EP2164283B1 - Hearing aid and operation of a hearing aid with frequency transposition - Google Patents

Hearing aid and operation of a hearing aid with frequency transposition Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2164283B1
EP2164283B1 EP09166193.4A EP09166193A EP2164283B1 EP 2164283 B1 EP2164283 B1 EP 2164283B1 EP 09166193 A EP09166193 A EP 09166193A EP 2164283 B1 EP2164283 B1 EP 2164283B1
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Prior art keywords
signal
frequency
hearing
microphone
directional
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EP09166193.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2164283A2 (en
EP2164283A3 (en
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Andreas Tiefenau
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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
    • H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
    • H04R25/353—Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/45—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback
    • H04R25/453—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback electronically

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a specified in claim 1 method for operating a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal with directional characteristics. According to the invention, a hearing aid belonging to the method is also claimed in claim 5.
  • Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired.
  • different types of hearing aids are provided, such as behind-the-ear hearing aids, hearing aids with external earphones and in-the-ear hearing aids, e.g. also Concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids, provided.
  • 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 which is also integrated into 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 the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5
  • Hearing loss or hearing loss may be due to different causes and accordingly requires a hearing aid, which is adapted or adapted to the particular cause of hearing loss or hearing loss.
  • a common problem that afflicts many people with hearing loss is high-frequency loss.
  • the high tone loss is physiological.
  • the so-called hair cells convert mechanical vibrations into electrical energy, which is then passed on to the brain for further processing as a nerve impulse. This process is disturbed in the case of high-frequency loss, since the areas in which higher frequencies are converted into electrical energy only have few or no hair cells left. This sometimes leads to so-called “dead zones", which are frequency ranges in which no mechanical energy can be transformed into electrical energy at all.
  • Corresponding hearing aids have a signal processing device, which transposes acoustic waves recorded by a microphone into another frequency range, and outputs them as a lower signal at a receiver. As a result, the high-frequency components of the input signal are shifted into a low-frequency range by means of signal processing so as to address the still active regions of the basilar membrane or of the hair cells.
  • a hearing aid and a method for operating the hearing aid with a frequency transposition of microphone signals are specified.
  • the transposition is determined by a non-linear frequency transposition function.
  • directional microphones are used in hearing aids. They demonstrably improve speech intelligibility in listening situations in which the wanted signal and the interfering signals come from different directions.
  • the directivity is produced by differential processing of two or more adjacent microphones with omnidirectional characteristics.
  • FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of a directional microphone system 1st order with two microphones 11, 12 at a distance of about 10 to 15 mm.
  • This results for sound signals coming from the front V an external delay of T2 between the first and the second microphone, which corresponds for example to the distance of the microphones 11, 12 to each other.
  • the signal R2 of the second microphone 12 is delayed by the time T1 in the delay unit 13, inverted in the inverter 14 and added to the signal R1 of the first microphone 11 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 operation of directional microphone systems for hearing aids are for example in the patent DE 103 31 956 B3 described.
  • a disadvantage of directional microphone systems over omnidirectional microphones is that hearing aids generally have a lower stability threshold when the directional microphones are switched on than when operating with only one omnidirectional microphone and the maximum possible signal amplification has to be reduced. As a result, directional microphones can not always be used with the required amplification in the event of severe hearing loss.
  • the stated object is achieved by the method of independent claim 1 and the device of independent claim 5.
  • the invention claims a method for operating a hearing device with at least two omnidirectional, microphone signals emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal with directional characteristics.
  • Signal components of the signal with directional characteristic above a cutoff frequency are transposed into a frequency range below the cutoff frequency and / or compressed. Since the hearing loss is lower at low frequencies for many hearing aid users, a lower amplification of the signal can be used. It is also advantageous that a frequency transposition is only applied to useful signals, since the directional microphone system suppresses noise and thus they are not shifted into a low-frequency range.
  • the transposed and / or compressed signal components may be added to the signal with directivity before its final amplification.
  • the transposed and / or compressed signal components can be added to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal before its final amplification.
  • the cutoff frequency may be that frequency at which the auditory curve of an audiogram achieves the maximum compensatable hearing loss in a directional microphone mode.
  • the invention also provides a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal having directional characteristics, and with a signal processing unit.
  • the signal processing unit transposes and / or compresses signal components of the signal with directivity above a cutoff frequency into a frequency range below the cutoff frequency.
  • the transposed and / or compressed signal components can be the signal with directional characteristic be added before its final amplification in an adder.
  • the transposed and / or compressed signal components may be admixed to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal before its final amplification in an adder.
  • the cutoff frequency can be determined in the signal processing unit, wherein the cutoff frequency is that frequency at which the auditory curve of an audiogram reaches the maximum compensatable hearing loss in a directional microphone mode.
  • the invention also provides a computer program product with a computer program which has software means for carrying out a method according to the invention when the computer program is executed in a control unit of a hearing device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 a block diagram is shown with the essential function blocks of a signal processing according to the invention.
  • Two omnidirectional microphones 11, 12 deliver microphone signals R1, R2.
  • the microphone signals R1, R2 are fed to an input of a directional microphone unit 10.
  • the directional microphone unit 10 forms from the two interconnected microphone signals R1, R2 a signal with directivity RA as shown in FIG FIG. 2 ,
  • the signal with directional characteristics reaches an input of a frequency transposition unit 16 in which signals above a limit frequency GF are transposed to low frequencies or compressed.
  • a transposed signal with directional characteristic RAV is supplied to an input of a second adder 18.
  • the first microphone signal R1 reaches a further input of the adder 18.
  • Both signals R1, RAV are combined in the second adder 18 and pass from an output as a microphone sum signal SU to an input of a Signalaufhneungs- and amplifying unit 17.
  • the microphone sum signal SU is prepared, modified and amplified according to an adjustable gain.
  • the amplified and processed microphone sum signal SUV passes from an input of the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 to an input of a loudspeaker 4.
  • the loudspeaker 4 outputs the frequency-transposed or -compressed sound signal to the eardrum of a hearing device user.
  • the directional microphone unit 10, the frequency translation unit 16, the second adder 18 and the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 are part of a signal processing unit 3.
  • FIG. 4 shows the essential functional blocks, consisting of microphones 11, 12 of a signal processing unit 3 and a handset or loudspeaker 4.
  • the microphone signals R1, R2 emitted by the microphones 11, 12 are processed into a signal with directional characteristic RA in a directional microphone unit 10 .
  • the signal with directional characteristic RA is supplied on the one hand to an input of a second adder 18.
  • the signal with directional characteristic RA is transposed or compressed to lower frequencies by means of a frequency transposition unit 16 above a limit frequency GF. From an output of the frequency transposition unit 16, the thus transposed signal RAV reaches a further input of the second adder 18.
  • the signal with directional characteristic RA and the frequency-transposed signal with directional characteristic RAV are summed and made available at an output.
  • a microphone sum signal SU reaches an input of a signal processing and amplification unit 17.
  • the microphone sum signal SU is processed and amplified in accordance with an adjustable gain.
  • the thus amplified microphone sum signal SUV is supplied from an output of the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 to an input of the receiver 4.
  • the frequency-transposed or frequency-compressed sound signal emitted by the receiver 4 finally reaches the eardrum of a hearing device user.
  • FIG. 5 is a typical audiogram of a person with hearing loss shown.
  • the X axis of the audiogram coordinate system has the frequency in kHz as a unit.
  • the Y-axis indicates the sound pressure level in relation to the normal hearing threshold of a person in dB.
  • the solid line HVD corresponds to a maximum possible hearing loss compensation of a hearing aid with directional microphones, whereas the dashed line HVO shows a maximum possible compensation of the hearing loss when using omnidirectional microphones.
  • the two lines are spaced between 5 and 10 dB apart, depending on the type of hearing aid. This means that with omnidirectional microphones greater amplification is possible than with directional microphones.
  • FIG. 5 In the diagram of FIG. 5 is a typical hearing curve HK of a deaf person.
  • the hearing curve HK intersects the line HVD at a limit frequency GF.
  • the intersection determines the range, from that with directional microphones a balance of hearing loss is no longer possible for stability reasons.
  • the cutoff frequency is approximately 2 kHz.
  • the method described in the exemplary embodiments can be implemented by implementing a corresponding software in a control unit of a hearing device.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein im Patentanspruch 1 angegebenes Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts mit mindestens zwei omnidirektionalen, Mikrofonsignale abgebenden Mikrofonen, die zur Bildung eines Signals mit Richtcharakteristik elektrisch miteinander verschaltet sind. Erfindungsgemäß wird im Patentanspruch 5 auch ein zum Verfahren gehöriges Hörgerät beansprucht.The invention relates to a specified in claim 1 method for operating a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal with directional characteristics. According to the invention, a hearing aid belonging to the method is also claimed in claim 5.

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, Hörgerät mit externem Hörer und In-dem-Ohr Hörgeräte, z.B. auch Concha-Hörgeräte oder Kanal-Hörgeräte, 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. To accommodate the many individual needs, different types of hearing aids are provided, such as behind-the-ear hearing aids, hearing aids with external earphones and in-the-ear hearing aids, e.g. also Concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids, 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 Figur 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 Energieversorgung 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, which is also integrated into 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 the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

Bei beidseitiger Schwerhörigkeit ist es sinnvoll für jedes Ohr ein Hörgerät zu verwenden, da beim Hören mit beiden Ohren im Vergleich zum Hören mit nur einem Ohr die Hörqualität deutlich verbessert wird. In den meisten Fällen sind die Hörverluste beider Ohren unterschiedlich, so dass die beiden erforderlichen Hörgeräte unterschiedliche Einstellungen aufweisen.With bilateral deafness, it makes sense to use a hearing aid for each ear, since when hearing with both ears compared to hearing with only one ear, the hearing quality is significantly improved. In most cases, the hearing losses of both ears are different, so that the two required hearing aids have different settings.

Schwerhörigkeit oder Hörverlust kann durch unterschiedliche Ursachen bedingt sein und erfordert dementsprechend ein Hörgerät, welches auf die jeweilige Ursache des Hörverlusts oder der Schwerhörigkeit abgestimmt bzw. angepasst ist. Ein weit verbreitetes Problem, unter welchem viele Schwerhörige leiden, ist der Hochtonverlust. Der Hochtonverlust ist physiologisch bedingt. In der Cochlea werden durch die sog. Haarzellen durch Schall verursachte mechanische Schwingungen in elektrische Energie umgewandelt, welche dann als Nervenimpuls an das Gehirn zur weiteren Verarbeitung weiter gegeben wird. Bei dem Hochtonverlust ist dieser Vorgang gestört, da die Bereiche, in denen höhere Frequenzen in elektrische Energie gewandelt werden, nur noch wenige oder gar keine Haarzellen mehr besitzen. Dies führt mitunter zu sogenannten "Dead-Zones", das sind Frequenzbereiche, in denen überhaupt keine mechanische Energie in elektrische Energie transformiert werden kann.Hearing loss or hearing loss may be due to different causes and accordingly requires a hearing aid, which is adapted or adapted to the particular cause of hearing loss or hearing loss. A common problem that afflicts many people with hearing loss is high-frequency loss. The high tone loss is physiological. In the cochlea, the so-called hair cells convert mechanical vibrations into electrical energy, which is then passed on to the brain for further processing as a nerve impulse. This process is disturbed in the case of high-frequency loss, since the areas in which higher frequencies are converted into electrical energy only have few or no hair cells left. This sometimes leads to so-called "dead zones", which are frequency ranges in which no mechanical energy can be transformed into electrical energy at all.

Es ist schwierig, Schwerhörige mit einem derartigen Hörverlust mit Hörgeräten optimal zu versorgen, da eine Verstärkung des Schallsignals in diesen Frequenzbereichen nicht hilft. Es wird daher versucht, die betroffenen Frequenzbereiche so zu transformieren, dass diese in einen tieferen Frequenzbereich verschoben werden, in dem noch Haarzellen für eine Schallumwandlung zur Verfügung stehen. In bekannten Lösungen wird dieses Problem mittels Signalverarbeitung gelöst. Entsprechende Hörgeräte weisen eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung auf, welche durch ein Mikrofon aufgenommene Schallwellen rechentechnisch in einen anderen Frequenzbereich transponiert, und als tieferes Signal an einem Hörer wieder ausgibt. Dadurch werden mittels Signalverarbeitung die hochfrequenten Anteile des Eingangssignals in einen tieffrequenten Bereich verlagert, um so die noch aktiven Bereiche der Basilamembran bzw. der Haarzellen anzusprechen.It is difficult to provide hearing-impaired people with hearing loss with such a hearing loss optimally, since amplification of the sound signal in these frequency ranges does not help. It is therefore attempted to transform the affected frequency ranges so that they are moved to a lower frequency range in which hair cells are still available for sound conversion. In known solutions, this problem is solved by means of signal processing. Corresponding hearing aids have a signal processing device, which transposes acoustic waves recorded by a microphone into another frequency range, and outputs them as a lower signal at a receiver. As a result, the high-frequency components of the input signal are shifted into a low-frequency range by means of signal processing so as to address the still active regions of the basilar membrane or of the hair cells.

In der Patentschrift US 2004/0175010 A1 werden ein Hörgerät und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb des Hörgeräts mit einer Frequenztransposition von Mikrofonsignalen angegeben. Die Transposition wird durch eine nicht-lineare Frequenztranspositionsfunktion ermittelt.In the patent US 2004/0175010 A1 a hearing aid and a method for operating the hearing aid with a frequency transposition of microphone signals are specified. The transposition is determined by a non-linear frequency transposition function.

Um Störgeräusche besser unterdrücken zu können, werden bei Hörgeräten Richtmikrofone eingesetzt. Sie führen nachweislich zur Verbesserung der Sprachverständlichkeit in Hörsituationen, in denen das Nutzsignal und die Störsignale aus unterschiedlichen Richtungen einfallen. In modernen Hörgeräten wird die Richtwirkung durch differenzielle Verarbeitung zweier oder mehrerer benachbarter Mikrofone mit omnidirektionaler Charakteristik erzeugt.To better suppress noise, directional microphones are used in hearing aids. They demonstrably improve speech intelligibility in listening situations in which the wanted signal and the interfering signals come from different directions. In modern hearing aids, the directivity is produced by differential processing of two or more adjacent microphones with omnidirectional characteristics.

Figur 2 zeigt ein vereinfachtes Blockschaltbild eines Richtmikrofonsystems 1. Ordnung mit zwei Mikrofonen 11, 12 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 11, 12 zueinander entspricht. Das Signal R2 des zweiten Mikrofons 12 wird um die Zeit T1 in der Verzögerungseinheit 13 verzögert, im Inverter 14 invertiert und mit dem Signal R1 des ersten Mikrofons 11 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 beispielsweise in der Patentschrift DE 103 31 956 B3 beschrieben. FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of a directional microphone system 1st order with two microphones 11, 12 at a distance of about 10 to 15 mm. This results for sound signals coming from the front V an external delay of T2 between the first and the second microphone, which corresponds for example to the distance of the microphones 11, 12 to each other. The signal R2 of the second microphone 12 is delayed by the time T1 in the delay unit 13, inverted in the inverter 14 and added to the signal R1 of the first microphone 11 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 operation of directional microphone systems for hearing aids are for example in the patent DE 103 31 956 B3 described.

Ein Nachteil von Richtmikrofonsystemen gegenüber omnidirektionalen Mikrofonen besteht darin, dass Hörgeräte im Allgemeinen bei angeschaltetem direktionalen Mikrophone eine geringere Stabilitätsschwelle aufweisen, als im Betrieb mit nur einem omnidirektionalen Mikrophon und die maximal mögliche Signalverstärkung verringert werden muss. Dadurch können Richtmikrofone bei starken Hörverlusten nicht immer mit der erforderlichen Verstärkung eingesetzt werden.A disadvantage of directional microphone systems over omnidirectional microphones is that hearing aids generally have a lower stability threshold when the directional microphones are switched on than when operating with only one omnidirectional microphone and the maximum possible signal amplification has to be reduced. As a result, directional microphones can not always be used with the required amplification in the event of severe hearing loss.

Es ist die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts und ein Hörgerät bereitzustellen, welche eine verbesserte Versorgung von Hörgeräteträgern insbesondere mit Richtcharakteristik ermöglichen.It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a hearing device and a hearing device, which enable an improved supply of hearing device wearers, in particular with directional characteristics.

Gemäß der Erfindung wird die gestellte Aufgabe mit dem Verfahren des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs 1 und der Vorrichtung des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs 5 gelöst.According to the invention, the stated object is achieved by the method of independent claim 1 and the device of independent claim 5.

Die Erfindung beansprucht ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts mit mindestens zwei omnidirektionalen, Mikrofonsignale abgebenden Mikrofonen, die zur Bildung eines Signals mit Richtcharakteristik elektrisch miteinander verschaltet sind. Signalanteile des Signals mit Richtcharakteristik oberhalb einer Grenzfrequenz werden in einen Frequenzbereich unterhalb der Grenzfrequenz transponiert und/oder komprimiert. Da der Hörverlust bei vielen Hörgerätträgern bei tiefen Frequenzen geringer ist, kann mit einer geringeren Verstärkung des Signals gearbeitet werden. Vorteilhaft ist auch, dass eine Frequenztransposition nur auf Nutzsignale angewendet wird, da das Richtmikrofonsystem Störgeräusche unterdrückt und diese somit nicht in einen niederfrequenten Bereich verschoben werden.The invention claims a method for operating a hearing device with at least two omnidirectional, microphone signals emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal with directional characteristics. Signal components of the signal with directional characteristic above a cutoff frequency are transposed into a frequency range below the cutoff frequency and / or compressed. Since the hearing loss is lower at low frequencies for many hearing aid users, a lower amplification of the signal can be used. It is also advantageous that a frequency transposition is only applied to useful signals, since the directional microphone system suppresses noise and thus they are not shifted into a low-frequency range.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform können die transponierten und/oder komprimierten Signalanteile dem Signal mit Richtcharakteristik vor seiner Endverstärkung zugemischt werden.In a further embodiment, the transposed and / or compressed signal components may be added to the signal with directivity before its final amplification.

In einer Weiterbildung können die transponierten und/oder komprimierten Signalanteile mindestens einem omnidirektionalen Mikrofonsignal vor seiner Endverstärkung zugemischt werden.In one development, the transposed and / or compressed signal components can be added to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal before its final amplification.

Vorteilhaft kann die Grenzfrequenz jene Frequenz sein, bei der die Hörkurve eines Audiogramms den maximal kompensierbaren Hörverlust bei einem direktionalen Mikrofonmodus erreicht.Advantageously, the cutoff frequency may be that frequency at which the auditory curve of an audiogram achieves the maximum compensatable hearing loss in a directional microphone mode.

Die Erfindung gibt auch ein Hörgerät mit mindestens zwei omnidirektionalen, Mikrofonsignale abgebenden Mikrofonen, die zur Bildung eines Signals mit Richtcharakteristik elektrisch miteinander verschaltet sind, und mit einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit. Die Signalverarbeitungseinheit transponiert und/oder komprimiert Signalanteile des Signals mit Richtcharakteristik oberhalb einer Grenzfrequenz in einen Frequenzbereich unterhalb der Grenzfrequenz. Vorteilhaft ist die Kombination von Störgeräuschunterdrückung durch das Richtmikrofonsystem und die Verschiebung eines Nutzsignals zu Frequenzen mit geringerem Hörverlust.The invention also provides a hearing aid with at least two omnidirectional microphones emitting microphones, which are electrically interconnected to form a signal having directional characteristics, and with a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit transposes and / or compresses signal components of the signal with directivity above a cutoff frequency into a frequency range below the cutoff frequency. Advantageously, the combination of noise suppression by the directional microphone system and the shift of a useful signal to frequencies with less hearing loss.

In einer Weiterbildung können die transponierten und/oder komprimierten Signalanteile dem Signal mit Richtcharakteristik vor seiner Endverstärkung in einem Addierer zugemischt werden.In a development, the transposed and / or compressed signal components can be the signal with directional characteristic be added before its final amplification in an adder.

In einer weiteren Ausführungsform können die transponierten und/oder komprimierten Signalanteile mindestens einem omnidirektionalen Mikrofonsignal vor seiner Endverstärkung in einem Addierer zugemischt werden.In a further embodiment, the transposed and / or compressed signal components may be admixed to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal before its final amplification in an adder.

Vorteilhaft kann die Grenzfrequenz in der Signalverarbeitungseinheit ermittelt werden, wobei die Grenzfrequenz diejenige Frequenz ist, bei der die Hörkurve eines Audiogramms den maximal kompensierbaren Hörverlust bei einem direktionalen Mikrofonmodus erreicht.Advantageously, the cutoff frequency can be determined in the signal processing unit, wherein the cutoff frequency is that frequency at which the auditory curve of an audiogram reaches the maximum compensatable hearing loss in a directional microphone mode.

Erfindungsgemäß wird auch ein Computerprogrammprodukt mit einem Computerprogramm angegeben, das Softwaremittel zur Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens aufweist, wenn das Computerprogramm in einer Steuereinheit eines erfindungsgemäßen Hörgeräts ausgeführt wird.The invention also provides a computer program product with a computer program which has software means for carrying out a method according to the invention when the computer program is executed in a control unit of a hearing device 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 Hörgeräts gemäß Stand der Technik,
Figur 2:
ein Blockschaltbild eines Richtmikrofons gemäß Stand der Technik,
Figur 3:
ein Blockschaltbild einer erfindungsgemäßen Signalverarbeitung,
Figur 4:
ein Blockdiagramm einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Signalverarbeitung und
Figur 5:
ein Audiogramm.
Show it:
FIG. 1:
a block diagram of a hearing aid according to the prior art,
FIG. 2:
a block diagram of a directional microphone according to the prior art,
FIG. 3:
a block diagram of a signal processing according to the invention,
FIG. 4:
a block diagram of a further signal processing according to the invention and
FIG. 5:
an audiogram.

In Figur 3 ist ein Blockschaltbild mit den wesentlichen Funktionsblöcken einer erfindungsgemäßen Signalverarbeitung dargestellt. Von zwei omnidirektionalen Mikrofonen 11, 12 werden Mikrofonsignale R1, R2 abgegeben. Die Mikrofonsignale R1, R2 werden einem Eingang einer Richtmikrofoneinheit 10 zugeführt. Die Richtmikrofoneinheit 10 bildet aus den beiden miteinander verschalteten Mikrofonsignalen R1, R2 ein Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RA entsprechend der Darstellung in Figur 2. Das Signal mit Richtcharakteristik gelangt zu einem Eingang einer Frequenztranspositionseinheit 16, in der Signale oberhalb einer Grenzfrequenz GF zu niederen Frequenzen transponiert bzw. komprimiert werden. Von einem Ausgang der Frequenztranspositionseinheit 16 wird ein transponiertes Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RAV einem Eingang eines zweiten Addierers 18 zugeführt. Ebenso gelangt an einen weiteren Eingang des Addierers 18 das erste Mirkofonsignal R1. Beide Signale R1, RAV werden im zweiten Addierer 18 zusammengefügt und gelangen von einem Ausgang als Mikrofon-Summensignal SU zu einem Eingang einer Signalaufbereitungs- und Verstärkungseinheit 17. In dieser wird das Mikrofon-Summensignal SU aufbereitet, modifiziert und entsprechend einer einstellbaren Verstärkung verstärkt. Das verstärkte und aufbereitete Mikrofon-Summensignal SUV gelangt von einem Eingang der Signalaufbereitungs- und Verstärkungseinheit 17 zu einem Eingang eines Lautsprechers 4. Der Lautsprecher 4 gibt das frequenztransponierte bzw. -komprimierte Schallsignal an das Trommelfell eines Hörgerätenutzers ab. Die Richtmikrofoneinheit 10, die Frequenztranspositionseinheit 16, der zweite Addierer 18 und die Signalaufbereitungs- und Verstärkungseinheit 17 sind Teil einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3.In FIG. 3 a block diagram is shown with the essential function blocks of a signal processing according to the invention. Two omnidirectional microphones 11, 12 deliver microphone signals R1, R2. The microphone signals R1, R2 are fed to an input of a directional microphone unit 10. The directional microphone unit 10 forms from the two interconnected microphone signals R1, R2 a signal with directivity RA as shown in FIG FIG. 2 , The signal with directional characteristics reaches an input of a frequency transposition unit 16 in which signals above a limit frequency GF are transposed to low frequencies or compressed. From an output of the frequency transposition unit 16, a transposed signal with directional characteristic RAV is supplied to an input of a second adder 18. Likewise, the first microphone signal R1 reaches a further input of the adder 18. Both signals R1, RAV are combined in the second adder 18 and pass from an output as a microphone sum signal SU to an input of a Signalaufbereitungs- and amplifying unit 17. In this, the microphone sum signal SU is prepared, modified and amplified according to an adjustable gain. The amplified and processed microphone sum signal SUV passes from an input of the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 to an input of a loudspeaker 4. The loudspeaker 4 outputs the frequency-transposed or -compressed sound signal to the eardrum of a hearing device user. The directional microphone unit 10, the frequency translation unit 16, the second adder 18 and the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 are part of a signal processing unit 3.

In Figur 4 ist eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Signalverarbeitung schematisch dargestellt. Figur 4 zeigt die wesentlichen Funktionsblöcke, bestehend aus Mikrofonen 11, 12 einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 und einem Hörer bzw. Lautsprecher 4. In der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 werden in einer Richtmikrofoneinheit 10 die von den Mikrofonen 11, 12 abgegebenen Mikrofonsignale R1, R2 zu einem Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RA aufbereitet. Das Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RA wird einerseits einem Eingang eines zweiten Addierers 18 zugeführt. Das Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RA wird andererseits mittels einer Frequenztranspositionseinheit 16 oberhalb einer Grenzfrequenz GF zu niederen Frequenzen transponiert bzw. komprimiert. Von einem Ausgang der Frequenztranspositionseinheit 16 gelangt das so transponierte Signal RAV zu einem weiteren Eingang des zweiten Addierers 18. Im Addierer 18 werden das Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RA und das frequenztransponierte Signal mit Richtcharakteristik RAV summiert und an einem Ausgang zur Verfügung gestellt. Von dem Ausgang des Addierers 18 gelangt ein Mikrofon-Summensignal SU an einen Eingang einer Signalaufbereitungs- und Verstärkungseinheit 17. In dieser wird das Mikrofon-Summensignal SU aufbereitet und entsprechend einer einstellbaren Verstärkung verstärkt. Das so verstärkte Mikrofon-Summensignal SUV wird von einem Ausgang der Signalaufbereitungs- und Verstärkungseinheit 17 einem Eingang des Hörers 4 zugeführt. Das so frequenztransponierte bzw. frequenzkomprimierte vom Hörer 4 abgegebene Schallsignal gelangt schließlich an das Trommelfell eines Hörgerätenutzers.In FIG. 4 a further signal processing according to the invention is shown schematically. FIG. 4 shows the essential functional blocks, consisting of microphones 11, 12 of a signal processing unit 3 and a handset or loudspeaker 4. In the signal processing unit 3, the microphone signals R1, R2 emitted by the microphones 11, 12 are processed into a signal with directional characteristic RA in a directional microphone unit 10 , The signal with directional characteristic RA is supplied on the one hand to an input of a second adder 18. On the other hand, the signal with directional characteristic RA is transposed or compressed to lower frequencies by means of a frequency transposition unit 16 above a limit frequency GF. From an output of the frequency transposition unit 16, the thus transposed signal RAV reaches a further input of the second adder 18. In the adder 18, the signal with directional characteristic RA and the frequency-transposed signal with directional characteristic RAV are summed and made available at an output. From the output of the adder 18, a microphone sum signal SU reaches an input of a signal processing and amplification unit 17. In this the microphone sum signal SU is processed and amplified in accordance with an adjustable gain. The thus amplified microphone sum signal SUV is supplied from an output of the signal conditioning and amplification unit 17 to an input of the receiver 4. The frequency-transposed or frequency-compressed sound signal emitted by the receiver 4 finally reaches the eardrum of a hearing device user.

In Figur 5 ist ein typisches Audiogramm eines Menschen mit Hörverminderung dargestellt. Die X-Achse des Audiogramm-Koordinatensystems hat als Einheit die Frequenz in kHz. Die Y-Achse gibt den Schalldruckpegel bezogen auf die normale Hörschwelle eines Menschen in dB an. Die durchgezogene Linie HVD entspricht einer maximal möglichen Hörverlustkompensation eines Hörgeräts mit direktionalen Mikrofonen, wohingegen die gestrichelte Linie HVO eine maximal mögliche Kompensation des Hörverlusts bei einer Verwendung von omnidirektionaler Mikrofonen zeigt. Die beiden Linien sind je nach Hörgerätetyp zwischen 5 und 10 dB voneinander beabstandet. Das heißt, dass mit omnidirektionalen Mikrofonen eine größere Verstärkung möglich ist, als mit direktionalen Mikrofonen.In FIG. 5 is a typical audiogram of a person with hearing loss shown. The X axis of the audiogram coordinate system has the frequency in kHz as a unit. The Y-axis indicates the sound pressure level in relation to the normal hearing threshold of a person in dB. The solid line HVD corresponds to a maximum possible hearing loss compensation of a hearing aid with directional microphones, whereas the dashed line HVO shows a maximum possible compensation of the hearing loss when using omnidirectional microphones. The two lines are spaced between 5 and 10 dB apart, depending on the type of hearing aid. This means that with omnidirectional microphones greater amplification is possible than with directional microphones.

Im Diagramm der Figur 5 ist eine typische Hörkurve HK eines Schwerhörigen dargestellt. Die Hörkurve HK schneidet die Linie HVD bei einer Grenzfrequenz GF. Der Schnittpunkt bestimmt den Bereich, ab dem mit direktionalen Mikrofonen ein Ausgleich des Hörverlustes aus Stabilitätsgründen nicht mehr möglich ist. Im dargestellten Beispiel liegt die Grenzfrequenz bei ca. 2 kHz.In the diagram of FIG. 5 is a typical hearing curve HK of a deaf person. The hearing curve HK intersects the line HVD at a limit frequency GF. The intersection determines the range, from that with directional microphones a balance of hearing loss is no longer possible for stability reasons. In the example shown, the cutoff frequency is approximately 2 kHz.

Um nun den Vorteil von direktionalen Mikrofonen zu erhalten, werden nun die Signalanteile oberhalb der Grenzfrequenz GF zu niederen Frequenzen, bei denen der Hörverlust des Schwerhörigen entsprechend geringer ist, verschoben. Das heißt der in Figur 5 mit "a" bezeichnete Bereich wird dementsprechend in den mit "b" bezeichneten Bereich transponiert. Dadurch spielt die durch Rückkopplung limitierte Verstärkung von Richtmikrofonen keine limitierende Rolle mehr.In order to obtain the advantage of directional microphones now, the signal components above the cut-off frequency GF are shifted to lower frequencies, in which the hearing loss of the hearing impaired is correspondingly lower. That means the in FIG. 5 Accordingly, the area labeled "a" is transposed into the area designated by "b". Thus, the limited by feedback amplification of directional microphones no longer plays a limiting role.

Das in den Ausführungsbeispielen beschriebene Verfahren kann durch Implementierung einer entsprechenden Software in einer Steuereinheit eines Hörgeräts implementiert werden.The method described in the exemplary embodiments can be implemented by implementing a corresponding software in a control unit of a hearing device.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Hörgerätegehäusehearing aid housing
22
Mikrofonmicrophone
33
SignalverarbeitungseinheitSignal processing unit
44
Hörer/LautsprecherHandset / Speaker
55
Batteriebattery
1010
RichtmikrofoneinheitDirectional microphone unit
1111
erstes Mikrofonfirst microphone
1212
zweites Mikrofonsecond microphone
1313
Verzögerungseinheitdelay unit
1414
Inverterinverter
1515
erster Addiererfirst adder
1616
FrequenztranspositionseinheitFrequency transposition unit
1717
Signalaufbereitungs- und VerstärkungseinheitSignal conditioning and amplification unit
1818
zweiter Addierersecond adder
aa
Bereich oberhalb der Grenzfrequenz GFRange above the cutoff frequency GF
bb
Bereich unterhalb der Grenzfrequenz GFRange below the cutoff frequency GF
GFGF
Grenzfrequenzcut-off frequency
HKHK
Hörkurvehearing curve
HVDHVD
maximaler Hörverlust, versorgbar mit direktionalen Mikrofonenmaximum hearing loss, available with directional microphones
HVOHVO
maximaler Hörverlust, versorgbar mit omnidirektionalen Mikrofonenmaximum hearing loss, available with omnidirectional microphones
R1R1
erstes Mikrofonsignalfirst microphone signal
R2R2
zweites Mikrofonsignalsecond microphone signal
RARA
Signal mit RichtcharakteristikSignal with directional characteristic
RAVRAV
frequenztransponiertes Signal mit Richtcharakteristikfrequency-transposed signal with directional characteristic
SS
Schallsignal von der Seite / von hintenSound signal from the side / from behind
SUSU
Mikrofon-SummensignalMicrophone sum signal
SUVSUV
verstärktes und aufbereitetes Mikrofon-Summensignalamplified and processed microphone sum signal
T1T1
Zeit 1Time 1
T2T2
Zeit 2Time 2
VV
Schallsignal von vorneSound signal from the front

Claims (9)

  1. Method for the operation of a hearing device with at least two omnidirectional microphones (11, 12) emitting microphone signals (R1, R2), with said microphones being connected electrically to one another in order to form a signal with directional characteristic (RA),
    characterised in that
    signal components (RAV) of the signal with directional characteristic (RA) above a cut-off frequency (GF) are transposed and/or compressed down to a frequency range below the cut-off frequency (GF).
  2. Method according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the transposed and/or compressed signal components (RAV) are added to the signal with directional characteristic (RA) before its final amplification.
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterised in that
    the transposed and/or compressed signal components (RAV) are added to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal (R1, R2) before its final amplification.
  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the cut-off frequency (GF) is the frequency at which the hearing curve (HK) of an audiogram attains the maximum compensatable hearing loss (HVD) with a directional microphone mode.
  5. Hearing device with at least two omnidirectional microphones (11, 12) emitting microphone signals (R1, R2), with said microphones being connected electrically to one another, and to a signal processing unit (3), in order to form a signal with directional characteristic (RA),
    characterised in that
    the signal processing unit (3) is realised such that signal components (RAV) of the signal with directional characteristic (RA) above a cut-off frequency (GF) are capable of being transposed and/or compressed down to a frequency range below the cut-off frequency (GF).
  6. Hearing device according to claim 5,
    characterised in that
    the transposed and/or compressed signal components (RAV) can be added to the signal with directional characteristic (RA) in an adder (18) before its final amplification.
  7. Hearing device according to claim 5,
    characterised in that
    the transposed and/or compressed signal components (RAV) can be added to at least one omnidirectional microphone signal (R1, R2) in an adder (18) before its final amplification.
  8. Hearing device according to one of the claims 5 to 7,
    characterised in that
    the cut-off frequency (GF) is capable of being determined in the signal processing unit (3), with the cut-off frequency (GF) being the frequency at which the hearing curve (HK) of an audiogram attains the maximum compensatable hearing loss (HVD) with a directional microphone mode.
  9. Computer program product with a computer program that has software means of performing a method according to one of claims 1 to 4, when the computer program is executed in a control unit (3) of a hearing device according to one of claims 5 to 8.
EP09166193.4A 2008-09-12 2009-07-23 Hearing aid and operation of a hearing aid with frequency transposition Revoked EP2164283B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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DE102008046966A DE102008046966B3 (en) 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Hearing aid and operation of a hearing aid with frequency transposition

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DE102011083736B4 (en) 2011-09-29 2014-11-20 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Gain adjustment for a hearing aid
US9185499B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2015-11-10 Gn Resound A/S Binaural hearing aid with frequency unmasking
CN103546849B (en) * 2011-12-30 2017-04-26 Gn瑞声达A/S Frequency-no-masking hearing-aid for double ears
DK2683179T3 (en) * 2012-07-06 2015-04-20 Gn Resound As Hearing aid with frequency masking
US9167366B2 (en) * 2012-10-31 2015-10-20 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Threshold-derived fitting method for frequency translation in hearing assistance devices
EP2744226A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-18 Oticon A/s Hearing instrument
US10575103B2 (en) 2015-04-10 2020-02-25 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Neural network-driven frequency translation
US9843875B2 (en) 2015-09-25 2017-12-12 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Binaurally coordinated frequency translation in hearing assistance devices
US10085099B2 (en) 2015-11-03 2018-09-25 Bernafon Ag Hearing aid system, a hearing aid device and a method of operating a hearing aid system
US9980053B2 (en) 2015-11-03 2018-05-22 Oticon A/S Hearing aid system and a method of programming a hearing aid device

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US6577739B1 (en) * 1997-09-19 2003-06-10 University Of Iowa Research Foundation Apparatus and methods for proportional audio compression and frequency shifting
US20040175010A1 (en) * 2003-03-06 2004-09-09 Silvia Allegro Method for frequency transposition in a hearing device and a hearing device
DE10331956C5 (en) * 2003-07-16 2010-11-18 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing aid and method for operating a hearing aid with a microphone system, in which different Richtcharaktistiken are adjustable
AU2003904207A0 (en) * 2003-08-11 2003-08-21 Vast Audio Pty Ltd Enhancement of sound externalization and separation for hearing-impaired listeners: a spatial hearing-aid
DK1841281T3 (en) * 2006-03-28 2015-10-26 Oticon As System and method for generating auditory spatial information
DE102006019728A1 (en) * 2006-04-27 2007-11-15 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Time-adaptive setting of a hearing aid device and corresponding method
DE102006020832B4 (en) * 2006-05-04 2016-10-27 Sivantos Gmbh Method for suppressing feedback in hearing devices

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EP2164283A3 (en) 2013-03-27

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