EP2148529A2 - Hearing aid with transparent electrical hearing tube - Google Patents

Hearing aid with transparent electrical hearing tube Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2148529A2
EP2148529A2 EP09164307A EP09164307A EP2148529A2 EP 2148529 A2 EP2148529 A2 EP 2148529A2 EP 09164307 A EP09164307 A EP 09164307A EP 09164307 A EP09164307 A EP 09164307A EP 2148529 A2 EP2148529 A2 EP 2148529A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing
transparent
receiver
tube
electrical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP09164307A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2148529A3 (en
Inventor
Uwe Rass
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd filed Critical Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
Publication of EP2148529A2 publication Critical patent/EP2148529A2/en
Publication of EP2148529A3 publication Critical patent/EP2148529A3/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/04—Flexible cables, conductors, or cords, e.g. trailing cables
    • H01B7/048—Flexible cables, conductors, or cords, e.g. trailing cables for implantation into a human or animal body, e.g. pacemaker leads
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/36—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks
    • H01B7/361—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks being the colour of the insulation or conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/105—Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks
    • 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
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0213—Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
    • 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
    • H04R2225/57—Aspects of electrical interconnection between hearing aid parts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing, with a receiver arranged outside the housing, and with a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing, as well as a transparent hearing tube for a hearing aid.
  • BTE devices hearing aids with receiver arranged outside the housing are usually so-called BTE devices (behind-the-ear). These are, as the name says, worn behind the ear, where they are optically relatively inconspicuously housed.
  • the housing of the BTE hearing aid is worn behind the ear, and in the housing functional components such as the signal processing electronics or the microphones are arranged.
  • the receiver which is referred to in hearing aids of the speaker for generating audio signals for the hearing aid wearer, arranged in the housing.
  • the receiver is arranged outside the housing and normally positioned in the auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer. These devices are therefore called RiC hearing aids (receiver-in-canal).
  • the hearing tube In BTE hearing aids, the hearing tube is usually routed from the housing over the auricle to the ear canal of the hearing aid wearer. At least the last section of the hearing tube, before it enters the ear canal, is visible to the outside. In pure BTE hearing aids, the hearing tube merely serves to conduct auditory signals, ie sound waves, from the housing to the auditory canal. It is therefore a simple plastic tube that can be made transparent without further notice. It is in the interest of the hearing aid wearer that in addition to the housing and the hearing tube As little as possible is visible, so that a transparent hearing tube is advantageous.
  • the hearing tube is not used to transmit acoustic signals from the housing to the ear canal, but to transmit electrical signals to control the receiver. Only the receiver converts the electrical signals into acoustic hearing signals for the hearing aid wearer.
  • the electrical signals must be routed via electrical lines to the receiver. As lines metal conductors are common. Metal conductors are not transparent, so that the hearing tube is not transparent. To minimize visibility, therefore, very thin cables are routed through an otherwise transparent hearing tube. Since usually at least three electrical lines are needed, a clear visibility is still unavoidable.
  • microphones are to be connected to the housing via a hearing tube.
  • This is known, for example, to attach a microphone in the auricle of the hearing aid wearer, which makes the acoustic benefits of the auricle accessible.
  • Other constellations with electrically conductive hearing tubes arise for example in hearing aids that have contact with the concha or the helix of the auricle.
  • other electronic components are conceivable that must be electrically connected, e.g. wireless or FM antennas, ambient sensors or visual or audible indicators.
  • a microelectrode array that may comprise a polymer layer is known.
  • the polymer may be transparent poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS).
  • PDMS poly-dimethyl-siloxane
  • US 5,713,864 A a transparent tube of conductive polymer is known. The hose should be used as a resistance heating element to heat liquids evenly.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a hearing aid with arranged outside the hearing aid housing receiver, which includes a possible little visible hearing tube.
  • the invention is based on the further object of specifying a hearing tube which is as little as possible visible.
  • a basic idea of the invention is to specify a hearing aid which comprises a housing, a receiver arranged outside the housing, and a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing, with transparent, conductive polymer for electrically connecting the receiver to one in the housing arranged signal processing electronics is provided, and at least one electrical insulator made of transparent, not lei changedem polymer.
  • the use of electrical cables and insulators made of transparent polymer advantageously results in a completely transparent and thus barely visible hearing tube.
  • the use of polymer also ensures sufficient flexibility and elasticity of the hearing tube, which is required for fitting to a pinna of a hearing aid wearer.
  • An advantageous development consists in that in the hearing tube several electrical lines of transparent, conductive polymer are provided, which are isolated by a plurality of electrical insulators of transparent, non-conductive polymer. As a result, receivers or other electronic components with several poles can be electrically connected.
  • lines and the insulators are arranged coaxially.
  • the coaxial arrangement makes it possible to provide lines with particularly large surfaces. The large surfaces can help keep the electrical resistance of the leads sufficiently low for use with hearing aids.
  • a further advantageous development is that the outer line is grounded. As a result, a shielding of the internal signal-carrying lines is achieved by which an increased resistance to interference signals can be achieved.
  • a further advantageous development consists in that the impedance of the receiver, the impedance of an amplifier output stage encompassed by the signal processing electronics and connected to the receiver and the surface of the at least one line are coordinated so that the power transmission of the overall system is maximal. This achieves effective control of the receiver with minimal electrical power.
  • the respective signal frequency must be taken into account, on which the complex-valued impedance of the receiver depends.
  • the impedance of the amplifier output stage can be adapted to the properties of the line.
  • FIG. 1 a hearing aid 1 with housing 2 and separated from the housing 2 arranged receiver 4 is shown.
  • the hearing aid 2 is designed as a BTE hearing aid, the curved shape of the housing 2 and the hearing tube 3 is intended to be passed around an auricle of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the receiver 4 is to be guided through the hearing tube 3 into an auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer, where it is positioned and fixed by a so-called dome 5.
  • the dome 5 is made of soft, elastic material, e.g. from a silicone.
  • the signal processing electronics 6 is mainly used to subordinate acoustic signals, which are recorded by the hearing aid 1 by microphones not shown in the figure, suitable for the respective hearing aid wear signal processing.
  • an amplifier output stage, not shown, which belongs to the signal processing electronics 6 electrical signals are generated, which are converted by the receiver 4 in auditory auditory signals.
  • the electrical signals are AC signals that build on a carrier frequency. They are routed through electrical lines in the hearing tube 3 from the amplifier output stage of the signal processing electronics 6 to the receiver 4. They experience a Freqeuenzcomben line resistance and a frequency-dependent power attenuation. The power transmission therefore depends on the frequency of the electrical signals, in particular on the carrier frequency. Overall, the power transmission of the electrical properties, especially the surface of the lines in the hearing tube 3, the impedance of the receiver 4 and the impedance of the amplifier output stage determined.
  • the electrical lines are, as well as the hearing tube 3, made of transparent polymer. In that sense, they are barely visible.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross section through a hearing tube 10 shown schematically.
  • the hearing tube 10 comprises electrical leads 12, 13, which are arranged coaxially. They are also coaxial isolators 11th isolated.
  • the electrical lines 12, 13 and insulators 11 are made of transparent polymer, so that the entire hearing tube 10 is transparent. Due to the coaxial structure, the insulators 11 and lines 12, 13 appear as concentric circles in the sectional view.
  • the outer line 12 is grounded. Only the internal lines 13 lead signals to the receiver. By the outer ground line 12, the inner cables 13 are sheathed and thus shielded against electrical interference.
  • FIG. 3 a further embodiment of a hearing tube 20 is shown.
  • the electrical insulators 21 alternate strip-shaped with the electrical lines 23. Both the insulators 21 and the lines 23 are made of transparent polymer.
  • the strip-like arrangement is particularly inexpensive and easy to produce.
  • the invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing, with a receiver arranged outside the housing, and with a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing.
  • the hearing aid 1 comprises a housing 2, a receiver 4 arranged outside the housing 2, and a transparent hearing tube 3, 10, 20.
  • at least one electrical lead 12, 13, 23 of transparent, conductive polymer is in the hearing tube 3 electrical connection of the receiver 4 is provided with an arranged in the housing 2 signal processing electronics 6, and at least one electrical insulator 11, 21 made of transparent, not leidayem polymer.
  • a plurality of lines 12, 13 and insulators 11 are arranged coaxially. Particularly advantageous way is the external cable 12 is grounded.
  • the impedance of the receiver 4 and the surface or electrical properties of the at least one line 12, 13, 23 are matched to one another such that the power transmission of the overall system via the at least one line 12, 13, 23 is maximum.
  • An advantage of the invention is that the hearing tube 3, 10, 20 despite its electrical lines 12, 13, 23 provided therein is completely transparent.

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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)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The hearing aid (1) has a receiver (4) arranged outside of a housing (2). A transparent hearing tube (3) connects the receiver and the housing. An electrical line made of a transparent, conductive polymer is provided in the transparent hearing tube for electrically connecting the receiver with an electronic signal processor (6). An electrical insulator is made of a transparent, non-conductive polymer and insulates the line. The line and the insulator are arranged coaxially. The processor serves to subject acoustic signals received from the hearing aid to a signal processing operation.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Hörhilfe mit einem Gehäuse, mit einem außerhalb des Gehäuses angeordneten Receiver, und mit einem transparenten Hörschlauch zur Verbindung des Receivers mit dem Gehäuse, sowie einen transparenten Hörschlauch für eine Hörhilfe.The invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing, with a receiver arranged outside the housing, and with a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing, as well as a transparent hearing tube for a hearing aid.

Hörhilfen mit außerhalb des Gehäuses angeordnetem Receiver sind in der Regel so genannte HdO-Geräte (Hinter-dem-Ohr). Diese werden, wie der Name sagt, hinter dem Ohr getragen, wo sie optisch verhältnismäßig unauffällig untergebracht sind. Dabei wird das Gehäuse der HdO-Hörhilfe hinter dem Ohr getragen, und in dem Gehäuse sind funktionale Komponenten wie die Signalverarbeitungselektronik oder die Mikrophone angeordnet.Hearing aids with receiver arranged outside the housing are usually so-called BTE devices (behind-the-ear). These are, as the name says, worn behind the ear, where they are optically relatively inconspicuously housed. In this case, the housing of the BTE hearing aid is worn behind the ear, and in the housing functional components such as the signal processing electronics or the microphones are arranged.

Es sind im Wesentlichen zwei Varianten von HdO-Hörhilfen im Markt vertreten. Bei der einen Variante ist der Receiver, womit bei Hörhilfen der Lautsprecher zur Erzeugung von Hörsignalen für den Hörhilfeträger bezeichnet wird, im Gehäuse angeordnet. Bei der anderen Variante ist der Receiver außerhalb des Gehäuses angeordnet und normalerweise im Gehörgang des Hörhilfeträgers positioniert. Diese Geräte werden deshalb RiC-Hörhilfen (Receiver-in-Canal) genannt.Essentially, two variants of BTE hearing aids are represented on the market. In one variant, the receiver, which is referred to in hearing aids of the speaker for generating audio signals for the hearing aid wearer, arranged in the housing. In the other variant, the receiver is arranged outside the housing and normally positioned in the auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer. These devices are therefore called RiC hearing aids (receiver-in-canal).

Bei HdO-Hörhilfen wird normalerweise der Hörschlauch vom Gehäuse über die Ohrmuschel zum Gehörgang des Hörhilfeträgers geführt. Zumindest der letzte Abschnitt des Hörschlauchs, bevor dieser in den Gehörgang eintritt, ist nach außen hin sichtbar. Bei reinen HdO-Hörhilfen dient der Hörschlauch lediglich der Leitung von Hörsignalen, d.h. Schallwellen, vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang. Es handelt sich somit um einen einfachen Kunststoffschlauch, der ohne weiteres transparent ausgeführt sein kann. Es liegt im Interesse des Hörhilfeträgers, dass außer dem Gehäuse auch der Hörschlauch möglichst wenig sichtbar wird, so dass ein transparenter Hörschlauch vorteilhaft ist.In BTE hearing aids, the hearing tube is usually routed from the housing over the auricle to the ear canal of the hearing aid wearer. At least the last section of the hearing tube, before it enters the ear canal, is visible to the outside. In pure BTE hearing aids, the hearing tube merely serves to conduct auditory signals, ie sound waves, from the housing to the auditory canal. It is therefore a simple plastic tube that can be made transparent without further notice. It is in the interest of the hearing aid wearer that in addition to the housing and the hearing tube As little as possible is visible, so that a transparent hearing tube is advantageous.

Bei RiC-Hörhilfen dient der Hörschlauch nicht der Übertragung von akustischen Signalen vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang, sondern der Übertragung elektrischer Signale zur Ansteuerung des Receivers. Erst der Receiver wandelt die elektrischen Signale in akustische Hörsignale für den Hörhilfeträger um. Die elektrischen Signale müssen über elektrische Leitungen zum Receiver geleitet werden. Als Leitungen sind Metallleiter üblich. Metallleiter sind nicht transparent, so dass auch der Hörschlauch nicht transparent ist. Um die Sichtbarkeit zu minimieren, werden deshalb sehr dünne Kabel durch einen ansonsten transparenten Hörschlauch geführt. Da üblicherweise mindestens drei elektrische Leitungen benötigt werden, ist eine deutliche Sichtbarkeit trotzdem nicht zu vermeiden.With RiC hearing aids, the hearing tube is not used to transmit acoustic signals from the housing to the ear canal, but to transmit electrical signals to control the receiver. Only the receiver converts the electrical signals into acoustic hearing signals for the hearing aid wearer. The electrical signals must be routed via electrical lines to the receiver. As lines metal conductors are common. Metal conductors are not transparent, so that the hearing tube is not transparent. To minimize visibility, therefore, very thin cables are routed through an otherwise transparent hearing tube. Since usually at least three electrical lines are needed, a clear visibility is still unavoidable.

Ähnliche Sichtbarkeits-Probleme treten auf, wenn zusätzlich zum Receiver oder statt des Receivers beispielsweise Mikrophone über einen Hörschlauch mit dem Gehäuse verbunden werden sollen. Dies ist beispielsweise bekannt, um ein Mikrophon in der Ohrmuschel des Hörhilfeträgers anzubringen, was die akustischen Vorteile der Ohrmuschel zugänglich macht. Andere Konstellationen mit elektrisch leitenden Hörschläuchen ergeben sich beispielsweise bei Hörhilfen, die Berührung zur Concha oder zur Helix der Ohrmuschel haben. Zudem sind weitere elektronische Komponenten denkbar, die elektrisch angebunden werden müssen, z.B. wireless oder FM-Antennen, Umgebungs-Sensoren oder optische oder akustische Anzeigeeinrichtungen.Similar visibility problems occur when, in addition to the receiver or instead of the receiver, for example, microphones are to be connected to the housing via a hearing tube. This is known, for example, to attach a microphone in the auricle of the hearing aid wearer, which makes the acoustic benefits of the auricle accessible. Other constellations with electrically conductive hearing tubes arise for example in hearing aids that have contact with the concha or the helix of the auricle. In addition, other electronic components are conceivable that must be electrically connected, e.g. wireless or FM antennas, ambient sensors or visual or audible indicators.

Aus der Druckschrift EP 1 790 380 A1 ist ein Mikroelektroden-Array bekannt, das eine Polymer-Schicht umfassen kann. Bei dem Polymer kann es sich um transparentes Poly-Dimethyl-Siloxan (PDMS) handeln. Aus der Druckschrift US 5,713,864 A ist ein transparenter Schlauch aus leitfähigem Polymer bekannt. Der Schlauch soll als Widerstands-Heizelement dazu verwendet werden, Flüssigkeiten gleichmäßig zu erhitzen.From the publication EP 1 790 380 A1 For example, a microelectrode array that may comprise a polymer layer is known. The polymer may be transparent poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS). From the publication US 5,713,864 A a transparent tube of conductive polymer is known. The hose should be used as a resistance heating element to heat liquids evenly.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Hörhilfe mit außerhalb des Hörhilfe-Gehäuses angeordnetem Receiver anzugeben, die einen möglichst wenig sichtbaren Hörschlauch umfasst. Der Erfindung liegt die weitere Aufgabe zugrunde, einen möglichst wenig sichtbaren Hörschlauch anzugeben.The invention has for its object to provide a hearing aid with arranged outside the hearing aid housing receiver, which includes a possible little visible hearing tube. The invention is based on the further object of specifying a hearing tube which is as little as possible visible.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht darin, eine Hörhilfe anzugeben, die ein Gehäuse, einen außerhalb des Gehäuses angeordneten Receiver, und einen transparenten Hörschlauch zur Verbindung des Receivers mit dem Gehäuse umfasst, wobei transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer zur elektrischen Verbindung des Receivers mit einer in dem Gehäuse angeordneten Signalverarbeitungselektronik vorgesehen ist, und mindestens ein elektrischer Isolator aus transparentem, nicht leifähigem Polymer. Durch Vewendung elektrische Leitungen und Isolatoren aus transparentem Polymer ergibt sich vorteilhafter Weise ein vollständig transparenter und somit kaum sichtbarer Hörschlauch. Die Verwendung von Polymer gewährleistet zudem eine ausreichende Flexibilität und Elastizität des Hörschlauchs, die zum Anpassen an eine Ohrmuschel eines Hörhilfeträgers erforderlich ist.A basic idea of the invention is to specify a hearing aid which comprises a housing, a receiver arranged outside the housing, and a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing, with transparent, conductive polymer for electrically connecting the receiver to one in the housing arranged signal processing electronics is provided, and at least one electrical insulator made of transparent, not leifähigem polymer. The use of electrical cables and insulators made of transparent polymer advantageously results in a completely transparent and thus barely visible hearing tube. The use of polymer also ensures sufficient flexibility and elasticity of the hearing tube, which is required for fitting to a pinna of a hearing aid wearer.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass in dem Hörschlauch mehrere elektrische Leitungen aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer vorgesehen sind, die durch mehrere elektrische Isolatoren aus transparentem, nicht leitfähigem Polymer isoliert sind. Dadurch können auch Receiver oder sonstige elektronische Komponenten mit mehreren Polen elektrisch angebunden werden.An advantageous development consists in that in the hearing tube several electrical lines of transparent, conductive polymer are provided, which are isolated by a plurality of electrical insulators of transparent, non-conductive polymer. As a result, receivers or other electronic components with several poles can be electrically connected.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die Leitungen und die Isolatoren koaxial angeordnet sind. Die koaxiale Anordnung ermöglicht es, Leitungen mit besonders großen Oberflächen vorzusehen. Die großen Oberflächen können dazu beitragen, den elektrischen Widerstand der Leitungen auf einem für die Verwendung mit Hörhilfen ausreichend geringen Niveau zu halten.A further advantageous development is that the lines and the insulators are arranged coaxially. The coaxial arrangement makes it possible to provide lines with particularly large surfaces. The large surfaces can help keep the electrical resistance of the leads sufficiently low for use with hearing aids.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die außenliegende Leitung mit Masse belegt ist. Dadurch wird eine Abschirmung der innenliegenden signalführenden Leitungen erzielt, durch die eine erhöhte Resistenz gegen Störsignale erreicht werden kann.A further advantageous development is that the outer line is grounded. As a result, a shielding of the internal signal-carrying lines is achieved by which an increased resistance to interference signals can be achieved.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die Impedanz des Receivers, die Impedanz einer von der Signalverarbeitungselektronik umfassten und mit dem Receiver verbundenen Verstärkerendstufe und die Oberfläche der mindestens einen Leitung so aufeinander abgestimmt sind, dass die Leistungsübertragung des Gesamtsystems maximal ist. Dadurch wird eine effektive Ansteuerung des Receivers mit minimaler elektrischer Leistung erreicht. Bei der Abstimmung ist die jeweilige Signalfrequenz zu berücksichtigen, von der die komplexwertige Impedanz des Receivers abhängt. Vorteilhaft kann dabei die Impedanz der Verstärkerendstufe an die Eigentschaften der Leitung angepasst werden.A further advantageous development consists in that the impedance of the receiver, the impedance of an amplifier output stage encompassed by the signal processing electronics and connected to the receiver and the surface of the at least one line are coordinated so that the power transmission of the overall system is maximal. This achieves effective control of the receiver with minimal electrical power. When tuning, the respective signal frequency must be taken into account, on which the complex-valued impedance of the receiver depends. Advantageously, the impedance of the amplifier output stage can be adapted to the properties of the line.

Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Patentansprüchen und der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen anhand von Figuren. Es zeigen:

FIG 1
Hörhilfe mit Hörschlauch und Receiver
FIG 2
Schnittbild eines koaxial aufgebauten Hörschlauchs
FIG 3
Streifenartig aufgebauter Hörschlauch
Further advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to FIGS. Show it:
FIG. 1
Hearing aid with hearing tube and receiver
FIG. 2
Sectional view of a coaxial hearing tube
FIG. 3
Stripe-like built-up tube

In Figur 1 ist eine Hörhilfe 1 mit Gehäuse 2 und getrennt vom Gehäuse 2 angeordnetem Receiver 4 dargestellt. Die Hörhilfe 2 ist als HdO-Hörhilfe ausgeführt, die geschwungene Form des Gehäuses 2 sowie des Hörschlauchs 3 ist dafür vorgesehen, um eine Ohrmuschel eines Hörhilfeträgers herumgeführt zu werden. Der Receiver 4 soll durch den Hörschlauch 3 in einen Gehörgang des Hörhilfeträgers hineingeführt werden, wo er durch einen so genannten Dom 5 positioniert und fixiert wird.In FIG. 1 a hearing aid 1 with housing 2 and separated from the housing 2 arranged receiver 4 is shown. The hearing aid 2 is designed as a BTE hearing aid, the curved shape of the housing 2 and the hearing tube 3 is intended to be passed around an auricle of a hearing aid wearer. The receiver 4 is to be guided through the hearing tube 3 into an auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer, where it is positioned and fixed by a so-called dome 5.

Der Dom 5 besteht aus weichem, elastischem Material, z.B. aus einem Silikon.The dome 5 is made of soft, elastic material, e.g. from a silicone.

Im Gehäuse der Hörhilfe befindet sich eine Signalverarbeitungselektronik 6, die strichliert angedeutet ist. Die Signalverarbeitungselektronik 6 dient vor allem dazu, akustische Signale, die von der Hörhilfe 1 durch in der Abbildung nicht dargestellte Mikrophone aufgenommen werden, einer für den jeweiligen Hörhilfeträger geeigneten Signalverarbeitung zu unterwerfen. Durch eine nicht dargestellte Verstärkerendstufe, die zur Signalverarbeitungselektronik 6 gehört, werden elektrische Signale erzeugt, die durch den Receiver 4 in akustische Hörsignale umgewandelt werden.In the housing of the hearing aid is a signal processing electronics 6, which is indicated by dashed lines. The signal processing electronics 6 is mainly used to subordinate acoustic signals, which are recorded by the hearing aid 1 by microphones not shown in the figure, suitable for the respective hearing aid wear signal processing. By an amplifier output stage, not shown, which belongs to the signal processing electronics 6, electrical signals are generated, which are converted by the receiver 4 in auditory auditory signals.

Bei den elektrischen Signale handelt es sich um Wechselspannungssignale, die auf einer Trägerfrequenz aufbauen. Sie werden durch elektrische Leitungen im Hörschlauch 3 von der Verstärkerendstufe der Signalverarbeitungselektronik 6 zum Receiver 4 geleitet. Dabei erfahren sie einen freqeuenzabhängigen Leitungswiderstand und eine frequenzabhängige Leistungsdämpfung. Die Leistungsübertragung hängt daher von der Frequenz der elektrischen Signale ab, insbesondere von der Trägerfrequenz. Insgesamt wird die Leistungsübertragung von den elektrischen Eigenschaften, vor allem der Oberfläche, der Leitungen im Hörschlauch 3, von der Impedanz des Receivers 4 und von der Impedanz der Verstärkerendstufe bestimmt.The electrical signals are AC signals that build on a carrier frequency. They are routed through electrical lines in the hearing tube 3 from the amplifier output stage of the signal processing electronics 6 to the receiver 4. They experience a Freqeuenzabhängigen line resistance and a frequency-dependent power attenuation. The power transmission therefore depends on the frequency of the electrical signals, in particular on the carrier frequency. Overall, the power transmission of the electrical properties, especially the surface of the lines in the hearing tube 3, the impedance of the receiver 4 and the impedance of the amplifier output stage determined.

Die elektrischen Leitungen sind, ebenso wie der Hörschlauch 3, aus transparentem Polymer gefertigt. Insofern sind sie kaum sichtbar.The electrical lines are, as well as the hearing tube 3, made of transparent polymer. In that sense, they are barely visible.

In Figur 2 ist ein Querschnitt durch einen Hörschlauch 10 schematisch dargestellt. Der Hörschlauch 10 umfasst elektrische Leitungen 12, 13, die koaxial angeordnet sind. Sie sind durch ebenfalls koaxial angeordnete Isolatoren 11 isoliert. Die elektrischen Leitungen 12, 13 und Isolatoren 11 sind aus transparentem Polymer gefertigt, so dass der gesamte Hörschlauch 10 transparent ist. Durch den koaxialen Aufbau erscheinen die Isolatoren 11 und Leitungen 12, 13 als konzentrische Kreise im Schnittbild.In FIG. 2 is a cross section through a hearing tube 10 shown schematically. The hearing tube 10 comprises electrical leads 12, 13, which are arranged coaxially. They are also coaxial isolators 11th isolated. The electrical lines 12, 13 and insulators 11 are made of transparent polymer, so that the entire hearing tube 10 is transparent. Due to the coaxial structure, the insulators 11 and lines 12, 13 appear as concentric circles in the sectional view.

In vorteilhafter Weise ist die außenliegende Leitung 12 mit Masse belegt. Nur die innenliegenden Leitungen 13 führen Signale zum Receiver. Durch die außenliegende Masse-Leitung 12 werden die innenliegenden Leitungen 13 ummantelt und somit gegen elektrische Störsignale abgeschirmt.Advantageously, the outer line 12 is grounded. Only the internal lines 13 lead signals to the receiver. By the outer ground line 12, the inner cables 13 are sheathed and thus shielded against electrical interference.

In Figur 3 ist eine weitere Ausführungsvariante eines Hörschlauchs 20 dargestellt. Die elektrischen Isolatoren 21 wechseln streifenförmig mit den elektrischen Leitungen 23 ab. Sowohl die Isolatoren 21 als auch die Leitungen 23 sind aus transparentem Polymer gefertigt. Die streifenartige Anordnung ist besonders kostengünstig und einfach herstellbar. Zudem ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, für die Leitungen 23 jeweils gleiche Oberflächengrößen vorzusehen, wodurch sich identische elektrische Eigenschaften erreichen lassen.In FIG. 3 a further embodiment of a hearing tube 20 is shown. The electrical insulators 21 alternate strip-shaped with the electrical lines 23. Both the insulators 21 and the lines 23 are made of transparent polymer. The strip-like arrangement is particularly inexpensive and easy to produce. In addition, there is the possibility of providing the same surface areas for the lines 23, whereby identical electrical properties can be achieved.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung lässt sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Die Erfindung betrifft eine Hörhilfe mit einem Gehäuse, mit einem außerhalb des Gehäuses angeordneten Receiver, und mit einem transparenten Hörschlauch zur Verbindung des Receivers mit dem Gehäuse. Die Hörhilfe 1 umfasst ein Gehäuse 2, einen außerhalb des Gehäuses 2 angeordneten Receiver 4, und einen transparenten Hörschlauch 3, 10, 20. Gemäß der Erfindung ist in dem Hörschlauch 3 mindestens eine elektrische Leitung 12, 13, 23 aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer zur elektrischen Verbindung des Receivers 4 mit einer in dem Gehäuse 2 angeordneten Signalverarbeitungselektronik 6 vorgesehen ist, und mindestens ein elektrischer Isolator 11, 21 aus transparentem, nicht leifähigem Polymer. Vorteilhafter Weise sind mehrere Leitungen 12, 13 und Isolatoren 11 koaxial angeordnet. Besonders vorteilhafter Weise ist die außenliegende Leitung 12 mit Masse belegt. Vorteilhafter Weise sind die Impedanz des Receivers 4 und die Oberfläche bzw. elektrischen Eigenschaften der mindestens einen Leitung 12, 13, 23 so aufeinander abgestimmt sind, dass die Leistungsübertragung des Gesamtsystems über die mindestens eine Leitung 12, 13, 23 maximal ist. Ein Vorteil der Erfindung besteht darin, dass der Hörschlauch 3, 10, 20 trotz darin vorgesehener elektrische Leitungen 12, 13, 23 vollständig transparent ist.A basic idea of the invention can be summarized as follows: The invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing, with a receiver arranged outside the housing, and with a transparent hearing tube for connecting the receiver to the housing. The hearing aid 1 comprises a housing 2, a receiver 4 arranged outside the housing 2, and a transparent hearing tube 3, 10, 20. According to the invention, at least one electrical lead 12, 13, 23 of transparent, conductive polymer is in the hearing tube 3 electrical connection of the receiver 4 is provided with an arranged in the housing 2 signal processing electronics 6, and at least one electrical insulator 11, 21 made of transparent, not leifähigem polymer. Advantageously, a plurality of lines 12, 13 and insulators 11 are arranged coaxially. Particularly advantageous way is the external cable 12 is grounded. Advantageously, the impedance of the receiver 4 and the surface or electrical properties of the at least one line 12, 13, 23 are matched to one another such that the power transmission of the overall system via the at least one line 12, 13, 23 is maximum. An advantage of the invention is that the hearing tube 3, 10, 20 despite its electrical lines 12, 13, 23 provided therein is completely transparent.

Claims (10)

Hörhilfe (1) umfassend ein Gehäuse (2), einen außerhalb des Gehäuses (2) angeordneten Receiver (4), und einen transparenten Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) zur Verbindung des Receivers (4) mit dem Gehäuse (2),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Hörschlauch (3) mindestens eine elektrische Leitung (12, 13, 23) aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer zur elektrischen Verbindung des Receivers (4) mit einer in dem Gehäuse (2) angeordneten Signalverarbeitungselektronik (6) vorgesehen ist, und mindestens ein elektrischer Isolator (11, 21) aus transparentem, nicht leifähigem Polymer.A hearing aid (1) comprising a housing (2), a receiver (4) arranged outside the housing (2), and a transparent hearing tube (3, 10, 20) for connecting the receiver (4) to the housing (2),
characterized in that in the hearing tube (3) at least one electrical line (12, 13, 23) of transparent, conductive polymer for electrical connection of the receiver (4) with a in the housing (2) arranged signal processing electronics (6) is provided, and at least one electrical insulator (11, 21) of transparent, non-chargeable polymer. Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) mehrere elektrische Leitungen (12, 13, 23) aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer vorgesehen sind, die durch mehrere elektrische Isolatoren (11, 21) aus transparentem, nicht leitfähigem Polymer isoliert sind.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that in the hearing tube (3, 10, 20) a plurality of electrical lines (12, 13, 23) of transparent, conductive polymer are provided, which are isolated by a plurality of electrical insulators (11, 21) of transparent, non-conductive polymer , Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Leitungen (12, 13) und die Isolatoren (11) koaxial angeordnet sind.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 2,
characterized in that the lines (12, 13) and the insulators (11) are arranged coaxially. Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die außenliegende Leitung (12) mit Masse belegt ist.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 3,
characterized in that the outer line (12) is grounded. Hörhilfe (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Impedanz des Receivers (4), die Impedanz einer damit verbundenen und von der Signalverarbeitungselektronik (6) umfassten Verstärkerendstufe und die Oberfläche der mindestens einen Leitung (12, 13, 23) so aufeinander abgestimmt sind, dass die Leistungsübertragung über die Leitung (12, 13, 23) maximal ist.Hearing aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the impedance of the receiver (4), the impedance of an associated and by the signal processing electronics (6) comprised amplifier output stage and the surface of the at least one line (12, 13, 23) to each other are tuned that the power transmission via the line (12, 13, 23) is maximum. Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) für eine Hörhilfe (1)
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Hörschlauch (3) mindestens eine elektrische Leitung (12, 13, 23) aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer zur elektrischen Verbindung einer elektronischen Komponente (4) mit einer in dem Gehäuse (2) angeordneten Signalverarbeitungselektronik (6) vorgesehen ist, und mindestens ein elektrischer Isolator (11, 21) aus transparentem, nicht leifähigem Polymer.Hearing aid (3, 10, 20) for a hearing aid (1)
characterized in that in the hearing tube (3) at least one electrical line (12, 13, 23) of transparent, conductive polymer for electrical connection of an electronic component (4) with a in the housing (2) arranged signal processing electronics (6) is provided , and at least one electrical insulator (11, 21) of transparent, non-conductive polymer. Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) mehrere elektrische Leitungen (12, 13, 23) aus transparentem, leitfähigem Polymer vorgesehen sind, die durch mehrere elektrische Isolatoren (11, 21) aus transparentem, nicht leitfähigem Polymer isoliert sind.Hearing tube (3, 10, 20) according to claim 6,
characterized in that in the hearing tube (3, 10, 20) a plurality of electrical lines (12, 13, 23) of transparent, conductive polymer are provided, which are isolated by a plurality of electrical insulators (11, 21) of transparent, non-conductive polymer , Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Leitungen (12, 13) und die Isolatoren (11) koaxial angeordnet sind.Hearing tube (3, 10, 20) according to claim 7,
characterized in that the lines (12, 13) and the insulators (11) are arranged coaxially. Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die außenliegende Leitung (12) mit Masse belegt ist.Hearing tube (3, 10, 20) according to claim 8,
characterized in that the outer line (12) is grounded. Hörschlauch (3, 10, 20) nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Oberfläche der mindestens einen Leitung (12, 13, 23) so auf die Impedanz eines damit verbundenen Receivers (4) und einer damit verbunden Verstärkerendstufe abgestimmt ist, dass die Leistungsübertragung über die Leitung (12, 13, 23) maximal ist.Hearing tube (3, 10, 20) according to one of claims 6 to 9,
characterized in that the surface of the at least one line (12, 13, 23) is tuned to the impedance of a receiver connected thereto (4) and an amplifier output stage connected thereto, that the power transmission via the line (12, 13, 23) maximum is.
EP09164307.2A 2008-07-25 2009-07-01 Hearing aid with transparent electrical hearing tube Ceased EP2148529A3 (en)

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US20100020997A1 (en) 2010-01-28
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CN101635875A (en) 2010-01-27

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