EP2129167B1 - Method for operating a hearing device and microphone system for a hearing device - Google Patents

Method for operating a hearing device and microphone system for a hearing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2129167B1
EP2129167B1 EP09155477.4A EP09155477A EP2129167B1 EP 2129167 B1 EP2129167 B1 EP 2129167B1 EP 09155477 A EP09155477 A EP 09155477A EP 2129167 B1 EP2129167 B1 EP 2129167B1
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Prior art keywords
microphone
signal
frequency range
directional
signals
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2129167A1 (en
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Robert BÄUML
Jens Hain
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Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
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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
    • H04R25/407—Circuits for combining signals of 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
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/43—Signal processing in hearing aids to enhance the speech intelligibility
    • 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
    • H04R2430/03—Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a specified in claim 1 method for operating a hearing aid and a specified in claim 7 microphone system with at least two microphone signals emitting omnidirectional microphones.
  • Directional microphones rank among the methods of noise suppression that have been established for years and demonstrably improve speech intelligibility in listening situations in which the useful signal and the interference signals come from different directions.
  • the directivity is generated by differential processing of two or more adjacent microphones having omnidirectional characteristics.
  • Noise Reduction in Contemporary Hearing Instruments “, Chapter” Directional Microphone Systems”
  • 5th DGA Annual Conference 2002 1 st and 2 nd order differential systems as well as systems with adaptive directional characteristics are described.
  • FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a directional microphone system 1st order with two microphones 1, 2 at a distance of about 10 to 15 mm.
  • This creates an external delay of T2 between the first and the second microphone for sound signals coming from the front V, which for example corresponds to the distance of the microphones 1, 2 from each other.
  • the signal R2 of the second microphone 2 is delayed by the time T1 in the delay unit 3, inverted in the inverter 4 and added to the signal R1 of the first microphone 1 in the first adder 5.
  • the sum results in the directional microphone signal RA, which can be supplied to a listener, for example via signal processing.
  • the direction-dependent sensitivity arises essentially from a subtraction of the second microphone signal R2 delayed by the time T2 from the first signal R1.
  • Sound signals from the front V are thus, after appropriate equalization, not attenuated, while, for example, sound signals are extinguished from behind S.
  • Structure and mode of action of directional microphone systems for hearing aids are, for example, in the patent DE 103 31 956 B3 described.
  • the document US Pat. No. 6,178,248 A shows a method for operating a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, the microphones are electrically interconnected to form a directional characteristic. For faster processing of broadband input signals, these are separated into a lower and a higher band. An adaptive filter is applied in the lower subband while a non-adaptive filter in the upper subband is used.
  • the document W097 40645 A shows a hearing aid microphone with directional characteristics, in which the microphone signals are split into frequency bands and different amplification factors in the different frequency bands are used.
  • the usable frequency range to be processed by the hearing aids also increases. Due to shadowing and reflections of the sound waves at the head of the hearing aid wearer, the directional effect of known directional microphones drops sharply, so that acoustically broadband interference signals, which should actually be extinguished by the directional microphone, are suppressed only in the lower frequency range. As a result, the interference signal sounds very high-pass. This effect affects the subjective perception of the hearing aid wearer or the quality of the directional microphone.
  • the stated object is achieved by the method of independent claim 1 and the microphone system of independent claim 7.
  • a method for operating a hearing device with at least two omnidirectional microphones is specified.
  • the microphones emit microphone signals and are electrically interconnected to form a directional characteristic. From the lower frequency range of the microphone signals an attenuation for the upper frequency range of the microphone signals is determined. This has the advantage that broadband interference signals are effectively attenuated.
  • the interconnected microphones can emit a signal with directivity and the attenuation can be determined from a comparison of the signal with directivity and the lower frequency range of a microphone signal. As a result, a directivity is achieved even at high frequencies.
  • the upper frequency range of a microphone signal can be applied to the attenuation. Furthermore, the attenuated upper frequency range of a microphone signal can be added to the signal with directivity. This creates the impression of a broadband directional microphone.
  • the upper frequency range of a combination of the microphone signals can be subjected to the attenuation.
  • the attenuated upper frequency range of the combination of the microphone signals can be added to the undamped signal with directivity. This can lead to improved results in specific environmental situations.
  • the upper frequency range of the signal with directional characteristic can be applied to the attenuation and the attenuated upper frequency range of the signal with directional characteristic are added to the undamped signal with directional characteristic.
  • the invention also provides a microphone system for a hearing aid with at least a first and a second omnidirectional microphone.
  • the microphones emit microphone signals.
  • the microphone system comprises at least a first means which separates the microphone signals into upper and lower frequency ranges, at least a second means which forms a microphone signal with directional characteristics from the lower frequency ranges of the microphone signals, a third means which comprises a comparison of the lower frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone with the microphone signal with directional characteristic determines a signal attenuation, and a fourth means which attenuates the upper frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone with the detected signal attenuation.
  • the first means may comprise a crossover
  • the second means a directional microphone unit
  • the third means an attenuation estimation module and / or the fourth means an adjustable attenuator.
  • the microphone system may additionally comprise a fifth means which adds the attenuated upper frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone and the microphone signal with directional characteristic.
  • the fifth means may comprise an adder.
  • the invention also provides a hearing aid with a microphone system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a hearing aid with a directional microphone system according to the invention.
  • the microphone system comprises two omnidirectional microphones 1, 2.
  • the microphone signals R1, R2 emanating from the microphones 1, 2 are respectively divided into a frequency divider 6 into upper and lower frequency ranges RH1, RL1, RH2, RL2.
  • the upper frequency range RH1 of the first microphone signal R1 is fed to a controllable attenuator 9.
  • the lower frequency range RL2 of the second microphone signal R2 originating from the crossover 6 is delayed by the time T1 in a delay unit 3, inverted by an inverter 4 and added in a first adder 5 to the lower frequency range RL1 of the first microphone signal R1.
  • the delay unit 3, the inverter 4 and the first adder 5 together form the directional microphone unit 7.
  • the upper frequency range RH2 of the second microphone signal R2 is discarded.
  • a signal RA with directional characteristics leaves the directional microphone unit 7 and is supplied to an input of a damping estimation unit 8.
  • the lower frequency range RL1 of the first microphone signal R1 is supplied to a further input of the attenuation estimation unit 8.
  • an attenuation D is determined in the attenuation estimation unit 8.
  • an attenuation signal D leaves the estimation unit 8 and is supplied to an input of the controllable attenuator 9.
  • the upper frequency range RH1 of the first microphone signal R1 is attenuated.
  • the attenuated in accordance with the attenuation signal D upper frequency range RHD of the first microphone signal R1 leaves over an output the attenuator 9 and is supplied to an input of a second adder 10.
  • Another input of the second adder 10, the signal RA is supplied with directional characteristics.
  • the two signals RHD, RH are summed in the second adder 10.
  • a sum signal HS leaves the second adder 10 via an output.
  • the sum signal HS is fed to a receiver 11 either directly or via a digital signal processing unit, not shown.
  • the arrangement according to the invention causes the broadband frequency range recorded by microphones to be separated into a lower and an upper range.
  • the differential directional microphone works, while in the upper area the estimated attenuation is applied.
  • the estimated attenuation is estimated from a comparison of the omnidirectional signal and the signal processed by the directional microphone and possibly modified.
  • the estimated attenuation is applied in the upper frequency range to create the impression of a broadband directional microphone.
  • the estimated attenuation which should act at high frequencies, is largely derived from the power ratio directional / omnidirectional.
  • expert knowledge can also be incorporated via a corresponding characteristic curve. To avoid artifacts, the estimated attenuation can be further modified.
  • the high frequencies hardly contribute to the speech intelligibility and can be differentiated by a hearing aid user also bad, the subjective impression arises that the directional microphone would work also in the high frequencies.
  • This effect is particularly noticeable with a pure useful signal from the front and a pure interference signal from behind. In the case of the useful signal, the signal becomes full Volume is reproduced, but the pure interference signal is attenuated over the entire frequency range.

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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)
  • Obtaining Desirable Characteristics In Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen im Patentanspruch 1 angegebenes Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts sowie ein im Patentanspruch 7 angegebenes Mikrofonsystem mit mindestens zwei Mikrofonsignale abgebenden omnidirektionalen Mikrofonen.The invention relates to a specified in claim 1 method for operating a hearing aid and a specified in claim 7 microphone system with at least two microphone signals emitting omnidirectional microphones.

Das Sprachverhalten in störschallerfüllter Umgebung ist eine häufige genanntes Problem von Schwerhörigen, die hier ein bis zu 10 dB höheres Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis benötigen, um die gleiche Sprachverständlichkeit zu erreichen wie Normalhörende. Überdies geht bei einer Versorgung mit Hinter-dem-Ohr Hörgeräten die natürliche Richtwirkung des Außenohrs verloren. Somit sollte die Rehabilitation mit Hörgeräten nicht nur die individuelle Kompensation des Hörverlustes durch Verstärkung und Dynamikkompression sondern auch die Reduktion von Störgeräuschen umfassen, um in Situationen mit Störschall eine signifikante Verbesserung des Sprachverständnisses zu bewirken. Moderne digitale Hörgeräte besitzen Störgeräuschunterdrückungsverfahren, die den hörgerätespezifischen Anforderungen in Bezug auf Wirksamkeit, Klangqualität und Artefaktfreiheit genügen.The speech behavior in a noise-filled environment is a common problem of hearing-impaired people, who need a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 10 dB to achieve the same speech intelligibility as normal hearing people. Moreover, with a supply of behind-the-ear hearing aids, the natural directivity of the outer ear is lost. Thus, rehabilitation with hearing aids should not only include the individual compensation of hearing loss through amplification and dynamic compression, but also the reduction of noise in order to significantly improve speech intelligibility in situations with background noise. Modern digital hearing aids have noise cancellation techniques that meet the hearing aid-specific requirements for efficacy, sound quality, and artifact freedom.

Richtmikrofone zählen dabei zu den seit Jahren etablierten Methoden der Störgeräuschunterdrückung und führen nachweislich zur Verbesserung der Sprachverständlichkeit in Hörsituationen, in denen das Nutzsignal und die Störsignale aus unterschiedlichen Richtungen einfallen. In modernen Hörgeräten wird die die Richtwirkung durch differentielle Verarbeitung zweier oder mehrerer benachbarter Mikrofone mit omnidirektionaler Charakteristik erzeugt. In " Störgeräuschreduktion bei Hörsystemen der Gegenwart", Kapitel "Richtmikrofonsysteme", 5. DGA Jahrestagung 2002 werden differentielle Systeme 1. und 2. Ordnung sowie Systeme mit adaptiver Richtcharakteristik beschrieben.Directional microphones rank among the methods of noise suppression that have been established for years and demonstrably improve speech intelligibility in listening situations in which the useful signal and the interference signals come from different directions. In modern hearing aids, the directivity is generated by differential processing of two or more adjacent microphones having omnidirectional characteristics. In " Noise Reduction in Contemporary Hearing Instruments ", Chapter" Directional Microphone Systems ", 5th DGA Annual Conference 2002 1 st and 2 nd order differential systems as well as systems with adaptive directional characteristics are described.

Figur 1 zeigt ein vereinfachtes Blockschaltbild eines Richtmikrofonsystems 1. Ordnung mit zwei Mikrofonen 1, 2 im Abstand von etwa 10 bis 15 mm. Dadurch entsteht für Schallsignale die von vorne V kommen eine externe Verzögerung von T2 zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Mikrofon, welche beispielsweise dem Abstand der Mikrofone 1, 2 zueinander entspricht. Das Signal R2 des zweiten Mikrofons 2 wird um die Zeit T1 in der Verzögerungseinheit 3 verzögert, im Inverter 4 invertiert und mit dem Signal R1 des ersten Mikrofons 1 im ersten Addierer 5 addiert. Die Summe ergibt das Richtmikrofonsignal RA, das beispielsweise über eine Signalverarbeitung einem Hörer zugeführt werden kann. Die richtungsabhängige Empfindlichkeit entsteht im Wesentlichen aus einer Subtraktion des um die Zeit T2 verzögerten zweiten Mikrofonsignals R2 vom ersten Signal R1. Schallsignale von vorne V werden somit, nach geeigneter Entzerrung, nicht gedämpft, während beispielsweise Schallsignale von hinten S ausgelöscht werden. Aufbau und Wirkungsweise von Richtmikrofonsystemen für Hörgeräte sind zum Beispiel in der Patentschrift DE 103 31 956 B3 beschrieben. FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a directional microphone system 1st order with two microphones 1, 2 at a distance of about 10 to 15 mm. This creates an external delay of T2 between the first and the second microphone for sound signals coming from the front V, which for example corresponds to the distance of the microphones 1, 2 from each other. The signal R2 of the second microphone 2 is delayed by the time T1 in the delay unit 3, inverted in the inverter 4 and added to the signal R1 of the first microphone 1 in the first adder 5. The sum results in the directional microphone signal RA, which can be supplied to a listener, for example via signal processing. The direction-dependent sensitivity arises essentially from a subtraction of the second microphone signal R2 delayed by the time T2 from the first signal R1. Sound signals from the front V are thus, after appropriate equalization, not attenuated, while, for example, sound signals are extinguished from behind S. Structure and mode of action of directional microphone systems for hearing aids are, for example, in the patent DE 103 31 956 B3 described.

Das Dokument US 6 178 248 A zeigt ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts mit mindestens zwei omnidirektionalen, Mikrofonsignale abgebenden Mikrofonen, wobei die Mikrofone zur Bildung einer Richtcharakteristik elektrisch miteinander verschaltet sind. Zur schnelleren Bearbeitung breitbandiger Eingangssignale werden diese in ein tieferes und ein höheres Band aufgetrennt. Ein adaptiver Filter wird im unteren Teilband angewendet, während ein nicht-adaptiver Filter im oberen Teilband verwendet wird. Das Dokument W097 40645 A zeigt ein Hörgerät mit Mikrofon mit Richtcharakteristik, bei dem die Mikrofonsignale in Frequenzbänder aufgespaltet werden und verschiedene Verstärkungsfaktoren in den verschiedenen Frequenzbändern verwendet werden.The document US Pat. No. 6,178,248 A shows a method for operating a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, the microphones are electrically interconnected to form a directional characteristic. For faster processing of broadband input signals, these are separated into a lower and a higher band. An adaptive filter is applied in the lower subband while a non-adaptive filter in the upper subband is used. The document W097 40645 A shows a hearing aid microphone with directional characteristics, in which the microphone signals are split into frequency bands and different amplification factors in the different frequency bands are used.

Mit der zunehmenden Weiterentwicklung von Hörgeräten steigt auch der von den Hörgeräten zu verarbeitende, nutzbare Frequenzbereich. Wegen Abschattungen und Reflexionen der Schallwellen am Kopf des Hörgeräteträgers lässt die Richtwirkung von bekannten Richtmikrofonen stark nach, so dass akustisch breitbandige Störsignale, die eigentlich vom Richtmikrofon ausgelöscht werden sollten, nur im unteren Frequenzbereich unterdrückt werden. Dadurch klingt das Störsignal sehr hochpassartig. Dieser Effekt beeinträchtigt die subjektive Wahrnehmung des Hörgeräteträgers bzw. die Qualität des Richtmikrofons.With the increasing development of hearing aids, the usable frequency range to be processed by the hearing aids also increases. Due to shadowing and reflections of the sound waves at the head of the hearing aid wearer, the directional effect of known directional microphones drops sharply, so that acoustically broadband interference signals, which should actually be extinguished by the directional microphone, are suppressed only in the lower frequency range. As a result, the interference signal sounds very high-pass. This effect affects the subjective perception of the hearing aid wearer or the quality of the directional microphone.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung diesen Nachteil zu überwinden und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts sowie ein Mikrofonsystem anzugeben, welche eine subjektiv verbesserte Richtwirkung bieten.It is an object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage and to provide a method for operating a hearing device and a microphone system, which provide a subjectively improved directivity.

Gemäß der Erfindung wird die gestellte Aufgabe mit dem Verfahren des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs 1 und dem Mikrofonsystem des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs 7 gelöst.According to the invention, the stated object is achieved by the method of independent claim 1 and the microphone system of independent claim 7.

Erfindungsgemäß wird ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts mit mindestens zwei omnidirektionalen Mikrofonen angegeben. Die Mikrofone geben Mikrofonsignale ab und sind zur Bildung einer Richtcharakteristik elektrisch miteinander verschaltet. Aus dem unteren Frequenzbereich der Mikrofonsignale wird eine Dämpfung für den oberen Frequenzbereichs der Mikrofonsignale ermittelt. Dies bringt den Vorteil, dass breitbandige Störsignale wirksam gedämpft werden.According to the invention, a method for operating a hearing device with at least two omnidirectional microphones is specified. The microphones emit microphone signals and are electrically interconnected to form a directional characteristic. From the lower frequency range of the microphone signals an attenuation for the upper frequency range of the microphone signals is determined. This has the advantage that broadband interference signals are effectively attenuated.

In einer Weiterbildung können die verschalteten Mikrofone ein Signal mit Richtcharakteristik abgeben und die Dämpfung kann aus einem Vergleich des Signals mit Richtcharakteristik und dem unteren Frequenzbereich eines Mikrofonsignals ermittelt werden. Dadurch wird eine Richtwirkung auch bei hohen Frequenzen erreicht.In a further development, the interconnected microphones can emit a signal with directivity and the attenuation can be determined from a comparison of the signal with directivity and the lower frequency range of a microphone signal. As a result, a directivity is achieved even at high frequencies.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann der obere Frequenzbereich eines Mikrofonsignals mit der Dämpfung beaufschlagt werden. Des Weiteren kann der gedämpfte obere Frequenzbereich eines Mikrofonsignals zu dem Signal mit Richtcharakteristik addiert werden. Dadurch entsteht der Eindruck eines breitbandigen Richtmikrofons.In a further embodiment, the upper frequency range of a microphone signal can be applied to the attenuation. Furthermore, the attenuated upper frequency range of a microphone signal can be added to the signal with directivity. This creates the impression of a broadband directional microphone.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann der obere Frequenzbereich einer Kombination der Mikrofonsignale mit der Dämpfung beaufschlagt werden.In a further embodiment, the upper frequency range of a combination of the microphone signals can be subjected to the attenuation.

Vorteilhaft kann der gedämpfte obere Frequenzbereich der Kombination der Mikrofonsignale zu dem ungedämpften Signal mit Richtcharakteristik addiert werden. Dies kann in speziellen Umgebungssituationen zu verbesserten Ergebnissen führen.Advantageously, the attenuated upper frequency range of the combination of the microphone signals can be added to the undamped signal with directivity. This can lead to improved results in specific environmental situations.

Des Weiteren kann der obere Frequenzbereich des Signals mit Richtcharakteristik mit der Dämpfung beaufschlagt werden und der gedämpfte obere Frequenzbereich des Signals mit Richtcharakteristik zu dem ungedämpften Signal mit Richtcharakteristik addiert werden.Furthermore, the upper frequency range of the signal with directional characteristic can be applied to the attenuation and the attenuated upper frequency range of the signal with directional characteristic are added to the undamped signal with directional characteristic.

Die Erfindung gibt auch ein Mikrofonsystem für ein Hörgerät mit mindestens einem ersten und einem zweiten omnidirektionalen Mikrofon an. Die Mikrofone geben Mikrofonsignale ab. Das Mikrofonsystem umfasst mindestens ein erstes Mittel, das die Mikrofonsignale in obere und untere Frequenzbereiche trennt, mindestens ein zweites Mittel, welches aus den unteren Frequenzbereichen der Mikrofonsignale ein Mikrofonsignal mit Richtcharakteristik bildet, ein drittes Mittel, welches aus einem Vergleich des unteren Frequenzbereichs des Mikrofonsignals des ersten Mikrofons mit dem Mikrofonsignal mit Richtcharakteristik eine Signaldämpfung ermittelt, und ein viertes Mittel, welches den oberen Frequenzbereich des Mikrofonsignals des ersten Mikrofons mit der ermittelten Signaldämpfung dämpft.The invention also provides a microphone system for a hearing aid with at least a first and a second omnidirectional microphone. The microphones emit microphone signals. The microphone system comprises at least a first means which separates the microphone signals into upper and lower frequency ranges, at least a second means which forms a microphone signal with directional characteristics from the lower frequency ranges of the microphone signals, a third means which comprises a comparison of the lower frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone with the microphone signal with directional characteristic determines a signal attenuation, and a fourth means which attenuates the upper frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone with the detected signal attenuation.

In einer Weiterbildung kann das erste Mittel eine Frequenzweiche, das zweite Mittel eine Richtmikrofoneinheit, das dritte Mittel ein Dämpfungsabschätzungsmodul und/oder das vierte Mittel ein einstellbares Dämpfungsglied umfassen.In one development, the first means may comprise a crossover, the second means a directional microphone unit, the third means an attenuation estimation module and / or the fourth means an adjustable attenuator.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann das Mikrofonsystem zusätzlich ein fünftes Mittel, welches den gedämpften oberen Frequenzbereich des Mikrofonsignals des ersten Mikrofons und das Mikrofonsignal mit Richtcharakteristik addiert, umfassen.In a further embodiment, the microphone system may additionally comprise a fifth means which adds the attenuated upper frequency range of the microphone signal of the first microphone and the microphone signal with directional characteristic.

Vorzugsweise kann das fünfte Mittel einen Addierer umfassen.Preferably, the fifth means may comprise an adder.

Die Erfindung gibt auch ein Hörgerät mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Mikrofonsystem an.The invention also provides a hearing aid with a microphone system according to the invention.

Weitere Besonderheiten und Vorteile der Erfindung werden aus den nachfolgenden Erläuterungen mehrerer Ausführungsbeispiele anhand von schematischen Zeichnungen ersichtlich.Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following explanations of several embodiments with reference to schematic drawings.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
ein Blockschaltbild eines Richtmikrofons gemäß Stand der Technik und
Figur 2:
ein Blockschaltbild eines erfindungsgemäßen Mikro- fonsystems.
Show it:
FIG. 1:
a block diagram of a directional microphone according to the prior art and
FIG. 2:
a block diagram of a microphone according to the invention.

Figur 2 zeigt ein Prinzipschaltbild eines Hörgeräts mit einem Richtmikrofonsystem gemäß der Erfindung. Das Mikrofonsystem umfasst zwei omnidirektionale Mikrofone 1, 2. Die von den Mikrofonen 1, 2 ausgehenden Mikrofonsignale R1, R2 werden jeweils in einer Frequenzweiche 6 in obere und untere Frequenzbereiche RH1, RL1, RH2, RL2 aufgeteilt. Der obere Frequenzbereich RH1 des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1 wird einem regelbaren Dämpfungsglied 9 zugeführt. Der von der Frequenzweiche 6 ausgehende untere Frequenzbereich RL2 des zweiten Mikrofonsignals R2 wird in einer Verzögerungseinheit 3 um die Zeit T1 verzögert, durch einen Inverter 4 invertiert und in einem ersten Addierer 5 zu dem unteren Frequenzbereich RL1 des ersten Mikrofonssignals R1 addiert. Die Verzögerungseinheit 3, der Inverter 4 und der erste Addierer 5 bilden zusammen die Richtmikrofoneinheit 7. Der obere Frequenzbereich RH2 des zweiten Mikrofonsignals R2 wird verworfen. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a hearing aid with a directional microphone system according to the invention. The microphone system comprises two omnidirectional microphones 1, 2. The microphone signals R1, R2 emanating from the microphones 1, 2 are respectively divided into a frequency divider 6 into upper and lower frequency ranges RH1, RL1, RH2, RL2. The upper frequency range RH1 of the first microphone signal R1 is fed to a controllable attenuator 9. The lower frequency range RL2 of the second microphone signal R2 originating from the crossover 6 is delayed by the time T1 in a delay unit 3, inverted by an inverter 4 and added in a first adder 5 to the lower frequency range RL1 of the first microphone signal R1. The delay unit 3, the inverter 4 and the first adder 5 together form the directional microphone unit 7. The upper frequency range RH2 of the second microphone signal R2 is discarded.

Ein Signal RA mit Richtcharakteristik verlässt die Richtmikrofoneinheit 7 und wird einem Eingang einer Dämpfungsabschätzungseinheit 8 zugeführt. Der untere Frequenzbereich RL1 des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1 wird einem weiteren Eingang der Dämpfungsabschätzungseinheit 8 zugeführt. Durch Vergleich des Signals RA mit Richtcharakteristik und dem unteren Frequenzbereich RL1 des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1 mit Hilfe eines Schätzalgorithmus wird in der Dämpfungsabschätzungseinheit 8 eine Dämpfung D ermittelt. An einem Ausgang der Dämpfungsabschätzungseinheit 8 verlässt ein Dämpfungssignal D die Abschätzungseinheit 8 und wird einem Eingang des regelbaren Dämpfungsglieds 9 zugeführt.A signal RA with directional characteristics leaves the directional microphone unit 7 and is supplied to an input of a damping estimation unit 8. The lower frequency range RL1 of the first microphone signal R1 is supplied to a further input of the attenuation estimation unit 8. By comparing the signal RA with directional characteristic and the lower frequency range RL1 of the first microphone signal R1 by means of an estimation algorithm, an attenuation D is determined in the attenuation estimation unit 8. At an output of the damping estimation unit 8, an attenuation signal D leaves the estimation unit 8 and is supplied to an input of the controllable attenuator 9.

Entsprechend dem Wert des Dämpfungssignals D wird der obere Frequenzbereich RH1 des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1 gedämpft. Der entsprechend dem Dämpfungssignal D gedämpfte obere Frequenzbereich RHD des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1 verlässt über einen Ausgang das Dämpfungsglied 9 und wird einem Eingang eines zweiten Addierers 10 zugeführt. Einem weiteren Eingang des zweiten Addierers 10 wird das Signal RA mit Richtcharakteristik zugeführt. Die beiden Signale RHD, RH werden im zweiten Addierer 10 summiert. Über einen Ausgang verlässt ein Summensignal HS den zweiten Addierer 10.Das Summensignal HS wird entweder direkt oder über eine nicht dargestellte digitale Signalverarbeitungseinheit einem Hörer 11 zugeführt.According to the value of the attenuation signal D, the upper frequency range RH1 of the first microphone signal R1 is attenuated. The attenuated in accordance with the attenuation signal D upper frequency range RHD of the first microphone signal R1 leaves over an output the attenuator 9 and is supplied to an input of a second adder 10. Another input of the second adder 10, the signal RA is supplied with directional characteristics. The two signals RHD, RH are summed in the second adder 10. A sum signal HS leaves the second adder 10 via an output. The sum signal HS is fed to a receiver 11 either directly or via a digital signal processing unit, not shown.

Die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung bewirkt, dass der von Mikrofonen aufgenommene breitbandige Frequenzbereich in einen unteren und einen oberen Bereich getrennt wird. Im unteren Bereich arbeitet das differenzielle Richtmikrofon, während im oberen Bereich die geschätzte Dämpfung appliziert wird. Die geschätzte Dämpfung wird aus einem Vergleich des omnidirektionalen Signals und des durch das Richtmikrofon prozessierten Signals geschätzt und eventuell noch modifiziert. Die geschätzte Dämpfung wird im oberen Frequenzbereich appliziert, um den Eindruck eines breitbandigen Richtmikrofons zu erzeugen.The arrangement according to the invention causes the broadband frequency range recorded by microphones to be separated into a lower and an upper range. In the lower area, the differential directional microphone works, while in the upper area the estimated attenuation is applied. The estimated attenuation is estimated from a comparison of the omnidirectional signal and the signal processed by the directional microphone and possibly modified. The estimated attenuation is applied in the upper frequency range to create the impression of a broadband directional microphone.

Da die meisten natürlichen Signale, wie Sprache oder Musik, sich von den unteren Frequenzen bis in die Höhen erstrecken, kann im unteren Frequenzbereich eine Schätzung für die Unterdrückung der dort anliegenden Signale durch das Richtmikrofon stattfinden. Die geschätzte Dämpfung, die bei hohen Frequenzen wirken soll, wird maßgeblich von dem Leistungsverhältnis direktional/omnidirektional abgeleitet. Zusätzlich kann aber auch über eine entsprechende Kennlinie Expertenwissen einfließen. Zur Vermeidung von Artefakten kann die geschätzte Dämpfung noch weiter modifiziert werden.Since most natural signals, such as speech or music, extend from the lower frequencies to the highs, an estimate can be made in the lower frequency range for the suppression of the signals present there by the directional microphone. The estimated attenuation, which should act at high frequencies, is largely derived from the power ratio directional / omnidirectional. In addition, expert knowledge can also be incorporated via a corresponding characteristic curve. To avoid artifacts, the estimated attenuation can be further modified.

Da die hohen Frequenzen kaum zur Sprachverständlichkeit beitragen und von einem Hörgerätnutzer auch schlecht differenziert werden können, entsteht der subjektive Eindruck, dass das Richtmikrofon auch in den hohen Frequenzen arbeiten würde. Besonders auffällig ist dieser Effekt bei einem reinen Nutzsignal von vorne und einem reinem Störsignal von hinten. Dabei wird im Falle des Nutzsignals das Signal mit voller Lautstärke wiedergegeben, das reine Störsignal wird aber über den gesamten Frequenzbereich gedämpft.Since the high frequencies hardly contribute to the speech intelligibility and can be differentiated by a hearing aid user also bad, the subjective impression arises that the directional microphone would work also in the high frequencies. This effect is particularly noticeable with a pure useful signal from the front and a pure interference signal from behind. In the case of the useful signal, the signal becomes full Volume is reproduced, but the pure interference signal is attenuated over the entire frequency range.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
erstes Mikrofonfirst microphone
22
zweites Mikrofonsecond microphone
33
Verzögerungseinheitdelay unit
44
Inverterinverter
55
erster Addiererfirst adder
66
Frequenzweichecrossover
77
RichtmikrofoneinheitDirectional microphone unit
88th
DämpfungsabschätzungseinheitAttenuation estimation unit
99
regelbares Dämpfungsgliedadjustable attenuator
1010
zweiter Addierersecond adder
1111
Hörer / LautsprecherHandset / speaker
DD
Dämpfungssignalattenuation signal
R1R1
erstes Mikrofonsignalfirst microphone signal
R2R2
zweites Mikrofonsignalsecond microphone signal
RARA
Signal mit RichtcharakteristikSignal with directional characteristic
RHDRHD
gedämpfter oberer Frequenzbereich des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1subdued upper frequency range of the first microphone signal R1
RH1RH1
oberer Frequenzbereich des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1upper frequency range of the first microphone signal R1
RH2RH2
oberer Frequenzbereich des zweiten Mikrofonsignals R2upper frequency range of the second microphone signal R2
RL1RL1
unterer Frequenzbereich des ersten Mikrofonsignals R1lower frequency range of the first microphone signal R1
RL2RL2
unterer Frequenzbereich des zweiten Mikrofonsignals R2lower frequency range of the second microphone signal R2

Claims (11)

  1. Method for operating a hearing device comprising at least two omnidirectional microphones (1, 2) emitting microphone signals (R1, R2), with the microphones (1, 2) being electrically interconnected with one another in order to form a directional characteristic,
    characterised in that
    a damping (D) of the upper frequency range (RH1, RH2) of the microphone signals (R1, R2) is determined from the lower frequency range (RL1, RL2) of the microphone signals (R1, R2).
  2. Method according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the interconnected microphones (1, 2) emit a signal (RA) with directional characteristics, and that the damping (D) is determined from a comparison of the signal (RA) with directional characteristics and the lower frequency range (RL1) of a microphone signal (R1).
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterised in that
    the upper frequency range (RH1) of a microphone signal (R1) is subject to the damping (D).
  4. Method according to claim 3,
    characterised in that
    the damped upper frequency range (RHD) of a microphone signal (R1) is added to the signal (RA) with directional characteristics.
  5. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterised in that
    the upper frequency range is exposed to a combination of the microphone signals (R1, R2) with the damping (D).
  6. Method according to claim 5,
    characterised in that
    the damped upper frequency range of the combination of microphone signals is added to the undamped signal (RA) with directional characteristics.
  7. Microphone system for a hearing device comprising at least a first and a second ominidirectional microphone (1, 2) emitting microphone signals (R1, R2),
    at least one first means (6), which separates the microphone signals (R1, R2) into upper and lower frequency ranges (RH1, RH2, RL1, RL2),
    at least one second means (7), which forms a microphone signal (RA) with directional characteristics from the lower frequency ranges (RL1, RL2) of the microphone signals (R1, R2),
    characterised by
    a third means (8), which determines a signal damping (D) from a comparison of the lower frequency range (RL1) of the microphone signal (R1) of the first microphone (1) with the microphone signal (1) with directional characteristics, and
    a fourth means (9), which damps the upper frequency range (RH1) of the microphone signal (R1) of the first microphone (1) with the determined signal damping (D).
  8. Microphone system according to claim 7,
    characterised in that
    the first means (6) includes a crossover network, the second means (7) includes a directional microphone unit, the third means (8) includes a damping estimation module and/or the fourth means includes an adjustable damping element.
  9. Microphone system according to claim 7 or 8,
    characterised by
    a fifth means (10), which adds the damped upper frequency range (RHD) of the microphone signal (R1) of the first microphone (1) and the microphone signal (RA) with directional characteristics.
  10. Microphone system according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the fifth means (10) includes a second adder.
  11. Hearing device comprising a microphone system according to one of claims 7 to 10.
EP09155477.4A 2008-05-07 2009-03-18 Method for operating a hearing device and microphone system for a hearing device Active EP2129167B1 (en)

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EP (1) EP2129167B1 (en)
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US8275162B2 (en) 2012-09-25
EP2129167A1 (en) 2009-12-02
DK2129167T3 (en) 2014-02-10
DE102008022533B3 (en) 2009-10-08
US20090279724A1 (en) 2009-11-12

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