CN110691313A

CN110691313A - Hearing device comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part

Info

Publication number: CN110691313A
Application number: CN201910595432.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·图加尔德; J·特勒尔森; R·瑟
Original assignee: Audikang Co Ltd
Current assignee: Audikang Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-03
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2020-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-03
Also published as: CN116939463A; EP3591996A1; EP3591996B1; CN110691313B

Abstract

A hearing device including an outer antenna portion and an inner antenna portion, the hearing device including a housing configured to be positioned behind a human ear, an in-the-ear portion configured to be positioned at least partially in a human ear canal, and a connector configured to provide a mechanical connection extending between an in-the-ear housing and an behind-the-ear housing, wherein the connector includes a plurality of electrical conductors and at least one electrical conductor that is part of an antenna, at least a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors being connected to a corresponding plurality of connection points disposed on a substrate in the in-the-ear housing, a decoupling element disposed between a first connection point of the plurality of connection points and a second connection point of the plurality of connection points.

Description

Hearing device comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part

Technical Field

The invention relates to a hearing device comprising a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user, wherein the first part is connected to a coupling/connecting element being part of an external antenna part.

Background

Hearing aids for compensating for hearing loss of a wearer are well known. The present description relates in particular to these types of hearing devices. However, the content of the present description may also be implemented in other types of hearing devices, hearing instruments or hearing aids comprising a coupling element between two physical parts of the device, such as headsets, ear protection plugs, etc. In the following, the term "hearing device" or "hearing aid" generally refers to a device that is associated with providing an acoustic signal to the ear of a user.

Hearing devices, and in particular hearing aids, are very intensive applications and when integrating wireless applications it may sometimes be difficult to find sufficient space for the required antenna elements.

It is well known that the integration of wireless systems into hearing instruments also requires integrated antenna structures if cumbersome external antenna solutions are to be avoided. The efficiency of the antenna and the wireless system is important because low battery consumption is typically a design parameter. As examples of hearing devices, hearing aids of many different configurations are known, such as cochlear, in-the-ear (ITE), CIC, behind-the-ear (BTE), and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) (the latter sometimes referred to as "receiver-in-the-ear").

The efficiency and bandwidth of an antenna for an electromagnetic field is largely dependent on the size of the field relative to the signal wavelength. However, common hearing instruments are typically much smaller than the wavelength in the appropriate frequency band, which has a detrimental effect on the efficiency and bandwidth of the antenna built into the common hearing device.

Additionally, for example, the antenna of a RITE hearing device may include a plurality of conductive elements. The conductive element as part of the antenna may have a number of other purposes, such as transferring data and/or audio and/or power to a second part of the hearing device or to an external part of the hearing device. In this case, each of the conductive elements must be connected to a decoupler, such as a coil, and as more conductive elements are added to the antenna, the bandwidth of the antenna is reduced by the decoupler connected to each conductive element. Furthermore, the size of the hearing device becomes more bulky due to the increased number of decouplers.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna within a hearing device that can increase the number of conductive elements that are part of the antenna while still keeping the bandwidth unaffected by the number of conductive elements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a solution to the previous object without increasing the size of the antenna, so that the size of the hearing device is more or less unaffected by the increased number of conductive elements.

The object of the invention is achieved by the invention described below and by the appended claims.

The object of the invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising: the apparatus includes a housing configured to be positioned behind an ear of a user, an output transducer configured to be at least partially disposed in an ear canal of the user, and a coupling element configured to provide a mechanical connection between an in-the-ear portion and a behind-the-ear portion. In the coupling element, a plurality of electrical leads may be provided, either as a plurality of wires or provided as leads on a flexible substrate, or a combination thereof. At the intra-aural portion, an output transducer is typically present. In addition to, or at the location of, the output transducer, there may be one or more sensors. Such a sensor may for example be one of the following: temperature sensors, accelerometers, pulse sensors, microphones, EEG sensors. Other types of sensors are also possible. The electrical conductors in the connection element may be used to conduct electrical signals to the output transducer and/or to/from a sensor or other element in the in-the-ear part. In addition to these, one or more of the electrical conductors may serve as at least a portion of an antenna configured to communicate with an external device. The antenna may be built up using at least one electrical conductor which is not connected to any other element, i.e. the electrical conductor used as part of the antenna may serve only the antenna function, i.e. a dedicated electrical conductor.

At the area or point where the electrical conductor is connected to the substrate carrying the electrical element in the in-the-ear part, such as a connection pin, there is a risk that a large coupling will occur between the connections. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an in-the-ear part, wherein a decoupling element is provided between at least two connection regions to reduce the coupling between the two at least at the operating frequency of the antenna function of the in-the-ear part. The decoupling element may be or comprise a capacitor or a diode, e.g. a parasitic capacitance. It is foreseen that the efficiency of the antenna may be increased by reducing losses due to coupling between the electrical conductors, at least in the area where the electrical connector is connected to the substrate.

The decoupling element may have a resonant frequency at the operating frequency of the antenna so as to provide maximum attenuation at that frequency, e.g. in an interval within the operating frequency range, e.g. in an interval at least overlapping the operating frequency or a part of the operating frequency interval. Thus, the decoupling element can be tuned to the operating frequency or operating frequency interval of the antenna.

When the decoupling elements are capacitors, the decoupling elements mean having a low impedance at the operating frequency of the antenna, which means when they have a high capacitance, since the impedance decreases with increasing capacitance, e.g., Z | ═ 1/(2 × Pi × C), where f is the frequency, Z is the impedance, and C is the capacitance.

Further details will be apparent from the description.

The object of the invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, and a coupling element coupled/connected to the first part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit said signal or said acoustic output. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises an antenna comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element; a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of an antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises an outer antenna part, wherein the outer antenna part is connected to an inner antenna part, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the outer antenna part.

Another object of the invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, a second part adapted to be arranged remote from the first part and for providing an acoustic output to the user, and a coupling element coupled to the first part and the second part, wherein the second part comprises the output transducer or the bone conduction means, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least pass said signal to the output transducer or said acoustic output to the second part. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises an antenna comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element; a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of an antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of an outer antenna part, and wherein the conductive element is connected to a first antenna element of an inner antenna part.

In the following description, the inner antenna portion may be referred to as an inverted-F antenna (IF antenna).

It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna within a hearing device that can increase the number of conductive elements that are part of the antenna while still having a bandwidth suitable for communication in the frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5 GHz.

It is another object of the invention to use a coupling element comprising an increased number of conductive elements as an antenna.

The advantage of combining the inner antenna part and the outer antenna part, which is part of the existing components of the hearing device, is that no decoupling of the outer antenna part is required, since the antenna current from the outer antenna part is "guided" through the inner antenna part to the ground plane, instead of the electrical components connected to the outer antenna part within the hearing device. So that the size of the hearing device does not become bulky when more conductive elements are added in the external antenna portion, since no decoupling is needed. Furthermore, when more conductive elements are added to the antenna, the bandwidth of the antenna is not reduced because decouplers are avoided.

Hearing devices may be cochlear, in-ear (ITE), CIC, behind-the-ear (BTE), and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices.

The first portion may be disposed behind the user's ear, for example between the pinna and skull of the user.

The output transducer for converting the signal into an acoustic output may be part of the first part or the second part, wherein the second part is connected to the first part by a coupling element. The output transducer may be a receiver (or speaker) or a bone anchor vibrator or cochlear implant.

The coupling element may be coupled to the first portion and, in another example, to the first portion and the second portion and/or to an external portion. The coupling element may be a hollow tube comprising at least an electrically conductive element, wherein the electrically conductive element is configured to direct/guide the acoustic output and/or power and/or data to the second portion and/or the outer portion, wherein the second portion may be, for example, an in-ear-canal element. The external portion may include a transmit coil for inductively transmitting power and/or data to the implanted stimulator. The in-canal element may be formed in a dome shape or any shape that improves the fit of the second portion to the ear canal of the user.

The coupling element may comprise more than two conductive elements, such as between 2 and 12, between 2 and 10, or between 2 and 6.

The second part and/or the external part may comprise a plurality of sensors for acoustic signals, such as transducers (i.e. microphones or speakers) and/or a plurality of sensors for monitoring the health of a hearing device user, wherein the plurality of sensors may be accelerometers, electrodes, light emitting diodes or photodetectors. The second portion may comprise an acoustic vibrator or a bone conduction vibrator.

The second part and/or the external part may comprise a memory and a processor for controlling the sensor and/or processing signals detected or transmitted by the sensor.

An advantage of being able to provide a plurality of conductive elements within the coupling element is that the second part and the outer part become more intelligent than current solutions, which results in an improved comfort for the user.

Another advantage is that due to the availability of more conductive elements to be included in the coupling element, the size of the first portion can be reduced without affecting the bandwidth by internal parasitic elements by providing more structural members in the second portion and/or the outer portion.

The second portion may be adapted to be disposed away from the first portion and proximate to the skin of the user.

The coupling element may include an inner core and an outer core, wherein the outer core surrounds the inner core. The inner core may include air configured to direct the acoustic output and the outer core may include an outer antenna portion in the form of a conductive element.

The coupling element may comprise a core, wherein the core may comprise an outer antenna portion in the form of a conductive element.

The coupling element connected to the first part may be an ear hook securely connected to the first part of the hearing device. The coupling element may be configured to be mechanically disassembled to enable easy replacement of the ear hook in the event of a failure of the ear hook antenna element or in the event that an alternative ear hook is required.

The hearing device may comprise at least two coupling elements, wherein a first coupling element may be coupled to the first portion, or the first coupling element may be coupled to the first portion and the second portion. The second coupling element may be coupled to the first portion and the outer portion. The external portion may include a transmit coil for inductively transmitting power and/or data to the implanted stimulator. Both coupling elements comprise a conductive element, wherein the external antenna part may be part of either of the two coupling elements or the coupling element. In the example where the outer antenna portion is part of two coupling elements, the first coupling element may comprise a first set of conductive elements and the first outer antenna portion may be part of the first set of conductive elements. The second coupling element may include a second set of conductive elements, and the second outer antenna portion may be part of the second set of conductive elements.

Having a plurality of coupling elements results in a reduction of the size of the first portion, since the technical features of the first portion may be transferred to the second portion and/or the external portion due to the possibility of implementing more conductive elements within the coupling elements. In addition, an advantage of having two coupling elements is that the hearing instrument can communicate with other external devices via a plurality of different or similar wireless communication protocol links with minimal interference between the two links. Because the distance between the coupling elements is much larger than they would be in the first part, interference between all two links is minimal. The plurality of coupling elements may include a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The first coupling element may comprise a first set of conductive elements and the second coupling element may comprise a second set of conductive elements. The first set of conductive elements may be connected to a first wireless interface configured to communicate a bluetooth protocol at about 2.45GHz, and the second set of conductive elements may be connected to a second wireless interface configured to communicate a second protocol at a different frequency, such as about 900MHz or about 5.3 GHz. The first and second wireless interfaces may be within the first portion.

Importantly, it should be understood that the main portion of the outer antenna portion is located outside the first portion. The outer antenna portion may be a conductive element such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element. The conductive element may be connected to the wireless interface and terminate within the coupling element and/or the second portion and/or the outer portion.

The outer antenna portion may be adapted to pass the signal to the output transducer at least when transmitting.

The outer antenna portion may be partially within the first portion and partially outside the first portion. The portion within the first portion is connected to the wireless interface and the internal antenna portion.

The inner antenna portion may include a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element may be disposed at and connected to an end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element may be connected to the ground plane, and the third antenna element may be spaced a distance from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element. The first antenna element may be horizontally oriented with respect to the second antenna element and the third antenna element to form an inverted-F antenna. The first antenna element has an electrical length of λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

The inner antenna portion may be formed from a conductive sheet and/or conductive via leads and/or flexible printing.

The inner antenna part, i.e. the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the third antenna element, may be formed by conductive vias mounted on a conductive sheet, wherein the conductive vias are connected to the conductive elements of the outer antenna part. The conductive via may also be connected to a ground plane.

In addition, the inner antenna portion may include a plurality of conductive paths, and the outer antenna portion may include a plurality of conductive elements, wherein each conductive path is connected to a conductive element. The connection between each conductive path and the conductive element may be provided via a capacitor. The capacitor provides an efficient coupling between the inner and outer antenna portions, e.g. ensuring an efficient coupling where the outer antenna portion receives a current from the feed unit and where the antenna current from the outer antenna portion is passed to the ground plane. So that no decoupler is required to couple to each conductive element.

In an alternative solution, when having a plurality of conductive elements, at least one of the plurality of conductive elements may be coupled to the conductive path of the inner antenna portion. In this solution, the other conductive element, i.e. the conductive element not coupled to the conductive path (or the internal element), may receive the current from the feeding unit in any way via magnetic coupling and/or capacitive coupling from a conductive element connected to the conductive path (or the internal element). In addition, this solution has the advantage that only a single capacitor is needed in order to have a high efficient coupling between the inner and outer antenna portions.

Another advantage of this solution is that the size of the antenna, i.e. the hearing device, is minimally affected when more conductive elements are added to the outer antenna part, since a significant reduction of the number of decouplers and capacitors is avoided.

The distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on a ratio between a current of the current distribution and a voltage of the voltage distribution along the first antenna element. The ratio should be 50 ohms.

The position of the connection point where the feeding unit is connected to the inner antenna part is determined by the current and/or voltage distribution along the first antenna element. Ideally, the location of the connection point should be where the ratio between voltage and current is 50 ohms.

The second antenna element may be connected to the ground plane. The electrical length of the ground plane may be λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. The second antenna element may be a conductive element such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element.

The inner antenna part may comprise a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element may be arranged at one end of the fourth antenna element and connected thereto, and wherein a second end of the fifth antenna element may be connected to the first antenna element, and wherein the fourth antenna element may be partly parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein an electrical length of the fourth antenna element may be larger than an electrical length of the first antenna element.

An advantage of the fourth and fifth antenna elements is that the antenna is configured to operate at a plurality of frequencies within a plurality of frequency ranges. In a particular embodiment, the antenna may be configured to communicate with a plurality of external devices using two communication protocol links, wherein the frequencies of the two links are in a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

The antenna may comprise an internal parasitic element, and wherein the feed unit is further configured to supply the current to the internal parasitic element via a wireless coupling, such as a magnetic coupling or a capacitive coupling.

An advantage of combining the external antenna part and the internal parasitic element is that the bandwidth increase of the antenna and the resulting bandwidth increase is not obtained by increasing the size of the hearing device.

The internal parasitic element is preferably arranged within the first part, however, in another example of the invention, the internal parasitic element may be arranged within the outer part and/or within the second part and/or within the coupling element.

The internal parasitic element may supply current from the feed unit via magnetic coupling and/or capacitive coupling. Importantly, it should be understood that the present invention does not include solutions where the internal parasitic element receives current via galvanic coupling or via a printed circuit board.

The internal parasitic element may be part of a printed circuit board connected to the ground plane such that the internal parasitic element receives current only via magnetic coupling or via capacitive coupling. The current from the feed unit may be transmitted through the ground plane and/or through the external antenna portion and wirelessly coupled to the internal parasitic element.

The internal parasitic element may be a passive element that is conductive and connected to the ground plane.

The internal parasitic element has an electrical length of λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. The electrical length of the internal parasitic element may be adapted to the ground plane and/or the external antenna portion. The electrical length may be any length and wherein the impedance matching between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna is obtained by an impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit may comprise one or more capacitors and/or one or more coils. The impedance matching circuit may be connected to the internal parasitic element and the ground plane or between the external antenna and the ground plane.

The antenna may be connected to a wireless interface configured to transmit and/or receive audio or data. The wireless interface may be part of a printed circuit board. The wireless interface may be adapted to receive and/or transmit audio or data by means of electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

The hearing device may comprise a second part and/or an external part adapted to be positioned remote from the first part and to provide an acoustic output to a user, wherein the coupling element is configured to couple the first part and the second part and/or the external part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to pass at least said signal to an output transducer in the second part and/or to pass at least said acoustic output to the external part, and/or to pass an acoustic output provided by an output transducer located in the first part to the second part, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the external antenna part, and wherein the conductive element is connected to the internal antenna part.

The second portion is arranged in the ear canal of the user and/or the outer portion may be arranged on a skin portion of the user (including the skull of the user).

The current in the feed unit is mainly magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element. This solution provides a more compact antenna, where the internal and internal parasitic elements of the outer antenna part are located close together. The transfer of current between the feed unit and the internal parasitic element may include capacitive coupling.

Additionally, at least a portion of the outer antenna portion and the internal parasitic element may be disposed within the first portion such that a capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and/or the outer antenna portion and/or the inner antenna portion. Capacitive coupling improves the production tolerances of the antenna.

The antenna may comprise a ground plane for guiding current from the feed unit along a length of the ground plane, and wherein the internal parasitic element is located within the hearing device such that the ground plane guided current is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element. By having a ground plane, the internal parasitic element may be located at a further position than previous antenna solutions where the internal parasitic element receives current directly via a wireless coupling to the feed unit.

The coupling element may comprise one or more shielding elements for shielding the outer antenna part so that electrical elements within the first part, the second part, the outer part and/or the external device will not be negatively affected by radiation of the antenna having frequencies outside the following frequencies (ranges): a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

The external device may be a mobile phone, a computer or any electronic device that is not part of the hearing instrument.

The shielding element may be connected to the wireless interface via a band-pass filter, or the shielding element may be connected to a ground plane within the first portion.

The shielding element may be a wire twisted around the conductive element or a network of wires twisted around the conductive element. The coupling elements may include a first set of conductive elements and a second set of conductive elements (as well as sets of other conductive elements). The first shielding element may cover the first set and the second shielding element may cover the second set, thereby avoiding any interference that may occur between the sets of conductive elements. For example, the first set may be connected to a microphone and the second set may be connected to a speaker.

The feeding unit may be configured to supply a current to a second antenna that is at least a part of the antenna, and wherein the external antenna part and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling such that the second antenna is capable of extending the operation of the external antenna part.

The second antenna may be in the first portion connected to the wireless interface and may be another electrical element in the first portion.

The second antenna may be a conductive element such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element.

Method for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device comprising an output transducer, a coupling element coupling a first part of the hearing device, a first part providing a signal, and an output transducer configured to convert said signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing an external antenna part within the coupling element;

-providing an inner antenna part comprising a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to an end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element;

-connecting the inner antenna part to the outer antenna part;

-supplying an electric current to the electrically conductive element through the feeding unit and via the internal antenna portion;

-positioning the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user; and

-receiving and/or transmitting data by means of an antenna.

Method for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device comprising a coupling element coupling a first part and a second part of the hearing device, the first part providing a signal, and the second part comprising an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing a conductive element in the coupling element, wherein the conductive element is at least part of an external antenna part;

-connecting the inner antenna part to the outer antenna part;

-positioning the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user;

-positioning the second part in the ear canal or on the skin of the user; and

-receiving and/or transmitting data by means of the conductive element.

The hearing device comprises a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupled to the first part, and an antenna comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part, wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit said signal or said acoustic output, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced at a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element; a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of an antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises an outer antenna part, wherein the outer antenna part is connected to an inner antenna part, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the outer antenna part.

The hearing device may comprise a second portion adapted to be positioned remote from the first portion and to provide an acoustic output to a user, and wherein the coupling element couples the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit said signal and/or said acoustic output.

The hearing device may comprise an external portion arranged remote from the first portion, and wherein the external portion comprises the implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first portion and the external portion, and wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, and wherein the second coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the external portion.

The second part may be arranged in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the second part comprises the output transducer, and/or the outer part is arranged on the skin of the user.

The first antenna element, the second antenna element and the third antenna element may be formed by conductive vias mounted on the conductive sheet, wherein the conductive vias are connected to the conductive elements of the outer antenna portion.

The distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on a ratio between a voltage of a voltage distribution and a current of a current distribution along the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

The electrical lengths of the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the outer antenna part may together be λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. Alternatively, the electrical lengths of the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the conductive element may together be λ/4 or x λ/4+/- λ/2, where x is an odd number such as 3, 5, 7, etc.

The electrical length of the ground plane may be λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

The inner antenna part may comprise a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element is arranged at one end of the fourth antenna element and connected thereto, and wherein a second end of the fifth antenna element is connected to the first antenna element, and wherein the fourth antenna element is partly parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein an electrical length of the fourth antenna element is larger than an electrical length of the first antenna element.

The current in the feed unit may be magnetically and/or capacitively coupled to the internal parasitic element.

The ground plane may direct current from the feed unit along a length of the ground plane, and wherein the internal parasitic element is located within the hearing device such that the ground plane directed current is magnetically and/or capacitively coupled to the internal parasitic element.

The internal parasitic element has an electrical length of λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

The internal parasitic element may be positioned such that a capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna portion, wherein the capacitive coupling includes a current passing from the external antenna portion to the internal parasitic element.

The conductive element may be adapted to at least transmit a signal to the output transducer based on the transmission.

The outer antenna portion may comprise a plurality of conductive elements, wherein two or more conductive elements are connected to one or more electronics mounted within the second or outer portion of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is adapted to pass at least the signal provided by the first portion to the connected electronics.

More than two conductive elements may terminate within the second portion or within the outer portion or within the coupling element (or within the second coupling element).

The electronic device in the second part is a transducer such as another output transducer or a microphone, and/or a sensor, and/or a light emitting diode, and/or an electrode, and/or a photodetector.

The wireless interface may be adapted to receive and/or transmit data by means of electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

The coupling element may comprise one or more shielding elements for shielding the outer antenna part.

The shielding element may be connected to the wireless interface via a band-pass filter or the shielding element is connected to a ground element in the first part.

Method for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device comprising an output transducer configured to convert a signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupling a first part of the hearing device, a first part providing the signal, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing an external antenna portion within the coupling element, wherein the external antenna portion is part of an antenna;

-providing an inner antenna part as part of an antenna, the inner antenna part comprising a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to an end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element;

-connecting the inner antenna part to the outer antenna part;

-supplying a current through the feeding unit and via the inner antenna part to the outer antenna part;

-positioning the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user; and

-receiving and/or transmitting data by means of said antenna.

The external antenna is similar to the external antenna portion.

The hearing device may comprise a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupled to the first part, and an antenna comprising an external antenna and an internal parasitic element arranged at least outside the first part, a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the external antenna, a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of the antenna, wherein the feeding unit is further configured to supply a current to the internal parasitic element via wireless coupling, and wherein the coupling element comprises the external antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the external antenna.

The hearing device may comprise an external portion arranged remote from the first portion, and wherein the external portion comprises the implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first portion and the external portion, and wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, and wherein the second coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of an external antenna.

The second part is arranged in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the second part comprises the output transducer, and/or the outer part is arranged on the skin of the user.

The current within the feed unit may be magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element.

The antenna may comprise a ground plane that directs current from the feed unit along a length of the ground plane, and wherein the internal parasitic element is located within the hearing device such that the ground plane directed current is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element.

At least a portion of the external antenna may be disposed within the first portion, and the internal parasitic element is positioned such that a capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna.

The second portion may comprise an output transducer, and wherein the external antenna element is adapted to at least transmit the signal to the output transducer based on the transmission.

The external antenna may comprise a plurality of conductive elements, wherein more than two conductive elements are connected to one or more electronic devices mounted in the second part of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is adapted to at least pass signals provided by the first part to the electronic devices in the second part.

The electronics in the second part may be a transducer such as another output transducer or a microphone, and/or an accelerometer, an electrode, a light emitting diode and/or a photodetector.

The wireless interface is adapted to receive and/or transmit data by means of electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

The coupling element may comprise one or more shielding elements for shielding the external antenna.

The shielding element may be connected to the radio interface via a band-pass filter or the shielding element is connected to a ground plane within the first part.

The feed unit may be configured to supply current to a second antenna that is at least a part of the antenna, and wherein the external antenna and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling such that the second antenna is capable of extending operation of the external antenna.

Method for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device comprising a coupling element coupled to a first part, a first part providing a signal and an output transducer for converting said signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing an external antenna in the coupling element and at least outside the first part;

-supplying an external antenna with current through a feed unit;

-providing an internal parasitic element inside the first portion;

-supplying a current to the internal parasitic element via the wireless coupling;

-positioning the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user; and

-receiving and/or transmitting data by means of said external antenna.

Drawings

Various aspects of the invention will be best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity, the figures are schematic and simplified drawings, which only show details which are necessary for understanding the invention and other details are omitted. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may be combined with any or all of the features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

fig. 1a-1c show an example of a hearing device and an example of an antenna within the hearing device.

Fig. 2 shows an example of an antenna within a hearing device.

Fig. 3 shows an example of an antenna within a hearing device.

Fig. 4a-4b show another example of a hearing device comprising an internal parasitic element.

Fig. 5a-5c show examples of hearing devices and simulations of the resonance frequency.

Fig. 6a-6d show different examples of hearing devices.

Fig. 7 shows another example of a hearing device comprising an internal parasitic element.

Fig. 8a-8c show different examples of hearing devices.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a hearing device comprising a shielding element.

Fig. 10a-10b show examples of hearing devices comprising a shielding element.

Fig. 11 shows a flow chart of a method.

Fig. 12 shows two connecting elements.

Detailed Description

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described in terms of various blocks, functional units, modules, elements, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, and the like (collectively, "elements"). Depending on the particular application, design constraints, or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

The hearing instrument may be a hearing assistance device adapted to improve or enhance the hearing ability of a user by receiving acoustic signals from the surroundings of the user, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly modifying the audio signals, and providing the possibly modified audio signals as audible signals to at least one of the ears of the user. A "hearing device" may also refer to a device such as an earphone or a headphone adapted to electronically receive an audio signal, possibly modify the audio signal, and provide the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. These audible signals may be provided in the form of acoustic signals that radiate into the outer ear of the user, or acoustic signals that are transmitted as mechanical vibrations through the bony structure of the user's head and/or through the middle ear portion of the user to the inner ear of the user, or electrical signals that are transmitted directly or indirectly to the cochlear nerve and/or auditory cortex of the user.

The hearing instrument is adapted to be worn in any known manner. This may include i) arranging behind the ear a hearing device unit with a tube guiding an airborne acoustic signal, or with a receiver/speaker arranged close to or in the ear canal, e.g. in a behind-the-ear or in a receiver-in-the-ear hearing aid, and/or ii) arranging the hearing device fully or partially in the pinna and/or in the ear canal of the user, e.g. in an in-the-ear or in/in a fully in-the-ear hearing aid, or iii) arranging a unit of the hearing device attached to a fixture implanted in the skull, e.g. in a bone anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant, or iv) arranging a unit of the hearing device as a fully or partially implanted unit, e.g. in a bone anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant.

The hearing device may be part of a "hearing system", which refers to a system comprising one or two hearing devices as disclosed in the present specification, and a "binaural hearing system" refers to a system comprising two hearing devices, wherein the devices are adapted to provide audio signals to both ears of a user in a coordinated manner. The hearing system or binaural hearing system may further comprise an auxiliary device in communication with the at least one hearing device, the auxiliary device influencing the operation of the hearing device and/or benefiting from the operation of the hearing device. A wired or wireless communication link is established between the at least one hearing instrument and the auxiliary device, enabling information (e.g. control and status signals, possibly audio signals) to be exchanged between the at least one hearing instrument and the auxiliary device. These auxiliary devices may include at least one of a remote control, a remote control microphone, an audio gateway device, a mobile phone, a public address system, a car audio system, or a music player, or a combination thereof. The audio gateway is suitable for receiving a large number of audio signals, such as from entertainment equipment like a television or music player, a telephone device like a mobile phone or a computer, a PC. The audio gateway is further adapted to select and/or combine a suitable one (or combination of signals) of the received audio signals for transmission to the at least one hearing device. The remote control is adapted to control the function and operation of at least one hearing instrument. The functionality of the remote control may be implemented in a smart phone or other electronic device, which may run an application controlling the functionality of at least one hearing instrument.

In general, a hearing instrument comprises i) an input unit, such as a microphone, for receiving acoustic signals from the surroundings of a user and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and/or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving the input audio signal. The hearing instrument further comprises a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user in dependence of the processed audio signal.

The input unit may comprise a plurality of input microphones, for example for providing direction dependent audio signal processing. Such directional microphone systems are adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a large number of acoustic sources in a user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (e.g. adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved by using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may comprise an amplifier adapted to apply a frequency dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may also be adapted to provide other related functions such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may comprise an output transducer such as a speaker/receiver for providing airborne acoustic signals transdermally or transcutaneously to the skull bone, or a vibrator for providing structure-borne or liquid-borne acoustic signals. In some hearing devices, the output unit may comprise one or more output electrodes for providing electrical signals, such as in a cochlear implant.

It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an aspect" or to features that may be included as "may" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the invention. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more. The term "some" means one or more unless specifically stated otherwise.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims that follow.

Fig. 1a-1c show an example of a hearing device 1 and an example of an antenna 8 within the hearing device 1. Fig. 1a shows that the hearing device 1 comprises a first part 2 adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer 10 for converting the signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element 6 coupled to the first part 2, an antenna 8 comprising at least an outer antenna part 14 arranged outside the first part 2 and an inner antenna part 13 arranged within the first part, a feeding unit 20 configured to supply a current to the outer antenna part 14 via the inner antenna part 13. The hearing device 1 further comprises a wireless interface 16 configured to receive and/or transmit data and/or audio and/or power by means of an antenna. The coupling element 6 comprises an outer antenna part 14, the outer antenna part 14 being connected to an inner antenna part 13. In this particular example, the hearing device 1 further comprises a second portion 4 adapted to be arranged remote from the first portion 2 and adapted to provide an acoustic output to the user, wherein the second portion 4 comprises the output transducer 10. A coupling element 6 couples the first part 2 and the second part 4, wherein the coupling element 6 is adapted to pass at least said signal to the output transducer 10, and wherein the coupling element 6 comprises a conductive element 18 coupled to the wireless interface 16, and wherein the conductive element 18 is at least part of the external antenna part 14.

Figure 1b shows an antenna 8 comprising an inner antenna part 13 being part of a main plane 11 and conductive elements 18A-18C being at least part of an outer antenna part 14. In this particular example, the inner antenna portion 13 includes a first antenna element 13A, a second antenna element 13B, and a third antenna element 13C, a first end of the second antenna element 13B being disposed at and connected to an end of the first antenna element 13A, a second end of the second antenna element 13B being connected to the ground plane 26, and the third antenna element 13C being spaced apart from the second antenna element 13B and connected to the first antenna element 13A. The conductive elements 18A-18C are connected to the inner antenna part 13 via the first antenna element 13A.

Fig. 1C shows an antenna 8 of a hearing device 1, wherein the second antenna element 13B and the third antenna element 13C are formed by one or more conductive paths 9A in the main plane 11, wherein the conductive paths 9A of the inner antenna part are connected to the conductive elements 18A-18C of the outer antenna part 14. In this specific example, the conductive path 9A is mounted on the conductive sheet 9.

Fig. 2 shows that the distance between the second antenna element 13B and the third antenna element 13C is determined based on the ratio between the voltage of the voltage profile 39 and the current of the current profile 38 along the first antenna element 13A. In this particular example, the connection point of the feeding unit 20 with the inner antenna portion 13 is located where the ratio between the voltage and the current is 50 ohms.

Fig. 3 shows an antenna 8 in which the inner antenna part comprises a fourth antenna element 13D and a fifth antenna element 13E, in which the first end of the fifth antenna element 13E is arranged at and connected to one end of the fourth antenna element 13D, the second end of the fifth antenna element 13E is connected to the first antenna element 13A, and in which the fourth antenna element 13D is partly parallel to the first antenna element 13A, and the electrical length of the fourth antenna element 13D is greater than the electrical length of the first antenna element 13A.

In this particular example, the inner antenna portion 13 is a dual band inverted-F antenna having at least two frequencies, i.e., operating frequencies, where a first frequency is represented by the fourth and fifth antenna elements (13D,13E) of the inner antenna portion 13 and a second frequency is represented by the remaining antenna elements (13A-13C). If the fourth antenna element 13D has a longer electrical length than the first antenna element 13A, this results in the first frequency being lower than the second frequency.

Fig. 4a-4c show a hearing device 1, wherein the antenna 8 comprises an internal parasitic element 12, an internal antenna part 13 and an external antenna part (14, 18). Fig. 4a shows a hearing device similar to that described in connection with fig. 1a, however, in this particular example, the hearing device comprises an internal parasitic element 12. Fig. 4b shows that the antenna 8 comprises an internal parasitic element 12. In this particular example, the feed unit is positioned such that current is supplied to the internal parasitic element via a wireless coupling, such as a magnetic coupling 22 and/or a capacitive coupling 23. Internal parasitic element 12 is connected to ground plane 26.

Fig. 5a-5c show simulations of the hearing device 1 with or without the internal parasitic element 12. Fig. 5a shows the hearing device 1 without the internal parasitic element 12, fig. 5b shows the hearing device 1 with the internal parasitic element, and fig. 5c shows simulation results of the hearing device 1 with or without the internal parasitic element 12. The results show that the 10dB bandwidth of the antenna without internal parasitic element 12 is less than the 10dB bandwidth of the antenna 8 with internal parasitic element 12. This clearly shows that the solution with multiple conductive elements 18A-18E (used as the outer antenna portion 14) has an increased bandwidth when the internal parasitic element 12 is included within the design of the antenna 8.

Fig. 6a-6d show that the hearing device 1 is worn by a user 30. Fig. 6a shows a behind-the-ear hearing aid 1, wherein the first part 2 is located between the pinna of the ear of the user 30 and the skull of the user 30. The second part 4 is located in the ear canal of the user 30. The first part 2 and the second part 4 are coupled via a coupling element 6. The coupling element 6 may be configured to transmit an acoustic output through air or configured to transmit a signal through the conductive element 18. Fig. 6b shows a cochlear hearing aid 1, wherein the first part 2 is connected to the second part 4 and an external part 4b, wherein the external part is an implanted stimulator. The connection 6 comprises a first and a second coupling element, wherein the first and second coupling elements may be similar to the previously described coupling elements. Fig. 6c shows a cochlear hearing aid 1, wherein the first part 2 is connected to the outer part 4b via a coupling element 6. Fig. 6d shows a hearing device 1, wherein the coupling element 6 is an ear hook detachably mounted to the first part 2.

Fig. 7 shows an antenna 8 in which the internal parasitic element is not part of the main plane 11 but is mounted away from the external antenna part 14, for example on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)3 within the first part 2. Internal parasitic element 12 receives current from feed cell 20 via a wireless coupling (22,23) between ground plane 26 and internal parasitic element 12.

Fig. 8a-8c show a number of different examples of hearing devices 1, where the coupling element 6 is either a hollow tube comprising one or more electrically conductive elements, or a hollow tube comprising an inner core and an outer core, where the outer core surrounds the inner core. The inner core may include air configured to direct the acoustic output and the outer core may include the conductive element 18, i.e., the outer antenna portion 14. Fig. 8a shows the conductive element 18 terminating within the second section 4 and connected to the output transducer 10. Fig. 8b shows that the conductive element 18 terminates within the coupling element 6. The first section includes an output converter. Fig. 8C shows a plurality of conductive elements (18A-18C) within the coupling element 6, wherein each conductive element (18A-18C) is connected to a sensor 10A-10C within the second portion.

Fig. 9 shows the coupling element 6, wherein the shielding element 32 is twisted around the conductive elements (18A, 18B).

Fig. 10a-10b show different examples of shielding elements 32. Fig. 10a shows that the shielding element 32 terminates at a ground 34 within the first part 2. Fig. 10b shows the shield element 32 connected to the radio interface 16 via the band-pass filter 32.

Fig. 11 shows a method 100 for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device 1, the hearing device 1 comprising an output transducer 10, a coupling element 6 coupling a first part 2 of the hearing device, the first part providing a signal, the output transducer being configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output. The method 100 comprises the steps of: providing an external antenna portion within the coupling element (step a); providing an inner antenna part, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground element, the third antenna element being spaced a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element (step B); connecting the inner antenna portion to the outer antenna portion (step C); supplying a current to the conductive element through the feeding unit and via the internal antenna portion (step D); placing the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user (step E); and receiving and/or transmitting data by means of the conductive element (step G). Optionally, the method may further comprise the steps of: the second part 4 is arranged in the ear canal of the user or on the skin of the user, wherein the second part is coupled to the coupling element 6 (step F).

Fig. 12 schematically shows a connector with an in-the-ear part, only part of the internal elements being shown here.

On the left hand side in fig. 12, the receiver, i.e. the output transducer, may be connected via two wires to a housing, not shown, which is to be arranged behind the ear of the person wearing the hearing aid device.

The output transducer is configured to be arranged in an in-the-ear part configured to be at least partly located in an ear canal of a person wearing the hearing aid device. The shell of the in-the-ear part may be specially formed to fit the ear canal of the person, commonly known as a custom-made ear mold, or may be a relatively small shell fitting most people and then fitted with a soft piece having an open or closed dome shape, which ensures that the in-the-ear shell is worn as comfortably as possible in the ear canal.

In addition to the output transducer, other elements are present in the in-the-ear housing. In general, these elements may be one or more of the following: memory means storing information such as identification and/or performance, sensors configured to provide signals representative of physical properties, such as temperature, acceleration, orientation such as tilt, etc., EEG, pressure sensors, pulse sensors, optical sensors or other types of sensors. Other examples of such elements include RFID devices, inductive elements, signal processors, filter banks.

The behind-the-ear housing is connected to the behind-the-ear housing via a connector. A connector extends between the in-the-ear housing and the behind-the-ear housing. The connector thereby provides a mechanical connection extending between the in-the-ear housing and the behind-the-ear housing. The connector includes a plurality of electrical conductors, here shown as six wires. Here, two wires are connected to the output converter, and the remaining four wires are connected to other elements.

Since the connector is not covered by the ear when the hearing aid device is worn in its intended operating state, which is an advantageous area for the antenna, the use of at least one electrical conductor as part of the antenna provides an efficient antenna.

Generally, not all wires need to be connected to the substrate carrying the elements in the in-the-ear housing, but at least a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors are connected to a corresponding plurality of connection points on the substrate provided in the in-the-ear housing. It is possible that one or more of the electrical conductors are not connected to the substrate. This may be, for example, a shield or shield element or even a dedicated antenna wire or a dedicated antenna element or more dedicated antenna wires.

Since the antenna function established by the at least one electrical conductor operates at a relatively high frequency, such as 2.4GHz or about 5GHz, there is some coupling between the electrical conductors. It has surprisingly been found that there is a significant coupling in the vicinity of the connection points, so that at least one decoupling device is arranged between a first connection point of the plurality of connection points and a second connection point of the plurality of connection points.

On the right hand side of fig. 12, a decoupling device is shown between each connection point, however, as mentioned above, fewer decoupling elements may be used.

The decoupling element may be tuned to an operating frequency or an operating frequency interval of the antenna. This may be, for example, that the decoupling element may have a resonance frequency in a range at or near the operating frequency. This means that if the antenna function is active at 2.4GHz, the decoupling element should have a maximum attenuation at this frequency or at least in the frequency range of this range.

In fig. 12, the decoupling element is primarily or entirely a capacitive decoupling element and is thus shown as a capacitor.

In fig. 12, the decoupling elements are shown as identical decoupling elements, however, the decoupling elements may have different properties, such as different capacitances. For example, one group may have one property, and the other group have their own other properties.

When including the antenna disclosed herein, it is advantageous for the decoupling element to have a capacitance in the following range: 0.1pF to 1000 pF; e.g. 0.5 to 250pF, e.g. 0.75pF to 100pF, e.g. 1pF to 50pF, e.g. 3pF to 10pF, e.g. about 6pF, e.g. about 50pF, e.g. about 100pF, e.g. about 200pF, e.g. about 500 pF.

The decoupling element in fig. 12 is a capacitor, however, in other versions, at least part of the decoupling element may be a diode, such as an ESD diode. The decoupling element may even be a parasitic capacitance.

The connection of the wires to the substrate described herein may be combined with an external antenna having an internal parasitic element as described above. Generally, the antenna built in the connector may be combined with other antenna elements located in the housing behind the user's ear. This may be other extensions, such as creating a dipole antenna with one arm in the connector and the other arm in the behind-the-ear housing. The portion of the antenna in the behind-the-ear housing may be at least partially coiled within the housing and/or extend between the top and bottom of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, portions of the antenna may be included in the in-the-ear housing, such as at least partially coil-lined in the in-the-ear housing.

In addition to the antenna described above, a telecoil may be provided in the hearing aid, e.g. in a housing located behind the ear.

Furthermore, a recharging system may be provided to enable the battery of the hearing aid to be recharged, such as inductively recharged.

A hearing aid as described above, e.g. comprising a speaker unit, may be, but need not be, described as a hearing aid device comprising a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal and a second part adapted to be arranged in or at the ear canal of the user, wherein an output transducer configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output is arranged in the second part, a coupling element is coupled to the first part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, wherein the second part is coupled to the coupling element at the end opposite to the first part, the antenna comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, the first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to the first antenna element, the second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, the third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element by a distance and connected to the first antenna element; the feeding unit is configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element, the wireless interface receives and/or transmits data by means of the antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises an outer antenna part, and wherein the outer antenna part is connected to the inner antenna part, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the outer antenna part, wherein a plurality of connection points in the second part receive a corresponding plurality of conductive elements from the coupling element, and wherein a plurality of decoupling elements are arranged between part of the connection points.

In general, the entity comprising the interface to the behind-the-ear housing and the output transducer and coupling element is often referred to as a loudspeaker unit.

The speaker unit itself may, but need not, be described as a speaker unit comprising a coupling element for a hearing aid device, wherein the coupling element comprises an interface configured to establish an electrical connection to a first part of a housing configured to be arranged behind an ear of a user, wherein the coupling element comprises an in-the-ear part having a housing configured to be arranged at least partly in an ear canal of the user, and wherein the coupling element comprises a connection part connecting the interface to an in-the-ear housing, wherein the connection comprises a plurality of electrical conductors and at least one of the electrical conductors is part of an antenna, at least a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors being connected to a corresponding plurality of connection points arranged on a substrate in the in-the-ear housing, one decoupling means being arranged between a first connection point of the plurality of connection points and a second connection point of the plurality of connection points.

The present invention also relates to the following aspects of the invention.

1. A hearing device, comprising:

-a first part adapted to be arranged behind the ear of a user for providing a signal;

-an output transducer for converting the signal into an acoustic output;

-a coupling element coupled to the first part, wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal or the acoustic output;

-an antenna comprising an outer antenna part and an inner antenna part, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being arranged at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, the third antenna element being spaced at a distance from the second antenna element and being connected to the first antenna element;

-a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the antenna via the third antenna element;

-a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of an antenna; and

wherein the coupling element comprises an outer antenna part, wherein the outer antenna part is connected to an inner antenna part, and wherein the coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the outer antenna part.

2. The hearing device according to the invention point 1, comprising a second part adapted to be positioned remote from the first part and to provide an acoustic output to a user, and wherein the coupling element couples the first part and the second part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit said signal and/or said acoustic output.

3. The hearing device according to

inventive point

1 or 2, comprising an outer part arranged remote from the first part, wherein the outer part comprises the implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first part and the outer part, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, and wherein the second coupling element comprises a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the outer part.

4. The hearing device according to the

invention point

2 or 3, wherein the second part is arranged in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the second part comprises the output transducer, and/or the outer part is arranged on the skin of the user.

5. The hearing device according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the third antenna element are formed by conductive paths mounted on a conductive sheet, wherein the conductive paths are connected to the conductive elements of the external antenna part.

6. The hearing device according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, wherein the distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on a ratio between a voltage of the voltage distribution and a current of the current distribution along the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

7. The hearing device according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention, wherein the electrical length of the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the external antenna part together is λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, wherein x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. Alternatively, the electrical lengths of the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the conductive element may together be λ/4 or x λ/4+/- λ/2, where x is an odd number such as 3, 5, 7, etc.

8. A hearing device according to any of the preceding inventions, wherein the electrical length of the ground plane is λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, wherein x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

9. The hearing instrument according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the inner antenna part comprises a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element is arranged at one end of the fourth antenna element and connected thereto, and wherein a second end of the fifth antenna element is connected to the first antenna element, and wherein the fourth antenna element is partly parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein an electrical length of the fourth antenna element is larger than an electrical length of the first antenna element.

10. The hearing device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the antenna comprises an internal parasitic element, and wherein the feed unit is further configured to supply the internal parasitic element with a current via a wireless coupling, such as a magnetic coupling or a capacitive coupling.

11. The hearing instrument according to the invention point 10, wherein the current in the feed unit is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element.

12. The hearing device according to the

invention point

10 or 11, wherein the ground plane guides the current from the feeding unit along the length of the ground plane, and wherein the internal parasitic element is located within the hearing device such that the ground plane guided current is magnetically and/or capacitively coupled to the internal parasitic element.

13. The hearing device according to any of the inventions 10-12, wherein the internal parasitic element has an electrical length of λ/4 or λ/4+ x λ/2, wherein x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

14. The hearing device according to any of the inventions 10-13, wherein the internal parasitic element is positioned such that a capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna part, wherein the capacitive coupling comprises a current passing from the external antenna part to the internal parasitic element.

15. A hearing instrument according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention, wherein the conductive element is adapted to at least transmit a signal to the output transducer based on the transmission.

16. The hearing device according to the

invention point

2 or 3, wherein the outer antenna part comprises a plurality of conductive elements, wherein two or more conductive elements are connected to one or more electronic devices mounted in the second or outer part of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is adapted to at least pass signals provided by the first part to the connected electronic device.

17. The hearing device according to the invention point 16, wherein more than two conductive elements terminate within the second portion or within the outer portion or within the coupling element (or within the second coupling element).

18. The hearing device according to the invention point 16, wherein the electronics in the second part are transducers such as a further output transducer or a microphone, and/or a sensor, and/or a light emitting diode, and/or an electrode, and/or a photodetector.

19. A hearing device according to any of the preceding inventions, wherein the wireless interface is adapted to receive and/or transmit data by means of electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: a frequency range of about 2.45GHz to about 5.5GHz, or between 2.44GHz and 5.5GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

20. A hearing instrument according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention, wherein the coupling element comprises one or more shielding elements for shielding the outer antenna part.

21. The hearing instrument according to the invention 20, wherein the shielding element is connected to the wireless interface via a band pass filter, or wherein the shielding element is connected to a ground element in the first part.

22. The hearing device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the feeding unit is configured to supply a current to the second antenna being at least part of the antenna, and wherein the external antenna part and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling such that the second antenna is capable of extending the operation of the external antenna part.

23. Method for wireless receiving and/or transmitting data in a hearing device comprising an output transducer configured to convert a signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupling a first part of the hearing device, a first part providing the signal, the method comprising the steps of:

-connecting the inner antenna part to the outer antenna part;

-positioning the first part behind the ear of the hearing aid user; and

-receiving and/or transmitting data by means of said antenna.

Claims

1. A hearing device comprising a shell configured to be positioned behind a human ear, an in-the-ear portion configured to be positioned at least partially in a human ear canal, and a connector configured to provide a mechanical connection extending between an in-the-ear shell and an behind-the-ear shell, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of electrical conductors and at least one electrical conductor is part of an antenna, at least a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors being connected to a corresponding plurality of connection points provided on a substrate in the in-the-ear shell, a decoupling element being provided between a first connection point of the plurality of connection points and a second connection point of the plurality of connection points.

2. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is tuned to an operating frequency or an operating frequency interval of the antenna.

3. A hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the decoupling element has a resonance frequency at an operating frequency or operating frequency interval of the antenna.

4. A hearing device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the decoupling element is mainly or entirely a capacitive decoupling element.

5. A hearing device according to any of claims 1-4, wherein a further decoupling element is arranged between a subset of the plurality of connection points.

6. The hearing device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein a decoupling element is provided between all of the plurality of connection points.

7. The hearing device of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the decoupling element is a low impedance decoupling element at an operating frequency of the antenna.

8. The hearing device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the decoupling element is a discrete capacitor having a capacitance in the range of 0.1pF-1000 pF.

9. The hearing device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the decoupling element is an ESD diode.

10. The hearing device of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the decoupling element is a parasitic capacitance.

11. A method of providing a hearing aid, the method comprising:

providing a housing configured to be positioned behind an ear of a user;

providing a shell configured to be at least partially positioned in an ear canal of a user;

providing a connector configured to mechanically couple the ear inner housing or the behind-the-ear housing;

providing a plurality of conductive elements in the connector;

establishing an electrical connection between a plurality of the plurality of conductive elements and a corresponding plurality of connection points on a substrate in an ear inner housing;

a decoupling element is provided between the two electrical conductors at the connection point.