CN101507295A - A hearing aid with a removably connected elongate member - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel hearing aid with a casing which is suitable for being positioned in the antrum auris of user and is attached to an elongated element, wherein the elongated element is suitable for being positioned in the ala auris outside the antrum auris of user. The elongated element is suitable for the detachable interlinkage of hearing aid and accommodating a signal processor and a receiver. The signal processor is used for processing the audio signal to the audio signal for compensating the hearing loss. The receiver is connected with the output of signal processor for converting the processed audio signal for compensating to the sound signal.

Description

Hearing aids with slender member of removable connection

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of novel hearing aids with shell, this shell is suitable for being positioned in user's the duct and is attached to slender member, and this slender member is suitable for being positioned in the auricle of user's duct outside.

Background technology

(in the ear, ITE) or fully (completely-in-the-canal, CIC) hearing aids has by customized to be fit to the shell of user's duct respectively duct-type conventional inner ear type.Hearing aids parts for example electronic unit, microphone, receiver, battery or the like are included in this shell, and this shell is by the panel sealing away from the end of duct.In order to reduce obstruction, it is that airway is used 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, perhaps can form this blow vent in the inner extension of hearing aids and with pipeline or flexible pipe that the opening in the panel links to each other with the opening of the opposite end of shell.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, wherein sound pipe sound conduction that the receiver of hearing aids is produced is to duct.For sound pipe is positioned in the duct securely and cosily, be provided with the earphone that inserts in user's duct.

Usually, 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 the appropriate location in the duct, prevented earphone because user's action, for example chew or yawn and drop out, and avoid acoustic feedback to produce uncomfortable and irritating howling or ululation from ear.The earphone of customization has increased the cost of hearing aids and has installed the needed time of hearing aids.

Usually, the hearing aids of customization is by making in order to the solid material of guaranteeing fixing and compactness.These hearing aidss are completely or partially to be placed in the duct.Since when lower jaw in when motion, when for example chewing, auditory canal wall can be moved, then this type of solid hearing aids of placement can be associated with the uncomfortable of user in duct.

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 with the duct part of soft material manufacturing installation.This device manufacturing is complicated and limited ventilation can only be provided.

In WO2004/010734, a kind of duct hearing devices is disclosed, this device has the dual sealing system that is used to prevent to feed back and minimize blocking effect.This two-part device comprises and being used for sound conduction to eardrum and be sealed in primary module and elongated tubular insert in the duct bone district.This primary module is positioned in the cartilage portion of duct.This tubular insert comprises phonocatheter and is positioned at cylinder hollow primary seal in the bone district between two parties.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 the duct of Any user, reaches the degree of depth near eardrum.This hearing aids is by forming in order to two half housings that join to together that hold the hearing aids parts.Engage is fixed on flexible termination the far-end of housing.

Summary of the invention

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

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

According to an aspect of the present invention, realize above and other purpose by a kind of hearing aids, this hearing aids has and is used to hold electronic component and is suitable for being positioned at shell in user's duct, and when being inserted into duct, and this shell has and is used for the delivery outlet of sound towards the emission of user's eardrum.This shell is attached to and is suitable for being positioned in the auricle and the slender member of user's duct outside.

This slender member has first end and the second opposed end that is attached to shell.

According to a further aspect in the invention, be provided with the slender member that is suitable for the removable interconnection of hearing aids, this hearing aids has shell, this shell is suitable for being positioned in user's duct and holds signal processor and receiver, this signal processor is used for Audio Signal Processing is become the audio signal of compensation hearing loss, this receiver is connected to the output of described signal processor, is used for converting voice signal to handling compensating audio signal.

Slender member can be attached to connector, and this connector is suitable for the removable hearing aids that is attached to.When slender member was connected to hearing aids, this connector mechanically was fitted on the surface of hearing aids shell, whereby closure.This connector can for example comprise battery cover, and this battery cover is suitable for the removable hearing aids shell that is attached to, as detailed below.

This slender member also can comprise microphone.

Slender member can have first end and be suitable for locating second end of microphone.Slender member also can hold the holding wire that is used to transmit from the signal of microphone, and at the connector of slender member when for example battery cover is attached to shell, and this hearing aids shell can comprise and is used for the connector that the holding wire with slender member electrically contacts.

According to the hearing aids term, when shell is positioned in the duct with its expection service position and can not block duct the time, this shell means the open type shell.Sound wave between the part of auditory canal wall and the part of shell passage will be arranged, so that can spread out of from the shell back between eardrum and the shell and arrive around user via this passage.Like this, reduced blocking effect, and be preferably and eliminated blocking effect basically.

Wear the normally change of their voice that the people of hearing aids at first notices.They are described as its oneself voice in the following term one usually: " my sound has echo ", " my sound is empty " or " sounding that I speak in bucket ".They mainly are 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 the duct via the cartilaginous tissue between duct outside and these chambeies.

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

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

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

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

Shell according to the present invention is preferably with many standard size manufacturings, so that cooperate 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 manufacturings, so that cooperate 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 slender member of various criterion size and the shell of various criterion size are made up the hearing aids that a large amount of different models are provided.

The battery cover that provides to the inlet of battery flat can be provided shell.By the connector that is used for slender member and battery cover are together disassembled from 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 also be suitable for slender member in holding wire electrically contact.

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

For being easy to that slender member is matched with desired location in the auricle, in manufacture process, but the preforming slender member preferably is pre-formed as arch with slender member, and this arch has the curvature bigger slightly than anthelix curvature.

This slender member can be flexible, assist shell is remained in user's duct being used for, thereby this shell is firmly held in the appropriate location in the duct, and can be because of user's action, such as chewing or yawn, and drops out from ear.The maintenance that is provided can not cause user's pain.

When shell has been inserted in the 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 the appropriate location whereby, in this suitable position, this shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in the duct.

It is important that hearing aids is remained on the appropriate location.The 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 influence of motion.

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

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

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

Slender member can be suitable for microphone is contained in second end.This slender member is at the have bigger cross section of second end that holds microphone than the remainder of the slender member that extends from this second end towards first end.

Second end that the microphone of hearing aids is positioned at slender member provides big distance, minimum feedback whereby between microphone and the receiver.

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

As following further describing, also electrical feedback can be suppressed to be arranged at according in the hearing aids of the present invention.

Slender member also can hold the electric hearing aid parts.

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

Have in the slender member of microphone at its second end, during position in microphone is located in auricle, kept the location basically, wherein, microphone receives voice signal, and this voice signal makes the direction of user's perception towards 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 the cymba below microphone is positioned in auricle intermediate cam nest, can keep sense of direction basically.

Two microphones can be contained in second end of slender member, to be used to provide noise suppressed and/or further directivity.

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, holds the angle of shell and the different angles of mating different user in order to change.

Preferably, this shell is flexible, in order to shell cosily is 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 the buckle connection to be assembled on the loudspeaker.

Shell can have the cross section less than the duct cross section, thereby can not occur basically blocking.When shell was inserted in user's the duct, the smaller cross-sectional area of shell allowed to be communicated with between the duct between eardrum and shell and surrounding environment and prevents to block.

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

Extend through the core of flexible earphone unit and be attached to the mode of earphone unit by shell, shell can with flexible earphone unit combination.This flexibility earphone unit can be the disclosed type of EP1594340.

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 of the opening from the base extension to the earphone unit basically.The width of this opening is adapted to fit in user's the duct.The earphone wall is used for shell is remained in the duct in abutting connection with auditory canal wall, so this shell can not touch auditory canal wall, thereby allows the user feel the most comfortable.

The rigidity of earphone unit substrate and thickness be enough to carry and support attached shell and earphone unit sidewall and indeformable.The effect that shell is remained on the desired location in user's duct is made and played to this sidewall by soft and flexible material sheet.In this position, substrate can not touch auditory canal wall.Owing to insert and can be during against auditory canal wall at earphone unit, so this edge makes sidewall adapt to the size and dimension of user's duct along this edge of surface displacement of 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 the duct loose contact, thereby the leakage that can not occur not expecting.

Preferably, the sidewall of earphone unit has the conical shaped shape.Therefore, the earphone unit utilization cooperates with duct between the minimum cross-section and the cross section between the maximum cross section of circular cone sidewall.Whereby, earphone unit can cooperate 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 more or less all is avette or oval-shaped, therefore, this is favourable.Thus, earphone unit will be very suitable, and the user also can more easily insert this earphone unit the optimum position in the duct.

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

Earphone unit preferably is molded as a body unit.Extremely the material of Shi Yonging is a silicones.

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

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provide the electrical feedback compensation.Feedback is a well-known problem in the hearing aids, and has many systems that is used to suppress and eliminate feedback in this area.Development along with minimum Digital Signal Processing (DSP) unit is used for the restraining hearing aids, such as referring to U.S. Pat 5,619, and 580, US5,680,467 and US6, the improvement algorithm of the feedback inhibition in 498,858 the hearing aids has also become possibility.

The above-mentioned prior art systems that is used for eliminating the feedback of hearing aids is handled external feedback, promptly along the passage of hearing aid device outside in the loudspeaker (typically referring to receiver) of hearing aids and the transmission sound between the microphone.For example when the hearing aid earphone parts not exclusively cooperate user's ear, this type of problem of acoustic feedback perhaps can appear also being called under earphone unit comprises the situation of blow vent.In these two examples, sound may cause feedback thus from receiver " leakage " to microphone.

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

Therefore, hearing aids also can comprise feedback compensation circuit and substracting unit.This feedback compensation circuit is used for providing by the acoustic feedback signal passage of molding hearing aids and mechanical feedback signal passage the feedback compensation signal of the signal that is extracted by microphone, and this substracting unit is used for feedback compensation signal is imported into formation from the audio signal subduction compensating audio signal of hearing aid signal processor.

The feedback signal passage is the sound passage between microphone and the receiver normally, and promptly external feedback signal is via the air borne around hearing aids.

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

For the technical staff in hearing aids field, static filter and sef-adapting filter all are well-known, therefore no longer go through here.

Description of drawings

Describe exemplary embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in detail, above and other feature and advantage of the present invention will be conspicuous 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 first embodiment that is positioned user Er Nei,

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

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

Fig. 5 shows the embodiment with battery cover,

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment with battery cover and connector,

Fig. 7 shows embodiment according to hearing aids of the present invention with perspective fashion,

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 7 with open type battery cover from the top,

Fig. 9 shows the hearing aids shell of the embodiment of Fig. 7 and Fig. 8,

Figure 10 shows the slender member of the battery cover of the embodiment that is connected to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8,

Figure 11 shows second end that microphone is positioned slender member,

Figure 12 shows the detail drawing of the interconnection between slender member and the battery cover,

Figure 13 shows the simplified block diagram of packing into according to the digital deaf-aid in the shell of the present invention,

Figure 14 shows the block diagram of the hearing aids with a feedback compensation filter,

Figure 15 shows the hearing aids shell with earphone unit,

Figure 16 illustrates in greater detail the earphone unit of the embodiment of Figure 15, and

Figure 17 shows the hearing aids shell with custom component.

Embodiment

Describe the present invention below with reference to accompanying drawings more fully, shown exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the accompanying drawing.Yet, can and not will be understood that the present invention only is confined to embodiment as herein described by multi-form realization the present invention.On the contrary, provide these embodiment, therefore concerning those of skill in the art, this discloses incites somebody to action the more thorough and perfect category of the present invention of also containing fully.Reference number 1-16 in Figure 13 represents the electronic circuit that reference number identical in all the other accompanying drawings is all represented components identical.

Fig. 1 shows 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 is used to hold the hearing aids parts and be suitable for being positioned in user's the duct 120, cosily mates duct 120, in order to shell 12 is remained in user's the ear.Shell 12 has the loudspeaker (not shown), and this loudspeaker is used for via the delivery outlet (not shown) the eardrum emission of sound towards the user.Shell 12 also can have the blow vent (not shown), and this blow vent is used for eliminating basically blocking effect when shell 12 is inserted in user's the duct 120.

Hearing aids 10 also comprises slender member 14, and this slender member is attached to shell 12 during use and is suitable for being positioned in the 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 made.The microphone of hearing aids 10 is positioned the microphone input port 16 of second end 18 of slender member 14.Shell 12 holds other parts.Signal conductor extends in slender member 14, is used for other parts electrical interconnection in microphone and the shell 12.

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

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 be with many standard size manufacturings, in order to the human anatomy of the ear that mates most of users.Like this, production cost has reduced than the production cost of customized shell.

Illustrate in more detail as Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, slender member 14 removable and shell 12 interconnection are so that can be by making up the hearing aids 10 that a large amount of different models are provided with the slender member 14 of various criterion size and the shell 12 of various criterion size.

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 has first end 20 and second opposed end 18, the first ends 20 are attached to shell 12.

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

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

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

Slender member 14 has bigger cross section at the remainder of the slender member 14 that second end, 18 ratios that hold microphone extend from this second end towards first end 20.

Slender member 14 also can hold the electric hearing aid parts.

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

Utilization is positioned the cymba 160 below the fossa triangularis of ear in slender member 14 second end 18 has microphone, because this microphone is positioned at the position in the auricle 100, therefore can keep the location basically, in this position, the voice signal that has received makes that the user can be according to transferring to the direction of the signal sensing of user's eardrum towards sound source by hearing aids 10.

Two microphones can be contained in second end 18 of slender member 14, to be used to provide noise suppressed and/or further directivity.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment according to hearing aids of the present invention, also shows this embodiment that is positioned user Er Nei among Fig. 7.Shown hearing aids can have all features of hearing aids illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

Except the feature of slender member illustrated in figures 1 and 2 14, in the time of in shell 12 has been inserted into duct 120, Fig. 3 and slender member shown in Figure 7 also are suitable in abutting connection with the part of the concha auriculae of antitragus 180, towards duct power is applied to shell and shell is remained on the appropriate location whereby, in this suitable position, this shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in the duct.

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

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

Shown shell 12 has the cross section less than duct 120 cross sections, thereby can not occur basically blocking.When shell 12 was inserted in user's the duct 120, the smaller cross-sectional area of shell allowed to be communicated with between the duct between eardrum and shell and surrounding environment and prevents to block.Similar with conventional CIC hearing aids, shown hearing aids shell 12 is positioned in user's the duct fully.When the hearing aids shell inserted in user's the duct rightly, the end that is outwardly directed to hearing aids shell of battery cover 60 alignd or aligns substantially with cavity of concha 190, and promptly battery cover 60 overlaps or be similar to coincidence with line of demarcation between cavity of concha and the duct.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrate in greater detail the embodiment of the battery cover 60 of shell 12.When hearing aids 10 was positioned in the ear, battery cover 60 was arranged on the most proximal end of shell 12 towards the duct outside.Battery cover 60 has the cabin 62 that holds the battery (not shown).When opening battery cover 60, battery flat 62 is shown outside the shell 12, and available whereby new battery is changed this battery.Utilize connector 64 that slender member 14 is attached to battery cover 60, and with the battery cover 60 removable shells 12 that are attached to, 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 slender member 14 and the shell 12.

Fig. 7 shows embodiment according to hearing aids 10 of the present invention with perspective fashion.Fig. 3 mentions as reference, and the feature of the hearing aids shown in Fig. 7 can have whole features of hearing aids illustrated in figures 1 and 2.The embodiment of Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 comprises the ear wax filter 24 on the part that is installed in shell 12, and the part of this shell is held loudspeaker.Ear wax filter 24 is coupled to shell 12 by the connection that is clasped (snap fit coupling).

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 that battery cover 60 wherein is opened from the top.When hearing aids 10 was positioned in the ear, battery cover 60 was arranged on the most proximal end that shell 12 points to the duct outside.Battery cover 60 has the cabin 62 that holds hearing aids battery (not shown).The user can be by opening or closing battery cover 60 around rotating battery cover by hinge connection 72 rotating shafts that provide.When opening battery cover 60, battery flat 62 is shown shell 12, and available whereby new battery is changed this battery.

Utilization comprises that hinge connects that 72 connector 64 is attached to battery cover 60 with slender member 14 and with the battery cover 60 removable shells 12 that are attached to.In shown embodiment, hinge connects 72 and has axle 74, and battery cover 60 has flexible groove 76, so that people can be by pushing groove 76 and battery cover 60 is attached to hearing aids shell 12 around axle 74, groove 76 expands slightly and holds axle 74 and very fast recovery so that this axle is remained in the groove whereby.Equally, away from hearing aids shell 12, groove expands and discharges this axle whereby, and discharges axle 74 o'clock just, returns to its initial loose shape very soon by pulling battery cover 60, and the user can remove battery cover 60 from hearing aids shell 12.Designing shown being used for connects battery cover 60 and hearing aids shell 12 being clasped of interconnection, makes in order to battery cover 60 is separated needed power greater than by spurring slender member 14 hearing aids shell 12 being pulled out needed power from user's duct from hearing aids shell 12.

Shown hearing aids cage adapter 64 also comprises elasticity electric contacts 66, and this elasticity electric contacts is used for the electric parts electrical interconnection in the signal conductor of slender member 14 and the shell 12.

Fig. 9 shows the hearing aids shell 12 that removes battery cover 60, and Figure 10 shows the battery cover that is removed 60 that has slender member 14.

The significant advantage of shown embodiment is when battery flat 62 is closed by rotation, the electric contacts 68 of interconnection battery cover 60 and slender member 14 is connected slidably with the respective electrical contact element 66 of shell 12, and contact element 66 couplings of electric contacts 68 and hearing aids cage adapter 64.Being slidingly connected provides cleaning action, thereby for example remove the oxide-film on contact surface that forms by machinery, or other depositions of on contact surface, not expecting of machinery removal, remove contact surface, keep the low contact resistance of the electrical interconnection of crossing the hearing aids parts.

In another embodiment of the present invention, slender member 14 directly is connected with hearing aids shell 12 removably.(not shown) in this embodiment, slender member 14 has electric connector at its second end, this electric connector and corresponding hearing aids cage adapter coupling.Slender member 14 with connector is inserted into via the hole that is arranged in the hearing aids shell.Battery cover 60 can be provided with suitable mechanical component, and when battery cover 60 was closed, this mechanical component was by assisting slender member 14 is attached to hearing aids shell 12 with the adjacency of slender member 14.Battery cover can comprise locking device, is for example opened unintentionally owing to be applied to the power of slender member 14 in order to prevent battery cover.

Figure 11 (a)-(c) shows microphone 2a is positioned at second end 18 of slender member 14 according to an embodiment of the invention.Shown in Figure 11 (a), microphone 2a and signal conductor 17 thereof are inserted in the slender member 14 via second end of opening 18 of slender member 18, and microphone 2a is pushed into its desired position, shown in Figure 11 (b).Signal conductor 17 with holding wire of microphone 2a extends to slender member 14 inside.At last, the thread cap 19 with ear wax filter is closed the opening of slender member 14, shown in Figure 11 (c).

Figure 12 show signal conductor according to an embodiment of the invention 17 and contact element 68 interconnection.In the illustrated embodiment, contact element 68 is arranged on the sliding part, and this sliding part can slip into the coupling cabin in the battery cover, in order to location contact element 68, goes out as shown in figure 10.In with microphone 2a and signal conductor 17 insertion slender members 14, perhaps the exposed ends of signal conductor 17 can be welded on the contact element 68 that is arranged on the sliding part.Subsequently, sliding part is inserted battery cover 60 and also be adhered to battery cover possibly.

Figure 13 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, and this circuit comprises the analog to digital converter 4 of 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 with signal.To dsp program, in order to digital signal being carried out necessary signal processing operations, thereby according to user's needs compensation hearing loss.DSP is further programmed, in order to adjust signal processing parameter automatically according to the present invention.

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

In addition, hearing aids is included in the relevant memory cell 14 of outside and DSP 6, 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 the specific user, when the user accurately adjusts hearing aids for this reason, or when the user upgrades its hearing aids and/or for example readjusts user's actual hearing disability level by the audiologist, can provide the external memory storage 14 that is connected to shared serial data/address bus 5 by interface 15 with 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.Two memories at first mentioning comprise the program and the data of the constant composition in the built-up circuit, and last-mentioned two memories comprise the program and the data that can change or rewrite.

Usually, 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 among the EEPROM, carries out as required being used for thereby they can be read in internal RAM.Then, these exclusive datas and program can be rewritten by routine operation data and working procedure.Therefore, outside EEPROM can comprise a series of programs that only are used for special circumstances, for example start-up routine.

Figure 14 shows the block diagram of the embodiment of the hearing aids with feedback compensation filter 106.This hearing aids comprises and is used to the microphone 101 that receives external sound and convert thereof into audio signal.Receiver 102 will convert output sound to from the output of hearing aids processor 103, for example in hearing aids, suppose this output sound of change and will compensate the 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 the microphone 101.Because 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 that is provided by hearing aids processor 103.Feedback compensation filter 106 is suitable for compensating signal is supplied to subtrator 105, whereby before hearing aids processor 103 is handled, compensating signal is reduced from the audio signal that microphone 101 provides.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 the gain function of compensating filter 106 (ω).Therefore, F ' (ω) estimates that the real gain function F (ω) of feedback path, more approaching H (ω) will be the gain function A (ω) that needs.

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

Figure 15 shows the embodiment that shell 12 wherein 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.Be shown in further detail as Figure 16, flexible earphone unit has two sidewalls 34,36 of substrate of being attached to 32.Each sidewall 34,36 all has edge 38,40 separately, and these edges extend to the opening 42 of earphone unit 30 basically from the adjacent component of substrate 32.The width of opening 42 is adapted to fit in user's the duct.Earphone wall 34,36 in order to shell 12 is remained in the duct 120, so that shell 12 can not touch auditory canal wall, thereby allows the user feel the most comfortable in abutting connection with auditory canal wall.

The rigidity of the substrate 32 of earphone unit and thickness be enough to carry 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 desired location in user's duct 120.In this position, substrate 32 can not touch auditory canal wall.Owing to inserting earphone unit, 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 sidewall adapt to the shape and size of user's duct 120, and can wrinkle also not can with duct 120 loose contacts, thereby the leakage that can not occur not expecting.

Sidewall 34,36 overlaps each other, thereby the edge of a sidewall is covered by another sidewall, thereby in the use of earphone unit, and one of them that have only edge 38,40 directly contacts with duct 120 skins.This has reduced in the earphone unit along the opening of not expecting 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, the earphone unit utilization cooperates with duct between the minimum cross-section and the cross section between the maximum cross section of circular cone sidewall 34,36.

As shown in the figure, cone shape has oval-shaped basically cross section.Because duct has avette basically or oval in shape usually, 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 second sidewall.Therefore, the first side wall has more rigidity along its edge, and second sidewall is along the softer of edge or have more flexibility.If the edge of second sidewall is positioned between duct and the first side wall, then the rigidity of the first side wall will be provided to outside pressure on second sidewall on the direction on duct surface.Therefore, the flexibility of second sidewall guarantees between itself and the first side wall, and with the duct surface between tight the contact.Therefore, can prevent leakage and the sealing of not expecting along sidewall edge in the duct and closely cooperating.

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

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

Earphone unit 30 is molded.Extremely the material of Shi Yonging is a silicones.

Figure 17 shows embodiments of the invention, and wherein, shell 12 has custom component 50, and this custom component is used for shell 12 location and remains in user's the duct.

Claims (25)

1. slender member that is suitable for the removable interconnection of hearing aids, this hearing aids has shell, this shell is suitable for being positioned in user's duct and holds signal processor and receiver, this signal processor is used for Audio Signal Processing is become the audio signal of compensation hearing loss, this receiver is connected to the output of described signal processor, is used for converting voice signal to handling compensating audio signal.

2. according to the slender member of claim 1, comprise being suitable for the removable connector that is attached to hearing aids.

3. according to the slender member of claim 2, wherein said connector comprises battery cover, and this battery cover is suitable for the removable shell that is attached to described hearing aids.

4. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, also comprise microphone.

5. according to the slender member of claim 4, have first end and second end, and wherein said microphone is positioned at described second end.

6. according to the slender member of claim 4 or 5, also has holding wire.

7. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein said slender member is made with standard size.

8. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein said slender member is suitable for being positioned in user's the auricle and the duct outside, during use described shell is remained in the duct.

9. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein said slender member is suitable for during use in abutting connection with anthelix and extends to Antihelicine leftover bits and pieces at least.

10. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein, described slender member is suitable for making described second end to be positioned in during use below user's the fossa triangularis.

11. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein, when described shell has been inserted in the duct, described slender member is suitable in abutting connection with the part of the concha auriculae of antitragus, thereby power is applied to described shell so that described shell is remained on the appropriate location towards duct, in this appropriate location, described shell is pressed on the anatomical configurations in the duct.

12. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein said slender member is flexible with preformed.

13. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein said slender member vertically is a rigidity along it basically.

14. according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim, wherein, the part of holding the described slender member of described microphone has bigger cross section than the remainder of the described slender member that extends from this part towards described first end.

15., comprise two microphones according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim.

16. hearing aids that has according to each slender member in the aforementioned claim.

17. hearing aids according to claim 16, in the time of in described shell is positioned at user's duct, described shell is reserved passage between the part of the part of auditory canal wall and described shell, so that sound wave can spread out of from described shell back, arrive around the user via described passage.

18. according to the hearing aids of claim 16 or 17, wherein said shell is suitable for being positioned at fully in user's the duct.

19. according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 18, wherein said shell is made with standard size.

20. according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 19, wherein said shell is along its longitudinal extension angulation, so that described shell is contained in user's the duct.

21. according to the hearing aids of claim 20, wherein said shell is flexible, in order to change described angle.

22. according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 21, also comprise ear wax filter, this ear wax filter is suitable for utilizing buckle to connect being assembled on the loudspeaker.

23., comprise that also electrical feedback suppresses according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 22.

24. according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 23, wherein said shell also comprises and is used for described shell location and remains on flexible earphone unit in user's the duct.

25. according to each hearing aids in the claim 16 to 23, wherein said shell also comprises and is used for described shell location and remains on custom component in user's the duct.

Images