EP0365378A1 - Elektronisches Gerät zur Verarbeitung eines Schallsignals - Google Patents

Elektronisches Gerät zur Verarbeitung eines Schallsignals Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0365378A1
EP0365378A1 EP89402598A EP89402598A EP0365378A1 EP 0365378 A1 EP0365378 A1 EP 0365378A1 EP 89402598 A EP89402598 A EP 89402598A EP 89402598 A EP89402598 A EP 89402598A EP 0365378 A1 EP0365378 A1 EP 0365378A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
processing
frequency
sound signal
sound
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89402598A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0365378B1 (de
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Dupret
Frank Lefevre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Laboratoire D'audiologie Dupret-Lefevre Sa SA
Original Assignee
Laboratoire D'audiologie Dupret-Lefevre Sa SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Laboratoire D'audiologie Dupret-Lefevre Sa SA filed Critical Laboratoire D'audiologie Dupret-Lefevre Sa SA
Priority to AT89402598T priority Critical patent/ATE98834T1/de
Publication of EP0365378A1 publication Critical patent/EP0365378A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0365378B1 publication Critical patent/EP0365378B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
    • H04R25/353—Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic device for processing a sound signal.
  • the invention applies more particularly to the correction of hearing disorders in a patient, and the apparatus of the invention can therefore be used as a portable hearing aid.
  • conventional hearing aids include an input microphone, amplification means and an output listener. Amplification is carried out across the entire frequency spectrum. This proves, on the one hand, superfluous because, for each particular patient, specific areas of the spectrum are better preserved, and, on the other hand, possibly harmful because there does not exist, therefore, of differentiation between the "useful" frequencies and the others.
  • octave represents the interval of two vibrations, one of which has a frequency twice the other.
  • the signal frequencies can then be in a more favorable area, that is to say a better preserved hearing area of the pathological ear.
  • the signal frequencies being shifted by an octave the corresponding sound will remain recognizable, even if it is perceived as being lower, or higher.
  • the object of the present invention is to avoid these drawbacks, and relates to an apparatus for processing a sound signal making it possible to improve the perception of sounds received under difficult conditions, in particular in patients suffering from hearing disorders.
  • the electronic device for processing a sound signal of the type comprising: means for receiving the sound signal and transforming it into an electrical signal, means for processing said electrical signal, and - means for restoring a modified sound signal, from said processed electrical signal, is remarkable, according to the invention, in that it comprises means for selecting at least one frequency band of said signal, arranged between said means for receiving the sound signal and said means for processing the corresponding electrical signal.
  • the signal is only processed in the frequency band (or possibly the bands) for which a patient suffers from hearing loss, band determined by a preliminary examination on the patient.
  • said means for selecting a frequency band are mounted in parallel on a link connecting said means for receiving the sound signal and said means for restoring the signal, and means for adding the received signal and the processed signal are provided.
  • said processing means are adapted to amplify the signal in said frequency band.
  • said means for processing the electrical signal comprises means for detecting at least one amplitude peak of said signal, and means for amplifying said peak, so that the sound signal restored, consisting of the superposition of the sound signal received and said amplified peak, exhibits a more marked emergence of said peak. This allows the patient to more easily recognize the formants (corresponding to the amplitude peaks) of such a vowel or such a consonant.
  • said selection and processing means comprise at least one series of elements successively comprising a bandpass filter, a clipping amplifier and a reconstruction filter.
  • a control line connects the output of the bandpass filter to intensity adjustment means provided downstream of the reconstitution filter.
  • the processed signal will thus have an amplitude proportional to that of the input signal.
  • said processing means are adapted to shift the frequencies of said band, depending on said frequency selection means, by an integer, at least equal to one, of octave (s).
  • said processing means may include means capable of creating a signal whose each frequency is half the corresponding frequency of the received signal.
  • said processing means may include means capable of creating a signal whose frequencies are each double that of the received signal.
  • the device advantageously comprises: a bandpass filter disposed between said means for receiving the sound signal and said processing means, and - Means receiving the output signal of the bandpass filter and intended to control said processing means.
  • control means may include a clipping amplifier.
  • control means can comprise a signal digitization circuit, disposed between said clipping amplifier and said signal processing means.
  • filtering means can be provided between said signal processing means and the adding means.
  • the apparatus may include means for adding the received signal, and the processed signal, in a frequency band chosen, on the one hand amplified and, on the other hand, shifted in frequency, by a whole number, at least equal to one, of octave (s).
  • the device also comprises means for adjusting the intensity of the processed signal with respect to that of the received signal.
  • the electronic device shown can be in the form of a portable hearing aid.
  • the device comprises a microphone 1 which is connected, by a link 2, to amplification means 3 which can include a preamplifier 4 and an amplifier 5, connected by a link 6.
  • the output of the amplifier 5 is connected, by a link 7, to the input of a bandpass filter 8, the frequency band of which is chosen according to the hearing area affected by each patient, and which was determined by a preliminary examination. We could, for example, consider the frequency band between 750 Hz and 2500 Hz.
  • the bandpass filter 8 is itself connected, by a link 9, to a clipping amplifier 10, in turn connected, by a link 11, to a reconstitution filter 12.
  • the output of the filter 12 is connected, by the link 13, to a first input of adder means 14 via intensity adjustment means 15.
  • a control line 50 connects the output of the bandpass filter 8 to the intensity adjustment means 15, by means of a rectifier 51.
  • the amplitude of the input signal "control" thus the adjustment intensity at the output of the reconstruction filter, so that the processed signal sent to the adding means 14 is of amplitude proportional to that of the input signal.
  • the output of the amplifier 5 is directly connected to a second input of the adder means 14 by the link 16.
  • the adding means 14 can also be provided with intensity adjustment means 17.
  • the output of the adding means 14 is connected, by the link 18, to a listener 19, possibly via an amplifier 20 of the "push-pull" type. ".
  • the sound signal picked up by the microphone 1 is transformed there into an electrical signal, the latter being routed, by the link 2, to the amplification means 3.
  • the signal is routed, via the link 7, to the bandpass filter 8 leaving only the chosen frequency band of the spectrum, which is then amplified and reconstituted in the clipping amplifier 10 and the reconstruction filter 12.
  • the signal thus created is sent to the adding means 14, where it is added to the amplified input signal.
  • the electrical signal processing means make it possible to detect at least one amplitude peak of said signal (said peak being representative of the first or of the second forming a vowel or consonant), and amplify said peak, so that the restored sound signal, consisting of the superposition of the received sound signal and said amplified peak, has a more marked emergence of the peak, which helps the patient to recognize the formants (corresponding to the amplitude peaks) of such a vowel or such a consonant.
  • FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
  • three series of elements each successively comprising a bandpass filter 8a, 8b, 8c, a clipping amplifier 10a, 10b, 10c, and a reconstitution filter 12a, 12b, 12c, are used.
  • intensity adjustment means 15a, 15b, 15c are provided for each of said series.
  • Three series of elements have been represented, which should not be considered as limiting. Generally, several sets of elements can be used.
  • each bandpass filter 8a, 8b, 8c works in a particular frequency area, for example, 200-750 Hz, 750-2500 Hz and 2500-5000 Hz, respectively, thereby covering more wide frequency band.
  • the apparatus of the invention likewise comprises a microphone 1 which is connected, by a link 2, to amplification means 3 which may include a preamplifier 4 and an amplifier 5, connected by a link 6.
  • the output of the amplifier 5 is connected, by a link 7, to the input of a bandpass filter 8, the frequency band of which is chosen as a function of the hearing area affected particular to each patient (or this choice results from a compromise between the different auditory zones affected), said band having been determined by a prior examination of the patient.
  • the output of the bandpass filter 8 is connected, by the control link 9, to control means 22 of frequency divider means 20 and frequency multiplier 21.
  • These means 20 and 21 are capable of dividing, respectively multiplying, by two a given frequency, that is to say of shifting said frequency by one octave towards the bass, respectively towards the treble.
  • the frequency could also be shifted by two, three, etc ... octaves towards bass, or treble.
  • the frequency dividing means 20 and frequency multipliers 21 are connected to the output of the amplifier 5 by a power link 40.
  • the control means 22 comprise a clipping amplifier 10, connected to the output of the filter 8 by the link 9 and to the input of a signal digitization circuit 23 by a link 24.
  • the latter acts, by the links 25 and 26, on switches 41 and 42, respectively, connected to the outputs of the frequency divider 20 and multiplier 21 means, the latter operating continuously.
  • the output of the frequency dividing means 20 is connected to a reconstruction filter 27 by the link 28, while the output of the frequency multiplier means 21 is connected to a reconstruction filter 29 by the link 30, via said switches 41 and 42, respectively.
  • the output of the filter 27 is connected, by the link 31, to a first input of adder means 14, via intensity adjustment means 32.
  • the output of the filter 29 is connected, by the link 33, to a second input of said adding means 14 via intensity adjustment means 34.
  • the output of amplifier 5 is directly connected to a third input of said adding means 14 by the link 16.
  • the output of the adding means 14 is connected, as in the case of FIG. 1, to the earpiece 19 via amplifier 20.
  • the output of the bandpass filter 8 is connected, by the power link 43, to the frequency dividing means 20 and frequency multipliers 21, which in this case only work in the band of frequencies defined by the filter 8.
  • the output of the filter 8 is also connected, by the control link 9, to control means 22 of said frequency dividing means 20 and frequency multipliers 21 .
  • the control means 22 also comprise a clipping amplifier 10, connected to the output of the filter 8 by the link 9 and to the input of a digitization circuit 23 of the signal by a link 24.
  • the circuit 23 is connected to the dividing means of frequencies 20 and to the frequency multiplier means 21 by the links 25 and 26, respectively.
  • the sound signal picked up by the microphone 1 is transformed there into an electrical signal, the latter being sent, by the link 2, to the amplification means 3.
  • the signal power is transmitted to the frequency dividing means 20 and frequency multipliers 21 by the link 40, the latter operating continuously.
  • the switches 41 and 42 are controlled by the control means 22, under the dependence of the bandpass filter 3 which works on a frequency width adapted to the patient for example, as already indicated, between 750 Hz and 2500 Hz.
  • the signal power is routed to the frequency divider 20 and multiplier means 21 by the link 43 and via the bandpass filter 8.
  • the means 20 and 21 only "work" for frequencies belonging to the selected frequency band (for example between 750 Hz and 2500 Hz), the division or multiplication, for example by two, of the frequencies in said band being controlled by the control means 22.
  • the output signal of the dividing means and frequency multiplier means is thus a signal created, from the received signal, having, in the selected frequency band, frequencies shifted by one octave (possibly by two octaves or more) towards the bass, respectively to the treble, relative to the corresponding frequencies of the received signal.
  • the signal created then passes through the filters 27, 29 to eliminate unwanted harmonic distortions, before being routed to the adding means 14.
  • the relative amplitudes of the output signal of the frequency dividing means and of the output signal of the multiplying means frequencies can be adjusted by means of adjustment 32 and 34.
  • the amplified input signal is also sent directly to the adding means 14, where said input signal and the created signal are added to provide a general output signal routed to the earpiece 19 via the amplifier 20.
  • the signal is thus constituted by: - the amplified input signal, - a created signal whose frequencies in the band pass filter frequency are shifted by one octave (possibly two octaves or more) towards the bass, relative to the corresponding frequencies of the input signal, and / or - a signal created whose frequencies in the frequency band of the bandpass filter are shifted by an octave (possibly two octaves or more) towards the treble, with respect to the corresponding frequencies of the input signal.
  • the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 5 is identical to that of the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4, except that several frequency bands can be selected by the different filters 8a, 8b and 8c.
  • the device combines the signal processing carried out in the devices of FIGS. 1 and 4.
  • the adding means 14 are adapted to add the received signal (link 16), and the signal processed, in a selected frequency band (bandpass filter 8), on the one hand amplified (link 13) and, on the other hand, shifted in frequencies by an integer, at least equal to one, d 'octaves (s) (links 31.33).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Tone Control, Compression And Expansion, Limiting Amplitude (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
EP89402598A 1988-10-14 1989-09-22 Elektronisches Gerät zur Verarbeitung eines Schallsignals Expired - Lifetime EP0365378B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89402598T ATE98834T1 (de) 1988-10-14 1989-09-22 Elektronisches geraet zur verarbeitung eines schallsignals.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR888813541A FR2638048B1 (fr) 1988-10-14 1988-10-14 Appareil electronique de traitement d'un signal sonore
FR8813541 1988-10-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0365378A1 true EP0365378A1 (de) 1990-04-25
EP0365378B1 EP0365378B1 (de) 1993-12-15

Family

ID=9371030

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89402598A Expired - Lifetime EP0365378B1 (de) 1988-10-14 1989-09-22 Elektronisches Gerät zur Verarbeitung eines Schallsignals

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5077800A (de)
EP (1) EP0365378B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH077897B2 (de)
AT (1) ATE98834T1 (de)
DE (1) DE68911470T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2048855T3 (de)
FR (1) FR2638048B1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1806720A2 (de) 2005-04-15 2007-07-11 LG Electronics Inc. Plasmaanzeigevorrichtung und Verfahren zu ihrer Ansteuerung

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5218642A (en) * 1991-10-29 1993-06-08 Chin Fa Yen Feedback noise-eliminating microphone circuit
DE4340817A1 (de) * 1993-12-01 1995-06-08 Toepholm & Westermann Schaltungsanordnung für die automatische Regelung von Hörhilfsgeräten
US5909497A (en) * 1996-10-10 1999-06-01 Alexandrescu; Eugene Programmable hearing aid instrument and programming method thereof
SE9902057D0 (sv) * 1999-06-03 1999-06-03 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M A Method of Improving the Intelligibility of a Sound Signal, and a Device for Reproducing a Sound Signal
EP1532734A4 (de) * 2002-06-05 2008-10-01 Sonic Focus Inc Akustische virtual-reality-engine und erweiterte techniken zur verbesserung des abgelieferten schalls
US20040022404A1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2004-02-05 Ryuichi Negishi Sound processing apparatus and hearing aid
WO2004097799A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-11-11 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology System and method for spectral enhancement employing compression and expansion
AU2003904207A0 (en) * 2003-08-11 2003-08-21 Vast Audio Pty Ltd Enhancement of sound externalization and separation for hearing-impaired listeners: a spatial hearing-aid
AU2004301961B2 (en) * 2003-08-11 2011-03-03 Vast Audio Pty Ltd Sound enhancement for hearing-impaired listeners
US7672842B2 (en) * 2006-07-26 2010-03-02 Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. Method and system for FFT-based companding for automatic speech recognition
CN103581815A (zh) * 2012-08-08 2014-02-12 杨国屏 提高听障者听到声音正确性的方法及助听器
EP3128765A1 (de) * 2015-08-07 2017-02-08 Tain-Tzu Chang Verfahren zum verarbeiten eines sound tracks

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1230466B (de) * 1964-01-17 1966-12-15 Boissonnet Et Gourhant S A Verfahren und Vorrichtung, um Schallsignale fuer sehr schwerhoerige Personen wahrnehmbar zu machen
US3818149A (en) * 1973-04-12 1974-06-18 Shalako Int Prosthetic device for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in aurally handicapped persons

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3855416A (en) * 1972-12-01 1974-12-17 F Fuller Method and apparatus for phonation analysis leading to valid truth/lie decisions by fundamental speech-energy weighted vibratto component assessment
US4187183A (en) * 1975-03-28 1980-02-05 Aqua-Chem, Inc. Mixed-form polyhalide resins for disinfecting water
US4637402A (en) * 1980-04-28 1987-01-20 Adelman Roger A Method for quantitatively measuring a hearing defect
JPS60239200A (ja) * 1984-05-14 1985-11-28 Hitachi Ltd 補聴器
DE3802903A1 (de) * 1988-02-01 1989-08-10 Siemens Ag Einrichtung zur uebertragung von sprache

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1230466B (de) * 1964-01-17 1966-12-15 Boissonnet Et Gourhant S A Verfahren und Vorrichtung, um Schallsignale fuer sehr schwerhoerige Personen wahrnehmbar zu machen
US3818149A (en) * 1973-04-12 1974-06-18 Shalako Int Prosthetic device for providing corrections of auditory deficiencies in aurally handicapped persons

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUDIO AND ELECTROACOUSTICS, vol. AU-17, no. 4, décembre 1969, pages 290-297; A. RISBERG: "A critical review of work on speech analyzing hearing aids" *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 10, no. 99 (E-396)[2156], 16 avril 1986; & JP-A-60 239 200 (HITACHI SEISAKUSHO K.K.) 28-11-1985 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1806720A2 (de) 2005-04-15 2007-07-11 LG Electronics Inc. Plasmaanzeigevorrichtung und Verfahren zu ihrer Ansteuerung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH077897B2 (ja) 1995-01-30
JPH02223210A (ja) 1990-09-05
ATE98834T1 (de) 1994-01-15
ES2048855T3 (es) 1994-04-01
EP0365378B1 (de) 1993-12-15
FR2638048B1 (fr) 1994-06-10
DE68911470T2 (de) 1994-05-19
FR2638048A1 (fr) 1990-04-20
US5077800A (en) 1991-12-31
DE68911470D1 (de) 1994-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0365378B1 (de) Elektronisches Gerät zur Verarbeitung eines Schallsignals
EP0176459B1 (de) Ohrhörer, Telefonhörer und Kopfhörer zur Kompensation von individuellen Gehördefekten
EP2518724B1 (de) Kombinierte Audioeinheit bestehend aus Mikrofon und Kopfhörer, die Mittel zur Geräuschdämpfung eines nahen Wortsignals umfasst, insbesondere für eine telefonische Freisprechanlage
EP1121834B1 (de) Cochlea-kompression modellbasiertes hörhilfegerät
US5233665A (en) Phonetic equalizer system
EP0994464A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Vergrösserung der Bandbreite von einem schmalbandigen Signal und solch eine Vorrichtung aufweisende Telefoneinrichtung
CH631853A5 (fr) Appareil integrateur audio-vocal.
Friedrich et al. Spectral integration of infrasound at threshold
Hots et al. Loudness of sounds with a subcritical bandwidth: A challenge to current loudness models?
EP0052544B1 (de) Klangreglerschaltung
FR2695750A1 (fr) Dispositif de traitement d'un signal sonore et appareil comportant un tel dispositif.
JP3548347B2 (ja) 音量自動調整装置
FR2587163A1 (fr) Systeme non recursif pour etendre la base stereophonique d'un appareil de diffusion acoustique stereophonique
JP3908833B2 (ja) 音声処理装置
FR2566658A1 (fr) Prothese auditive multivoie
Hall III et al. Monaural envelope correlation perception in listeners with normal hearing and cochlear impairment
BE897885A (fr) Stethoscope differentiel
FR2621806A1 (fr) Stethoscope pour praticiens malentendants
FR2690550A1 (fr) Dispositif d'analyse de la parole et des phénomènes acoustiques.
Bug et al. Dependence of binaural gain for infrasound on interaural phase difference
WO1998007130A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour l'enseignement des langues
WO1995014297A1 (fr) Dispositif de traitement d'un signal sonore et appareil comportant un tel dispositif
SU1765903A1 (ru) Способ обработки сигнала в слуховом аппарате
WO2023067513A1 (fr) Système sonore de traitement des acouphènes
EP0401078A1 (de) Vorrichtung zur Behandlung mittels Audiosignalen

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900609

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19920609

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19931215

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19931215

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19931215

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19931215

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 98834

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19940115

Kind code of ref document: T

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19931215

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 68911470

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940127

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: MODIANO & ASSOCIATI S.R.L.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2048855

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19940930

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20010905

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20010913

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20010914

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20010926

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010929

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020922

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020923

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020930

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020930

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020930

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: S.A. LABORATOIRE D'AUDIOLOGIE *DUPRET-LEFEVRE

Effective date: 20020930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030401

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020922

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20031011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050922