EP1689210B1 - Hörgerät - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1689210B1
EP1689210B1 EP20060113762 EP06113762A EP1689210B1 EP 1689210 B1 EP1689210 B1 EP 1689210B1 EP 20060113762 EP20060113762 EP 20060113762 EP 06113762 A EP06113762 A EP 06113762A EP 1689210 B1 EP1689210 B1 EP 1689210B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spl
input
hearing device
sound
output
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP20060113762
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1689210A3 (de
EP1689210A2 (de
Inventor
Andreas Von Buol
Andi Vonlanthen
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Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Phonak AG
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Application filed by Phonak AG filed Critical Phonak AG
Priority to EP20060113762 priority Critical patent/EP1689210B1/de
Priority to DK06113762T priority patent/DK1689210T3/da
Priority to DE200660000772 priority patent/DE602006000772T2/de
Publication of EP1689210A2 publication Critical patent/EP1689210A2/de
Publication of EP1689210A3 publication Critical patent/EP1689210A3/de
Priority to PCT/EP2007/052366 priority patent/WO2007128609A1/en
Priority to AU2007247342A priority patent/AU2007247342A1/en
Priority to CA002644994A priority patent/CA2644994A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1689210B1 publication Critical patent/EP1689210B1/de
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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
    • H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
    • H04R25/356—Amplitude, e.g. amplitude shift or compression
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/04—Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments
    • 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
    • H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
    • H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing device.
  • the hearing device can be a hearing aid, a headphone, an earphone, a hearing protection device, a communication device or the like.
  • the hearing device may be worn in or near a user's ear or implanted.
  • the invention relates furthermore to a signal processor for processing audio signals in a hearing device, to a method of operating a hearing device and to a method of fitting a hearing device.
  • a loudness limiter is disclosed, by means of which the loudness of a signal transmitted to the human ear by a hearing apparatus can be restricted to a maximum acceptable loudness level.
  • Document GB2074817 discloses a two-way device with which users can communicate in a noisy environment.
  • the device consists of an ear piece in wireless connection to a remote module. Via a vibration pickup member in the ear piece it is detected whether the wearer is talking. Furthermore, the remote module picks up signals transmitted from another user via a receiving circuit. The signals received from the receiving circuit from the other user are transmitted wirelessly to the ear piece, which reproduces the signals from the other user via a loudspeaker.
  • the wearer is talking (detected via the vibration pickup member in the ear piece)
  • the signals from the other user detected via the detection circuit in the remote module and reproduced over the loudspeaker in the ear piece) are suppressed.
  • a goal of the invention is to create a hearing device that has an improved performance in loud environments or at high signal pressure levels (SPLs).
  • Another goal of the invention is to provide for a signal processor useful in a hearing device, having advanced features and allowing for an improved performance.
  • Another goal of the invention is to provide for an improved method of operating a hearing device, in particular a method allowing for an improved performance in loud environments or at high signal pressure levels.
  • Another goal of the invention is to provide for an improved method of fitting a hearing device, in particular a method allowing for an improved performance of the hearing device in loud environments or at high signal pressure levels.
  • One object of the invention is to decrease the power consumption of a hearing device.
  • the lifetime of a power supply of the hearing device typically a battery
  • the lifetime of a power supply of the hearing device typically a battery
  • Another object of the invention is to achieve an improved acoustic performance of a hearing device.
  • Another object of the invention is to reduce a hearing device user's perception of distortions in a hearing device.
  • the hearing device of the invention is a hearing device as in claim 1.
  • the incoming signal may, e.g., be an electromagnetic signal, e.g., a radio frequency signal.
  • said input transducer may convert incoming signals, which already are audio signals, into audio signals in a form suitable for being used within the hearing device.
  • the invention may be seen in that, for a certain range of input SPLs, the input-SPL-to-output-SPL-characteristic of the hearing device has a negative slope: In that range, the output SPL is the smaller the larger the input SPL is.
  • the SPL of direct sound i.e., of sound that propagates as sound waves (acoustic waves) from outside the user's ear canal to the user's ear drum (or other sensing element of the ear)
  • the SPL of direct sound can be considerably high. That direct sound SPL can become comparable to or even higher than sound provided to the user via the hearing device, in which case said sound provided to the user via the hearing device may be reduced or even muted.
  • the sound source of said direct sound and the sound source of the audio signals within the hearing device are identical.
  • said reducing or muting of the sound provided to the user via the hearing device may be done in favour of said direct sound, which then can partially or completely replace said sound provided to the user via the hearing device.
  • the sound source of said direct sound and the sound source of the audio signals within the hearing device are not identical.
  • said reducing or muting of the sound provided to the user via the hearing device may, e.g., be accomplished in order to save energy in the hearing device when the user would anyway not be able to properly perceive the outgoing acoustical sound, because the direct sound is too loud (masking of outgoing acoustical sound from the hearing device by direct sound).
  • the voice on the mobile phone, received in the hearing device by a telephone coil in the hearing device can be suppressed (optionally in certain frequency bands) whenever the rock music is particularly loud (optionally in said certain frequency bands).
  • Said direct sound partially propagates through the user's head (bones) and partially propagates through the user's ear canal.
  • the latter part is the larger the less the ear canal is blocked. It can be particularly large, e.g., in case of large vents and in case of a hearing device with an open fitting (open canal device).
  • a vent is a channel-like opening in a part of a hearing device worn in the ear canal, which is usually meant to equalize pressure differences between the inside of the ear canal and the outside.
  • the invention can also be used in conjunction with a closed fitting and/or with a very small or a possibly blocked vent. In that case, the attenuation of direct sound typically is typically about 30dB to 40dB.
  • Audio signals are electrical signals (analog and/or digital), which are obtained from acoustical sound (sound waves) through conversion and possibly further processing; i.e., they represent sound.
  • Said incoming acoustical sound usually is acoustic waves in the environment in which the hearing device user is located.
  • Said input transducer is typically a mechanical-to-electrical converter, in particular a microphone.
  • the hearing device may, of course, comprise more than one input transducer, e.g., two or three.
  • Said output transducer is typically an electical-to-mechanical transducer, in particular a loudspeaker, in the field of hearing aids also named "receiver”.
  • Said signal processor typically is a digital signal processor (DSP), possibly realized in form or an software-programmed processor, but may be analogue or analogue-digital hybride.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • the processor is basically an amplifier, wherein "amplifying” may include attenuating as well.
  • Said audio signals processed by said signal processor are derived from said audio signals, which are derived from said incoming acoustical sound by said input transducer.
  • Said audio signals transduced by said output transducer are derived from the output of said signal processor.
  • Said outgoing acoustical sound is to be presented to the user. More precisely, said outgoing acoustical sound is to be presented to a sensing element of an ear of a user of the hearing device.
  • Said sensing element typically is an ear drum; it may be a part of the inner ear, in particular a part of the cochlear (in particular if the hearing device is or comprises an implant).
  • Said portion of said incoming acoustical sound may be identical with said incoming acoustical sound or, more precisely, with that portion of it, which is transduced by said input transducer.
  • said portion may be defined by a certain frequency range or by a certain class of signals obtained in a classification process, or by others.
  • Classification is well known, e.g., in the field of hearing aids, and allows to classify acoustic events not only with respect to its frequency spectrum, but also, e.g., with respect to its time structure (impulse-like sounds versus constant or repetitive sounds).
  • said portion of said outgoing acoustical sound It may be identical with said outgoing acoustical sound (as transduced by said output transducer), or it may be a portion defined by a certain frequency range or by a certain class of signals obtained in a classification process, or by others.
  • an SPL above which the output of said least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound is muted (fully suppressed). This allows to save energy, in particular energy consumed by said output transducer.
  • the energy savings can be particularly high when said portion of said outgoing acoustical sound comprises or consists of low frequencies (typically below 300 Hz or below 100 Hz).
  • said input SPL range has a lower limit, referred to as input threshold SPL.
  • said input SPL range may extend from said input threshold SPL to higher SPLs; the range can be open towards high SPLs.
  • Said input threshold SPL can be chosen according to various critera and requirements:
  • said input threshold SPL is chosen such that an SPL of a superposition of said outgoing acoustical sound and direct sound near the user's ear drum (or other sensing element of the ear) is below the user's uncomfortable level (UCL). It is also possible to refer to the threshold of pain instead of the UCL as a reference for defining or adjusting the gain curve of the hearing device. Said UCL is typically in the range between 100dB and 120dB, but may be in the range between 80dB and 140dB.
  • said input threshold SPL is an input SPL for which the corresponding output SPL (of said portion of outgoing acoustical sound) in dB minus the corresponding SPL of direct sound near the user's ear drum (or other sensing element of the ear) in dB is smaller than or equal to +6dB (or +3dB).
  • the negative slope of the input-SPL-to-output-SPL-characteristic of the hearing device may set in as soon as the direct sound is just a bit softer than the outgoing acoustical sound of the hearing device.
  • Said setting-in of said negative slope may take place at smaller differences (output SPL in dB minus direct sound SPL in dB), e.g., when direct sound and outgoing acoustical sound of the hearing device are equal (0dB difference) or when the direct sound is somewhat louder than the outgoing acoustical sound (e.g., -6dB difference), or when the direct sound is even louder than that.
  • said negative slope may set in at any difference in between the named differences. Such a choice of the inset of said negative slope will usually allow to make good use of the direct sound and to save reasonable amounts of energy.
  • said input threshold SPL is chosen equal to an input SPL which is, within 6dB (or 3dB), equal to its corresponding output SPL. This way, the inset of said negative slope is chosen in a region where the (SPL-related) gain of the hearing device is about one.
  • said input threshold SPL is chosen smaller than or equal to a maximum input SPL (MPI), wherein said input transducer will tend to produce distorted input audio signals for input SPLs of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound above said maximum input SPL.
  • MPI maximum input SPL
  • the input threshold SPL is chosen such that it can be prevented that the user would perceive distortions stemming from exposing said input transducer to too high SPLs.
  • the output SPL for (presumeably) distorted sounds can be muted or chosen so low that distorted portions of sound are masked by other sound portions (of outgoing acoustical sound and/or of direct sound). The perceptions of distortions can be avoided, and an improved acoustical performance is achieved.
  • said input threshold SPL is chosen such that, as output SPL of said at least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound, at most a maximum output SPL (MPO) is reached, wherein said output transducer will tend to produce distorted outgoing acoustical sound for output SPLs of said at least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound above said maximum output SPL.
  • MPO maximum output SPL
  • the input threshold SPL is chosen such that it can be prevented that the user would perceive distortions stemming from demanding too much SPL from said output transducer. Distortion can be avoided, and an improved acoustical performance is achieved.
  • said decrease in output SPL is chosen such, that an SPL of a superposition of said outgoing acoustical sound and direct sound near the user's ear drum (or other sensing element of the ear) is, within ⁇ 6 dB, in particular within ⁇ 3 dB, a constant for input SPLs of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound above said input threshold SPL, as far as the corresponding SPL of said direct sound is not larger than said constant, wherein said direct sound is incoming acoustical sound reaching the user's ear drum (or other sensing element of the ear).
  • the SPL of the superposition of direct sound and sound output from the hearing device is approximately constant for input SPLs above the input threshold SPL, at least insofar as the direct sound is not too loud, i.e. louder than said constant. If the direct sound is louder than said constant, it is nevertheless possible, namely by means of the special embodiment described below (in the detailed description), to let the SPL of said superposition remain constant at even higher input SPLs, i.e., the size of the interval within which SPL of the superposition is approximately constant can be enlarged.
  • the corresponding output SPL of said at least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound is at most as large as, in particular smaller than, the largest output SPL of all those output SPLs each of which corresponds to an input SPL of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound equal to or below said input threshold SPL.
  • the highest output SPL of all output SPL values belonging to an input SPL above the input threshold SPL is smaller than the highest output SPL of all output SPL values belonging to an input SPL below the input threshold SPL.
  • the output SPL of said at least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound is decreasing with increasing input SPL of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound for all input SPLs of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound above said input threshold SPL. In other words, there is no increase of output SPL above a certain input SPL (the input threshold SPL).
  • the above-mentioned negative slope of input-SPL-to-output-SPL-characteristics of the hearing device is typically only dependent on the input SPL (or, which is equivalent, on a magnitude depending in the input SPL), but not solely from other magnitudes, like a signal-to-noise ratio or a classification result.
  • the hearing device is an open canal device.
  • the amount of direct sound is rather high, so that by means of the invention, the acoustical performance and the power consumption can be greatly improved.
  • the user may take advantage of direct sound.
  • the hearing device is a hearing aid.
  • the acoustical performance and the power consumption can be greatly improved, since hearing aids mostly have to provide for high gains and high output SPLs, and, at high input SPLs, the invention will allow to reduce the output SPL that has to be provided for by the hearing device.
  • said at least one portion of said incoming signals is obtained by filtering in at least a first frequency range.
  • said at least one portion of said outgoing acoustical sound is obtained by filtering in at least a second frequency range.
  • the above-mentioned negative slope of input-SPL-to-output-SPL-characteristics of the hearing device may be applied individually to various frequency ranges (frequency bands). These may be predetermined or automatically selected frequency bands.
  • the above-mentioned filtering may be band-pass filtering, highpass filtering, lowpass filtering or others, in which case said frequency range designates frequencies, which may pass; or it may be band-stop filtering or the like, in which case the frequency range designates frequencies, which are rejected.
  • said first and second frequency ranges are identical and, in particular, both designate either frequencies, which are rejected or frequencies, which may pass.
  • said signal processor is designed such that there exists, for each of a multitude (typically between 3 and 15) of frequency bands, an input level (SPL) range of the portion of said incoming signal within the corresponding frequency band, in which portion an increase in input level (SPL) of said portion of said incoming signal within said corresponding frequency band results in a decrease in output level (SPL) of the portion of said outgoing acoustical sound within said corresponding frequency band.
  • SPL input level
  • SPL input level
  • the signal processor for processing audio signals in a hearing device has a non-linear input level - output level characteristic, which comprises an input level range in which an increase in input level corresponds to a decrease in output level.
  • a non-linear input level - output level characteristic which comprises an input level range in which an increase in input level corresponds to a decrease in output level.
  • an input level - gain characteristic of the signal processor there is an input level range, in which an increase in input level corresponds to a superproportional decrease of the gain (slope ⁇ -1).
  • the advantages of the signal processor correspond to the advantages of the corresponding hearing device.
  • the method of operating a hearing device comprises the steps of claim 19.
  • the method of fitting a hearing device which comprises an input transducer for transducing incoming acoustic sound into audio sound, comprises the step of adjusting a parameter of a signal processor of said hearing device, which processor is designed such that there exists an input SPL range of at least a portion of said incoming acoustical sound, in which an increase in input SPL of said at least one portion of said incoming acoustical sound results in a decrease in output SPL of at least a portion of said outgoing acoustical sound.
  • Said parameter may be one of the group comprising
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically a hearing device 1 in an ear canal 80 of a user of the hearing device 1.
  • the hearing device 1 comprises an input transducer 11, typically a microphone, a signal processor 15, typically a digital signal processor DSP, and an output transducer 19, typically a loudspeaker.
  • the signal processor 15 is functionally interconnected between the input transducer 11 and the output transducer 19.
  • the hearing device 1 in Fig. 1 is an in-the-canal device (ITC), in particular a completely-in-the-canal device (CIC). Nevertheless, the invention is as well applicable to behind-the-ear devices (BTE), implanted devices or others.
  • ITC in-the-canal device
  • CIC completely-in-the-canal device
  • BTE behind-the-ear devices
  • one or both of the transducers 11,19 are located outside the ear canal 80, e.g., near the user's concha.
  • Incoming acoustical sound 2 typically from the environment surrounding the user, has near the input transducer 11 a signal pressure level SPL in and is converted into audio signals 21 by the input transducer 11.
  • These audio signals are, after optional further processing, fed into the signal processor 15, in which an amplification takes place as will be discussed below.
  • the term amplification is meant in a general sense and comprises attenuation as well; it may be considered “dynamics processing", and the signal processor 15 may be considered an amplifier or a dynamics processor.
  • the signal processor 15 outputs processed audio signals 25, which, after optional further processing, are fed to the output transducer 19, where they are converted into outgoing acoustical sound 3. That outgoing acoustical sound 3 has an SPL depicted as SPL out and impinges on the user's ear drum 90, so that the user can perceive what has been output by the hearing device 1.
  • That direct sound 4 is mainly sound waves travelling within and through the ear canal 80, but also comprises sound waves conducted through bones of the user's head.
  • the sound waves travelling in air in the ear canal 80 may, e.g., travel through a vent of the hearing device 1, or are hardly or only little influenced by the hearing device 1 when the hearing device 1 is an open-canal device.
  • the SPL of the direct sound 4 near the ear drum 90 is named SPL direct .
  • SPL sum In the ear canal 80 near the ear drum 90, the direct sound 4 and the sound output from the hearing device 1 interfere, and their superposition, which is depicted in Fig. 1 as dotted curves, has an SPL named SPL sum .
  • the ear canal 80 is strongly blocked by the hearing device 1, mainly in order to prevent feedback from the outgoing acoustic waves 3 to the input transducer 11. But at least at high input SPLs SPL in , some leakage of direct sound 4 and its perception is unavoidable. In case of large vents and open-canal devices (open fitting), the amount of direct sound 4 is considerable.
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically an SPL-related input-output characteristic as it might be known in the art.
  • the SPL-related input-output characteristic describes the output SPL SPL out as a function of the input SPL SPL in .
  • the SPLs are given in dB, as is practice in the technical field.
  • the known dynamics processing comprises expansion “Exp.”, linear ranges “Lin.”, compression “Compr.” and limiting “Lim.”. Expansion may help to suppress low signals; in a linear range, amplification is constant; compression reduces the dynamics and may help to adapt to restricted dynamics perception capabilities of the user; and limiting restricts the maximum output, so as to avoid, e.g., exceeding the hearing device's limit for distortion-free output or feeding uncomfortably loud signals to the user.
  • Fig. 3 shows schematically an SPL-related input-gain characteristic as it might be known in the art, and which corresponds to the input-output characteristic of Fig. 2 .
  • the input-gain characteristic describes the SPL-related gain of the hearing device as a function of SPL in .
  • the gains are given in dB, as is practice in the technical field.
  • the slope of the input-gain characteristic is greater than zero; in the linear range, the slope is zero; in the compression range, it is between zero and -1; and in the limiting range, it is -1.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show, in the same manner as Figs. 2 and 3 , an SPL-related input-output characteristic according to the invention and an SPL-related input-gain characteristic according to the invention, corresponding to the input-output characteristic of Fig. 4 .
  • SPL out decreases with increasing SPL in ( Fig. 4 ). In Fig. 5 , this manifests in a slope smaller than -1.
  • a dahed curve is drawn, which depicts SPL sum as a function of SPL in .
  • That curve is a calculated curve with some assumptions about the amount of direct sound.
  • the shape of the curve describing SPL out as a function of SPL in has, in the case of Fig. 4 , been chosen such that SPL sum as a function of SPL in has a range (within ⁇ SPL in ), in which it is constant.
  • the size of that range has been made rather large by maximally reducing SPL out at an input SPL named SPL in,mute, i.e. by totally muting the output from the hearing device there. Note that SPL sum will rise with higher input SPLs, since SPL direct increases (typically proportionally) with SPL in (not shown in Fig. 4 ).
  • Fig. 5 In Fig. 5 can be seen, that, at above SPL in,threshr , the slope of the gain is lower than -1, and that gain rapidly decreases (towards minus infinity) at SPL in,mute .
  • the dashed curve in Fig. 5 corresponds to the dashed curve in Fig. 4 and depicts the effective gain, which takes into account SPL sum , i.e., the superposition of the hearing device output and the direct sound.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 show another example of possible SPL-related output- and corresponding gain-curves according to the invention.
  • the main difference between the curves of Figs. 4,5 and Figs. 6,7 is, that the curves in Figs. 4,5 are, at least within ⁇ SPL in , rather smooth, whereas the curves in Figs. 6,7 are made of a number of rather straight (rather linear) segments.
  • the shape of the curves also outside the range ⁇ SPL in , may be chosen in various ways.
  • An important parameter (or set of parameters) for the invention describes, where to arrange ⁇ SPL in , i.e., describes the ⁇ SPL in to choose.
  • the lower input SPL, from which ⁇ SPL in starts (SPL in,thresh ), may be chosen according to various aspects, some of which will be discussed below.
  • Fig. 8 shows another possible SPL-related input-output characteristic according to the invention in the same manner as Figs. 4 and 6 .
  • the value of SPL in,thresh has been chosen such that it is smaller than (or at most equal to) a value SPL in,max , above which the input transducer tends to produce distorted signals. That value SPL in,max is also sometimes referred to as maximum input power, MIP. Accordingly, by means of the invention, distorted signals can be damped or even muted.
  • the value of SPL in,thresh has been chosen such that the corresponding output value (and actually all output values SPL out ) are below (or at most equal to) a value SPL out,max , above which the output transducer tends to distortions.
  • SPL in,thresh has been chosen equal to value named SPL in,low-gain , which is, within some dB (as shown within about 5dB) equal to its corresponding output SPL, named SPL out,low gain .
  • SPL in,low gain is SPL in,zero gain , which is (within OdB) equal to its corresponding output SPL, named SPL out,zero-gain .
  • Fig. 9 shows another possible SPL-related input-output characteristic according to the invention in the same manner as Figs. 5 and 7 .
  • the value of SPL in,thresh has been chosen such that it is smaller than (or at most equal to) an uncomfortable level (UCL).
  • UCL uncomfortable level
  • the perception of sound with an SPL above the UCL is disagreable or even painful to a user (in particular if the threshold of pain is reached or exceeded).
  • Fig. 9 There exists the input SPL range ⁇ SPL in , in which an increase ⁇ + SPL in results in (or corresponds to) a decrease ⁇ - SPL out in output SPL.
  • Fig. 10 shows another possible SPL-related input-output characteristic according to the invention in the same manner as Figs. 4 , 6 and 8 . Instead of being made up of rather linear segments, the curve is rather smooth.
  • a dashed line indicates the SPL of direct sound SPL direct . A 12.5dB damping of the direct sound with respect to the incoming acoustical sound has been assumed.
  • the value of SPL in,thresh has been chosen as an input SPL, for which the corresponding output SPL (SPL out ) in dB minus the corresponding SPL (SPL direct ) of direct sound near the user's ear drum in dB is smaller than or equal to +6dB.
  • SPL in,thresh such that that difference is smaller than or equal to 0dB, or smaller than or equal to -6dB. In the depicted case, said difference is about +2.5dB.
  • the audio signal having the SPL in as depicted in Figs. 4 to 10 has to be the same as the audio signal that is dynamically processed in the signal processor.
  • the y-axis and the x-axis may refer to (different or same) portions of the audio signal 21 obtained by the input transducer 11.
  • the audio signal 21 is fed into a band pass filter 155, which lets through only frequencies in a range f1 to f2.
  • the audio signal output from the band pass filter 155, labelled 22, is fed into a controller 17, which may be a part of the signal processor 15.
  • the controller 17 feeds a control signal (dashed arrow) to the signal processor 15.
  • the full audio signal 21, which is also fed to the signal processor 15 is then dynamics-processed in the signal processor 15 according to the control signal. I.e., when the level of the band-filtered audio signal 22 reaches and exceeds a certain threshold value (corresponding to SPL in,thresh ), the amplitude if the full audio signal 21 will be reduced. Whether or not portions outside the frequency range f1 to f2 have very high (or low) amplitudes or not will in that case not, influence the dynamics processing and gain in the signal processor 15.
  • a certain threshold value corresponding to SPL in,thresh
  • Fig. 12 shows a possible level-related input-gain characteristic of a signal processor according to the invention. It shows the functional relation between a gain (in dB) of the signal processor (named gain DSP in order to distinguish it from the SPL-related gains of the Figs. 3 , 5 and 7 ) and an input level I in (in dB). I in could be given in mV, mA or bits or other units. Referring to Fig. 11 , the input level I in could be the control signal fed from the controller 17 to the signal processor 15, i.e., it only depends on the level in the frequency range f1 to f2.
  • the corresponding gain DSP will be used for processing not only the audio signal 22 (in the frequency range f1 to f2), but the (full) audio signal 21.
  • the gain DSP will decrease with a slope smaller than -1 or, in other words, an increase in input level I in (of audio signal 22) will result in a decrease in output level (of audio signal 21).
  • Fig. 13 shows schematically a block diagram of a hearing device.
  • a band split filter 150 divides the audio signal 21 into a number of audio signals, three as depicted in Fig. 13 , which correspond to the frequency bands f1 to f2, f2 to f3 and f3 to f4, respectively.
  • One (partial) signal processor 151, 152 and 153, respectively, will process the dynamics of its respective (partial) audio signal. I.e., when an I mute in the frequency range f1 to f2 is reached, the gain DSP for processing the audio signal in the frequency range f1 to f2 will strongly reduce.
  • the gain curves (and parameters like I in,thresh , I mute ,...) for the various partial signals may be identical or may be individual.
  • the outputs of the (partial) signal processors 151, 152, 153 is added to a sum signal, which is then fed to the output transducer 19 and converted into output acoustical sound 3.
  • Fig. 14 An even more complex and versatile embodiment is shown in Fig. 14 .
  • the audio signal 21 is splitted into a number of (e.g., three, possible at least 5, at least 8 or more) partial signals corresponding to frequency bands.
  • the so-obtained signals are fed to (partial) signal processors 151, 152, 153 and to a controller 17.
  • the outputs of the (partial) signal processors are added and fed to (an optional) signal processor 154.
  • the added signal which in fact can be any linear combination of the partial signals, is also fed to the controller 17 (which may be a part of the signal processor 15).
  • the audio signal output from signal processor 154 is (after optional further processing) fed to the output transducer 19.
  • the controller 17 provides all the (partial) signal processors 151 to 154 with control signals (dashed arrows). Since the controller 17 receives all the above-mentioned audio signals, it is possible to use any algorithm on these for generating said control signals.
  • the embodiment of Fig. 13 may be realized by not-using signal processor 154 (constant gain) and providing (controlling) each of the other signal processors 151, 152, 153 with the level in that frequency range, with which it is fed, as input signal I in .
  • Fig. 11 can be realized. E.g., by bypassing the partial signal processors 151, 152, 153 (constant gain), and providing (controlling) signal processor 154 only with the level in frequency range f1 to f2 as input signal I in .
  • predetermined frequencies or automatically selected frequencies (and frequency ranges) may be used.
  • the hearing device will generate phase-reversed sound or "anti-sound", i.e., acoustical waves with reversed phase.
  • the direct sound will at least partially be suppressed when it superposes with the phase-reversed sound. Accordingly, direct sound will have a decreased SPL.
  • an audio signal representative of the direct sound has to be obtained. This may be the audio signal 21 (confer Fig. 1 ), or a signal obtained by means of a mechanical-to-electrical converter located in the ear canal 80, preferably close to the ear drum 90 (cf. Fig. 1 ).
  • That audio signal is processed (including reversing its phase) and fed to an electrical-to-mechanical-converter.
  • the resulting phase-reversed acoustical waves are output near the user's ear drum 90 (cf. Fig. 1 ), where they superpose with the direct sound. Due to destructive interference, the resulting SPL is smaller than SPL direct .
  • One advantage of this special embodiment is, that hearing device users can be protected from excessive environmental sound.
  • the environmental sound may be so loud that the direct sound is disturbing or even painful (SPL direct > UCL). This may in particular be the case with open-canal devices or hearing device with large vents. Decreasing SPL direct when SPL direct is large by adding phase-reversed sound is then very advantageous.
  • the hearing device may on the one hand work as a hearing aid or communication device or the like, and on the other hand as a hearing protection device (using said reversed-phase sound).
  • phase-reversed sound for achieving an enlarged SPL in -range, in which SPL sum does not rise. That SPL in -range is enlarged with respect to what can be achieved without anti-phase sound (cf. Fig. 4 and 6 ).
  • phase-reversed sound is described in more detail in EP 1 499 159 A2 and in WO 2005/052911 .

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Claims (20)

  1. Hörinstrument (1), von einem Hörinstrumentnutzer zu tragen, aufweisend
    - einen Eingangswandler (11) zum Wandeln von Eingangssignalen in Audiosignale (21);
    - einen Signalprozessor (15;151,152,153,154) zum Prozessieren der Audiosignale (21) oder davon abgeleiteter Audiosignale und zum Ausgeben der so gewonnenen prozessierten Audiosignale (25);
    - einen Ausgangswandler (19) zum Wandeln der prozessierten Audiosignale (25) oder davon abgeleiteter Audiosignale in ausgehenden akustischen Schall (3);
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Signalprozessor so ausgelegt ist, dass es einen Eingangspegelbereich mindestens eines Teiles des Eingangssignales gibt, in dem ein Anstieg des Eingangspegels des mindestens einen Teiles des Eingangssignales in einem Absenken des Ausgangspegels von mindestens einem Teil des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles resultiert.
  2. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, wobei
    - die Eingangssignale eintreffender akustischer Schall (2) sind;
    - der Eingangspegelbereich ein Eingangs-SPL-Bereich (ΔSPLin) ist;
    - der Anstieg des Eingangspegels ein Anstieg (δ+SPLin) des Eingangs-SPL (SPLin) ist;
    - das Absenken des Ausgangspegels ein Absenken (δ-SPLout) des Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout) ist;
    wobei SPL für Sound Pressure Level, also Schalldruckpegel steht.
  3. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 2, wobei innerhalb des Eingangspegelbereiches (ΔSPLin) ein Eingangs-SPL (SPLin,mute) existiert, oberhalb dessen der Ausgang mindestens eines Teiles des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles verstummt.
  4. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 2 oder Anspruch 3, wobei sich der Eingangspegelbereich (ΔSPLin) von einem Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) zu höheren SPLs erstreckt.
  5. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 4, wobei das Absenken (δ-SPLout) des Ausgangspegels derart gewählt ist, dass ein SPL (SPLsum) einer Überlagerung des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles (3) mit Direktschall (4) nahe dem Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers für Eingangspegel (SPLin) des mindestens einen Teiles des eintreffenden akustischen Schalles oberhalb des Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) innerhalb ±6 dB, insbesondere innerhalb ±3 dB, eine Konstante ist, sofern der entsprechende SPL (SPLdirect) des Direktschalles (4) nicht grösser als diese Konstante ist, wobei der Direktschall (4) eintreffender akustischer Schall ist, der das Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers erreicht.
  6. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 4 oder Anspruch 5, wobei für alle Eingangs-SPL (SPLin) des mindestens einen Teiles des eintreffenden akustischen Schalles oberhalb des Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) der jeweils entsprechende Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout) des mindestens einen Teiles des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles höchstens so gross ist und insbesondere kleiner ist als der grösste Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout) all jener Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout), die jeweils einem Eingangs-SPL (SPLin) des mindestens einen Teiles des eintreffenden akustischen Schalles gleich dem oder unterhalb des Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) entsprechen.
  7. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei der Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) derart gewählt ist, dass ein SPL (SPLsum) einer Überlagerung des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles (3) mit Direktschall (4) nahe dem Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers unterhalb des Unverträglichkeitspegels (UCL) des Nutzers liegt, wobei der Direktschall (4) eintreffender akustischer Schall ist, der das Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers erreicht.
  8. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, wobei der Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) ein Eingangs-SPL ist, dessen korrespondierender Ausgangs-SPL in dB abzüglich des entsprechenden Direktschalls (4) nahe dem Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers in dB kleiner oder gleich +6dB beträgt, wobei der Direktschall (4) eintreffender akustischer Schall ist, der das Trommelfell (90) des Nutzers erreicht.
  9. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 8, wobei der Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) gleich einem Eingangs-SPL (SPLin,low-gain) gewählt ist, der innerhalb von 6dB gleich seinem entsprechenden Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout,low-gain) ist.
  10. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 9, wobei der Eingangswandler (11) für Eingangs-SPL des mindestens einen Teiles des eintreffenden akustischen Schalles (2) oberhalb eines maximalen Eingangs-SPL (SPLin,max) zur Erzeugung verzerrter Eingangs-Audiosignale neigt, und wobei der Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) kleiner oder gleich diesem maximalen Eingangs-SPL (SPLin,max) ist.
  11. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 10, wobei der Ausgangswandler (19) für Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout) des mindestens einen Teiles des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles oberhalb eines maximalen Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout,max) zur Erzeugung verzerrten ausgehenden akustischen Schalles neigt, und wobei der Eingangs-Schwellwert-SPL (SPLin,thresh) derart gewählt ist, dass als Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout) des mindestens einen Teiles des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles höchstens dieser maximale Ausgangs-SPL (SPLout,max) erreicht wird.
  12. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, das ein Offen-Kanal-Instrument ist.
  13. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, das ein Hörgerät ist.
  14. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der mindestens eine Teil der Eingangssignale die Eingangssignale sind, die durch den Eingangswandler (11) gewandelt sind.
  15. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der mindestens eine Teil des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles (3) der ausgehende akustische Schall (3) ist, wie er durch den Ausgangswandler (19) gewandelt ist.
  16. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der mindestens eine Teil der Eingangssignale durch Filterung in mindestens einem ersten Frequenzbereich (f1...f2) gewonnen ist.
  17. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, wobei der mindestens eine Teil des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles (3) durch Filterung in mindestens einem zweiten Frequenzbereich (f1...f2) erstellt ist.
  18. Hörinstrument (1) gemäss Anspruch 16 und 17, wobei der erste und der zweite Frequenzbereich identisch sind.
  19. Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Hörinstrumentes (1), aufweisend die Schritte
    - Empfangen von Eingangssignalen (2);
    - Wandeln der Eingangssignale (2) in Audiosignale (21);
    - Prozessieren der Audiosignale (21) oder davon abgeleiteter Audiosignale, um prozessierte Audiosignale (25) zu erhalten;
    - Wandeln der prozessierten Audiosignale (25) oder davon abgeleiteter Audiosignale in ausgehenden akustischen Schall (3), der einem Nutzer des Hörinstrumentes (1) dargeboten werden soll;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Prozessieren beinhaltet:
    - Verändern eines Pegels von aus den Eingangssignalen (2) gewonnen Audiosignalen in der Art, dass ein Anstieg des Eingangspegels des mindestens einen Teiles der Eingangssignale (2) in einem Absenken des Ausgangspegels von mindestens einem Teil des ausgehenden akustischen Schalles (3) resultiert.
  20. Verfahren gemäss Anspruch 19, wobei das Hörinstrument (1) ein Hörgerät ist.
EP20060113762 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Hörgerät Not-in-force EP1689210B1 (de)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20060113762 EP1689210B1 (de) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Hörgerät
DK06113762T DK1689210T3 (da) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Höreapparat
DE200660000772 DE602006000772T2 (de) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Hörinstrument
CA002644994A CA2644994A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2007-03-13 Hearing device
PCT/EP2007/052366 WO2007128609A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2007-03-13 Hearing device
AU2007247342A AU2007247342A1 (en) 2006-05-10 2007-03-13 Hearing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20060113762 EP1689210B1 (de) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Hörgerät

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1689210A2 EP1689210A2 (de) 2006-08-09
EP1689210A3 EP1689210A3 (de) 2006-11-29
EP1689210B1 true EP1689210B1 (de) 2008-03-26

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EP20060113762 Not-in-force EP1689210B1 (de) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Hörgerät

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EP (1) EP1689210B1 (de)
AU (1) AU2007247342A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2644994A1 (de)
DE (1) DE602006000772T2 (de)
DK (1) DK1689210T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2007128609A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023084470A1 (en) * 2021-11-14 2023-05-19 Heavys Inc. System and method of controlling loudness of an electroacoustic transducer

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8422709B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2013-04-16 Widex A/S Method and system of noise reduction in a hearing aid
JP4860710B2 (ja) * 2006-03-03 2012-01-25 ヴェーデクス・アクティーセルスカプ 補聴器および補聴器内における直接音の補償方法
CA2881881A1 (en) * 2012-08-15 2014-02-20 Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated Hearing aid having level and frequency-dependent gain
EP3185586B1 (de) * 2015-12-23 2020-03-18 GN Hearing A/S Hörgerät mit verbesserter rückkopplungsunterdrückung
HK1250122A2 (zh) * 2018-07-24 2018-11-23 Hearsafe Ltd 聽覺保護裝置及方法

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JPS56152395A (en) * 1980-04-24 1981-11-25 Gen Eng:Kk Ear microphone of simultaneous transmitting and receiving type
US5278912A (en) * 1991-06-28 1994-01-11 Resound Corporation Multiband programmable compression system
AU2001276230B9 (en) * 2001-08-08 2008-06-19 Phonak Ag Method for processing an input signal for producing an output signal and an application of said method in hearing aids and devices

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023084470A1 (en) * 2021-11-14 2023-05-19 Heavys Inc. System and method of controlling loudness of an electroacoustic transducer

Also Published As

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DK1689210T3 (da) 2008-07-14
WO2007128609A1 (en) 2007-11-15
AU2007247342A1 (en) 2007-11-15
EP1689210A3 (de) 2006-11-29
DE602006000772D1 (de) 2008-05-08
CA2644994A1 (en) 2007-11-15
DE602006000772T2 (de) 2009-04-16
EP1689210A2 (de) 2006-08-09

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