EP1406469B1 - Feedback compensator in acoustic amplifying systems, hearing-aid, method for feedback compensation and use of said method in hearing-aids - Google Patents

Feedback compensator in acoustic amplifying systems, hearing-aid, method for feedback compensation and use of said method in hearing-aids Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1406469B1
EP1406469B1 EP03021040A EP03021040A EP1406469B1 EP 1406469 B1 EP1406469 B1 EP 1406469B1 EP 03021040 A EP03021040 A EP 03021040A EP 03021040 A EP03021040 A EP 03021040A EP 1406469 B1 EP1406469 B1 EP 1406469B1
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Prior art keywords
feedback
signal
filter
path
compensation
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EP1406469A3 (en
EP1406469A2 (en
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Georg-Erwin Arndt
Tom Weidner
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Sivantos GmbH
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Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH
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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
    • H04R25/45—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback
    • H04R25/453—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback electronically

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a feedback compensator in an acoustic amplification system for compensating a feedback signal resulting from amplification of an input signal due to a feedback path from an amplified output signal to the input signal.
  • the invention further relates to a hearing aid with such a feedback compensator, to a method for compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic amplification system, and to an application of the method in a hearing aid.
  • a compensation signal is generated which is subtracted from the input signal before amplification and which is such that a frequency causing a feedback is reduced to an intensity which is below a so-called stability limit.
  • the compensation signal is generated along a feedback compensation path with an adaptive feedback compensation filter which is adjusted by means of an adaptation unit and which simulates the feedback path.
  • a frequency limiting filter in the feedback compensation path limits the frequency range in which the compensation signal is generated.
  • the implementation overhead of feedback compensators is significant due to the generation of the feedback equivalent compensation path.
  • the generation of the feedback compensation signal usually takes place with a special adaptive feedback compensation filter, the so-called FIR filter (Finite Impulse Response).
  • FIR filter Finite Impulse Response
  • the input to the FIR filter is the frequency-limited amplified output, which is converted into the compensation signal by the FIR filter.
  • the effect of the FIR filter is set with an adaptation unit that adjusts so-called filter coefficients.
  • the adaptation is based on a comparison of an error signal, usually the input signal, with the amplified output signal.
  • An important prerequisite for a successful adaptation is that the two signals have undergone at least substantially the same filtering before the comparison.
  • a feedback compensator requires nodes and arithmetic operations in the signal or feedback path that require space and computational capacity. Furthermore, one needs buffer memory to process the signal, for example by means of the adaptation unit and the feedback compensation filter. The memory takes up space on the hearing aid device chip and must be co-supplied by the hearing aid device battery.
  • Different feedback compensators are for example from the WO 00/19605 known.
  • the bandwidth of the compensation signal is limited so that noise generated by the feedback compensation filter is minimized to the amplified output signal and limited to the unstable frequency range.
  • the in the WO 00/19605 specified feedback compensators work memory-efficient; however, they have complicated signal or feedback paths with multiple, complex addition computation operations and nodes.
  • an input signal is split into three signals.
  • the first two are combined again directly after each filtering and form the input signal for the Höros réellesignal kau.
  • a compensation signal of an adjustable FIR filter for feedback compensation is subtracted prior to processing.
  • the third signal is filtered by an adaptation unit of the feedback compensation filter as an error signal.
  • the compensation signal generated by the FIR filter is not only subtracted from the input signal for the hearing aid signal processing, but in addition it is subtracted from the error signal before it is fed to the adaptation unit.
  • This embodiment has three addition nodes, three splitting nodes and three filters for the compensation of the input signal and is correspondingly expensive to implement.
  • Another embodiment is based there on the complex use of two Höros réellesignal kauen.
  • an input signal is split into two signals.
  • the first signal is supplied to a first hearing aid device signal processing after filtering.
  • the second signal is filtered complementary to the first signal before being merged with a compensation signal. It is then supplied to an adaptation unit of an adjustable FIR filter as an error signal and to a second hearing aid device signal processing.
  • the output signal of the second signal processing is filtered on the one hand to the FIR filter and fed to the adaptation unit and on the other hand it is combined with an output signal of the first Höros réellesignal kau.
  • the choice of complementary filters affects the hearing aid signal processing.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a feedback compensator, a hearing aid with a feedback compensator, a method for compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic amplification system and a use of the method in a hearing aid, which require little memory and with a simple structure or process with few Nodes and addition arithmetic operations get along.
  • a feedback compensator in an acoustic amplification system for compensating a feedback signal resulting from amplification of an input signal due to a feedback path from an amplified output signal to the input signal, comprising an adaptive feedback compensation filter for forming a feedback compensation path replicating the feedback path Adaptation of the feedback compensation filter and a frequency limiting filter for limiting the frequency range of the feedback compensation path.
  • an input signal path of the input signal after splitting has two signal paths, the first signal path having a first filter and the second signal path having a second filter.
  • the first signal path is operatively connected after the first filter at a first node for subtracting a compensation signal with the feedback compensation filter and at a second node for error signal output with the adaptation unit.
  • An output of the second node and the second signal path are connected to a third node for addition, and an output of this third node is connected to an input of the amplification system.
  • a feedback compensator makes it possible to provide the adaptation unit and the feedback compensation filter with an output signal filtered with the same filter, so that only one buffer memory is necessary for the feedback compensation.
  • This is due to the inventive arrangement of the filters, nodes and addition computational operations in the signal path.
  • the feedback compensator according to the invention requires only two addition nodes and splitting nodes each, as well as a complementary filter pair. Accordingly, inexpensive and with little effort, the arrangement can be implemented.
  • In the feedback compensation path - only one filter is used to limit the frequency range. This has the advantage of reducing artifacts in the low-frequency range.
  • the control of the amplification system is independent of the parameters of the first and second filters as well as the frequency limiting filter, since the feedback compensation relates to the entire amplification system. This allows a flexible choice of filters.
  • the object relating to a hearing aid is solved by a hearing aid having a feedback compensator of the type described above.
  • the invention can be used in all known types of hearing aid devices, for example in behind the ear portable hearing aids, in the ear portable hearing aids, implantable hearing aids, hearing aid devices or Taschenbuchakun.
  • this acts on a multi-channel amplification system which, for example, consists of a filter bank which distributes the input signal to a plurality of frequency-specific matched amplification systems.
  • a multi-channel amplification system which, for example, consists of a filter bank which distributes the input signal to a plurality of frequency-specific matched amplification systems.
  • the frequency limiting filter is disposed between the output of the amplification system and the feedback compensator and the adaptation unit. This has the advantage that the Frequency limiting filter acts only on the feedback compensation path.
  • the first filter and the frequency limiting filter have an at least substantially equal filter function.
  • the two inputs to the adaptation unit then undergo substantially the same filtering, on the one hand the input signal to the first filter and on the other hand the amplified output signal of the frequency limiting filter. This leads to particularly good prerequisites for a fast and good adaptation by means of the adaptation unit.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the method has, as a further feature of the method, that the amplified output signal is passed via the frequency limiting filter to the adaptation unit and to the feedback compensation filter. This reduces the effect of the method on frequency ranges where feedback rarely occurs, and there reduces the generation of artifacts.
  • the frequency ranges of the feedback-prone signal component and of the feedback compensation path are selected such that they are at least approximately equal. This improves the process of adaptation in the adaptation unit.
  • the amplification is performed with a multi-channel amplification system, so that the method can transfer all its advantages also to the use of a multi-channel amplification system.
  • the object is achieved by the application of the method in a hearing aid.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a feedback compensator 1, which allows a good quality amplification of an acoustic input signal 3 with a hearing aid device signal processing 5, even if a feedback path 7 is present.
  • an output signal 9 can find input to the hearing aid device signal processing 5 together with the acoustic input signal 3.
  • the input acoustic signal 3 is changed by means of a feedback compensation path such that the feedback is omitted.
  • the acoustic input signal 3 splits at a splitting node 11 into two signal components, on the one hand in a feedback-prone signal component 13 and on the other hand in a feedback-endangered signal component 15.
  • Two complementary filters 17 and 19 perform the splitting in the frequency domain, so that for example the first filter 17 allows only frequencies greater than one kilohertz to pass through.
  • the feedback-prone signal component 13 is combined at an addition node 21 with an inverted compensation signal 23.
  • the compensation signal 23 is generated by means of a feedback compensation filter 25.
  • the input to the feedback compensation filter 25 is one with a Frequency-limiting filter 27 filtered output signal 29.
  • An adaptation unit 31 changes the coefficients of the feedback compensation filter 25, so that the filtered output signal 29 has energy after passing through the feedback compensation filter 25 predominantly in the frequency range of the feedback.
  • the prerequisite for a successful adaptation is a meaningful error signal 33.
  • a meaningful error signal 33 is taken from the feedback-endangering signal component 13 after being combined with the compensation signal 23 and supplied to the adaptation unit 31 for evaluation.
  • the feedback-endangered signal component 13 is combined with the feedback-endangered signal component 15 at a further node before it enters the hearing aid device signal processing 5. There it is amplified according to the hearing loss of Hörosowskiloss and forwarded to a speaker.
  • the signal course executed here is particularly advantageous in its sequence, since it manages with few nodes and arithmetic operations.
  • the feedback path 7 can be based on two feedback mechanisms, on the one hand on acoustic feedback directly from the loudspeaker to the input microphone and on the other hand on electromagnetic feedback, for example, from a loudspeaker coil to a telecoil within a hearing aid.
  • the feedback compensator 1 requires only one memory for the filtered output signal 29, since this is supplied to both the feedback compensation filter 25 and the adaptation unit 31 for processing.
  • the first filter 17 and the frequency limiting filter 27 set substantially with the same filter function, since then the signal paths to the adaptation unit 31, which begin with the output signal 9, the same filter:
  • the output signal 9 passes through the frequency limiting filter 27 and is then fed directly to the adaptation unit 31.
  • the output signal which reaches the input signal 3 along the feedback path 7 passes through the first filter 17, which is usually selected identically with the frequency limiting filter 27. In this way, a system for compensating feedback based on only two addition nodes is constructed only one buffer needed.
  • FIG. 2 a schematic structure of an alternative use of the feedback compensator 1 is shown.
  • the signal processing is performed by means of a multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34.
  • the recombined signal after input in the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34 is distributed by means of a filter bank 35 to the various amplifiers 37 operating in the different frequency ranges.
  • the amplified signals are combined in an addition node 39 again to the amplified output signal 9.
  • the advantage of this embodiment is that the adaptation of the multi-channel hearing aid device signal processing 34 to the hearing loss of the hearing aid wearer is independent of the filter function of the frequency-limiting filter 27 or of the first filter 17.
  • An influence on the parameters of the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing unit 34 by the feedback compensator 1 is prevented by the inventive arrangement of the feedback compensator 1 and allows a separate setting of the parameters of the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34 and the parameters of the feedback compensator 1.

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  • 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)
  • Amplifiers (AREA)

Abstract

The device has an adaptive feedback compensation filter, adaptation unit and frequency limiting filter. An input signal path is divided into 2 paths with filters. The first path interacts with the feedback compensation filter to subtract a compensation signal and with the adaptation unit for error signal output. A second node output and the second signal path are connected to a third node, whose output is connected to a system input, for addition. The device has an adaptive feedback compensation filter (25) for forming a compensation path, an adaptation unit (31) for the filter and a frequency limiting filter (27) for limiting the frequency range of the compensation path. An input signal (3) path is divided into two paths with filters. The first path interacts with the feedback compensation filter after the first filter (17) at a first node for subtraction of a compensation signal (23) and with the adaptation unit at a second node for error signal output. An output of the second node and the second signal path are connected to a third node, whose output is connected to an amplification system input, for addition. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a hearing aid with an inventive device (b) and a method of compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic amplification system.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Rückkopplungskompensator in einem akustischen Verstärkungssystem zur Kompensation eines Rückkopplungssignals, das bei einer Verstärkung eines Eingangssignals aufgrund eines Rückkopplungspfads von einem verstärkten Ausgangssignal auf das Eingangssignal entsteht. Die Erfindung bezieht sich des Weiteren auf ein Hörhilfsgerät mit einem solchen Rückkopplungskompensator, auf ein Verfahren zur Kompensation eines Rückkopplungssignals in einem akustischen Verstärkungssystem und auf eine Anwendung des Verfahrens in einem Hörhilfsgerät.The invention relates to a feedback compensator in an acoustic amplification system for compensating a feedback signal resulting from amplification of an input signal due to a feedback path from an amplified output signal to the input signal. The invention further relates to a hearing aid with such a feedback compensator, to a method for compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic amplification system, and to an application of the method in a hearing aid.

Bei Hörhilfsgeräten besteht allgemein das Problem einer unerwünschten akustischen Rückkopplung (Feedback) zwischen einem Lautsprecher und einem Mikrofon. Eine solche Rückkopplung kann Pfeifgeräusche oder andere Störungen verursachen und dadurch den Nutzen des Hörhilfsgerätes für den Hörhilfsgeräteträger erheblich verringern oder sogar auf Null reduzieren. Je nach den Eigenschaften des Hörhilfsgeräts und der Hörsituation kann eine Rückkopplung bei unterschiedlichen Frequenzen auftreten.In hearing aids, there is generally the problem of unwanted acoustic feedback between a speaker and a microphone. Such feedback can cause whistling or other interference and thereby significantly reduce or even reduce the usefulness of the hearing aid to the hearing aid wearer. Depending on the characteristics of the hearing aid and the hearing situation, feedback may occur at different frequencies.

Mit Hilfe von adaptiven Rückkopplungskompensatoren wird ein Kompensationssignal erzeugt, das vom Eingangssignal vor der Verstärkung subtrahiert wird und das derart beschaffen ist, dass eine eine Rückkopplung verursachende Frequenz auf eine Intensität reduziert wird, die unterhalb einer sogenannten Stabilitätsgrenze liegt. Die Erzeugung des Kompensationssignals erfolgt entlang eines Rückkopplungskompensationswegs mit einem adaptiven Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter, der mittels einer Adaptionseinheit eingestellt wird und der den Rückkopplungspfad nachbildet. Ein Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter im Rückkopplungskompensationsweg limitiert den Frequenzbereich, in dem das Kompensationssignal erzeugt wird.With the aid of adaptive feedback compensators, a compensation signal is generated which is subtracted from the input signal before amplification and which is such that a frequency causing a feedback is reduced to an intensity which is below a so-called stability limit. The compensation signal is generated along a feedback compensation path with an adaptive feedback compensation filter which is adjusted by means of an adaptation unit and which simulates the feedback path. A frequency limiting filter in the feedback compensation path limits the frequency range in which the compensation signal is generated.

Der Realisierungsaufwand von Rückkopplungskompensatoren ist aufgrund der Erzeugung des der Rückkopplung äquivalenten - Rückkopplungskompensationswegs erheblich. Die Erzeugung des Rückkopplungskompensationssignals erfolgt meist mit einem speziellen adaptiven Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter, dem sogenannten FIR-Filter (FIR: Finite Impulse Response). Als Eingangssignal in den FIR-Filter dient das frequenzbegrenzte verstärkte Ausgangssignal, das durch den FIR-Filter in das Kompensationssignal umgewandelt wird.The implementation overhead of feedback compensators is significant due to the generation of the feedback equivalent compensation path. The generation of the feedback compensation signal usually takes place with a special adaptive feedback compensation filter, the so-called FIR filter (Finite Impulse Response). The input to the FIR filter is the frequency-limited amplified output, which is converted into the compensation signal by the FIR filter.

Die Wirkung des FIR-Filter, stellvertretend für die meisten Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter, wird mit einer Adaptionseinheit eingestellt, die sogenannte Filterkoeffizienten einstellt. Die Adaption beruht auf einem Vergleich eines Fehlersignals, meist des Eingangssignals, mit dem verstärkten Ausgangssignal. Eine wichtige Vorraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Adaption ist, dass die beiden Signale vor dem Vergleich eine wenigstens im wesentlichen gleiche Filterung erfahren haben.The effect of the FIR filter, representative of most feedback compensation filters, is set with an adaptation unit that adjusts so-called filter coefficients. The adaptation is based on a comparison of an error signal, usually the input signal, with the amplified output signal. An important prerequisite for a successful adaptation is that the two signals have undergone at least substantially the same filtering before the comparison.

Für den Aufbau eines Rückkopplungskompensators bedarf es Knoten und Rechenoperationen im Signal- oder Rückkopplungsweg, die Platz und Rechenkapazität verlangen. Des Weiteren braucht man Pufferspeicher, um das Signal beispielsweise mittels der Adaptionseinheit und des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters zu bearbeiten. Der Speicher beansprucht Platz auf dem Hörhilfsgerätechip und muss von der Hörhilfsgerätebatterie mitversorgt werden.The construction of a feedback compensator requires nodes and arithmetic operations in the signal or feedback path that require space and computational capacity. Furthermore, one needs buffer memory to process the signal, for example by means of the adaptation unit and the feedback compensation filter. The memory takes up space on the hearing aid device chip and must be co-supplied by the hearing aid device battery.

Verschiedene Feedbackkompensatoren sind zum Beispiel aus der WO 00/19605 bekannt. Dabei wird die Bandbreite des Kompensationssignals begrenzt, damit vom Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter erzeugte Störungen auf das verstärkte Ausgangssignal minimiert und auf den instabilen Frequenzbereich begrenzt werden.Different feedback compensators are for example from the WO 00/19605 known. In this case, the bandwidth of the compensation signal is limited so that noise generated by the feedback compensation filter is minimized to the amplified output signal and limited to the unstable frequency range.

Die in der WO 00/19605 angegebenen Feedbackkompensatoren arbeiten speichereffizient; sie weisen allerdings komplizierte Signal- oder Rückkopplungswege mit mehrfachen, aufwendigen Additionsrechenoperationen und Knoten auf.The in the WO 00/19605 specified feedback compensators work memory-efficient; however, they have complicated signal or feedback paths with multiple, complex addition computation operations and nodes.

Beispielsweise wird bei einer Ausführung in der WO 00/19605 ein Eingangssignal in drei Signale aufgespaltet. Die ersten beiden werden direkt nach je einer Filterung wieder zusammengeführt und bilden das Eingangssignal für die Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung. Von diesem Eingangssignal wird vor der Verarbeitung ein Kompensationssignal eines einstellbaren FIR-Filters zur Rückkopplungskompensation abgezogen. Das dritte Signal dient gefiltert einer Adaptionseinheit des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters als Fehlersignal. Um die Adaption erfolgreich durchführen zu können, wird das vom FIR-Filter erzeugte Kompensationssignal nicht nur vom Eingangssignal für die Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung subtrahiert, sonders es wird zusätzlich vom Fehlersignal subtrahiert, bevor dieses der Adaptionseinheit zugeführt wird. Diese Ausführung weist drei Additionsknoten, drei Aufspaltungsknoten und drei Filter für die Kompensation des Eingangssignals auf und ist in der Realisierung entsprechend aufwendig.For example, when running in the WO 00/19605 an input signal is split into three signals. The first two are combined again directly after each filtering and form the input signal for the Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung. From this input signal, a compensation signal of an adjustable FIR filter for feedback compensation is subtracted prior to processing. The third signal is filtered by an adaptation unit of the feedback compensation filter as an error signal. In order to be able to carry out the adaptation successfully, the compensation signal generated by the FIR filter is not only subtracted from the input signal for the hearing aid signal processing, but in addition it is subtracted from the error signal before it is fed to the adaptation unit. This embodiment has three addition nodes, three splitting nodes and three filters for the compensation of the input signal and is correspondingly expensive to implement.

Eine andere Ausführung beruht dort auf dem aufwendigen Einsatz von zwei Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitungen. Dazu wird ein Eingangssignal in zwei Signale aufgespaltet. Das erste Signal wird nach einer Filterung einer ersten Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung zugeführt. Das zweite Signal wird komplementär zum ersten Signal gefiltert, bevor es mit einem Kompensationssignal zusammengeführt wird. Es wird dann zum einem einer Adaptionseinheit eines einstellbaren FIR-Filters als Fehlersignal und zum anderen einer zweiten Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung zugeführt. Das Ausgangssignal der zweiten Signalverarbeitung wird zum einen gefiltert an den FIR-Filter sowie an die Adaptionseinheit geführt und zum anderen wird es mit einem Ausgangssignal der ersten Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung zusammengeführt. In dieser Ausführung beeinflusst die Wahl der komplementären Filter die Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitungen.Another embodiment is based there on the complex use of two Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitungen. For this purpose, an input signal is split into two signals. The first signal is supplied to a first hearing aid device signal processing after filtering. The second signal is filtered complementary to the first signal before being merged with a compensation signal. It is then supplied to an adaptation unit of an adjustable FIR filter as an error signal and to a second hearing aid device signal processing. The output signal of the second signal processing is filtered on the one hand to the FIR filter and fed to the adaptation unit and on the other hand it is combined with an output signal of the first Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung. In this embodiment, the choice of complementary filters affects the hearing aid signal processing.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen Rückkopplungskompensator, ein Hörhilfsgerät mit einem Rückkopplungskompensator, ein Verfahren zur Kompensation eines Rückkopplungssignals in einem akustischen Verstärkungssystem und eine Verwendung des Verfahrens in einem Hörhilfsgerät anzugeben, die wenig Speicher beanspruchen und mit einem einfachen Aufbau bzw. Ablauf mit wenigen Knoten und Additionsrechenoperationen auskommen.The invention has for its object to provide a feedback compensator, a hearing aid with a feedback compensator, a method for compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic amplification system and a use of the method in a hearing aid, which require little memory and with a simple structure or process with few Nodes and addition arithmetic operations get along.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch einen Rückkopplungskompensator in einem akustischen Verstärkungssystem zur Kompensation eines Rückkopplungssignals, das bei einer Verstärkung eines Eingangssignals aufgrund eines Rückkopplungspfads von einem verstärkten Ausgangssignal auf das Eingangssignal entsteht, gelöst, der einen adaptiven Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter zur Bildung eines den Rückkopplungspfad nachbildenden Rückkopplungskompensationswegs, eine Adaptionseinheit zur Adaption des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters und einen Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter zur Begrenzung des Frequenzbereichs des Rückkopplungskompensationswegs umfasst. Dabei weist ein Eingangssignalweg des Eingangssignals nach einer Aufspaltung zwei Signalwege auf, wobei der erste Signalweg einen ersten Filter sowie der zweite Signalweg einen zweiten Filter aufweisen. Der erste Signalweg ist nach dem ersten Filter an einem ersten Knoten zur Subtraktion eines Kompensationssignals mit dem Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter und an einem zweiten Knoten zur Fehlersignalabgabe mit der Adaptionseinheit wirkverbunden. Ein Ausgang des zweiten Knotens und der zweite Signalweg sind mit einem dritten Knoten zur Addition verbunden und ein Ausgangs dieses dritten Knotens ist mit einem Eingang des Verstärkungssystems verbunden.This object is achieved by a feedback compensator in an acoustic amplification system for compensating a feedback signal resulting from amplification of an input signal due to a feedback path from an amplified output signal to the input signal, comprising an adaptive feedback compensation filter for forming a feedback compensation path replicating the feedback path Adaptation of the feedback compensation filter and a frequency limiting filter for limiting the frequency range of the feedback compensation path. In this case, an input signal path of the input signal after splitting has two signal paths, the first signal path having a first filter and the second signal path having a second filter. The first signal path is operatively connected after the first filter at a first node for subtracting a compensation signal with the feedback compensation filter and at a second node for error signal output with the adaptation unit. An output of the second node and the second signal path are connected to a third node for addition, and an output of this third node is connected to an input of the amplification system.

Ein Rückkopplungskompensator nach der Erfindung ermöglicht es, der Adaptionseinheit und dem Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter ein mit dem gleichen Filter gefiltertes Ausgangssignal zuzuleiten, so dass nur ein Pufferspeicher für die Rückkopplungskompensation notwendig ist. Dies beruht auf der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung der Filter, Knoten und Additionsrechenoperationen im Signalweg. Des Weiteren benötigt der Rückkopplungskompensator nach der Erfindung nur je zwei Additionsknoten und Aufspaltungsknoten, sowie ein komplementäres Filterpaar. Entsprechend kostengünstig und mit geringem Aufwand kann die Anordnung umgesetzt werden. Im Rückkopplungskompensationsweg - wird nur ein Filter zur Begrenzung des Frequenzbereichs verwendet. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass Artefakte im tieffrequenten Bereich vermindert werden. Die Steuerung des Verstärkungssystems erfolgt unabhängig von den Parametern des ersten und des zweiten Filters sowie des Frequenzbegrenzungsfilters, da sich die Rückkopplungskompensation auf das gesamte Verstärkungssystem bezieht. Dies erlaubt eine flexible Wahl der Filter.A feedback compensator according to the invention makes it possible to provide the adaptation unit and the feedback compensation filter with an output signal filtered with the same filter, so that only one buffer memory is necessary for the feedback compensation. This is due to the inventive arrangement of the filters, nodes and addition computational operations in the signal path. Furthermore, the feedback compensator according to the invention requires only two addition nodes and splitting nodes each, as well as a complementary filter pair. Accordingly, inexpensive and with little effort, the arrangement can be implemented. In the feedback compensation path - only one filter is used to limit the frequency range. This has the advantage of reducing artifacts in the low-frequency range. The control of the amplification system is independent of the parameters of the first and second filters as well as the frequency limiting filter, since the feedback compensation relates to the entire amplification system. This allows a flexible choice of filters.

Die Aufgabe bezüglich eines Hörhilfsgeräts wird durch ein Hörhilfsgerät gelöst, das einen Rückkopplungskompensator der oben beschriebenen Art aufweist. Dabei kann die Erfindung bei allen bekannten Hörhilfsgeräte-Typen angewendet werden, beispielsweise bei hinter dem Ohr tragbaren Hörhilfsgeräten, in dem Ohr tragbaren Hörhilfsgeräten, implantierbaren Hörhilfsgeräten, Hörhilfsgerätesystemen oder Taschenhörhilfsgeräten.The object relating to a hearing aid is solved by a hearing aid having a feedback compensator of the type described above. In this case, the invention can be used in all known types of hearing aid devices, for example in behind the ear portable hearing aids, in the ear portable hearing aids, implantable hearing aids, hearing aid devices or Taschenhörhilfsgeräten.

Ferner wird die Aufgabe durch ein Verfahren zur Kompensation eines Rückkopplungssignals in einem akustischen System gelöst, wobei das Rückkopplungssignal bei einer Verstärkung eines Eingangssignals aufgrund eines Rückkopplungspfads von einem verstärkten Ausgangssignal auf das Eingangssignal entsteht, wobei mittels eines mit einer Adaptionseinheit gesteuerten, adaptiven Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters der Rückkopplungspfad nachgebildet wird, wobei ein Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter den Frequenzbereich des nachzubildenden Rückkopplungspfads begrenzt und wobei das Verfahren die folgende Verfahrensmerkmale aufweist:

  • In einem Verfahrensmerkmal wird das Eingangssignal in einen rückkopplungsgefährdeten und in einen rückkopplungsungefährdeten Signalanteil aufgespaltet.
  • In einem weiteren Verfahrensmerkmal wird der rückkopplungsgefährdete Signalanteil mit einem Kompensationssignal des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters zu einem rückkopplungskompensierten Signalanteil zusammengeführt.
  • In einem weiteren Verfahrensmerkmal wird der rückkopplungskompensierte Signalanteil mit der Adaptionseinheit zur Fehlersignalauswertung verbunden.
  • Im letzten Verfahrensmerkmal wird der rückkopplungskompensierte Signalanteil mit dem rückkopplungsungefährdeten Signalanteil zu einem rückkopplungskompensierten Signal zusammengeführt, das anschließend verstärkt wird.
  • Die Abfolge der Verfahrensmerkmale ist bezüglich der Reihenfolge ungebunden, wenn es auch vorteilhaft ist die ersten beiden Verfahrensmerkmale in der hier angegebenen Reihenfolge vor den letzten beiden Verfahrensmerkmalen durchzuführen. Der Vorteil des Verfahrens liegt im vereinfachten Ablauf sowie in der kostengünstigeren Umsetzung des Verfahrens durch den verringerten Speicherbedarf und die effiziente Durchführbarkeit.
Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for compensating a feedback signal in an acoustic system, wherein the feedback signal is formed upon amplification of an input signal due to a feedback path from an amplified output signal to the input signal, wherein the feedback path is modeled by means of an adaptation unit controlled, adaptive feedback compensation filter with a frequency limiting filter limiting the frequency range of the traceable feedback path and wherein the method has the following process characteristics:
  • In one method feature, the input signal is split into a feedback-vulnerable and a feedback-corrupted signal component.
  • In a further feature of the method, the feedback-endangered signal component is combined with a compensation signal of the feedback compensation filter to form a feedback-compensated signal component.
  • In a further feature of the method, the feedback-compensated signal component is connected to the adaptation unit for error signal evaluation.
  • In the last feature of the method, the feedback-compensated signal component is combined with the feedback-endangered signal component to form a feedback-compensated signal, which is subsequently amplified.
  • The sequence of the method features is unbound with respect to the order, although it is also advantageous to carry out the first two method features in the order given here before the last two method features. The advantage of the method lies in the simplified procedure and in the more cost-effective implementation of the method by the reduced storage requirements and the efficient feasibility.

In einer besonders bevorzugten Weiterbildung des Rückkopplungskompensators nach der Erfindung wirkt dieser auf ein Mehrkanalverstärkungssystem, das beispielsweise aus einer Filterbank besteht, die das Eingangssignal auf mehrere frequenzspezifisch angepasste Verstärkungssysteme verteilt. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass der Rückkopplungskompensator alle frequenzspezifisch angepassten Verstärkungssysteme gleichzeitig abdeckt.In a particularly preferred development of the feedback compensator according to the invention, this acts on a multi-channel amplification system which, for example, consists of a filter bank which distributes the input signal to a plurality of frequency-specific matched amplification systems. This has the advantage that the feedback compensator simultaneously covers all the frequency-specific matched amplification systems.

In einer anderen Ausführungsform des Rückkopplungskompensators ist der Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter zwischen dem Ausgang des Verstärkungssystems und dem Rückkopplungskompensator sowie der Adaptionseinheit angeordnet. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass der Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter nur auf den Rückkopplungskompensationsweg wirkt.In another embodiment of the feedback compensator, the frequency limiting filter is disposed between the output of the amplification system and the feedback compensator and the adaptation unit. This has the advantage that the Frequency limiting filter acts only on the feedback compensation path.

In einer besonderen Ausführungsform des Rückkopplungskompensators weisen der erste Filter und der Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter eine zumindest im Wesentlichen gleiche Filterfunktion auf. Die beiden Eingänge in die Adaptionseinheit durchlaufen dann im wesentlichen gleiche Filterungen, zum einen das Eingangssignal den ersten Filter und zum anderen das verstärkte Ausgangssignal den Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter. Dies führt zu besonders guten Vorraussetzungen für eine schnelle und guten Adaption mittels der Adaptionseinheit.In a particular embodiment of the feedback compensator, the first filter and the frequency limiting filter have an at least substantially equal filter function. The two inputs to the adaptation unit then undergo substantially the same filtering, on the one hand the input signal to the first filter and on the other hand the amplified output signal of the frequency limiting filter. This leads to particularly good prerequisites for a fast and good adaptation by means of the adaptation unit.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausführungsform des Verfahrens weist als weiteres Verfahrensmerkmal auf, dass das verstärkte Ausgangssignal über den Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter an die Adaptionseinheit und an den Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter geleitet wird. Dies reduziert den Einfluss des Verfahrens auf Frequenzbereiche, in denen selten Rückkopplung vorkommt, und vermindert dort die Erzeugung von Artefakten.An advantageous embodiment of the method has, as a further feature of the method, that the amplified output signal is passed via the frequency limiting filter to the adaptation unit and to the feedback compensation filter. This reduces the effect of the method on frequency ranges where feedback rarely occurs, and there reduces the generation of artifacts.

In einer anderen vorteilhaften Ausführungsform des Verfahrens werden die Frequenzbereiche des rückkopplungsgefährdeten Signalanteils und des Rückkopplungskompensationswegs so gewählt, dass sie zumindest näherungsweise gleich sind. Dies verbessert den Ablauf der Adaption in der Adaptionseinheit.In another advantageous embodiment of the method, the frequency ranges of the feedback-prone signal component and of the feedback compensation path are selected such that they are at least approximately equal. This improves the process of adaptation in the adaptation unit.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Verfahrens wird die Verstärkung mit einem Mehrkanalverstärkungssystem durchgeführt, so dass das Verfahren alle seine Vorteile auch auf den Einsatz eines Mehrkanalverstärkungssystems übertragen kann.In a further embodiment of the method, the amplification is performed with a multi-channel amplification system, so that the method can transfer all its advantages also to the use of a multi-channel amplification system.

Ferner wird die Aufgabe durch die Anwendung des Verfahrens in einem Hörhilfsgerät gelöst.Furthermore, the object is achieved by the application of the method in a hearing aid.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung sind durch die Merkmale der Unteransprüche gekennzeichnet.Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized by the features of the subclaims.

Es folgt die Erläuterung von zwei Ausführungsbeispielen anhand der Figuren 1 und 2. Es zeigen:

FIG 1
einen schematischen Aufbau eines Rückkopplungskompensators zur Verdeutlichung von Signal- und Rückkopplungskompensationspfad und
FIG 2
einen schematischen Aufbau eines Rückkopplungskompensators für den Fall einer Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung
The following is the explanation of two embodiments based on the FIGS. 1 and 2 , Show it:
FIG. 1
a schematic structure of a feedback compensator for clarification of signal and feedback compensation path and
FIG. 2
a schematic structure of a feedback compensator in the case of a multi-channel Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung

Figur 1 zeigt einen schematischen Aufbau eines Rückkopplungskompensators 1, der eine qualitativ gute Verstärkung eines akustischen Eingangssignals 3 mit einer Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 5 auch dann ermöglicht, wenn ein Rückkopplungspfad 7 vorliegt. Entlang eines Rückkopplungspfads 7 kann ein Ausgangssignal 9 zusammen mit dem akustischen Eingangssignal 3 Eingang zur Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 5 finden. Um ein Pfeifen oder andere Störungen aufgrund der Rückkopplung zu verhindern, wird das akustische Eingangssignal 3 mit Hilfe eines Rückkopplungskompensationspfads derart verändert, dass die Rückkopplung unterbleibt. FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a feedback compensator 1, which allows a good quality amplification of an acoustic input signal 3 with a hearing aid device signal processing 5, even if a feedback path 7 is present. Along a feedback path 7, an output signal 9 can find input to the hearing aid device signal processing 5 together with the acoustic input signal 3. In order to prevent whistling or other interference due to the feedback, the input acoustic signal 3 is changed by means of a feedback compensation path such that the feedback is omitted.

Dazu spaltet sich das akustische Eingangssignal 3 an einem Aufspaltungsknoten 11 in zwei Signalanteile auf, zum einen in ein rückkopplungsgefährdeten Signalanteil 13 und zum anderen in einen rückkopplungsungefährdeten Signalanteil 15. Zwei komplementäre Filter 17 und 19 vollziehen die Aufspaltung im Frequenzbereich, so dass beispielsweise der erste Filter 17 nur Frequenzen größer einem Kilohertz durchlässt.For this purpose, the acoustic input signal 3 splits at a splitting node 11 into two signal components, on the one hand in a feedback-prone signal component 13 and on the other hand in a feedback-endangered signal component 15. Two complementary filters 17 and 19 perform the splitting in the frequency domain, so that for example the first filter 17 allows only frequencies greater than one kilohertz to pass through.

Der rückkopplungsgefährdete Signalanteil 13 wird an einem Additionsknoten 21 mit einem invertierten Kompensationssignal 23 zusammengefasst. Das Kompensationssignal 23 wird mit Hilfe eines Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters 25 erzeugt. Als Eingang in den Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter 25 dient ein mit einem Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter 27 gefilterte Ausgangssignal 29. Eine Adaptionseinheit 31 ändert die Koeffizienten des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters 25, so dass das gefilterte Ausgangssignal 29 nach Durchlauf des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters 25 vorwiegend im Frequenzbereich der Rückkopplung Energie aufweist.The feedback-prone signal component 13 is combined at an addition node 21 with an inverted compensation signal 23. The compensation signal 23 is generated by means of a feedback compensation filter 25. The input to the feedback compensation filter 25 is one with a Frequency-limiting filter 27 filtered output signal 29. An adaptation unit 31 changes the coefficients of the feedback compensation filter 25, so that the filtered output signal 29 has energy after passing through the feedback compensation filter 25 predominantly in the frequency range of the feedback.

Vorraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Adaption ist ein aussagekräftiges Fehlersignal 33. Ein solches wird dem rückkopplungsgefährdeten Signalanteil 13 nach der Zusammenführung mit dem Kompensationssignal 23 entnommen und der Adaptionseinheit 31 zur Auswertung zugeführt.The prerequisite for a successful adaptation is a meaningful error signal 33. Such a signal is taken from the feedback-endangering signal component 13 after being combined with the compensation signal 23 and supplied to the adaptation unit 31 for evaluation.

Nach der Entnahme des Fehlersignals 33 wird der rückkopplungsgefährdete Signalanteil 13 mit dem rückkopplungsungefährdeten Signalanteil 15 an einem weiteren Knoten zusammengeführt, bevor es in die Hörhilfsgerätesignalverarbeitung 5 gelangt. Dort wird es entsprechend dem Hörverlust des Hörhilfsgeräteträgers verstärkt und an einen Lautsprecher weitergeleitet. Der hier ausgeführte Signalverlauf ist in seiner Abfolge besonders vorteilhaft, da er mit wenig Knoten und Rechenoperationen auskommt.After removal of the error signal 33, the feedback-endangered signal component 13 is combined with the feedback-endangered signal component 15 at a further node before it enters the hearing aid device signal processing 5. There it is amplified according to the hearing loss of Hörhilfsgeräteträgers and forwarded to a speaker. The signal course executed here is particularly advantageous in its sequence, since it manages with few nodes and arithmetic operations.

Der Rückkopplungspfad 7 kann auf zwei Rückkopplungsmechanismen beruhen, zum einen auf akustischer Rückkopplung direkt vom Lautsprecher auf das Eingangsmikrofon und zum anderen auf elektromagnetischer Rückkopplung beispielsweise von einer Lautsprecherspule auf eine Telefonspule innerhalb eines Hörhilfsgeräts.The feedback path 7 can be based on two feedback mechanisms, on the one hand on acoustic feedback directly from the loudspeaker to the input microphone and on the other hand on electromagnetic feedback, for example, from a loudspeaker coil to a telecoil within a hearing aid.

Der Rückkopplungskompensator 1 benötigt nur einen Speicher für das gefilterte Ausgangssignal 29, da dieses zur Bearbeitung sowohl dem Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter 25 als auch der Adaptionseinheit 31 zugeleitet wird.The feedback compensator 1 requires only one memory for the filtered output signal 29, since this is supplied to both the feedback compensation filter 25 and the adaptation unit 31 for processing.

Im vorliegenden Rückkopplungskompensator 1 wird man vorzugsweise den ersten Filter 17 und den Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter 27 im Wesentlichen mit derselben Filterfunktion einstellen, da dann die Signalwege zur Adaptionseinheit 31, die mit dem Ausgangssignal 9 beginnen, die gleichen Filter durchlaufen: In einem Fall durchläuft das Ausgangssignal 9 den Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter 27 und wird direkt anschließend der Adaptionseinheit 31 zugeführt. In einem zweiten Fall wird das Kompensationssignal 23, das ausgehend vom verstärkten Ausgangssignal 9 erst den Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter 27 und dann den Rückkopplungskompensationsfilter 25 durchlaufen hat, zusammen mit dem rückkopplungsgefährdeten Signalanteil 13 der Adaptionseinheit 31 zugeführt. In einem dritten Fall durchläuft das Ausgangssignal, das entlang dem Rückkopplungspfad 7 zum Eingangssignal 3 gelangt, den mit dem Frequenzbegrenzungsfilter 27 meist identisch gewählten ersten Filter 17. Auf diese Weise ist ein System zu Kompensation von Rückkopplungen aufgebaut, das auf nur zwei Additionsknoten beruht, sowie nur einen Pufferspeicher benötigt.In the present feedback compensator 1, it is preferable to use the first filter 17 and the frequency limiting filter 27 set substantially with the same filter function, since then the signal paths to the adaptation unit 31, which begin with the output signal 9, the same filter: In one case, the output signal 9 passes through the frequency limiting filter 27 and is then fed directly to the adaptation unit 31. In a second case, the compensation signal 23, which, starting from the amplified output signal 9, has first passed through the frequency limiting filter 27 and then the feedback compensation filter 25, is supplied to the adaptation unit 31 together with the signal 13 at risk of feedback. In a third case, the output signal which reaches the input signal 3 along the feedback path 7 passes through the first filter 17, which is usually selected identically with the frequency limiting filter 27. In this way, a system for compensating feedback based on only two addition nodes is constructed only one buffer needed.

Die Gesamtübertragungsfunktion des Verstärkungssystems mit dem Rückkopplungskompensator 1 ist folgendermaßen gegeben:

  • Dabei sind F1 und F2 die Übertragungsfunktionen des ersten bzw. zweiten Filters 17 bzw. 19, F3 ist die Übertragungsfunktion des Frequenzbegrenzungsfilters 27, H und H' sind die Übertragungsfunktionen des Rückkopplungspfads 7 bzw. des Rückkopplungskompensationsfilters 25 und G ist die Übertragungsfunktion der Hörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 5. Das Produkt aus H und F2 kann bei günstiger Auslegung von F1 und F2 vernachlässigt werden.
The overall transfer function of the amplification system with the feedback compensator 1 is given as follows:
  • Here, F1 and F2 are the transfer functions of the first and second filters 17 and 19, F3 is the transfer function of the frequency limiting filter 27, H and H 'are the transfer functions of the feedback path 7 and the feedback compensation filter 25, respectively, and G is the transfer function of the hearing aid signal processing 5. The product of H and F2 can be neglected with favorable design of F1 and F2.

In Figur 2 ist ein schematischer Aufbau einer alternativen - Verwendung des Rückkopplungskompensators 1 dargestellt. Im Unterschied zur Figur 1 wird die Signalverarbeitung mithilfe einer Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 34 durchgeführt. Dazu wird das wieder zusammengeführte Signal nach Eingang in die Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 34 mittels einer Filterbank 35 auf die verschiedenen Verstärker 37, die in den verschiedenen Frequenzbereichen arbeiten, verteilt. Anschließend werden die verstärkten Signale in einem Additionsknoten 39 wieder zum verstärkten Ausgangssignal 9 zusammengefasst. Der Vorteil dieser Ausführungsform liegt darin, dass die Anpassung der Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 34 an den Hörverlust des Hörgeräteträgers unabhängig von der Filterfunktion des Frequenzbegrenzungsfilters 27 oder des ersten Filters 17 ist. Eine Beeinflussung der Parameter der Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 34 durch den Rückkopplungskompensator 1 wird durch die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung des Rückkopplungskompensators 1 verhindert und erlaubt ein getrenntes Einstellen der Parameter der Mehrkanalhörhilfsgerätsignalverarbeitung 34 sowie der Parameter des Rückkopplungskompensators 1.In FIG. 2 a schematic structure of an alternative use of the feedback compensator 1 is shown. In contrast to FIG. 1 the signal processing is performed by means of a multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34. For this purpose, the recombined signal after input in the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34 is distributed by means of a filter bank 35 to the various amplifiers 37 operating in the different frequency ranges. Subsequently, the amplified signals are combined in an addition node 39 again to the amplified output signal 9. The advantage of this embodiment is that the adaptation of the multi-channel hearing aid device signal processing 34 to the hearing loss of the hearing aid wearer is independent of the filter function of the frequency-limiting filter 27 or of the first filter 17. An influence on the parameters of the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing unit 34 by the feedback compensator 1 is prevented by the inventive arrangement of the feedback compensator 1 and allows a separate setting of the parameters of the multi-channel hearing aid signal processing 34 and the parameters of the feedback compensator 1.

Claims (10)

  1. Feedback compensator (1) for an acoustic amplifying system for compensating for a feedback signal, which is produced during an amplification of the input signal as a result of a feedback path (7) from an amplified output signal (9) to the input signal (3) ,
    having an adaptive feedback compensation filter (25) for forming a feedback compensation path which reproduces the feedback path (7),
    having an adaptation unit (31) for adapting the feedback compensation filter (25) and
    having a frequency limitation filter (27) for limiting the frequency range of the feedback compensation path,
    with an input signal path of the input signal (3) comprising two signal paths downstream of a splitting,
    with the first signal path comprising a first filter (17) and the second signal path comprising a second filter (19),
    with the first signal path downstream of the first filter being actively connected to the feedback compensation filter (25) at a first node for subtracting a compensation signal (23) and being actively connected to the adaptation unit (31) for outputting an error signal,
    characterised in that
    the active connection to the adaptation unit (31) takes place at a second node and that an output of the second node and the second signal path are connected to a third node for addition purposes,
    with an output of the third node being connected to an input of the amplifying system.
  2. Feedback compensator (1) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that the amplifying system includes a multichannel amplifying system.
  3. Feedback compensator (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterized in that the frequency limitation filter (27) is arranged between the output of the amplifying system and the feedback compensation filter (25).
  4. Feedback compensator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
    characterized in that the first filter (17) and the frequency limitation filter (27) have at least essentially the same filter function.
  5. Hearing aid device comprising a feedback compensator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. Method for compensating for a feedback signal, with the feedback signal being produced during an amplification of an acoustic input signal (3) as a result of a feedback path (7) from an amplified output signal (9) to the acoustic input signal (3), with the feedback path (7) being reproduced by means of an adaptive feedback compensation filter (25) controlled using an adaptation unit (31), and with a frequency limitation filter (27) limiting the frequency range of a feedback compensation path reproducing the feedback path (3),
    comprising the following method features:
    - splitting the acoustic input signal (3) into a feedback-endangered (13) and feedback-unendangered signal portion (15),
    - merging the feedback-endangered signal portion (13) with a compensation signal (23) of the feedback compensation filter (25) to form a feedback-compensated signal portion and
    - supplying the feedback-compensated signal portion to the adaptation unit (31) for feedback signal evaluation,
    characterised by
    - merging the feedback-unendangered (15) signal portion with the feedback-compensated signal portion to form a feedback compensated signal, which is then amplified.
  7. Method according to claim 6, with the amplified output signal (9) being routed via the frequency limitation filter (27) to the adaptation unit (31) and to the feedback compensation filter (25).
  8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, with the feedback-endangered signal portion (13) and the feedback compensation path being restricted at least approximately to the same frequency range.
  9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, with the amplification being implemented using a multichannel amplifying system.
  10. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 9 in a hearing aid device.
EP03021040A 2002-09-30 2003-09-17 Feedback compensator in acoustic amplifying systems, hearing-aid, method for feedback compensation and use of said method in hearing-aids Revoked EP1406469B1 (en)

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DE10245667B4 (en) 2004-12-30
ATE463934T1 (en) 2010-04-15
US20050135646A1 (en) 2005-06-23
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US6931137B2 (en) 2005-08-16
EP1406469A2 (en) 2004-04-07
US20040101147A1 (en) 2004-05-27

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