EP1707031B1 - Systeme auditif pour des personnes malentendantes - Google Patents

Systeme auditif pour des personnes malentendantes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1707031B1
EP1707031B1 EP04786997A EP04786997A EP1707031B1 EP 1707031 B1 EP1707031 B1 EP 1707031B1 EP 04786997 A EP04786997 A EP 04786997A EP 04786997 A EP04786997 A EP 04786997A EP 1707031 B1 EP1707031 B1 EP 1707031B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing system
central unit
hearing
ear
microphone
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EP04786997A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1707031A1 (fr
Inventor
Udo D. Schlegel
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Individual
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Individual
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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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/552—Binaural
    • 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
    • H04R25/04—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception comprising pocket amplifiers
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Definitions

  • a HörverorgrlKopf bioer known, which is designed as a chin strap device.
  • a central unit which includes an amplifier and an infrared receiver, and in the end region of each bracket are provided an earphone for insertion into the beginning of the ear canal and a distance from the ear canal outside the ear canal of a microphone.
  • the earpiece and the microphones are connected via electrical lines to the central unit.
  • a person using the device can determine whether the device picks up sound waves through the microphones and makes them audibly heard through the earpieces, or whether the device receives information about the infrared receiver in the manner of a receiver for conference participants and can be heard via the earpiece sounders A functionality that involves processing the language of the person using and passing on this language to others is not given.
  • a device which as essential components a headset with an earpiece and a microphone and separated from the headset has a wearable central unit that is wearable on the body.
  • the central unit includes a radio transmitter and a radio receiver and is in communication with a speech processor of a computer via radio.
  • a person using the device can input speech into the microphone, the speech processor thereby forming information for written text, and in particular the computer can store and display that text information.
  • the computer and the speech processor are also capable of converting stored text information to speech. The user can hear the speech through the earpiece.
  • a functionality to make sound information of the environment of the user after amplification in the earphone audible does not exist.
  • the equipment of the hearing system according to the invention for bidirectional radio communication allow telephoning.
  • the ohmahe microphone is used for bidirectional radio communication.
  • the doorbell is mentioned as another application example for the radio traffic.
  • radio transmitters and radio receivers are provided in the hearing system according to the invention
  • the user of the hearing system has the option of using only the radio receiver to receive certain types of sound information no longer supplied via sound waves, but to get introduced directly via radio into the hearing system.
  • Prominent examples include listening to the radio, listening to music, listening to the television, listening to video-canned audio, listening to lectures or simultaneous translation in lecture rooms / conference rooms, listening to the cinema, listening to the theater, listening to the church, listening to the store.
  • the home television receiver is equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter and the hearing system receives the Bluetooth signals.
  • Today's hearing aids for the hearing impaired are worn either in the ear or behind the ear, in the latter case the sound is transmitted to the ear canal through a small air tube.
  • a hearing aid has a microphone for receiving the external sound, a powered by a disposable battery amplifier and a sounder. Since such hearing aids system must be very small in size, said core components microphone, amplifier, battery, sounder must be made extremely small. The sound quality of the sound waves emitted by the sound generator is unsatisfactory. This is unfortunate because hearing-impaired people would receive the most effective hearing aid in high-quality sound.
  • the hearing system according to the invention which can be used for the hard of hearing is conceptually conditioned designed for sound in very good sound quality and therefore very effective hearing aid.
  • the system according to the invention has a central unit separated from the microphone and the earphone.
  • this central unit but also for the microphone and the ear-sounder, no longer the rigid space restrictions apply as with the common hearing aids. This is an important requirement for sound in very good sound quality. It is possible to use a microphone and an earpiece each with a sound processing in very high quality.
  • the components of the hearing system which are responsible for this purpose are preferably designed in such a way that the signal processing from the microphone input to the earpiece sounder output takes place with a quality which is substantially at least at the level of today's good music reproduction of a music preserve.
  • a quality which is substantially at least at the level of today's good music reproduction of a music preserve.
  • today's good music playback of a music preserve is called a CD player with speakers or good headphones.
  • a modern DVD player with a loudspeaker or good headphones provides today's very good music playback from a music conservatory.
  • the components of the hearing system which are responsible for this purpose are preferably designed such that the signal processing from the microphone input to the earpiece output comprises at least the frequency range 40 Hz to 16 kHz, preferably 30 Hz to 18 kHz, more preferably 20 Hz to 20 kHz , In comparison, today common hearing aids often have only a frequency range of about 80 Hz to 10 kHz or less.
  • the components of the hearing system that are responsible for this purpose are preferably designed in such a way that the signal processing takes place from the microphone input to the earpiece sounder output with very little distortion.
  • the distortions can be so small that they are practically no longer measurable.
  • the harmonic distortion may be below 5%, more preferably below 2%, more preferably below 1%, more preferably below 0.09%.
  • the signal processing except in the microphone and in the earpiece, is digital.
  • a sampling frequency of at least 36 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 17.5 kHz), preferably at least 90 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 45 kHz) worked.
  • a quantization of at least 16 bits, preferably at least 24 bits, is used.
  • the central unit of the hearing system according to the invention is - in absolute terms - a fairly small and lightweight unit. Typical dimensions are approximately in the range of the volume of a German matchbox, but flatter. In general, relatively flat designs are preferred because of the storability.
  • the central unit is carried by the user of the hearing system separately from the microphone and the earpiece, is particularly typical carrying in a jacket pocket or entrainment at the neck hanging by means of a belt or a chain, as it knows, for example, by carrying a not constantly used glasses. It goes without saying that the central unit and its "necklace hanger" are designed as shapely and chic as possible, so that they are perceived more as jewelery than as technology ballast.
  • the microphone and the earpiece are combined into a module, so you do not have to deal with these components as separate parts. Alternatives are practicable, in particular microphone at some distance from the earpiece on a line between the central unit and the earpiece.
  • a first possibility is to provide a support member for the earpiece in the manner of a headband.
  • a second possibility is to provide a support member in the manner of an earhook, so that the earpiece is placed by a part of the bracket close to the end of the user's ear canal.
  • a third possibility is that the earpiece is designed so that it can be used for use at least partially in the end of the ear canal (earplug earphone).
  • a fourth possibility is to provide a pair of glasses as a support member for the ear canal sounder, wherein preferably the central unit is integrated somewhere in the area of the glasses or a spectacle arm for the ear canal sounder.
  • the microphone and / or the earpiece are coupled via an electrical line or an optical line to the central unit.
  • an electrical line or an optical line to the central unit.
  • the line can run for a part of their length or combined with the neck hanger. Although the line is visually visible, and a foreign element located outside the head of the hearing system user.
  • the signal transmission by line is technically extremely easy to do. The signal transmission by line avoids any radio wave loading near the ear.
  • the volume of the earpiece is adjustable by the user, particularly preferably on the central unit, but alternatively also on the earpiece or in the vicinity of the earpiece.
  • the power source is a rechargeable power store, e.g. a lithium ion battery.
  • a rechargeable power store e.g. a lithium ion battery.
  • the hearing system has an audio processor with which audio signals can be processed before being delivered to the ear-sounder.
  • the sound signals recorded by the microphone are not only converted into electrical or optical signals in high quality, amplified and converted back into emitted from the earpiece sound signals, but improved to the effect that the user of the hearing system has a better hearing result than without editing ,
  • the first function is called the different amplification of different frequencies.
  • hearing loss is often not uniform over the entire range of audible frequencies, but more pronounced at certain frequencies than at other frequencies.
  • These frequency-dependent differences (“hearing curve") can be compensated by means of frequency-dependent amplification.
  • a second feature is the filtering out of background noise.
  • Hard of hearing persons suffer especially when their hearing aid also amplifies the background noise in the same way as the "desired" sound information, eg. B. from a conversation partner or from a music source.
  • the audio processor may have the function of filtering out noise - preferably more effective than today's conventional hearing aids - in particular with software. Suitable software is known in particular from the field of mobile phones.
  • the audio processor particularly preferably has the function of filtering out situation-specific (or job-specific) background noises and / or imparting counter-noise to a noise impression that the user himself perceives as a result of illness.
  • dentists sound from turbine drills
  • truck drivers engine noise
  • pilots sound from jet engines and / or Helicopterflügein
  • Tinitus patients and hyper-sensitive persons are called. It is immediately apparent that it is a great relief for users of the hearing system according to the invention with such a function to be freed from the constant sonication with disturbing background noise. It is emphasized that the phrase "filtering out background noises" should also subsume the considerable attenuation of background noises.
  • the audio processor has several settings from which to choose.
  • the audio processor has several settings from which to choose.
  • the choice of a particular program can be accomplished by one or more keys or one or more switches on the central unit.
  • the audio processor is programmable, more preferably by the user himself.
  • the tuning of the hearing system to the user's personal hearing curve is mentioned.
  • the user can, for example, use an existing recording of his hearing curve or even record his own hearing curve (a tone generator generates a sound whose volume increases in time over a sufficient number of specific frequencies over the entire hearing frequency range.)
  • the user presses a button as soon as it starts
  • the auditory curve indicates the objective loudness at which the subjective hearing perception begins at each of the frequencies tested). From the recorded hearing curve results in a frequency-dependent gain curve for the amplifier.
  • This can be as Program for the audio processor or for the amplifier can be programmed.
  • the simplest example is the manual input of gain factors via a key for a sufficiently large number of individual frequencies.
  • the audio processor it is preferable for the audio processor to be programmed neither in terms of hardware nor in terms of software in the delivery state of the hearing system, so that the owner / user of the hearing system can program the audio processor from scratch.
  • a much more convenient and therefore more preferred option for programmability is the provision of an interface to the central processing unit to program the audio processor from the outside.
  • the interface can be a plug connection in the simple case. But you can also provide an interface for wireless data transmission. It is a preferred way to enter the particular program from an external computer (where it is available on a disk, eg CD or DVD or hard disk, or has been downloaded from the Internet or is available on a memory after being created by the user ). Also, directly loading a program by coupling a program memory (e.g., memory card) to the central processing unit is one possibility.
  • a program memory e.g., memory card
  • the programming by the user in particular when tuning the hearing system on his hearing curve gives the user the ability to record multiple, situation-specific hearing curves, eg a first hearing curve in the living room and a second hearing curve in the workplace, the hearing with a corresponding setting in the environment concerned. Even if only a single, self-recorded hearing curve is used, this represents a substantial improvement over the now usual situation in which an audiologist acquires a hearing curve in a low-noise room, which is foreign to the later practical use of the hearing aid.
  • the hearing system is preferably provided with a display, particularly preferably on the central unit and / or as an LCD (liquid crystal display).
  • the display facilitates the operation of the hearing system.
  • the hearing system is combined with an audio player (e.g., optical disk player or semiconductor memory player).
  • an audio player e.g., optical disk player or semiconductor memory player.
  • the deaf person can listen to music stored on this catfish.
  • a lover for the mobile listening to music is no longer cut off from the environment, but can be achieved from the outside via the microphone of the hearing system.
  • Typical examples Music-listening child running on a sidewalk can hear the whimper of a car; Music listening jogger can hear the call of another jogger running nearby. This feature is a significant safety factor
  • the hearing system is combined with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the hearing system "knows" where the user wearing the hearing system is.
  • Primary target group for the design of the hearing system with GPS receiver are blind persons, who can be given in this way continuously information about the exact location.
  • the hearing aid correlates the information announcements with the positions of the blind due to the GPS receiver.
  • the hearing system according to the invention has a microphone for the left and a microphone for right and / or an earpiece for the left and a earpiece for the right. This is necessary for people with hearing loss on both sides. But even with only one-sided hard of hearing persons, this is advantageous from the point of view of the described, other functions of the hearing system. It is emphasized that many of the features described above are duplicated in this case, namely for left and right, e.g. electrical line to the central unit, volume control, etc ..
  • the amplifier is then usually a two-channel amplifier.
  • the audio processor preferably has the function "directional hearing". In practice, this can be realized in particular so that the signals of the left microphone and the right microphone are linked together.
  • the audio processor recognizes a difference in transit time and increases the volume of the earpiece on the "earlier arriving side" of the user and / or lowers the volume of the earpiece on the "later arriving side” of the user. This causes the user to turn his head so that the heard volume difference between left and right becomes smaller or disappears
  • the audio processor preferably has the function "active sound suppression".
  • this function can be realized in particular by having (per ear) not only the regular microphone for sound reception from the outside, but in addition a second microphone between the earpiece and the eardrum of the user. The second microphone detects which sound input the user actually has. The hearing system can then make "active noise control", i. those sounds that are not recognized as belonging to speech or music are damped or eliminated (projected into the future).
  • the hearing system according to the invention has a microphone for the left and a microphone for the right and an earpiece for the left and an earpiece for the right
  • the advantage of the hearing system according to the invention is particularly clear.
  • the double-sided recorded sound information is processed in a single central unit, whereas today common Hearing aids must each have a processing unit for left and right. From the foregoing description it has become clear that there are hearing system embodiments in which concatenation or linking of the left-side signals and the right-side signals is favorable and is possible in the hearing system according to the invention.
  • the inventor has found that the use of the hearing aid according to the invention, depending on the nature of the hearing impairment of the user, in many cases requires no background noise suppression, because the user already hears much clearer by applying the broadest teaching of the invention.
  • it is often possible to work with a lower sound pressure (volume) in the ear of the user, because due to the high sound quality, what is heard is perceived to be clear even at lower sound pressure.
  • Hitherto common hearing aids were devices that represented closed systems for the user. He had no way to influence himself on the signal processing in the hearing aid, z. B. (hypothetically) to use a newly available on the Internet program "Coping with the deafness in the classroom" itself.
  • the invention with its corresponding embodiments provides an open system in which the user can try new programs again and again.
  • the hearing aid has a neck hanger with which it can be worn by the user on the body (usually with clothing between a part of the neck pendant and the central unit on the one hand and the body skin on the other hand), and are the leads between the earpiece and the central unit as well as the microphone and the central unit are integrated in the neck hanger over part of their length.
  • this integration there is a first type of integration, in which the lowest possible visibility of the integrated Tell the lines is in the foreground.
  • the unintegrated conduit members may either depart from the actual neck hanger at two spaced locations (most conveniently at two locations substantially below the left ear and substantially below the right ear); but you can also provide for a walk virtually at a common location for left and right (especially handy in the back about neck center).
  • the neck hanger may be tubular, in particular of textile material, leather, limbs (of metal, wood, beads, etc.) of a hollow chain.
  • the hearing system preferably has spectacles and the earpiece sounder and the microphone are supported by a temple, so that when the hearing system is in use the ear-sounder is located in the area of the ear entrance.
  • the hearing aids consisting essentially of microphone, amplifier, battery, sound generator housed. The sound emitted by the sound generator was transmitted through the skin and the bones behind it User directed to his hearing aid.
  • the hearing system developed according to the invention differs fundamentally herefrom in that an ear-sounder is provided which emits its sound into the auditory canal of the user. This allows a much better sound quality than the old hearing aid goggles.
  • the earpiece can either be provided for wearing in the end of the auditory canal (Ohrstöpsel Anlagener) or to carry something outside the end of the auditory canal.
  • a preferred in development of the invention Hschreibsystem is characterized in that it comprises at least one coupled to the central unit image sensor; that the central unit has a voice recording and voice reproduction device; and that the central processing unit is provided with the function "image recognition" and the user can make an acoustic announcement that correlates with the current information from the image recorder.
  • imager preferably stands for a dimensionally small digital camera, as found eg in newer mobile phones.
  • imager preferably stands for a dimensionally small digital camera, as found eg in newer mobile phones.
  • an auxiliary person together with the visually impaired person wearing the hearing system, walks a certain distance, eg from the apartment of the visually impaired person to a supermarket.
  • the visually impaired person stops and directs the image sensor against a strong feature object, such as a house facade, a sculpture erected there, a telephone booth, a shop with on the outside of the building largely specified name of the store or the like.
  • a strong feature object such as a house facade, a sculpture erected there, a telephone booth, a shop with on the outside of the building largely specified name of the store or the like.
  • the assistant speaks a voice recording into the voice recording and voice reproduction device and establishes a reference to the object currently being recorded by the image sensor, eg object 1 "we are now across the street from the bank building and have to cross the street In the same way, it continues for the entire route and back.
  • the visually impaired person the distance independently
  • the visually impaired person also knows, for example, the approximate number of steps from object to object, so that they can point their image recorder in about the right place onto the object the visually impaired person is located at about the checkpoint, the object recognized and announced to this object or the relevant checkpoint announcement of the visually impaired person.
  • the central processing unit must have the function of storing images taken by the imager, otherwise "image recognition" would not be possible.
  • the hearing system according to the invention represents a reversal of the previous habit of thinking. Deafness is no longer hidden as a defect, but deliberately shown outward; the hearing system is understood as jewelry or decorative accessory.
  • FIG. 1 drawn hearing system 2 has as its essential components: A central unit 4 and a pair of microphone ear earpiece modules 6, which are connected in the ready state of the hearing system 2 via electrical lines 8 to the central unit 4.
  • the central unit 4 has in the illustrated embodiment - roughly speaking - the shape of a slightly curved cuboid, in the plan view of Fig. 2 about 60 mm long and 40 mm wide and about 10 mm thick.
  • the central unit 4 has a weight of about 40 g without power source.
  • the central unit 4 has on its upper side (the in Fig. 2 facing the viewer), an LCD display 8 and a plurality of push buttons 10.
  • the housing of the central unit 4 can be opened to insert a not shown, rechargeable power storage. For recharging the power storage can preferably be provided not shown leather shell, which also serves to store the CPU 4 in times of non-use.
  • each microphone earphone module 6 (hereinafter referred to as "ear module”) has an earphone 12 and a microphone 14.
  • the earphone 12 is designed as a earpiece, which is placed behind the pinna in the gutter between the pinna and the head. From the corresponding bracket portion of the earphone 12 protrudes an extension to the center, where it carries an actual sounder 16. When using the hearing system 2, the sounder 16 is located directly at the outer end of the outer ear canal.
  • the microphone 14 is positioned at the lower end of the strap portion and aligned so that in use it is substantially aligned with, ie, substantially in the direction of, the user's gaze. From each ear module 6 lead four electrical conductors 18 down. The total of eight conductors 18 of the two ear modules 6 are electrically connected to the central unit 4 by means of a common plug 20.
  • each ear module 6 an additional microphone 62 is drawn a little way in front of the sound output side of the sounder 16; the additional microphone 52 is present in the "active sound suppression" function.
  • an ear module can be present in each case, which is worn in the manner of a more conventional headphone from the outside against the auricle.
  • the microphone can be more tightly integrated with the headphones.
  • Fig. 5 In the functional diagram of Fig. 5 are the most essential electrical components of the central unit 4 shown.
  • a digital signal processor 30 To a digital signal processor 30, the two microphones 14, each connected via an analog-to-digital converter 32, also the two sounder 16 each via a digital-to-analog converter 34.
  • the digital signal processor 30 has only the function of an amplifier in the simplest case , in the more complex case additional functions, some of which have been addressed in the general part of the description and some of which are possible below.
  • Each microphone 14 is of high sound quality, frequency response 8 Hz to 23 kHz.
  • Each sounder 16 is of high sound quality. Overall, a frequency range of at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz is processed virtually distortion-free.
  • the converters 32 and 34 each have a bandwidth of 24 bits.
  • the system has a sampling frequency of 96 kHz (NYQUIST frequency 48 kHz) and a dynamic range of 144 dB.
  • the digital signal processor 30 is controlled by a microcontroller 36. Separate left and right volume controls 38 are connected to the microcontroller 36.
  • an electronic memory 40 preferably an EEPROM, connected to the microcontroller 36, also the aforementioned display 8 and a bidirectional radio transmitter / radio receiver 42 for Bluetooth.
  • situation keys 44 and program keys 46 are connected to the microcontroller 36.
  • the memory 40 includes a gain curve, ie, frequency-dependent gain factors, obtained from the user's hearing curve.
  • the memory 40 includes multiple user amplification curves derived from multiple auditory curves recorded in different rooms.
  • the memory 40 includes means for attenuating / filtering out extraneous noises in particular situations or environments, as they have been addressed in the general part of the description. With the situation keys 44, the user of the hearing system 2 can select with which provisos the signals recorded by the microphones 14 are processed and then delivered via the sounder 16 to his ears.
  • the radio transmitter / radio receiver 42 serves on the one hand to give certain sound information to the user of the hearing system 2 without the use of microphones 14, z. Listening to the radio and much more (done in the general part of the description).
  • the radio transmitter / receiver 42 can be used to certain programs z. B. about situation-specific noise reduction (other examples are in the general part of the description called) to load in the memory 40.
  • the program keys 46 the user of the hearing system 2 can select which of the audio offers coming in via the radio transmitter / receiver 42 he just wants to hear.
  • the CPU 4 When the hearing instrument 2 is combined with an audio player and / or a GPS receiver, the CPU 4 becomes larger in size. Since audio players and GPS receivers are small units per se today, the increase in the size of the CPU 4 is very limited.
  • the actual sounder 16 are designed so that they can be used as a light and convenient to be worn plug into the end of the user's ear canal.
  • Each sounder 16 is closely integrated with a microphone 14 in the sense that the microphone 14 is attached to the (when using the hearing system) outer side of the sounder 16.
  • the leads 18 from and to the microphones 14 and sounders 16 lead to the (at use) located at the back of the neck Area of a neck hanger 50, z. B. in the form of a chain.
  • the central unit 4 hangs.
  • the lines 18 may be led down between the microphones 14 and the sounders 16 and the central unit 4 on the back of the neck of the user or on the front of the neck. From the neck area of the user, the further routing depends on where the central unit 4 is worn. In the case of a neck hanger 50 continuation of the lines combined with the neck hanger 50 is preferred, but not mandatory. The further routing can be above or below the clothing.
  • the hearing system 2 according to Fig. 7 differs from the hearing system according to Fig. 6 only in the following:
  • the neck hanger 50 is in the form of a thin tube with inner channel, eg sewn from cloth, sewn from leather, made like a thick lace, tubular golden chain, stringing together spherical members each with hin beadem channel and held together by plastic thread or metal thread like in conventional chains.
  • a line 18 (each containing four conductors) emerges from the neck hanger, wherein it is ensured by not shown, magnifying blocking elements on the lines 18 that the lines 18 not further into it slip into the neck hanger 50 and can not be pulled out of the neck hanger 50 further.
  • the apertures 54 are in place to lie approximately below the left ear and approximately below the right ear in the neck hanger 50 / hearing aid 2 worn by the user.
  • the ear modules 6 have no additional microphones 52 in front of the sound output side of the sound generator 16.
  • the central unit 4 is detachably attached to the neck hanger 50 by means of a hook 56 which can be repeatedly opened and closed by the user, as is known, for example, by sailing ships.
  • the leads 18 extend downwardly from the openings 54 in the interior of the neck hanger 60 and exit the neck hanger 50 near the hook 56. At the end of the lines 18 are provided with a plug 58, with which a releasable electrical connection to the central unit 4 is made.
  • Fig. 8 is the hearing system 2 in a pair of glasses 60
  • the in Fig. 8 is drawn in side view, integrated.
  • the left eyeglass temple 62 which is slightly enlarged on a partial area of its length in the vertical direction, see reference numeral 64.
  • the central unit 4 is accommodated, optionally also distributed on the left and the right temple, eg current store on one side, remainder the other side.
  • the rear end portion of the bracket 62 which is behind the ear in the state of use, is not thickened, as is the case with conventional spectacles. From this end, a line 18, containing the required number of conductors, led out. At the free end of the line 18 sits, as in the embodiments according to Fig. 6 and Fig.
  • an ear module 6 If it is an ear module 6, which is used as a plug in the end of the user's ear canal, the lines 18 are held flexible. But it is also the variant possible to attach the ear module 6 by means of a relatively rigid support member to the bracket 62, so that when using the sounder 16 a small piece is placed outside the end of the ear canal.
  • the system 2 according to Fig. 9 has the look of a pair of glasses 60, taking Fig. 9 shows a frontal view of the glasses 60 from the perspective of a counterpart of the user of the system.
  • a central unit 4 for example, analog Fig. 8
  • the central unit 4 or the "two half CPUs” further includes an image memory unit and a voice recording and reproducing apparatus and the function "image recognition".
  • the central unit can also be provided separated from the spectacles 60, in particular according to the example of the embodiments according to FIG Fig. 1 to 7 , The "hearing aid for the hard of hearing" is available.

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système auditif servant à diriger un bruit ambiant vers les oreilles d'une personne, en particulier un système auditif conçu pour des personnes malentendantes. Le système auditif selon l'invention comprend : (a) une unité centrale (4) comportant un amplificateur (30) et une source de courant servant à alimenter cet amplificateur (30) ; (b) au moins un générateur de sons auditifs (16) qui est séparé de l'unité centrale (4) et qui est couplé avec cette unité centrale (4) pour permettre la transmission de signaux, et ; (c) au moins un microphone (14) qui est séparé de l'unité centrale (4), couplé avec cette unité centrale (4) pour permettre la transmission de signaux et placé à proximité d'une oreille de l'utilisateur lors du fonctionnement du système auditif (2).

Claims (31)

  1. Système auditif pour personnes malentendantes, ce système présentant les caractéristiques suivantes :
    a) une unité centrale (4), qui présente un amplificateur (30) et une source de courant pour alimenter cet amplificateur,
    b) pour chaque oreille, un générateur auriculaire de son (16) relié à l'unité centrale (4) par un conducteur électrique ou optique (18),
    c) pour chaque oreille, un microphone (14) séparé de l'unité centrale (4) à laquelle il est relié par un conducteur électrique ou optique (18) et qui, quand le système auditif (2) est en service, est placé près de l'oreille concernée de la personne utilisatrice,
    d) le système auditif (2) est conçu de manière que l'unité centrale (4) peut être portée par l'utilisateur de ce système, séparément des générateur auriculaires (16) et des microphones (14), mais en étant reliée par les conducteurs (18),
    e) l'unité centrale (4) présente un émetteur radio (14) et un récepteur radio (42) de radiocommunication bidirectionnelle à bluetooth, notamment pour téléphoner.
  2. Système auditif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les composants en cause (14, 32, 30, 34, 16) du système auditif (2) sont conçus de manière que le traitement du signal de l'entrée du microphone à la sortie du générateur auriculaire de son comprend au moins la zone de fréquence allant de 40 Hz à 16 kHz, de préférence de 30 Hz à 18 kHz, et plus préférentiellement encore de 20 Hz à 20 kHz.
  3. Système auditif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les composants en cause (14, 32, 30, 34, 16) du système auditif (2) sont conçus de manière que le traitement du signal de l'entrée du microphone à la sortie de l'écouteur auriculaire a lieu avec une déformation réduite au point de n'être pratiquement pas mesurable.
  4. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que le traitement du signal est numérique sauf dans les microphones (14) et les générateurs auriculaires de son (16).
  5. Système auditif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'il fonctionne avec une fréquence de balayage d'au moins 35 kHz, de préférence d'au moins 90 kHz.
  6. Système auditif selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il fonctionne avec une quantification d'au moins 16 bits, de préférence d'au moins 24 bits.
  7. Système auditif selon une des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'un domaine dynamique d'au moins 100 dB, de préférence d'au moins 130 dB, est atteint.
  8. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que pour chaque oreille, le microphone (14) et le générateur auriculaire de son (16) sont réunis en un module (6).
  9. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que chaque générateur auriculaire de son (16) comprend une partie porteuse, par laquelle il peut être maintenu sur la tête de l'utilisateur.
  10. Système auditif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les deux modules (6) sont un composant d'un casque d'écoute.
  11. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que le générateur auriculaire de son (16) concerné est conçu de manière à être, pour son utilisateur, placé au moins en partie dans la zone extrême du conduit auditif.
  12. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce que l'intensité sonore du générateur auriculaire de son (16) peut être réglée par l'utilisateur.
  13. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé en ce que la source sonore est un accumulateur électrique rechargeable.
  14. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisé en ce que l'unité centrale (4) présente un audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) permettant de traiter les signaux audio avant qu'ils soient délivrés au générateur auriculaire de son.
  15. Système auditif selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce qu'il peut être commandé avec l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) de manière que des fréquences différentes soient renforcées différemment.
  16. Système auditif selon la revendication 14 ou 15, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) permet d'éliminer, par filtration, des bruits parasites.
  17. Système auditif selon la revendication 16, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) permet d'éliminer, par filtration, des bruits spécifiques à une situation.
  18. Système auditif selon une des revendications 14 à 17, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) permet d'introduire un son d'opposition contre une sensation de bruit, conditionnée par la maladie, que perçoit l'utilisateur lui-même.
  19. Système auditif selon une des revendications 14 à 18, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) a plusieurs réglages parmi lesquels peut être choisi, par exemple le réglage sur les bruits d'environnement, le réglage sur un type spécifique de bruits d'environnement, le réglage sur un protecteur antibruit, le réglage sur une protection contre un type spécifique de bruit, le réglage sur la maladie de Tinitus, le réglage sur une personne à l'audition hypersensible.
  20. Système auditif selon une des revendications 14 à 19, caractérisé en ce que l' audioprocesseur peut être programmé.
  21. Système auditif selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que l'unité centrale (4) présente une interface à l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) qui peut être programmée de l'extérieur.
  22. Système auditif selon la revendication 21, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) peut être programmé au moyen d'un ordinateur externe.
  23. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 22, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu un affichage (8)
  24. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 23, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu un équipement de reproduction audio, de préférence un appareil équipé de mémoires à semi-conducteur.
  25. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 24, caractérisé en ce qu'il est combiné avec un récepteur GPS (système de positionnement mondial).
  26. Système auditif selon une des revendications 14 à 25, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) présente la fonction « suppression active de son ».
  27. Système auditif selon une des revendications 14 à 26, caractérisé en ce que l'audioprocesseur (30, 36, 40) présente la fonction « repérage par le son ».
  28. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 27, caractérisé en ce qu'il est conçu pour des personnes sourdes d'un côté.
  29. Système auditif selon une des revendications 1 à 25, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente un support au cou (50), par lequel l'utilisateur peut porter l'unité centrale (14) sur son corps, les conducteurs (18) entre le générateur auriculaire de son (16) concerné et l'unité centrale (4) ainsi qu'entre le microphone concerné (14) et l'unité centrale (4) étant intégrés, sur une partie de leur longueur, dans le support au cou (50).
  30. Système auditif selon une des revendication 1 à 28, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une paire de lunettes (6), le générateur auriculaire de son (16) concerné et le microphone (14) concerné étant portés par une branche de lunettes (62) de sorte que lors de l'utilisation du système auditif, le générateur auriculaire de son (16) se trouve dans la zone de l'entrée de l'oreille.
  31. Système auditif selon une des revendication 1 à 30, pour des personnes handicapées, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente au moins un appareil de prise de vues (62) couplé avec l'unité centrale (4) ; cette unité présente un appareil de prise de son et un appareil de reproduction de son ; l'unité centrale (4) est dotée d'une fonction « reconnaissance d'image » et peut donner à l'utilisateur une information acoustique corrélée avec les informations actuelles provenant de l'appareil de prise de vues (62).
EP04786997A 2003-09-23 2004-09-23 Systeme auditif pour des personnes malentendantes Not-in-force EP1707031B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2003144032 DE10344032A1 (de) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 Hörsystem verwendbar für schwerhörige Personen
PCT/EP2004/010702 WO2005029918A1 (fr) 2003-09-23 2004-09-23 Systeme auditif pouvant etre utilise par des personnes malentendantes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1707031A1 EP1707031A1 (fr) 2006-10-04
EP1707031B1 true EP1707031B1 (fr) 2012-07-18

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04786997A Not-in-force EP1707031B1 (fr) 2003-09-23 2004-09-23 Systeme auditif pour des personnes malentendantes

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EP (1) EP1707031B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10344032A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005029918A1 (fr)

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DE102006019694B3 (de) 2006-04-27 2007-10-18 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Verfahren zum Einstellen eines Hörgeräts mit Hochfrequenzverstärkung
NL1032220C2 (nl) * 2006-07-21 2008-01-22 Exsilent Res Bv Hoortoestel, uitbreidingseenheid en werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een hoortoestel.
NL1033281C2 (nl) 2006-07-21 2008-01-22 Exsilent Res Bv Hoortoestel, uitbreidingseenheid en werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een hoortoestel.
DE102009010892B4 (de) * 2009-02-27 2012-06-21 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Reduzierung von Trittschallwirkungen bei Hörvorrichtungen mit aktiver Okklusionsreduktion
DE202009015361U1 (de) 2009-11-11 2011-03-24 Ochsenreiter, Thomas Persönlicher Gesundheitsassistent
EP3517083B1 (fr) 2018-01-24 2021-12-01 FalCom A/S Système de protection auditive et procédé associé
EP3627855B1 (fr) 2018-09-20 2023-06-28 GN Hearing A/S Dispositif auditif avec une fonctionnalité d'antenne dans une structure de support

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JPS5592100A (en) * 1978-12-29 1980-07-12 Seiko Epson Corp Hearing aid
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DK0567535T3 (da) * 1991-01-17 2003-12-08 Roger A Adelman Forbedret høreapparat
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DE4327901C1 (de) * 1993-08-19 1995-02-16 Markus Poetsch Vorrichtung zur Hörunterstützung
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DE19541648C2 (de) * 1995-11-08 2000-10-05 Siemens Audiologische Technik Einrichtung zur Übertragung von Programmierdaten an Hörhilfegeräte
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005029918A1 (fr) 2005-03-31
EP1707031A1 (fr) 2006-10-04
DE10344032A1 (de) 2005-06-23

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