EP1956867A1 - Hearing apparatus with automatic orientation of a directional microphone and correspondent method - Google Patents

Hearing apparatus with automatic orientation of a directional microphone and correspondent method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1956867A1
EP1956867A1 EP08100194A EP08100194A EP1956867A1 EP 1956867 A1 EP1956867 A1 EP 1956867A1 EP 08100194 A EP08100194 A EP 08100194A EP 08100194 A EP08100194 A EP 08100194A EP 1956867 A1 EP1956867 A1 EP 1956867A1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
inclination
directional microphone
hearing
sound pickup
gyroscope
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Granted
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EP08100194A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1956867B1 (en
Inventor
Beng Hai Tan
Wai Kit David Ho
Wee Haw Koo
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Sivantos GmbH
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Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/405—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic by combining a plurality of transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2430/00—Signal processing covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
    • H04R2430/20—Processing of the output signals of the acoustic transducers of an array for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing aid with a directional microphone having a preferred sound pickup direction. Moreover, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for operating a hearing device.
  • a hearing device is understood to mean, in particular, a hearing device, but also a headset or headphones.
  • Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired.
  • different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITO), e.g. also Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (CIC), provided.
  • BTE behind-the-ear hearing aids
  • ITO in-the-ear hearing aids
  • CIC canal hearing aids
  • the hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal.
  • bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.
  • Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed.
  • a signal processing unit 3 also in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them.
  • the output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal.
  • the sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier.
  • the power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5
  • Hearing aids with a directional microphone require at least two microphones.
  • the signals of the several microphones are linked together in such a way that the desired directional characteristic results.
  • this directionality also depends on the characteristics of the individual microphones and their spatial arrangement to each other.
  • the microphones So far, one strives to arrange the microphones as horizontally as possible to each other. This usually results in a preferred sound pickup direction for the hearing device user in the horizontal direction forward. However, if the hearing aid wearer does not see his interlocutor for a short time, for example if he tends his head to the table, then the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone also points to the table and no longer to the conversation partner. This can lead to impaired hearing quality.
  • DE 102005006660 B3 a method for adjusting a hearing aid. It can be considered as additional information in the setting of a parameter information about an orientation of the hearing aid in two or three dimensions.
  • the orientation of the hearing aid can be measured by a compass or a tilt sensor.
  • the object of the present invention is thus to improve the control of the directional characteristic of a directional microphone to the effect that the hearing quality increases.
  • this object is achieved by a hearing device a directional microphone having a preferential sound recording direction, as well as an inclination determination device for determining an inclination of the preferred sound recording direction with respect to a fixed with respect to the environment of the hearing device, the predetermined direction and an alignment unit with which the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone can be aligned as a function of the determined inclination.
  • a method for operating a hearing device with a directional microphone having a preferred sound pickup direction Determining an inclination of the preferred sound pickup direction with respect to a fixed with respect to the environment of the hearing, predetermined direction and Aligning the preferred sound recording direction of the directional microphone as a function of the determined inclination.
  • a direction is thus predetermined from outside, at which the hearing device is aligned of the directional microphone.
  • the alignment of the directional microphone can either be done by software or signal technology or by physical alignment of the individual microphones or a microphone array.
  • the inclination determination device preferably comprises a gyro.
  • a gyro Such inertial wheels or gyroscopes are known from spacecraft for changing angular motions. Even in the event of faults, the rotating system is returned to a stable state.
  • the inclination determination device may also use a liquid surface to determine the inclination.
  • gravity is used as an external force, which always ensures a horizontal liquid surface.
  • the alignment unit always aligns the preferred sound recording horizontally in the direction of the directional microphone.
  • the orientation of the directional microphone can be carried out in a more targeted manner, especially during conversations.
  • the directional microphone conveniently has at least two microphones, which are aligned so that the preferred sound recording in the direction of the directional microphone in the usual carrying position points horizontally forward.
  • the directional characteristic is improved when the directional microphone has three or more microphones.
  • FIG. 2 This in FIG. 2 exemplified hearing aid has substantially the same structure as the hearing aid of FIG. 1 , in addition, however, an inclination determination device, here a gyroscope or gyroscope 6, is provided in the hearing aid.
  • the gyroscope 6 always provides a constant direction even when the hearing aid is tilted, tilted or otherwise moved.
  • FIG. 3 such a gyroscopic stabilizer is shown.
  • a gyro 10 is rotatably mounted with its axis in a first ring 11. This in turn is mounted in a second ring 12, so that the axis of rotation of the gyroscope 10 can assume any spatial direction in the usual way of a gyroscope.
  • the inclination determination device 6 determines the corresponding angles ⁇ , ⁇ and ⁇ with respect to the main axes x, y and z.
  • the absolute horizontal can always be determined as the fixed, predetermined direction with respect to the surroundings of the hearing device.
  • an alignment unit 7 is integrated. With it, the directional characteristics of the two microphones 2, with which a directional microphone is formed to adjust.
  • the preferential sound pickup direction VR1 initially lies on the straight line determined by the centers of the microphones. If it is determined on the basis of the inclination determination device, in this case the gyro 6, that the device has tilted, the preferred sound recording direction can be correspondingly corrected so that the direction VR2 results. Then the preferred sound recording direction would be aligned horizontally again and the hearing aid wearer could best perceive the horizontally incident sound.
  • the alignment unit 7 refers to the corresponding angle of the gyroscope 6 or the "spirit level", whereupon the new directional characteristic can be calculated and applied for the subsequent signal processing.
  • the microphones 2 of the directional microphone can actually be adjusted in their physical alignment by miniature plates. This also allows the directional characteristic to be influenced to a certain extent.

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

Abstract

The device has a directional microphone (2) comprising a preferred direction of recording sound. An inclination determination device such as gyroscope (6) is provided for determining an inclination of the preferred direction of recording sound against a fixed direction with respect to surrounding of the hearing device. An alignment unit aligns the preferred direction of recording sound as a function of the inclination. The inclination determination device comprises a gyroscope, and determines the inclination using a liquid surface. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a hearing apparatus.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Hörvorrichtung mit einem Richtmikrofon, das eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung aufweist. Darüber hinaus betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung ein entsprechendes Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Hörvorrichtung. Unter einer Hörvorrichtung wird hier insbesondere ein Hörgerät, aber auch ein Headset oder Kopfhörer verstanden.The present invention relates to a hearing aid with a directional microphone having a preferred sound pickup direction. Moreover, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for operating a hearing device. A hearing device is understood to mean, in particular, a hearing device, but also a headset or headphones.

Hörgeräte sind tragbare Hörvorrichtungen, die zur Versorgung von Schwerhörenden dienen. Um den zahlreichen individuellen Bedürfnissen entgegenzukommen, werden unterschiedliche Bauformen von Hörgeräten wie Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (HdO) und In-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (IdO), z.B. auch Concha-Hörgeräte oder Kanal-Hörgeräte (CIC), bereitgestellt. Die beispielhaft aufgeführten Hörgeräte werden am Außenohr oder im Gehörgang getragen. Darüber hinaus stehen auf dem Markt aber auch Knochenleitungshörhilfen, implantierbare oder vibrotaktile Hörhilfen zur Verfügung. Dabei erfolgt die Stimulation des geschädigten Gehörs entweder mechanisch oder elektrisch.Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITO), e.g. also Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (CIC), provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Hörgeräte besitzen prinzipiell als wesentliche Komponenten einen Eingangswandler, einen Verstärker und einen Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z. B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z. B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangswandler ist meist als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Der Verstärker ist üblicherweise in eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit integriert. Dieser prinzipielle Aufbau ist in FIG 1 am Beispiel eines Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräts dargestellt. In ein Hörgerätegehäuse 1 zum Tragen hinter dem Ohr sind ein oder mehrere Mikrofone 2 zur Aufnahme des Schalls aus der Umgebung eingebaut. Eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3, die ebenfalls in das Hörgerätegehäuse 1 integriert ist, verarbeitet die Mikrofonsignale und verstärkt sie. Das Ausgangssignal der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 wird an einen Lautsprecher bzw. Hörer 4 übertragen, der ein akustisches Signal ausgibt. Der Schall wird gegebenenfalls über einen Schallschlauch, der mit einer Otoplastik im Gehörgang fixiert ist, zum Trommelfell des Geräteträgers übertragen. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts und insbesondere die der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 erfolgt durch eine ebenfalls ins Hörgerätegehäuse 1 integrierte Batterie 5.Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed. A signal processing unit 3, also in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

Hörgeräte mit einem Richtmikrofon erfordern mindestens zwei Mikrofone. Die Signale der mehreren Mikrofone werden so miteinander verknüpft, dass sich die gewünschte Richtcharakteristik ergibt. Diese Richtcharakteristik hängt aber auch von den Charakteristiken der Einzelmikrofone und deren räumlicher Anordnung zueinander ab.Hearing aids with a directional microphone require at least two microphones. The signals of the several microphones are linked together in such a way that the desired directional characteristic results. However, this directionality also depends on the characteristics of the individual microphones and their spatial arrangement to each other.

Für Hörgeräteträger ist es generell wünschenswert, wenn die Richtcharakteristiken des Richtmikrofons horizontal ausgerichtet sind. Abhängig von der Trageposition der Hörgeräte ist dies aber nicht immer möglich.For hearing aid users, it is generally desirable if the directional characteristics of the directional microphone are aligned horizontally. Depending on the wearing position of the hearing aids this is not always possible.

Bislang ist man bestrebt, die Mikrofone möglichst horizontal zueinander anzuordnen. Damit ergibt sich in der Regel eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung für den Hörgerätenutzer in horizontaler Richtung nach vorne. Sieht der Hörgeräteträger seinen Gesprächspartner jedoch kurzzeitig nicht an, wenn er beispielsweise seinen Kopf zum Tisch neigt, so weist die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons auch auf den Tisch und nicht mehr auf den Gesprächspartner. Dies kann zu Beeinträchtigungen der Hörqualität führen.So far, one strives to arrange the microphones as horizontally as possible to each other. This usually results in a preferred sound pickup direction for the hearing device user in the horizontal direction forward. However, if the hearing aid wearer does not see his interlocutor for a short time, for example if he tends his head to the table, then the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone also points to the table and no longer to the conversation partner. This can lead to impaired hearing quality.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 102005017496 B3 ist eine Mikrofoneinrichtung mit Orientierungssensor bekannt. Somit ist sie in Abhängigkeit von der Orientierung steuerbar und kann beispielsweise in den Direktionalbetrieb geschaltet werden, wenn sie waagrecht ausgerichtet ist. Bei senkrechter Ausrichtung wird das Richtmikrofon beispielsweise automatisch in Omnidirektionalbetrieb geschaltet.From the publication DE 102005017496 B3 is a microphone device with orientation sensor known. Thus, it is controllable depending on the orientation and can be switched, for example, in the directional operation when it is aligned horizontally. With vertical alignment For example, the directional microphone automatically switches to omnidirectional operation.

Ferner offenbart die Patentschrift DE 102005006660 B3 ein Verfahren zum Einstellen eines Hörhilfegeräts. Dabei kann als zusätzliche Information bei der Einstellung eines Parameters Information über eine Ausrichtung des Hörgeräts in zwei oder drei Dimensionen berücksichtigt werden. Insbesondere kann die Ausrichtung des Hörgeräts durch einen Kompass oder einen Neigungssensor gemessen werden.Further, the patent discloses DE 102005006660 B3 a method for adjusting a hearing aid. It can be considered as additional information in the setting of a parameter information about an orientation of the hearing aid in two or three dimensions. In particular, the orientation of the hearing aid can be measured by a compass or a tilt sensor.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, die Steuerung der Richtcharakteristik eines Richtmikrofons dahingehend zu verbessern, dass die Hörqualität steigt. Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe gelöst durch eine Hörvorrichtung mit
einem Richtmikrofon, das eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerich-tung aufweist, sowie
einer Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Neigung der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung gegenüber einer bezüglich der Umgebung der Hörvorrichtung festen, vorgege-benen Richtung und
einer Ausrichteinheit, mit der die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Neigung ausrichtbar ist.The object of the present invention is thus to improve the control of the directional characteristic of a directional microphone to the effect that the hearing quality increases. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a hearing device
a directional microphone having a preferential sound recording direction, as well as
an inclination determination device for determining an inclination of the preferred sound recording direction with respect to a fixed with respect to the environment of the hearing device, the predetermined direction and
an alignment unit with which the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone can be aligned as a function of the determined inclination.

Darüber hinaus wird erfindungsgemäß ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Hörvorrichtung mit einem Richtmikrofon bereitgestellt, das eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung aufweist, durch
Ermitteln einer Neigung der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung gegenüber einer bezüglich der Umgebung der Hörvorrichtung festen, vorgegebenen Richtung und
Ausrichten der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Neigung.In addition, according to the invention, a method is provided for operating a hearing device with a directional microphone having a preferred sound pickup direction
Determining an inclination of the preferred sound pickup direction with respect to a fixed with respect to the environment of the hearing, predetermined direction and
Aligning the preferred sound recording direction of the directional microphone as a function of the determined inclination.

In vorteilhafter Weise wird damit von außen eine Richtung vorgegeben, an der sich die Hörvorrichtung bei der Ausrichtung des Richtmikrofons orientiert. Damit kann dann ein Hörgeräteträger beispielsweise auch dann die interessierende Schallquelle besser wahrnehmen, wenn er seinen Kopf nicht auf sie richtet. Die Ausrichtung des Richtmikrofons kann entweder softwaremäßig bzw. signaltechnisch erfolgen oder auch durch körperliches Ausrichten der einzelnen Mikrofone bzw. eines Mikrofonarrays.In an advantageous manner, a direction is thus predetermined from outside, at which the hearing device is aligned of the directional microphone. Thus, a hearing aid wearer, for example, then better perceive the sound source of interest, if he does not focus his head on her. The alignment of the directional microphone can either be done by software or signal technology or by physical alignment of the individual microphones or a microphone array.

Vorzugsweise umfasst die Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung einen Kreisel. Hierdurch kann der gyroskopische Effekt ausgenutzt werden, der eine Selbststeuerung des sich drehenden Kreisels bewirkt. Derartige Trägheitsräder oder Gyroskope sind von Raumflugkörpern zur Änderung von Winkelbewegungen bekannt. Auch bei Störungen wird das sich drehende System in einen stabilen Zustand zurückgeführt.The inclination determination device preferably comprises a gyro. In this way, the gyroscopic effect can be exploited, which causes a self-control of the rotating gyroscope. Such inertial wheels or gyroscopes are known from spacecraft for changing angular motions. Even in the event of faults, the rotating system is returned to a stable state.

Die Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung kann aber auch eine Flüssigkeitsoberfläche zur Bestimmung der Neigung nutzen. Hierbei wird die Gravitation als äußere Kraft ausgenutzt, die stets für eine horizontale Flüssigkeitsoberfläche sorgt.However, the inclination determination device may also use a liquid surface to determine the inclination. Here, gravity is used as an external force, which always ensures a horizontal liquid surface.

Es erweist sich als besonders vorteilhaft, wenn die Ausrichteinheit die Vorzugsschallaufnahme in Richtung des Richtmikrofons stets horizontal ausrichtet. Dadurch kann gerade bei Gesprächen die Ausrichtung des Richtmikrofons gezielter ausgeführt werden.It proves to be particularly advantageous if the alignment unit always aligns the preferred sound recording horizontally in the direction of the directional microphone. As a result, the orientation of the directional microphone can be carried out in a more targeted manner, especially during conversations.

Das Richtmikrofon besitzt günstigerweise mindestens zwei Mikrofone, die so ausgerichtet sind, dass die Vorzugsschallaufnahme in Richtung des Richtmikrofons bei üblicher Trageposition horizontal nach vorne weist. Die Richtcharakteristik wird verbessert, wenn das Richtmikrofon drei und mehr Mikrofone aufweist.The directional microphone conveniently has at least two microphones, which are aligned so that the preferred sound recording in the direction of the directional microphone in the usual carrying position points horizontally forward. The directional characteristic is improved when the directional microphone has three or more microphones.

Die vorliegende Erfindung ist anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen näher erläutert, in denen zeigen:

FIG 1
eine Prinzipskizze zum Aufbau eines Hörgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
FIG 2
eine Prinzipskizze des Aufbaus eines erfindungsgemäßen Hörgeräts;
FIG 3
eine Skizze eines gyroskopischen Stabilisators.
The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
a schematic diagram of the construction of a hearing aid according to the prior art;
FIG. 2
a schematic diagram of the structure of a hearing aid according to the invention;
FIG. 3
a sketch of a gyroscopic stabilizer.

Die nachfolgend näher geschilderten Ausführungsbeispiele stellen bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung dar.The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Das in FIG 2 beispielhaft dargestellte Hörgerät besitzt im wesentlichen den gleichen Aufbau wie das Hörgerät von FIG 1. Zusätzlich ist jedoch in dem Hörgerät eine Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung, hier ein Kreisel bzw. Gyroskop 6, vorgesehen. Der Kreisel bzw. das Gyroskop 6 liefert stets eine konstante Richtung, auch wenn das Hörgerät gekippt, geneigt oder anders bewegt wird.This in FIG. 2 exemplified hearing aid has substantially the same structure as the hearing aid of FIG. 1 , In addition, however, an inclination determination device, here a gyroscope or gyroscope 6, is provided in the hearing aid. The gyroscope 6 always provides a constant direction even when the hearing aid is tilted, tilted or otherwise moved.

In FIG 3 ist ein derartiger gyroskopischer Stabilisator dargestellt. Ein Kreisel 10 ist mit seiner Achse in einem ersten Ring 11 drehbar gelagert. Dieser wiederum ist in einem zweiten Ring 12 gelagert, so dass die Drehachse des Kreisels 10 in der üblichen Art eines Gyroskops jede beliebige Raumrichtung annehmen kann. Die Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung 6 ermittelt dann die entsprechenden Winkel Φ, Θ und Ψ gegenüber den Hauptachsen x, y und z.In FIG. 3 such a gyroscopic stabilizer is shown. A gyro 10 is rotatably mounted with its axis in a first ring 11. This in turn is mounted in a second ring 12, so that the axis of rotation of the gyroscope 10 can assume any spatial direction in the usual way of a gyroscope. The inclination determination device 6 then determines the corresponding angles Φ, Θ and Ψ with respect to the main axes x, y and z.

Anstelle des Kreisels bzw. Gyroskops 6 kann auch eine Art "Wasserwaage" eingesetzt werden. Mit ihr lässt sich stets die absolute Horizontale als die bezüglich der Umgebung der Hörvorrichtung feste, vorgegebene Richtung ermitteln.Instead of the gyro or gyroscope 6, a kind of "spirit level" can be used. With it, the absolute horizontal can always be determined as the fixed, predetermined direction with respect to the surroundings of the hearing device.

In die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 3 des Hörgeräts ist hier eine Ausrichteinheit 7 integriert. Mit ihr lässt sich die Richtcharakteristik der beiden Mikrofone 2, mit denen ein Richtmikrofon gebildet wird, einstellen. In dem Beispiel von FIG 2 liegt die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung VR1 zunächst beispielsweise auf der Geraden, die durch die Mittelpunkte der Mikrofone bestimmt ist. Wird nun anhand der Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung, hier dem Kreisel 6, festgestellt, dass sich das Gerät geneigt hat, kann die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung entsprechend korrigiert werden, so dass sich die Richtung VR2 ergibt. Dann wäre die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung wieder horizontal ausgerichtet und der Hörgeräteträger könnte den horizontal einfallenden Schall am besten wahrnehmen. Zum Korrigieren der Richtcharakteristik des Richtmikrofons bezieht die Ausrichteinheit 7 die bzw. den entsprechenden Winkel von dem Gyroskop 6 bzw. der "Wasserwaage", woraufhin die neue Richtcharakteristik rechnerisch festgelegt und für die anschließende Signalverarbeitung angewandt werden kann.In the signal processing device 3 of the hearing aid here an alignment unit 7 is integrated. With it, the directional characteristics of the two microphones 2, with which a directional microphone is formed to adjust. In the example of FIG. 2 For example, the preferential sound pickup direction VR1 initially lies on the straight line determined by the centers of the microphones. If it is determined on the basis of the inclination determination device, in this case the gyro 6, that the device has tilted, the preferred sound recording direction can be correspondingly corrected so that the direction VR2 results. Then the preferred sound recording direction would be aligned horizontally again and the hearing aid wearer could best perceive the horizontally incident sound. To correct the directional characteristic of the directional microphone, the alignment unit 7 refers to the corresponding angle of the gyroscope 6 or the "spirit level", whereupon the new directional characteristic can be calculated and applied for the subsequent signal processing.

Alternativ oder zusätzlich können die Mikrofone 2 des Richtmikrofons auch tatsächlich in ihrer körperlichen Ausrichtung durch Miniatursteller verstellt werden. Auch dadurch lässt sich die Richtcharakteristik in einem gewissen Rahmen beeinflussen.Alternatively or additionally, the microphones 2 of the directional microphone can actually be adjusted in their physical alignment by miniature plates. This also allows the directional characteristic to be influenced to a certain extent.

Durch das automatische Ausrichten des Richtmikrofons ist es nicht mehr notwendig, dass der Hörgeräteträger beim Bewegen seines Kopfes das Hörgerät entsprechend nachjustiert oder den Kopf beispielsweise stets horizontal auf die Schallquelle gerichtet hat. Der Hörgeräteträger ist damit in seinen Bewegungen freier und er empfindet die Schallwahrnehmung als natürlicher.By automatically aligning the directional microphone, it is no longer necessary that the hearing aid wearer readjusted the hearing aid when moving his head or, for example, always pointed his head horizontally to the sound source. The hearing aid wearer is thus free in his movements and he perceives the sound perception as more natural.

Claims (8)

Hörvorrichtung mit - einem Richtmikrofon (2), das eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung aufweist und - einer Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung (6) zum Ermitteln einer Neigung der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung gegenüber einer bezüglich der Umgebung der Hörvorrichtung festen, vorgegebenen Richtung, gekennzeichnet durch - eine Ausrichteinheit (7), mit der die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons (2) in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Neigung ausrichtbar ist. Hearing device with a directional microphone (2) having a preferential sound pickup direction and an inclination determination device (6) for determining an inclination of the preferred sound recording direction with respect to a fixed, predetermined direction with respect to the surroundings of the hearing device, marked by - An alignment unit (7), with which the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone (2) can be aligned in dependence on the determined inclination. Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung (6) einen Kreisel umfasst.Hearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclination determining means (6) comprises a gyroscope. Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Neigungsbestimmungseinrichtung (6) eine Flüssigkeitsoberfläche zur Bestimmung der Neigung nutzt.Hearing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclination determining means (6) uses a liquid surface for determining the inclination. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ausrichteinheit (7) die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons (2) stets horizontal ausrichtet.Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment unit (7) always aligns the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone (2) horizontally. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Richtmikrofon (2) mindestens zwei Mikrofone aufweist.Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the directional microphone (2) has at least two microphones. Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Hörvorrichtung mit einem Richtmikrofon (2), das eine Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung aufweist, durch - Ermitteln einer Neigung der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung gegenüber einer bezüglich der Umgebung der Hörvorrichtung festen, vorgegebenen Richtung, gekennzeichnet durch - Ausrichten der Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons (2) in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Neigung. A method of operating a hearing device with a directional microphone (2) having a preferential sound pickup direction Determining an inclination of the preferred sound pickup direction with respect to a fixed, predetermined direction with respect to the surroundings of the hearing device, marked by - Aligning the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone (2) in dependence on the determined inclination. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Neigung mit Hilfe eines Kreisels oder anhand einer Flüssigkeitsoberfläche ermittelt wird.Method according to claim 6, wherein the inclination is determined by means of a gyroscope or by means of a liquid surface. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei die Vorzugsschallaufnahmerichtung des Richtmikrofons (2) stets horizontal ausgerichtet wird.A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the preferred sound pickup direction of the directional microphone (2) is always aligned horizontally.
EP08100194A 2007-02-06 2008-01-08 Hearing apparatus with automatic orientation of a directional microphone and correspondent method Revoked EP1956867B1 (en)

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DE102007005861A DE102007005861B3 (en) 2007-02-06 2007-02-06 Hearing device with automatic alignment of the directional microphone and corresponding method

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ATE547901T1 (en) 2012-03-15
US20080192968A1 (en) 2008-08-14
EP1956867B1 (en) 2012-02-29
DK1956867T3 (en) 2012-06-25

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