω) of hearing aids (not having feedback compensation) is provided by formula (1):

$H\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)=\frac{A\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)}{1-F\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)A\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)}---\left(1\right)$

Wherein ω represents (angle) frequency, and F (ω) is the gain function of feedback path 104, and A (ω) is the gain function being provided by hearing aids processor 103.Feedback compensation filter 106 is suitable for compensating signal to be supplied to subtrator 105, whereby before hearing aids processor 103 is processed, and the audio signal subduction that compensating signal is provided from microphone 101.Transfer function becomes now:

$H\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)=\frac{A\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)}{1-(F\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)-F^{\′}\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right))A\left(\mathrm{\ω}\right)}---\left(2\right)$

Wherein, F ' is (ω) gain function of compensating filter 106.Therefore, F ' (ω) estimates the real gain function F (ω) of feedback path, and more approaching H (ω) will be the gain function A (ω) needing).

As previously described, the normally combination in internal feedback path, external feedback path and audio feedback path, machine feedback path of feedback path 104.

Claims (27)

1. a hearing aids, has

Shell, this shell is used for holding

Signal processor, this signal processor is used for Audio Signal Processing to become the audio signal of compensation hearing loss, and

Receiver, this receiver is connected to the output of described signal processor, for converting processed compensating audio signal to voice signal, and wherein

With described shell, extend through the mode of the core of earphone unit, described shell is attached to the described earphone unit in the duct that is suitable for being positioned at user,

Wherein said earphone unit is for for described shell being located and remained on the flexible earphone unit in user's duct, and

Wherein said flexible earphone unit has the substrate that is connected to described shell, and described shell extends through described substrate.

2. according to the hearing aids of claim 1, wherein said earphone unit is for for locating described shell remain on the custom component in user's duct.

3. according to the hearing aids of claim 1, wherein said flexible earphone also has the sidewall that at least one is attached to described substrate, and has the edge that substantially extends to the opening of described earphone unit from described substrate.

4. according to the hearing aids of claim 3, wherein said sidewall is made by soft and thin slice flexible material, and plays the effect that described shell is remained on to the desired location in user's duct; In this position, described substrate does not touch auditory canal wall.

5. according to the hearing aids of claim 3, the described sidewall of wherein said earphone unit has conical shaped shape.

6. according to the hearing aids of claim 5, wherein said cone shape has substantially oval-shaped cross section.

7. according to the hearing aids of claim 1, wherein said substrate has blow vent.

8. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, wherein said shell is attached in the auricle that is suitable for being positioned at user and the slender member of duct outside.

9. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, wherein said shell is suitable for being positioned at completely in user's duct.

10. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, wherein said shell is manufactured with standard size.

11. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member is manufactured with standard size.

12. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member is attached to described shell removably.

13. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member has longitudinal shape, and this longitudinal shape is with first end and the second relative end, and this first end is attached to described shell.

14. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member is suitable for during use in abutting connection with anthelix and at least extends to Antihelicine leftover bits and pieces.

15. according to the hearing aids of claim 13, wherein, and below the fossa triangularis that described slender member is suitable for making described the second end be positioned in during use user.

16. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein, when described shell has been inserted in duct, described slender member is suitable in abutting connection with the part of the concha auriculae at antitragus place, thereby towards duct, power is applied to described shell so that described shell is remained on to appropriate location, in this appropriate location, described shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in duct.

17. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member is flexible with preformed.

18. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said slender member is longitudinally rigidity along it substantially.

19. according to the hearing aids of claim 13, and wherein said slender member is suitable for holding microphone.

20. according to the hearing aids of claim 19, and wherein, the part of holding the described slender member of described microphone has larger cross section than the remainder of the described slender member extending towards described first end from this part.

21. hearing aidss according to Claim 8, wherein said shell comprises the battery cover that is attached to removably described shell, and wherein said slender member is attached to described battery cover.

22. according to the hearing aids of claim 21, and wherein, described shell also comprises for when described battery cover is attached to described shell and the connector that electrically contacts of the holding wire of described slender member.

23. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, and wherein said shell is along its longitudinal extension angulation, so that described shell is contained in user's duct.

24. according to the hearing aids of claim 23, and wherein said shell is flexible, in order to change described angle.

25. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, also comprises ear wax filter, and this ear wax filter is suitable for utilizing buckle connection to be assembled on loudspeaker.

26. according to the hearing aids of any one in claim 1-7, also comprises tinnitus relieving circuit.

27. according to the hearing aids of claim 1, and wherein said flexible earphone unit comprises

Substrate, this substrate has for holding the opening of hearing aids shell, and this hearing aids shell extends through described opening, and

At least one sidewall, this at least one sidewall is attached to described substrate, and has the edge that substantially extends to the opening of described earphone from described substrate, and the width of described opening is adapted to fit in user's duct.

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