EP1276349B1

EP1276349B1 - A hearing aid with a self-test capability

Info

Publication number: EP1276349B1
Application number: EP01610074A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kim Hjortgaard Nielsen; Lars Baekgaard Jensen
Original assignee: Widex AS
Current assignee: Widex AS
Priority date: 2001-07-09
Filing date: 2001-07-09
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-09
Also published as: ATE276635T1; CN100337512C; DE60105577D1; DE60105577T2; CA2446465C; JP2004535144A; WO2003007655A1; EP1276349A1; CA2446465A1; JP4489425B2; DK1276349T3; CN1524398A

Abstract

A hearing aid with a test controller (44) for detection of a defect in the signal path of the hearing head is provided. The test controller controls a test signal generator (40) and a probe means (42) for determination of a signal parameter, such as signal level, frequency spectrum, phase characteristic, auto-correlation, cross-correlation, etc. A set of signal switches (361,...,36p) controlled by the test controller is provided for connecting a desired test signal generator or a desired probe means to a desired point in the signal path for testing of a desired part of the hearing aid. Futher signal switches (18) are provided for coupling hearing aid components into and out of the signal path of the hearing aid. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a hearing aid having at least one input transducer for transforming an acoustic input signal into a first electrical signal, a signal processor for compensating a hearing deficiency by generation of a second electrical signal based on the first electrical signal, an output transducer for conversion of the second signal into sound, a probe means for determination of a signal parameter at a first point in the signal path of the hearing aid, and a test controller adapted to control the probe means for detection of a defect in the signal path of the hearing aid, as well as to a method for verifying the functioning of such a hearing aid.
It is well-known in the art of hearing aids that a large fraction of hearing aids turned in for repair later proves to operate correctly. Thus in many cases, a perceived problem with a hearing aid does not relate to a defect in the hearing aid, rather it relates to the actual adjustment and use of the hearing aid. A lot of time and other resources are wasted in shipping and diagnosing hearing aids that are not defect.
It is therefore desirable to provide a hearing aid with a self-test capability so that a defect in the hearing aid can be signalled to the operator of the hearing aid.
The operator of the hearing aid may be the hearing impaired user of the hearing aid or an audiologist fitting, fine tuning or otherwise working with the hearing aid.
US-A-4 049 930 relates to a hearing aid malfunction detection system. The input to a circuit to be tested is periodically interrupted and, for a fixed test time interval, a test signal is applied to the circuit to be tested. The output of the circuit to be tested is compared with a reference signal, and deviation in amplitude and/or frequency between the two signals beyond preset limits triggers a warning.
DE-41 28 172-A1 relates to a hearing aid with a microphone for measurement of the sound level pressure inside the auditory meatus. The measurement can be launched by control from a programming device.
US-A-6 118 877 relates to a hearing aid with an internal test tone generator for providing test tones and noise for diagnostic tests to a user through the receiver of the hearing aid.
According to the present invention the above-mentioned and other objects are fulfilled by a hearing aid having at least one input transducer for transforming an acoustic input signal into a first electrical signal, a signal processor for compensating a hearing deficiency by generation of a second electrical signal based on the first electrical signal, an output transducer for conversion of the second signal into sound, a probe means for determination of a signal parameter at a first point in the signal path of the hearing aid, and a test controller adapted to control the settings of the signal switches to connect the probe means to a selected first point of the signal path in order to conduct a test procedure of a selected section of the signal path.
Further the hearing aid may comprise a test controller for detection of a defect in the signal path of the hearing aid. The test controller may be connected with and adapted to control at least one test signal generator, such as a tone generator, a noise generator, a digital word generator, etc, at least one probe means for determination of a signal parameter, such as signal level, frequency spectrum, phase characteristic, auto-correlation, cross-correlation, etc, and at least one signal switch provided in the hearing aid. The at least one signal switch is provided for connecting a desired test signal generator or a desired probe means to a desired point in the signal path for testing of a desired part of the hearing aid. Further signal switches may be provided for coupling hearing aid components into or out of the signal path of the hearing aid.
The signal path is constituted by components and transmission paths of the hearing aid that receive and transmit signals that are derived from the first electrical signals of the hearing aid.
For example, the test controller may be adapted to control respective signal switches to disconnect all of the at least one input transducers from the signal path of the hearing aid and to activate a probe means for determination of the signal level at a selected or predetermined point in the signal path whereby the noise level generated by input circuitry of the hearing aid may be determined.
The value of a signal parameter as determined by the at least one probe means may be compared to a reference value that may be stored in a memory in the hearing aid. If the detected value lies outside a predetermined range comprising the reference value, it may be signalled to the operator of the hearing aid that the hearing aid comprises a defect. The type of defect may also be signalled. For example, a specific tone or a specific sequence of tones may be generated by the output transducer signalling that the hearing aid is defect to the hearing impaired user. A specific tone or a specific sequence of tones may correspond to a specific defect.
If the hearing aid is connected to a hearing aid programming device with a display, the fact that the hearing aid comprises a defect may be displayed on the display and, further, an indication of the type of defect may be displayed.
For example, if the noise level is greater than a predetermined reference value, it may be signalled that the hearing aid comprises a defect.
Typically, hearing defects vary as a function of frequency in a way that is different for each individual user. Thus, the processor is preferably divided into a plurality of channels so that individual frequency bands may be processed differently, e.g. amplified with different gains. Thus, the hearing aid according to the invention may further comprise a filter bank with bandpass filters for dividing the first electrical signal into a set of bandpass filtered first electrical signals, and wherein the processor is adapted to generate the second electrical signal by individual processing of each of the bandpass filtered first electrical signals and adding the processed electrical signals into the second electrical signal. The test controller may be adapted to selectively connect a desired test signal generator or a desired probe means to the output of a selected bandpass filter. For example, a probe means for level detection may be connected to the output of a selected bandpass filter in order to determine the noise level in a selected frequency band.
In one embodiment of the invention, a test signal generator is provided that is controlled by the test controller for generation of a desired electronic signal that is transmitted to the output transducer of the hearing aid for conversion into a sound signal. Typically, the hearing aid is situated in a compartment with hard walls so that a large part of the generated acoustic signal is received by the at least one input transducer. The test controller is further adapted to control a signal switch to connect a selected probe means, such as a level detector, etc, to one of the at least one input transducers for determination of a signal parameter, such as the signal level, of the respective generated first electrical signal.
The determined value of the signal parameter may be compared to a reference value that may be stored in a memory in the hearing aid, and if the detected value is less than the reference value, it may be signalled as previously described to the operator of the hearing aid that the hearing aid comprises a defect. The type of defect may also be signalled. For example, it may be displayed on the display of a programming device that the input port to the input transducer in question should be checked for ear wax.
The input transducer connected to the signal path may be the pick-up coil. The pick-up coil in the hearing aid may be tested in a way similar to the one described previously for an acoustic input transducer, since the output transducer typically generates a significant magnetic field that is picked up by the pick-up coil.
In an embodiment with a filter bank, the probe means may be connected to the output of a selected bandpass filter to determine signal level of the generated first electrical signal in the corresponding frequency band. The probe means may be sequentially connected to the outputs of more or all of the bandpass filters to determine the signal parameter in question in more or all frequency bands. In this way the frequency spectrum of the generated first electrical signal may be determined, or harmonic distortion may be determined. For example, the test controller may be adapted to connect a selected probe means for level detection to the output of a bandpass filter that comprises a third harmonic of the output of the test signal generator for determination of harmonic distortion.
Signal switches may be provided for connecting a test signal generator, such as a tone generator to the input of the signal processor, and for connecting a probe means to the output of the signal processor whereby the gain of the signal processor may be determined. Further, the gain of the signal processor may be determined as a function of the frequency.
Further, the compression of the signal processor, i.e. gain as a function of input level may be determined, e.g. as a function of frequency.
It is well known to include an adaptive feedback loop comprising an adaptive filter in the hearing aid to compensate for acoustic feedback. Acoustic feedback occurs when the input transducer of a hearing aid receives and detects the acoustic output signal generated by the output transducer. Amplification of the detected signal may lead to generation of a stronger acoustic output signal and eventually the hearing aid may oscillate. The adaptive filter estimates the transfer function from output to input of the hearing aid including the acoustic propagation path from the output transducer to the input transducer. The input of the adaptive filter is connected to the output of the hearing aid and the output signal of the adaptive filter is subtracted from the input transducer signal to compensate for the acoustic feedback. A hearing aid of this type is disclosed in US 5,402,496.
The test controller may be adapted to verify operation of the adaptive feedback loop, e.g. the test controller may control a signal switch to disconnect the feedback loop from the signal path and increase the gain of the signal processor until oscillation occurs. Preferably, the hearing aid is situated in the compartment with hard walls during this test. The test controller may further be adapted to reconnect the adaptive feedback loop to the signal path whereby oscillation should seize if the adaptive feedback loop operates correctly.
In general, the hearing aid may comprise a test signal generator for injection of a digital signal at a selected second point in the digital part of the signal path of the hearing aid, e.g. at the input of the signal processor.
In response to the signal injected at the second point, a hearing aid without defects will generate a signal with certain parameter values at the selected first point in the signal path. The parameters may relate to frequency, amplitude, spectrum, modulation, phase, etc, and the parameter values of a hearing aid operating without defects are desired values. The test controller may further be adapted to compare the parameter values of the actual response signal with the desired values to determine whether the hearing aid comprises a defect. If an actual value lies outside a predetermined range comprising the respective desired value, it may be concluded that the hearing aid in question comprises a defect. The presence of a defect may be signalled to the operator of the hearing aid as previously described.
The self-test may be initiated upon user activation of at least one switch positioned on the hearing aid housing, or on a hearing aid programming device, or on a remote control unit for the hearing aid, or on a fitting system, etc. Preferably two switches has to be activated simultaneously or sequentially to avoid accidental activation of the self-test.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein the invention will be explained in greater detail. By way of example, there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention. As will be realised, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. In the drawing:

Fig. 1: shows a blocked schematic of a hearing aid according to the present invention, and
Figs. 2-5: show self-test messages as displayed on a programming device for the hearing aid according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a hearing aid 10 having two input microphones 12, 14 and a pick-up coil 16. A signal switch matrix 18 selectively connects any of the input transducers 12, 14, 16 to a desired A/D converter 20, 22. For simplicity, the connections of the output of the second A/D converter 22 are not shown. The output signal 24 from A/D converter 20 is split into a set of bandpass filtered signals 24₁, 24₂,...,24_n by a set 26 of bandpass filters. The processor 28 is divided into a plurality of channels so that individual frequency bands may be processed differently, e.g. amplified with different gains. The processor 28 generates the second electrical signal 30 by individual processing of each of the bandpass filtered first electrical signals 24₁, 24₂,...,24_n and adding the processed electrical signals into the second electrical signal 30. A D/A converter 32 converts the digital output signal 30 to an analogue signal 34. An output transducer 38 converts the analogue signal 34 into sound.
It will be obvious for the person skilled in the art that the circuits indicated in Fig. 1 may be realised using digital or analogue circuitry or any combination hereof. In the present embodiment, digital signal processing is employed and thus, the signal processor 28 and the filter bank 26 are digital signal processing circuits. In the present embodiment, all the digital circuitry of the hearing aid 10 may be provided on a single digital signal processing chip or, the circuitry may be distributed on a plurality of integrated circuit chips in any appropriate way.
Signal switches 36₁, 36₂,...,36_p are provided throughout the signal path of the hearing aid circuitry for connecting a test signal generator 40, e.g., a tone generator 40, or a probe means 42, e.g. a level detector 42, to the respective points in the signal path of the hearing aid 10. A test controller 44 controls the settings of the signal switches 36₁, 36₂,...,36_p for detection of a defect in the signal path of the hearing aid 10. For simplicity, the control lines connecting the test controller 44 with each of the respective signal switches 36₁, 36₂,...,36_p are not shown in Fig. 1. The test controller 44 further controls the signal switch matrix 18 for connecting microphones 12, 14 and pick-up coil 16 to and disconnecting them from the signal path of the hearing aid 10. Further, the test controller 44 is adapted to control the test signal generator 40, e.g. to generate an electrical signal of a selected frequency, e.g. 1 kHz, e.g. with a selected amplitude and/or frequency modulation, and to control the probe means 42 for determination of a selected signal parameter, such as the rms value. For example noise level in frequency band 2 may be determined by the test controller 44 controlling the signal switch matrix 18 to disconnect all of the input transducers 12, 14, 16 from the A/D converters 20, 22 and connecting the level detector 42 to the output 24₂ of a bandpass filter 26. In general, the test controller 44 may control the signal switch 36₁ to connect the test signal generator 40 to the input of the signal processing circuitry 26, 28 and simultaneously disconnecting the input from other signal sources, and the signal switch 36₄ to connect the probe means 42 to the output of the signal processor 28 facilitating test of any of the signal processing algorithms performed in the signal processing circuitry 26, 28. For a given test signal generated by the test signal generator 40, signal parameters of the output signal generated by the signal processor without any defects in response to the test signal may be stored in a memory (not shown) in the hearing aid 10, and the test controller 44 may compare the parameters of the actually generated output signal of the signal processor 28 with the corresponding stored parameters in order to determine whether the hearing aid 10 comprises a defect.
A signal switch 36₃ for interrupting the signal 30 before the signal switch 36₂ and controlled by the test controller 44 is also provided. Having interrupted the signal 30, the test controller activates the tone generator 40 to generate a signal of a selected frequency, e.g. 1 kHz, that is transmitted to the output transducer 38 of the hearing aid 10 for conversion into a sound signal. During the test, the hearing aid 10 is situated in a compartment with hard walls so that a large part of the generated acoustic signal is received by the at least one input transducer 12, 14. The test controller 44 further controls signal switch 36_i to connect probe means 42 to one of the at least one input transducers 12, 14 for determination of the signal level of the respective generated first electrical signal in the respective frequency band i.
The self-test is initiated upon reception of a signal 48 from the activation means 46. The activation means may be constituted by one or more switches positioned on the housing of the hearing aid 10 or the activation means may comprise interface means that is adapted to receive a command 49 for initiation of the self-test from an external device, such as a remote control unit, a hearing aid programming device 50, a fitting device, a personal computer, etc.
For example, the hearing aid 10 may be connected to a hearing aid programming device 50 with a display 52. The operator may initiate the self-test by pressing a specific key or set of keys 54 on the programming device 50. Then the device 50 displays that it is ready to perform a self-test as shown in Fig. 2. The self-test is performed upon activation of key 56. The programming device transmits a corresponding command to the activation means 46 of the hearing aid 10 and indicates that the self-test is in progress as shown in Fig. 3. The test described in the previous section may reveal that no second signal is generated by one of the microphones 12, 14. A probable cause may be that the input port to the microphone has been occluded by ear wax, thus the operator is asked to check if this is the problem in Fig. 4. If no problems have been revealed during the self-test, a corresponding message is displayed as shown in Fig. 5.
The input transducer connected to the signal path may be the pick-up coil 16. The pick-up coil 16 in the hearing aid 10 may be tested like an acoustic input transducer 12, 14, since the output transducer 38 typically generates a significant magnetic field that is picked up by the pick-up coil 16.
The test controller 44 controls the signal switch matrix 18 to disconnect all of the input transducers 12, 14, 16 from the signal path, and connects the test signal generator 40 to the signal path through signal switch 36₁. The probe means 42 is connected to the output of the signal processor 28 through signal switch 36₄. By controlling the test signal generator 40 to generate a sequence of signals with different frequencies, the gain of the signal processor 28 is determined as a function of the frequency.
Further, the compression of the signal processor 28, i.e. gain as a function of input level may be determined, e.g. as a function of frequency.

Claims

A hearing aid (10) having an input transducer (12, 14, 16) for transforming an acoustic input signal into a first electrical signal, a signal processor (28) for compensating a hearing deficiency by generation of a second electrical signal based on the first electrical signal, an output transducer for conversion of the second electrical signal into sound, a probe means (42) for determination of a signal parameter, a plurality of signal switches at respective points in a signal path of the hearing aid (10), and a test controller (44) adapted to control the settings of the signal switches to connect the probe means (42) to a selected first point of the signal path in order to conduct a test procedure of a selected section of the signal path.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 1, wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to disconnect the input transducer (12, 14, 16) from the remaining part of the signal path and to activate the probe means (42) for determination of the signal level at the selected first point.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a test signal generator (40) controlled by the test controller (44) for applying a test signal at a second point in the signal path.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 3, wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to compare the parameters of the signal generated at the first point with desired values in order to determine whether the hearing aid (10) is malfunctioning.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second point is selected so that the test signal is converted into a sound signal, and wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to connect the probe means (42) to the input transducer (12, 14, 16).
The hearing aid (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an electromagnetic input transducer (16).
The hearing aid (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a filter bank (26) with bandpass filters for dividing the first electrical signal into a set of bandpass filtered first electrical signals, wherein the processor (28) is adapted to generate the second electrical signal by individual processing of each of the bandpass filtered first electrical signals and adding the processed electrical signals together to provide the second electrical signal, and wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to selectively connect the probe means (42) to the output of one of the bandpass filters.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 7, wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to connect the probe means (42) to the output of a bandpass filter selected to pick a third harmonic of the output of the test signal generator (40) for determination of harmonic distortion.
The hearing aid (10) according to any of the claims 3-8, wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to verify at least one parameter selected from a group comprising the gain of the signal processor (28), the gain of the signal processor as a function of frequency and the compression of the signal processor.
The hearing aid (10) according to any of the claims 3-9, comprising an adaptive feedback loop for suppression of acoustic feedback, and wherein the test controller (44) is adapted to verify operation of the adaptive feedback loop.
The hearing aid (10) according to any of the claims 3-10, comprising activation means (46) for activating the test controller (44) to initiate the self test.
The hearing aid (10) according to claim 11, wherein the activation means (46) comprises interface means that is adapted to receive commands (49) from a remote control device used to operate the hearing aid (10), a fitting device or a programming device used to program the hearing aid (10).
A method for verifying the functioning of a hearing aid (10), the hearing aid having an input transducer (12, 14, 16) for transforming an acoustic input signal into a first electrical signal, a signal processor (28) for compensating a hearing deficiency by generation of a second electrical signal based on the first electrical signal, an output transducer for conversion of the second electrical signal into sound, and a probe means (42) for determination of a signal parameter, the method comprising providing a plurality of signal switches at respective points in a signal path of the hearing aid extending through the input transducer (12, 14, 16), the signal processor (28) and the output transducer, and using a test controller (44) to control the settings of the signal switches to connect the probe means (42) to a selected first point of the signal path in order to conduct a test procedure of a selected section of the signal path.
The method according to claim 13, comprising using the test controller (44) to disconnect the input transducer (12, 14, 16) from the remaining part of the signal path and to activate the probe means (42) to determine the signal level at the selected first point.
The method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising using the test controller (44) to control a test signal generator (40) for applying a test signal at a second point in the signal path.
The method according to claim 15, comprising comparing the parameters of the signal generated at the first point with desired values in order to determine whether the hearing aid is malfunctioning.
The method according to claim 15 or 16, comprising selecting the second point to obtain that the test signal is converted into a sound signal, connecting the probe means (42) to the input transducer (12, 14, 16), placing the hearing aid (10) in a compartment with hard walls and determining the signal picked up by the input transducer (12,14, 16).
The method according to any of the claims 13-17, comprising using a filter bank (26) with bandpass filters for dividing the first electrical signal into a set of bandpass filtered first electrical signals, processing of each of the first electrical signals and adding the processed electrical signals together to provide the second electrical signal, and using the test controller (44) to selectively connect the probe means (42) to the output of one of the bandpass filters.
The method according to claim 18, comprising using me test controller (44) to connect the probe means (42) to the output of a bandpass filter selected to pick a third harmonic of the output of the test signal generator (40) for determination of harmonic distortion.
The method according to any of the claims 14-19, comprising using the test controller (44) to verify a parameter such as the gain of the signal processor, the gain of the signal processor as a function of frequency or the compression of the signal processor.
The method according to any of the claims 14-20, comprising using the test controller (44) in a hearing aid (10) with an adaptive feedback loop to verify operation of the adaptive feedback loop.