EP1192838B1 - Hearing aid device, comprising a directional microphone system and a method for operating a hearing aid device - Google Patents
Hearing aid device, comprising a directional microphone system and a method for operating a hearing aid device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1192838B1 EP1192838B1 EP00927233A EP00927233A EP1192838B1 EP 1192838 B1 EP1192838 B1 EP 1192838B1 EP 00927233 A EP00927233 A EP 00927233A EP 00927233 A EP00927233 A EP 00927233A EP 1192838 B1 EP1192838 B1 EP 1192838B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hearing aid
- microphone
- directional microphone
- order
- frequencies
- 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.)
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- 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
- H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
- H04R25/407—Circuits for combining signals of a plurality of transducers
-
- 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
- H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
- H04R25/405—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic by combining a plurality of transducers
Definitions
- the invention relates to a hearing aid with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the Invention a method for operating a hearing aid.
- Hearing aid devices with at least two are state of the art Microphones to achieve directional microphone characteristics first or higher order known.
- Directional microphone systems of second or higher order occurs individual frequency ranges of the input signal an undesirable Reduction of the directivity index (directivity index) on.
- the frequency range is in particular from 100 Hz to 6 kHz is interesting for improving hearing.
- With directional microphone systems of the first order one obtains over this frequency range towards higher frequencies slightly falling directivity index.
- DI values For lower frequencies, for example up to 1 kHz, DI values of about 5 dB.
- Directional microphone systems of the nth order with n> 1 because of the high sensitivity to component tolerances a negative directivity index at low frequencies. But for that there are DI values for frequencies from 1 kHz to 5 kHz achievable of 7 dB and more.
- To also for low frequencies Being able to achieve higher DI values are close component tolerances (e.g.
- phase difference of the microphones involved ⁇ 0.25 °) must be observed, at best with silicon microphone arrays can be achieved. But these have the supply voltage used for hearing aids ( ⁇ 1V) Too high signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in use of these arrays is currently not useful.
- the invention has for its object a hearing aid and to offer a method for operating a hearing aid, where a high directivity index over a large one Frequency range of the input signal is reached.
- the hearing aid according to the invention comprises at least two Microphones to zero, first or higher directional microphone systems To be able to realize order.
- a directional microphone system Zero-order in the sense of the invention is a microphone system without understanding directivity, for example a omnidirectional not connected to other microphones Microphone.
- DI directivity index
- KEMAR a standard research manikin
- Directional microphone systems second and higher order have DI values of 10 dB and more on that, for example, for better speech intelligibility are advantageous.
- directional microphone systems can be zeroed out up to second order. Of these directional microphone systems can thus be microphone signals at the same time with zero to second order polar patterns.
- those of microphone systems are advantageous microphone signals in different order Weighted differently depending on the frequency summed.
- the weighting is preferably done through filter elements, the microphone signal of First-order directional microphone system of low-pass filtering and the microphone signal of the second-order directional microphone system is subjected to high pass filtering.
- General will at low frequencies essentially the microphone signal of the directional microphone first order and at high frequencies that Microphone signal of the n-th order directional microphone system for Further processing forwarded, where n for the highest occurring order stands.
- In the middle frequency range are preferably essentially the microphone signals of the Directional microphone systems between the first and the highest occurring order processed.
- the cutoff frequencies are the filter elements downstream of the directional microphone systems adjustable.
- the limit frequencies in the audible frequency range for example up to 10 kHz
- the associated frequency-dependent selection of directional microphone systems of different orders directivity properties are achieved for the overall system, the conventional hearing aids, over the entire Considered frequency range, are clearly superior. For every The frequency of the input signal is therefore an optimized directivity reachable.
- Modern hearing aids allow the classification of the acoustic Input signal in channels. This will, among other things a different amplification of individual frequency ranges allows.
- the cutoff frequencies of the directional microphone systems downstream filter elements at channel cutoff frequencies of the hearing aid. In the simplest case it forms each directional microphone system has one channel. The filter elements then to simultaneously weight the microphone signals the channel division, with which additional filter elements for Channel division can be omitted.
- the Hearing aid device can set the cutoff frequencies the location of individual or multiple cutoff frequencies also appropriate to the situation determined and continuously checked and adjusted become. This results in an optimized adaptation to different usage / noise situations.
- the analysis of the surrounding situation is preferably done by means of a neural Network and / or a fuzzy logic controller.
- the setting of the cut-off frequencies as well as the entire directional characteristic of the microphone system of a hearing aid the invention can - also depending on the set Hearing program done differently. It can be for one certain frequency range at least essentially also Zero-order microphone signal (microphone signal without directional effect) to be processed further.
- the output signals of the microphones are in order an electronic circuit ES interconnected.
- the electronic circuit arrangement ES for the formation of Directional microphone systems can electronic components, such as delay elements, summation elements or inverters, include.
- the directional microphone signals thus formed at the output the electronic circuit ES are used as a directional microphone signal zero order RS0, directional microphone signal of first order RS1, ...., directional microphone signal nth order RSn.
- Several directional microphone signals of the same order can also be used be formed.
- at least two directional microphone signals differ in terms of their order.
- the directional microphone signals are fed to a filter bank FB.
- the filter bank FB has filter elements, for example High pass, low pass or band pass filters.
- the directional microphone signals are dependent on the FB filter bank their order and their signal frequency differ attenuated.
- the cutoff frequencies are preferred and filter coefficients of the individual filter elements adjustable.
- the output signals (AS0, AS1 ... ASn) of the filter bank FB are to form the overall directional microphone signal GRS fed to a summation element S.
- a hearing aid can be used both in digital as well as in analog circuit technology. There can also be other elements Components such as A / D converters, D / A converters, switches, amplifiers etc. (not shown here).
- the circuit will be set up to to a lower limit frequency fg1, for example 1 kHz, at least essentially the directional microphone signal first Order is forwarded.
- fg1 for example 1 kHz
- the directional microphone signal of first order increasingly directional microphone signals higher order mixed and possibly the Low-order directional microphone signals even attenuated.
- FIG. 2 shows a hearing aid device as an exemplary embodiment three microphones 1, 2 and 3. Is in a signal line 11 a signal of a first order system with the directional microphone characteristic "undelayed eight" before when the input signals the microphones 1, 2 after inverting in the inverter 4 can be added via the sum element 7.
- the signal line 13 is a signal with the directional microphone characteristic "delayed eight" of a directional microphone system first order when the signals from the microphones 2 and 3 after inverting the signal of the microphone 3 in the inverter 5 added in the sum element 8 and subsequently in the inverter 6 inverted and delayed in the delay element 10.
- the microphone pairs 1, 2 and 2, 3 thus form the one shown Connection of a directional microphone system first Order.
- the mentioned signals of the directional microphone systems of the first order are processed in a signal processing unit 14 (channel-specific) processed and as an output signal to the speaker 16, supplied.
- the circuit diagram in accordance with FIG. 2 permits suitable interconnection of all three microphones also a realization of one Directional microphone system of the second order by the signals of the Signal lines 11, 13 in the sum element 9 to the signal line 12 can be united.
- the signal processing unit 14 comprises a filter element 17 and an adjusting element 15 for setting at least one Cutoff frequency of the filter element 17.
- limit frequency fg can at signal frequencies f ⁇ fg by the signal processing unit 14 essentially a further processing of the signals in the Signal lines 11 or 13 take place. If the signal frequency is Limit frequency fg exceeds, takes place through the filter element 17 essentially the further processing of the signal the signal line 12, and thus a signal of a Directional microphone system of the second order.
- the signal lines 11 and 13 are in the filter element 17 interconnected with low pass filters while the signal line 12 is supplied to a high pass.
- the filtered signals are summed (not ) Shown.
- DI directivity index
- neural networks can and fuzzy logic controls are provided to control the respective Limit frequencies fg appropriate to the situation through signal analysis Assessment of the useful noise / noise situation again and again and adjust continuously if necessary.
- cut-off frequency fg 1000 Hz essentially occurs the transmission of the signal of a directional microphone system second order with the DI curve B, which has higher DI values when the first order system is reached.
- DI course C of a normal hearing person without assistance technical aids simulated at KEMAR, also shown.
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Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Hörhilfsgerät mit den Merkmalen
des Oberbegriffs des Patentanspruchs 1. Ferner betrifft die
Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörhilfsgeräts.The invention relates to a hearing aid with the features
of the preamble of
Als Stand der Technik sind Hörhilfsgeräte mit mindestens zwei Mikrofonen zur Erzielung von Richtmikrofoncharakteristiken erster oder höherer Ordnung bekannt. Bei Verwendung von Richtmikrofonsystemen zweiter oder höherer Ordnung tritt in einzelnen Frequenzbereichen des Eingangssignals eine unerwünschte Absenkung des Directivity-Index (Richtwirkungsindex) auf.Hearing aid devices with at least two are state of the art Microphones to achieve directional microphone characteristics first or higher order known. When using Directional microphone systems of second or higher order occurs individual frequency ranges of the input signal an undesirable Reduction of the directivity index (directivity index) on.
Bei Hörhilfsgeräten ist insbesondere der Frequenzbereich von 100 Hz bis 6 kHz für die Verbesserung des Hörvermögens interessant. Bei Richtmikrofonsystemen erster Ordnung erhält man über diesen Frequenzbereich einen in Richtung höheren Frequenzen leicht fallenden Richtwirkungsindex. Für tiefere Frequenzen, beispielsweise bis 1 kHz, erhält man DI-Werte von etwa 5 dB. Richtmikrofonsysteme n-ter Ordnung mit n>1 haben jedoch wegen der hohen Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Bauteiltoleranzen bei tiefen Frequenzen einen negativen Richtwirkungsindex. Dafür sind aber für Frequenzen von 1 kHz bis 5 kHz DI-Werte von 7 dB und mehr erreichbar. Um auch für tiefe Frequenzen höhere DI-Werte erreichen zu können, sind enge Bauteiltoleranzen (z.B. Phasendifferenz der beteiligten Mikrofone <0,25°) einzuhalten, die bestenfalls mit Silizium-Mikrofonarrays erreicht werden können. Diese haben aber bei der für Hörgeräte verwendeten Versorgungsspannung (<1V) noch ein zu großes Signal-zü-Rausch-Verhältnis, wodurch der Einsatz dieser Arrays aktuell noch nicht sinnvoll ist. In the case of hearing aids, the frequency range is in particular from 100 Hz to 6 kHz is interesting for improving hearing. With directional microphone systems of the first order one obtains over this frequency range towards higher frequencies slightly falling directivity index. For lower frequencies, for example up to 1 kHz, DI values of about 5 dB. Directional microphone systems of the nth order with n> 1 however, because of the high sensitivity to component tolerances a negative directivity index at low frequencies. But for that there are DI values for frequencies from 1 kHz to 5 kHz achievable of 7 dB and more. To also for low frequencies Being able to achieve higher DI values are close component tolerances (e.g. phase difference of the microphones involved <0.25 °) must be observed, at best with silicon microphone arrays can be achieved. But these have the supply voltage used for hearing aids (<1V) Too high signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in use of these arrays is currently not useful.
Aus der US 5,757,933 ist ein Hörhilfsgerät bekannt, bei dem manuell zwischen einem Mikrofon nullter Ordnung (Mikrofon ohne Richtwirkung) und einem Mikrofonsystem erster Ordnung umgeschaltet werden kann. Die Umschaltung erfolgt dabei durch den Hörgeräteträger.From US 5,757,933 a hearing aid is known in which manually between a zero order microphone (microphone without directionality) and a first-order microphone system can be switched. The switchover is done by the hearing aid wearer.
Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Hörhilfsgerät sowie ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörhilfsgeräts anzubieten, bei dem ein hoher Directivity-Index über einen großen Frequenzbereich des Eingangssignals erreicht wird.The invention has for its object a hearing aid and to offer a method for operating a hearing aid, where a high directivity index over a large one Frequency range of the input signal is reached.
Die Aufgabe wird für das Hörhilfsgerät durch die Merkmale des
Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen werden
in den Ansprüchen 2 - 9 realisiert. Für das Verfahren
wird die Aufgabe durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruchs 10
gelöst.The task is for the hearing aid through the features of
Das erfindungsgemäße Hörhilfsgerät umfasst mindestens zwei Mikrofone, um Richtmikrofonsysteme nullter, erster oder höherer Ordnung realisieren zu können. Als Richtmikrofonsystem nullter Ordnung im Sinne der Erfindung ist dabei ein Mikrofonsystem ohne Richtwirkung zu verstehen, beispielsweise ein nicht mit weiteren Mikrofonen verschaltetes omnidirektionales Mikrofon. Mit Richtmikrofonsystemen erster Ordnung ist ein theoretisch erreichbarer Maximalwert des Directivity-Index (DI) von 6 dB(Hyperniere) zu erreichen. In der Praxis erhält man am KEMAR (einer Standard Forschungspuppe) bei optimaler Lage der Mikrofone und bestem Abgleich der von den Mikrofonen erzeugten Signale DI-Werte von 4 - 4,5 dB. Richtmikrofonsysteme zweiter und höherer Ordnung weisen DI-Werte von 10 dB und mehr auf, die beispielsweise für eine bessere Sprachverständlichkeit vorteilhaft sind.The hearing aid according to the invention comprises at least two Microphones to zero, first or higher directional microphone systems To be able to realize order. As a directional microphone system Zero-order in the sense of the invention is a microphone system without understanding directivity, for example a omnidirectional not connected to other microphones Microphone. With first order directional microphone systems is a theoretically achievable maximum value of the directivity index (DI) of 6 dB (hypercardioid). In practice receives one at KEMAR (a standard research manikin) with optimal Position of the microphones and the best balance of those of the microphones generated signals DI values of 4 - 4.5 dB. Directional microphone systems second and higher order have DI values of 10 dB and more on that, for example, for better speech intelligibility are advantageous.
Enthält ein Hörhilfsgerät z.B. drei omnidirektionale Mikrofone, so können auf dieser Basis Richtmikrofonsysteme nullter bis zweiter Ordnung gebildet werden. Von diesen Richtmikrofonsystemen lassen sich somit gleichzeitig Mikrofonsignale mit Richtcharakteristiken nullter bis zweiter Ordnung ableiten.Does a hearing aid contain e.g. three omnidirectional microphones, on this basis, directional microphone systems can be zeroed out up to second order. Of these directional microphone systems can thus be microphone signals at the same time with zero to second order polar patterns.
Vorteilhaft werden gemäß der Erfindung die von Mikrofonsystemen unterschiedlicher Ordnung ausgehenden Mikrofonsignale in Abhängigkeit von der Frequenz unterschiedlich gewichtet und summiert. So wird beispielsweise bei einem Hörhilfsgerät mit Richtmikrofonsystemen erster und zweiter Ordnung bei niedrigen Frequenzen im Wesentlichen das Mikrofonsignal erster Ordnung und bei höheren Frequenzen das Mikrofonsignal zweiter Ordnung weiterverarbeitet. Die Gewichtung erfolgt vorzugsweise durch Filterelemente, wobei das Mikrofonsignal des Richtmikrofonsystems erster Ordnung einer Tiefpassfilterung und das Mikrofonsignal des Richtmikrofonsystems zweiter Ordnung einer Hochpassfilterung unterworfen wird. Allgemein wird bei tiefen Frequenzen im Wesentlichen das Mikrofonsignal des-Richtmikrofons erster Ordnung und bei hohen Frequenzen das Mikrofonsignal des Richtmikrofonsystems n-ter Ordnung zur Weiterverarbeitung weitergeleitet, wobei n für die höchste auftretende Ordnung steht. Im mittleren Frequenzbereich werden vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen die Mikrofonsignale der Richtmikrofonsysteme zwischen der ersten und der höchsten auftretenden Ordnung weiterverarbeitet.According to the invention, those of microphone systems are advantageous microphone signals in different order Weighted differently depending on the frequency summed. For example, with a hearing aid Directional microphone systems of first and second order at low Frequencies essentially the microphone signal first Order and at higher frequencies the microphone signal second Order processed further. The weighting is preferably done through filter elements, the microphone signal of First-order directional microphone system of low-pass filtering and the microphone signal of the second-order directional microphone system is subjected to high pass filtering. General will at low frequencies essentially the microphone signal of the directional microphone first order and at high frequencies that Microphone signal of the n-th order directional microphone system for Further processing forwarded, where n for the highest occurring order stands. In the middle frequency range are preferably essentially the microphone signals of the Directional microphone systems between the first and the highest occurring order processed.
Bei einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung sind die Grenzfrequenzen der den Richtmikrofonsystemen nachgeschalteten Filterelemente einstellbar. Durch die Festlegung der Grenzfrequenzen im hörbaren Frequenzbereich, beispielsweise bis 10 kHz, und die damit verbundene frequenzabhängige Auswahl von Richtmikrofonsystemen unterschiedlicher Ordnung lassen sich für das Gesamtsystem Richtwirkungseigenschaften erreichen, die herkömmlichen Hörhilfsgeräten, über den gesamten Frequenzbereich betrachtet, deutlich überlegen sind. Für jede Frequenz des Eingangssignals ist damit eine optimierte Richtwirkung erreichbar. In one embodiment of the invention, the cutoff frequencies are the filter elements downstream of the directional microphone systems adjustable. By defining the limit frequencies in the audible frequency range, for example up to 10 kHz, and the associated frequency-dependent selection of directional microphone systems of different orders directivity properties are achieved for the overall system, the conventional hearing aids, over the entire Considered frequency range, are clearly superior. For every The frequency of the input signal is therefore an optimized directivity reachable.
Moderne Hörhilfsgeräte erlauben die Einteilung des akustischen Eingangssignals in Kanäle. Dadurch wird unter anderem eine unterschiedliche Verstärkung einzelner Frequenzbereiche ermöglicht. Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung sind die Grenzfrequenzen der den Richtmikrofonsystemen nachgeschalteten Filterelemente an Kanalgrenzfrequenzen des Hörhilfsgeräts gekoppelt. Im einfachsten Fall bildet dabei jedes Richtmikrofonsystem einen Kanal. Die Filterelemente zur Gewichtung der Mikrofonsignale bewirken dann gleichzeitig die Kanaleinteilung, womit zusätzliche Filterelemente zur Kanaleinteilung entfallen können.Modern hearing aids allow the classification of the acoustic Input signal in channels. This will, among other things a different amplification of individual frequency ranges allows. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention are the cutoff frequencies of the directional microphone systems downstream filter elements at channel cutoff frequencies of the hearing aid. In the simplest case it forms each directional microphone system has one channel. The filter elements then to simultaneously weight the microphone signals the channel division, with which additional filter elements for Channel division can be omitted.
Neben einer einmaligen, beispielsweise bei der Anpassung des Hörhilfsgeräts erfolgten Einstellung der Grenzfrequenzen kann die Lage einzelner oder mehrerer Grenzfrequenzen auch situationsgerecht bestimmt und kontinuierlich überprüft und angepasst werden. Hierdurch erfolgt eine optimierte Anpassung an verschiedene Nutz-/Störschallsituationen. Die Analyse der Umgebungssituation erfolgt vorzugsweise mittels eines neuronalen Netzes und/oder einer Fuzzy-Logik-Steuerung.In addition to a one-off, for example when adjusting the Hearing aid device can set the cutoff frequencies the location of individual or multiple cutoff frequencies also appropriate to the situation determined and continuously checked and adjusted become. This results in an optimized adaptation to different usage / noise situations. The analysis of the surrounding situation is preferably done by means of a neural Network and / or a fuzzy logic controller.
Die Einstellung der Grenzfrequenzen sowie der gesamten Richtcharakteristik des Mikrofonsystems eines Hörhilfsgeräts gemäß der Erfindung kann- auch in Abhängigkeit des eingestellten Hörprogramms unterschiedlich erfolgen. Dabei kann für einen bestimmten Frequenzbereich zumindest im Wesentlichen auch ein Mikrofonsignal nullter Ordnung (Mikrofonsignal ohne Richtwirkung) weiterverarbeitet werden.The setting of the cut-off frequencies as well as the entire directional characteristic of the microphone system of a hearing aid the invention can - also depending on the set Hearing program done differently. It can be for one certain frequency range at least essentially also Zero-order microphone signal (microphone signal without directional effect) to be processed further.
Weitere Einzelheiten der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand
der in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele näher
erläutert. Es zeigen:
Bei dem in Figur 1 dargestellten Prinzipschaltbild sind die Mikrofone eines Hörhilfsgeräts mit MIK1, MIK2, ...., MIKm bezeichnet. Zur Bildung von Richtmikrofonsystemen unterschiedlicher Ordnung werden die Ausgangssignale der Mikrofone in einer elektronischen Schaltung ES miteinander verschaltet. Die elektronische Schaltungsanordnung ES zur Bildung von Richtmikrofonsystemen kann dabei elektronische Komponenten, wie Verzögerungselemente, Summationselemente oder Inverter, umfassen. Die so gebildeten Richtmikrofonsignale am Ausgang der elektronischen Schaltung ES werden als Richtmikrofonsignal nullter Ordnung RS0, Richtmikrofonsignal erster Ordnung RS1, ...., Richtmikrofonsignal n-ter Ordnung RSn bezeichnet. Dabei können auch mehrere Richtmikrofonsignale derselben Ordnung gebildet werden. Bei dem Hörhilfsgerät gemäß der Erfindung unterscheiden sich jedoch wenigstens zwei Richtmikrofonsignale hinsichtlich ihrer Ordnung. Zur Weiterverarbeitung der Richtmikrofonsignale sind diese einer Filterbank FB zugeführt. Die Filterbank FB weist Filterelemente auf, zum Beispiel Hochpass-, Tiefpass- oder Bandpassfilter. Die Richtmikrofonsignale werden mittels der Filterbank FB in Abhängigkeit ihrer Ordnung und ihrer Signalfrequenz unterschiedlich gedämpft. Dabei sind vorzugsweise die Grenzfrequenzen und Filterkoeffizienten der einzelnen Filterelemente einstellbar. Die Ausgangssignale (AS0, AS1 ... ASn) der Filterbank FB sind zur Bildung des Gesamtrichtmikrofonsignals GRS einem Summationselement S zugeführt.In the basic circuit diagram shown in FIG Microphones of a hearing aid labeled MIK1, MIK2, ...., MIKm. To form directional microphone systems different The output signals of the microphones are in order an electronic circuit ES interconnected. The electronic circuit arrangement ES for the formation of Directional microphone systems can electronic components, such as delay elements, summation elements or inverters, include. The directional microphone signals thus formed at the output the electronic circuit ES are used as a directional microphone signal zero order RS0, directional microphone signal of first order RS1, ...., directional microphone signal nth order RSn. Several directional microphone signals of the same order can also be used be formed. In the hearing aid according to the invention however, at least two directional microphone signals differ in terms of their order. For further processing the directional microphone signals are fed to a filter bank FB. The filter bank FB has filter elements, for example High pass, low pass or band pass filters. The directional microphone signals are dependent on the FB filter bank their order and their signal frequency differ attenuated. The cutoff frequencies are preferred and filter coefficients of the individual filter elements adjustable. The output signals (AS0, AS1 ... ASn) of the filter bank FB are to form the overall directional microphone signal GRS fed to a summation element S.
Das dargestellte Prinzip-Schaltbild zur Verarbeitung der Mikrofonsignale eines Hörhilfsgeräts kann sowohl in digitaler als auch in analoger Schaltungstechnik ausgeführt werden. Zwischen den einzelnen Elementen können sich auch weitere Komponenten, wie A/D-Wandler, D/A-Wandler, Schalter, Verstärker usw. (hier nicht dargestellt), befinden.The principle circuit diagram shown for processing the microphone signals A hearing aid can be used both in digital as well as in analog circuit technology. There can also be other elements Components such as A / D converters, D / A converters, switches, amplifiers etc. (not shown here).
In der Regel wird die Schaltung so eingestellt sein, dass bis zu einer unteren Grenzfrequenz fg1, beispielsweise 1 kHz, wenigstens im Wesentlichen das Richtmikrofonsignal erster Ordnung weitergeleitet wird. Mit steigender Frequenz werden dem Richtmikrofonsignal erster Ordnung zunehmend Richtmikrofonsignale höherer Ordnung zugemischt und eventuell die Richtmikrofonsignale niedriger Ordnung sogar gedämpft.As a rule, the circuit will be set up to to a lower limit frequency fg1, for example 1 kHz, at least essentially the directional microphone signal first Order is forwarded. With increasing frequency the directional microphone signal of first order increasingly directional microphone signals higher order mixed and possibly the Low-order directional microphone signals even attenuated.
So kann es sein, dass oberhalb einer bestimmten Grenzfrequenz fg2 am Ausgang des Summationselements S wenigstens im Wesentlichen nur noch das Richtmikrofonsignal mit der höchsten vorkommenden Ordnung weitergeleitet wird.So it may be that above a certain cutoff frequency fg2 at least essentially at the output of the summation element S. only the directional microphone signal with the highest occurring Order is forwarded.
Figur 2 zeigt als Ausführungsbeispiel ein Hörhilfsgerät mit
drei Mikrofonen 1, 2 und 3. In einer Signalleitung 11 liegt
ein Signal eines Systems erster Ordnung mit der Richtmikrofoncharakteristik
"unverzögerte Acht" vor, wenn die Eingangssignale
der Mikrofone 1, 2 nach Invertierung im Inverter 4
über das Summenelement 7 addiert werden.FIG. 2 shows a hearing aid device as an exemplary embodiment
three
In der Signalleitung 13 ist ein Signal mit der Richtmikrofoncharakteristik
"verzögerte Acht" eines Richtmikrofonssystems
erster Ordnung vorhanden, wenn die Signale der Mikrofone 2
und 3 nach Invertierung des Signals des Mikrofons 3 im Inverter
5 im Summenelement 8 addiert und nachfolgend im Inverter
6 invertiert und im Verzögerungselement 10 verzögert werden.In the
Die Mikrofonpaare 1, 2 und 2, 3 bilden somit durch die dargestellte Verschaltung jeweils ein Richtmikrofonsystem erster Ordnung.The microphone pairs 1, 2 and 2, 3 thus form the one shown Connection of a directional microphone system first Order.
Die genannten Signale der Richtmikrofonssysteme erster Ordnung
werden in einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit 14 (kanalspezifisch)
weiterverarbeitet und als Ausgangssignal dem Lautsprecher
16, zugeführt.The mentioned signals of the directional microphone systems of the first order
are processed in a signal processing unit 14 (channel-specific)
processed and as an output signal to the
Das Schaltbild gemäß FIG 2 erlaubt durch geeignete Verschaltung
aller drei Mikrofone auch eine Realisierung eines
Richtmikrofonsystems zweiter Ordnung, indem die Signale der
Signalleitungen 11, 13 im Summenelement 9 zur Signalleitung
12 vereint werden.The circuit diagram in accordance with FIG. 2 permits suitable interconnection
of all three microphones also a realization of one
Directional microphone system of the second order by the signals of the
Signal lines 11, 13 in the
Die Signalverarbeitungseinheit 14 umfasst ein Filterelement
17 sowie ein Stellelement 15 zur Einstellung wenigstens einer
Grenzfrequenz des Filterelements 17.The
In Abhängigkeit einer im Stellelement 15 der Signalverarbeitungseinheit
14 eingestellten Grenzfrequenz fg kann bei Signalfrequenzen
f < fg durch die Signalverarbeitungseinheit 14
im Wesentlichen eine Weiterverarbeitung der Signale in den
Signalleitungen 11 oder 13 erfolgen. Wenn die Signalfrequenzdie
Grenzfrequenz fg überschreitet, erfolgt durch das Filterelement
17 im Wesentlichen die Weiterverarbeitung des Signals
der Signalleitung 12, und damit eines Signals eines
Richtmikrofonssystems zweiter Ordnung.Depending on one in the
Hierfür sind die Signalleitungen 11 und 13 im Filterelement
17 mit Tiefpassfiltern verschaltet, während die Signalleitung
12 einem Hochpass zugeführt ist. Am Ausgang des Filterelements
17 werden die gefilterten Signale summiert (nicht
dargestellt).For this purpose, the
Damit wird auch bei Unterschreiten der Grenzfrequenz fG ein Absinken des Directivity-Index (DI) vermieden. Es werden die vorteilhaften Verläufe des DI der Systeme erster und zweiter Ordnung über den gesamten Frequenzbereich kombiniert (vgl. FIG 3).This prevents the directivity index (DI) from falling even if the frequency falls below the limit frequency f G. The advantageous courses of the DI of the first and second order systems are combined over the entire frequency range (cf. FIG. 3).
In der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 14 können neuronale Netze
und Fuzzy-logic-Steuerungen vorhanden sein, um die jeweiligen
Grenzfrequenzen fg situationsgerecht durch signalanalytische
Beurteilung der Nutz-/Störschallsituation immer wieder festzulegen
und gegebenenfalls kontinuierlich anzupassen.In the
FIG 3 zeigt die verschiedenen Verläufe des DI über den zu verarbeitenden Frequenzbereich. Um zu erreichen, dass die DI-Werte über den gesamten Frequenzbereich auf möglichst hohem Niveau verbleiben, wird bei der Signalverarbeitung bei Frequenzen unterhalb der Grenzfrequenz fg = 1000 Hz im wesentlichen auf ein System erster Ordnung mit dem DI-Verlauf A zurückgegriffen.3 shows the different courses of the DI over the processing frequency range. To achieve the DI values as high as possible over the entire frequency range Level will remain when processing signals at frequencies below the cut-off frequency fg = 1000 Hz essentially access to a system of the first order with the DI course A.
Oberhalb der Grenzfrequenz fg = 1000 Hz erfolgt im wesentlichen die Weiterleitung des Signals eines Richtmikrofonsystems zweiter Ordnung mit dem DI-Verlauf B, welcher höhere DI-Werte als das System erster Ordnung erreicht. Zum Vergleich ist der DI-Verlauf C einer normal hörenden Person ohne Zuhilfenahme technischer Hilfsmittel, simuliert am KEMAR, ebenfalls abgebildet.Above the cut-off frequency fg = 1000 Hz essentially occurs the transmission of the signal of a directional microphone system second order with the DI curve B, which has higher DI values when the first order system is reached. For comparison is the DI course C of a normal hearing person without assistance technical aids, simulated at KEMAR, also shown.
Vorteilhafterweise entspricht die Grenzfrequenz fg = 1000 Hz der Grenzfrequenz fg eines Zwei-Kanal-Signalverarbeitungssystems, welches einen ersten Signalverarbeitungskanal für Signalfrequenzen bis zu 1000 Hz und einen zweiten Kanal für Frequenzen ab 1000 Hz aufweist.The cut-off frequency advantageously corresponds to fg = 1000 Hz the cut-off frequency fg of a two-channel signal processing system, which is a first signal processing channel for Signal frequencies up to 1000 Hz and a second channel for Has frequencies from 1000 Hz.
Claims (10)
- Hearing aid with a signal processing unit (14) and at least two microphones (1, 2, 3) which can be coupled together to form directional microphone systems of different order, characterised in that microphone signals (11, 12, 13) emitted by directional microphone systems of different order are coupled together in a weighting dependent on the frequency of the microphone signals.
- Hearing aid according to Claim 1, characterised in that filter elements (17) such as high-pass filters, low-pass filters and bandpass filters are used for weighting the microphone signals (1, 2, 3).
- Hearing aid according to Claim 2, characterised in that the limit frequencies of the filter elements (17) are adjustable.
- Hearing aid according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, for frequencies of the microphone signals (11, 12, 13) below a limit frequency, at least mainly the microphone signal (11) generated by the directional microphone system of first order can be further processed.
- Hearing aid according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, for frequencies of the microphone signals above a limit frequency, at least mainly the microphone signal (12) generated by the directional microphone system of the highest order is further processed.
- Hearing aid according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that, for frequencies of the microphone signals between a lower and an upper limit frequency, at least mainly the microphone signal generated by the directional microphone system of the i-th order is further processed, where 1 < i < n, and n stands for the highest order of the directional microphone systems of the hearing aid.
- Hearing aid according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the limit frequencies are coupled to channel frequencies of the hearing aid.
- Hearing aid according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterised in that a detector element for determining the useful noise/interference noise situation is provided for adjusting the limit frequencies.
- Hearing aid according to Claim 8, characterised in that a neuronal network or a fuzzy logic control is provided for adjusting the limit frequency fg.
- Method for operating a hearing aid with a signal processing unit (14) and at least two microphones (1, 2, 3), in which the microphones can be coupled together to form directional microphone systems of different order, and in which the microphone signals (11, 12, 13) generated by directional microphone systems of different order are coupled together in a weighting dependent on the frequency of the microphone signals.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19925392 | 1999-06-02 | ||
DE19925392 | 1999-06-02 | ||
PCT/EP2000/004648 WO2000076268A2 (en) | 1999-06-02 | 2000-05-22 | Hearing aid device, comprising a directional microphone system and a method for operating a hearing aid device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1192838A2 EP1192838A2 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
EP1192838B1 true EP1192838B1 (en) | 2003-08-06 |
EP1192838B2 EP1192838B2 (en) | 2013-09-04 |
Family
ID=7910100
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00927233.7A Expired - Lifetime EP1192838B2 (en) | 1999-06-02 | 2000-05-22 | Hearing aid device, comprising a directional microphone system and a method for operating a hearing aid device |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7324649B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1192838B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE50003206D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1192838T4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000076268A2 (en) |
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DE10327889B3 (en) | 2003-06-20 | 2004-09-16 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Adjusting hearing aid with microphone system with variable directional characteristic involves adjusting directional characteristic depending on acoustic input signal frequency and hearing threshold |
DE10327890A1 (en) | 2003-06-20 | 2005-01-20 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Method for operating a hearing aid and hearing aid with a microphone system, in which different directional characteristics are adjustable |
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DE10334396B3 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2004-10-21 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Electrical hearing aid has individual microphones combined to provide 2 microphone units in turn combined to provide further microphone unit with same order directional characteristic |
AU2003277877B2 (en) | 2003-09-19 | 2006-11-27 | Widex A/S | A method for controlling the directionality of the sound receiving characteristic of a hearing aid and a signal processing apparatus for a hearing aid with a controllable directional characteristic |
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-
2000
- 2000-05-22 WO PCT/EP2000/004648 patent/WO2000076268A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-05-22 US US09/979,966 patent/US7324649B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-05-22 EP EP00927233.7A patent/EP1192838B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-05-22 DK DK00927233.7T patent/DK1192838T4/en active
- 2000-05-22 DE DE50003206T patent/DE50003206D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2007
- 2007-10-22 US US11/876,142 patent/US7929721B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE50003206D1 (en) | 2003-09-11 |
US20080044046A1 (en) | 2008-02-21 |
DK1192838T4 (en) | 2013-12-16 |
WO2000076268A3 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
DK1192838T3 (en) | 2003-10-27 |
EP1192838A2 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
US7324649B1 (en) | 2008-01-29 |
EP1192838B2 (en) | 2013-09-04 |
US7929721B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 |
WO2000076268A2 (en) | 2000-12-14 |
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