EP2182741B2 - Hearing aid with special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing aid - Google Patents

Hearing aid with special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing aid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2182741B2
EP2182741B2 EP09173019.2A EP09173019A EP2182741B2 EP 2182741 B2 EP2182741 B2 EP 2182741B2 EP 09173019 A EP09173019 A EP 09173019A EP 2182741 B2 EP2182741 B2 EP 2182741B2
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signal
microphone
signals
classification
hearing aid
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2182741A1 (en
EP2182741B1 (en
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Andre Steinbuss
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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
    • H04R25/43—Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing device with a microphone device for recording a sound signal, a receiving device for receiving an electrical or electromagnetic signal, a classification device for determining an acoustic situation from the signals of the microphone device and the receiving device and a signal processing device for processing the signals of the microphone device and the Receiving device in response to an output signal of the classification device.
  • a hearing device here means any device that can be carried in or on the ear or head, in particular a hearing device, a headset, headphones and the like.
  • Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired.
  • different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (IDO), e.g. Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC).
  • BTE behind-the-ear hearing aids
  • RIC hearing aid with external receiver
  • IDO in-the-ear hearing aids
  • ITE canal hearing aids
  • the hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal.
  • bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.
  • Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed.
  • a signal processing unit 3 which is also integrated in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them.
  • the output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal.
  • the sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier.
  • the power supply of the hearing device and in particular the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5
  • Modern hearing aids usually have powerful directional microphones that are often adaptive and multi-channel realized.
  • directional microphones can be activated and deactivated by situation detection algorithms to always provide the user with the most advantageous microphone mode.
  • the input signal of the hearing aid is supplied.
  • the operation is flawless.
  • problems arise in the superimposition of microphone signals in addition, e.g. wirelessly input audio signals.
  • the situation recognition unit works on the signal mixed together from microphone and audio signal and adapts the microphone setting on the basis of this.
  • the situation detection is fed in this case with a little meaningful signal and as a result, the microphone mode can not correctly adapt to the actual situation.
  • the microphone mode In order to meet this problem reasonably, is currently fixed as a workaround solution, the microphone mode often manually from "automatic" to "omnidirectional".
  • the hearing aid has several input sources such as microphone, telecoil and the like.
  • the hearing device has a selection unit, a signal processing unit and a classification unit. One or more active sources are selected in the selection unit, and information in the classification unit is also processed in relation to the selected or selected sources.
  • a controller analyzes the signals received from the transducers and controls the transfer function between the transducers and a loudspeaker. Parallel to the signals of the microphones, the signals of the induction sensors are used for switching or control.
  • a classification device examines whether the induction signal and the acoustic signal are each a useful signal.
  • the document discloses DE 10 2007 008 738 A1 a method for improving spatial perception.
  • the input signal is analyzed, with a separation of sound sources.
  • when analyzing a signal class can be determined to control the hearing aid accordingly.
  • the hearing device receives at least one externally fed signal next to a microphone signal and controls the hearing device accordingly.
  • WO 2008/071236 A2 a hearing aid system with improved noise suppression described.
  • Several input signals of the hearing aid are each classified by a classifier.
  • the similarity of a current acoustic scene and a given acoustic scene is determined.
  • the input signals are sent for further processing.
  • a hearing aid device with compensation of acoustic and electromagnetic feedback signals is known.
  • the hearing aid has a microphone and a coil for signal recording. Switching between microphone and coil operation is done with the aid of a classifier. This detects whether the microphone or on the telecoil speech is present and switch then automatically seamless, if necessary, in the intended operation, eg. B. pure microphone operation, pure coil operation or mixed operation.
  • the object of the present invention is thus to provide a hearing device with which it is possible to more reliably recognize an acoustic situation when there are a plurality of different input signals.
  • a corresponding method for operating a hearing device to be proposed.
  • this object is achieved by a hearing device according to claim 1.
  • the hearing device makes it possible to better recognize acoustic situations as a function of the individual input signals.
  • the situation recognition may be performed separately in response to microphone signals and audio signals that have been received electromagnetically.
  • a correlation of the recorded signals is determined with the preprocessing device, so that a corresponding control signal of the classification device can also be provided by the preprocessing device.
  • the correlation of the recorded signals also gives a clear indication of the acoustic situation.
  • the classification device is preceded by a pre-processing device with which it is possible to determine, based on the levels, which of the recorded signals is dominant, and with which a corresponding control signal of the classification device can be provided.
  • the level makes it possible to reliably detect the dominance of an input signal, which in turn allows the dominant signal to be analyzed to better identify the situation.
  • a delay of the signal from the microphone device may be preconfigured for the correlation analysis according to a known delay of the signal from the receiving device. In this way, a reliable result can be quickly determined for the correlation analysis.
  • a decision matrix can be implemented in the classification device in order to determine the output signal of the classification device on the basis of a signal obtained by the preprocessing device. As a result, a decision based on the determined acoustic situation can be made without calculation effort.
  • the signal processing device may comprise a directional microphone control unit, a noise suppression unit and a feedback unit, wherein, when the signal of the receiving device dominates the signal from the microphone device, only the noise removal unit and the feedback unit are adapted according to the determined acoustic situation.
  • the microphone device is permanently switched to omnidirectional mode so that the user remains responsive from all directions.
  • the classification device uses the signal of the microphone device at predetermined time intervals to determine the acoustic situation. This further refines the situation detection, because it is not only the dominant signal used for situation detection.
  • the signal of the microphone device is used by the classification device for determining the acoustic situation. This reflects the principle that the natural acoustic environment is paramount for situational awareness.
  • a microphone device with two microphones 10 and 11 is provided here.
  • the signals of both microphones 10, 11 are linked together so that a signal m of the microphone device results.
  • the hearing aid has, for example, a telephone coil 12 and an audio input 13.
  • these receiving components 12, 13 are subsumed under the term "receiving device" here. From this receiving device, that is, from the electrical or electromagnetic receivers, at least one signal e is provided.
  • the signal m of the microphone device and the signal e of the receiving device is fed to a pre-processing device 13.
  • a pre-processing device 13 This has, for example, a level meter to determine which of the two signals m or e has the higher level.
  • the preprocessing device 14 can also perform a correlation analysis with which a correlation variable between the two signals m and e can be determined.
  • the preprocessing device 14 passes the signals m and e to a classification device 15 and supplies it with an additional control signal s in accordance with its level or correlation variable.
  • the situation detection is then practically carried out on the basis of the control signal s by supplying one of the two signals m or e to a downstream signal processing unit 16 in accordance with a predetermined logic.
  • the signal processing device 16 is additionally controlled or adapted on the basis of the classification result or the situation recognition, for which reason the classification device 15 of the signal processing device 16 can provide an additional control signal c. Finally, the output signal a of the classification device 15 is amplified by the signal processing device 16 to a receiver 17.
  • the situation recognition unit e.g., the classification means 15
  • the situation recognition unit provides acoustic and electrical input signals m and e separately.
  • an independent check of the input signals m and e takes place in advance, e.g. as mentioned by criteria such as level or correlation.
  • criteria such as level or correlation.
  • the delay of an audio signal e.g. caused by processing elements of a wireless transmission path, to be preconfigured.
  • acoustic situations can be detected more reliably.
  • the acoustic situation "television” can be recognized by the fact that in addition to the acoustic transmission, an additional similarly strong wireless transmission takes place and both signals are correlated with each other.
  • the acoustic situation "music transmission in a quiet environment” e.g., jogging in the forest with music entertainment by radio
  • the electromagnetic input signal has a much higher level than the microphone signal and both signals are uncorrelated.
  • the situation detection can be configured via a decision matrix as to which signal is to be used for the situation detection.
  • a decision matrix could look like this: Audio microphone directional microphone X interference X X SoundSmoothing X X feedback X X
  • This decision matrix means that if the audio signal outweighs the directional microphone is not turned on, but an adaptation in terms of noise, sound smoothing and feedback takes place. If, on the other hand, the microphone signal predominates, the directional microphone is additionally switched on.
  • the decision matrix may be configurable in the form of software by, for example, an acoustician. Alternatively, the decision matrix can also be fixed.
  • the situation recognition preferably takes place exclusively on the basis of the microphone signal.
  • the situation recognition unit operates exclusively on the basis of the audio signal.
  • the microphone is set to the omnidirectional operation to ensure responsiveness of the user from all directions.
  • the microphone can be adjusted for the dominance of the audio signal by means of the independently available microphone signal. For this purpose, for example, the microphone signal is supplied to the situation detection for a short time at longer intervals and classifies the environment. After a decision, the classification unit continues to work with the dominant audio signal.
  • both signals m and e of the microphone device 10, 11 and the receiving device 12, 13 are approximately the same, and if there is also a high correlation between the two signals, it is advantageous if the situation recognition is performed primarily on the basis of the microphone signal.
  • the described exemplary embodiment thus makes it possible for the hearing device wearer to recognize the advantage that the situation recognition is carried out with a "pure" signal free from superposition effects.
  • the correlation can contribute several signals to the situation detection. The situation detection is thus much more reliable.
  • the hearing aid wearer has the advantage that the adaptation of the directional microphone in the case of dominant audio signals is not due to the audio signal but based on the microphone that characterizes the actual acoustic situation.

Abstract

The device has microphone devices (10, 11) receiving a sound signal, and receiving devices (12, 13) receiving electrical and electromagnetic signals. A classification device (15) determines an acoustic situation from signals (m, e) of the microphone devices and the receiving devices. A signal processing device processes the signals of the microphone devices and the receiving devices depending on an output signal (a) of the classification device. The signals of the microphone devices and receiving devices of the classification device are adjusted for a situation device. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a hearing device.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Hörvorrichtung mit einer Mikrofoneinrichtung zum Aufnehmen eines Schallsignals, einer Empfangseinrichtung zum Aufnehmen eines elektrischen oder elektromagnetischen Signals, einer Klassifikationseinrichtung zum Ermitteln einer akustischen Situation aus den Signalen der Mikrofoneinrichtung und der Empfangseinrichtung sowie einer Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung zum Verarbeiten der Signale der Mikrofoneinrichtung und der Empfangseinrichtung in Abhängigkeit von einem Ausgangssignal der Klassifikationseinrichtung. Unter einer Hörvorrichtung wird hier jedes im oder am Ohr beziehungsweise Kopf tragbare Schall ausgebende Gerät, insbesondere ein Hörgerät, ein Headset, Kopfhörer und dergleichen verstanden.The present invention relates to a hearing device with a microphone device for recording a sound signal, a receiving device for receiving an electrical or electromagnetic signal, a classification device for determining an acoustic situation from the signals of the microphone device and the receiving device and a signal processing device for processing the signals of the microphone device and the Receiving device in response to an output signal of the classification device. A hearing device here means any device that can be carried in or on the ear or head, in particular a hearing device, a headset, headphones and the like.

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

Hörgeräte besitzen prinzipiell als wesentliche Komponenten einen Eingangswandler, einen Verstärker und einen Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z. B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z. B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangswandler ist meist als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Der Verstärker ist üblicherweise in eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit integriert. Dieser prinzipielle Aufbau ist in FIG 1 am Beispiel eines Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräts dargestellt. In ein Hörgerätegehäuse 1 zum Tragen hinter dem Ohr sind ein oder mehrere Mikrofone 2 zur Aufnahme des Schalls aus der Umgebung eingebaut. Eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3, die ebenfalls in das Hörgerätegehäuse 1 integriert ist, verarbeitet die Mikrofonsignale und verstärkt sie. Das Ausgangssignal der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 wird an einen Lautsprecher bzw. Hörer 4 übertragen, der ein akustisches Signal ausgibt. Der Schall wird gegebenenfalls über einen Schallschlauch, der mit einer Otoplastik im Gehörgang fixiert ist, zum Trommelfell des Geräteträgers übertragen. Die 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 in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

Moderne Hörgeräte verfügen meist über leistungsstarke Richtmikrofone, die vielfach adaptiv und mehrkanalig realisiert sind. Zusätzlich können Richtmikrofone von Situationserkennungsalgorithmen aktiviert und deaktiviert werden, um den Benutzer stets den vorteilhaftesten Mikrofonmodus anzubieten.Modern hearing aids usually have powerful directional microphones that are often adaptive and multi-channel realized. In addition, directional microphones can be activated and deactivated by situation detection algorithms to always provide the user with the most advantageous microphone mode.

Zur Klassifikation der akustischen Umgebung wird der Situationserkennung das Eingangssignal des Hörgeräts zugeführt. Für die übliche Anwendung einer Hörhilfe im Alltag, bei der das Eingangssignal ausschließlich vom hörgeräteeigenen Mikrofon gespeist wird, ist die Funktionsweise einwandfrei. Probleme treten jedoch bei der Überlagerung von Mikrofonsignalen mit zusätzlich, z.B. drahtlos eingespeisten Audiosignalen auf. In dieser Konstellation arbeitet die Situationserkennungseinheit auf dem aus Mikrofon- und Audiosignal zusammengemischten Signal und adaptiert anhand dessen die Mikrofoneinstellung. Die Situationserkennung wird in diesem Fall mit einem wenig aussagekräftigen Signal gespeist und kann in Folge dessen den Mikrofonmodus nicht korrekt der tatsächlichen Situation anpassen. Um dieser Problematik einigermaßen gerecht zu werden, wird derzeit als Umgehungslösung der Mikrofonmodus vielfach manuell von "automatisch" auf "omnidirektional" fixiert.To classify the acoustic environment of the situation detection, the input signal of the hearing aid is supplied. For the usual application of a hearing aid in everyday life, in which the input signal is fed exclusively by the hearing aid's own microphone, the operation is flawless. However, problems arise in the superimposition of microphone signals in addition, e.g. wirelessly input audio signals. In this constellation, the situation recognition unit works on the signal mixed together from microphone and audio signal and adapts the microphone setting on the basis of this. The situation detection is fed in this case with a little meaningful signal and as a result, the microphone mode can not correctly adapt to the actual situation. In order to meet this problem reasonably, is currently fixed as a workaround solution, the microphone mode often manually from "automatic" to "omnidirectional".

Aus der Druckschrift EP 1 653 773 A2 ist ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Hörgeräts bekannt. Das Hörgerät besitzt mehrere Eingangsquellen wie Mikrofon, Telefonspule und dergleichen. Daneben weist das Hörgerät eine Selektionseinheit, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit und eine Klassifizierungseinheit auf. In der Selektionseinheit werden eine oder mehrere aktive Quellen selektiert, und in der Klassifikationseinheit werden auch Informationen im Zusammenhang mit der ausgewählten bzw. den ausgewählten Quellen verarbeitet.From the publication EP 1 653 773 A2 a method for operating a hearing aid is known. The hearing aid has several input sources such as microphone, telecoil and the like. In addition, the hearing device has a selection unit, a signal processing unit and a classification unit. One or more active sources are selected in the selection unit, and information in the classification unit is also processed in relation to the selected or selected sources.

Darüber hinaus beschreibt die Patentschrift DE 101 46 886 B4 ein Hörgerät mit automatischer Umschaltung auf Hörspulenbetrieb. Eine Steuereinrichtung analysiert die von den Aufnehmern erhaltenen Signale und steuert bzw. schaltet die Übertragungsfunktion zwischen den Aufnehmern und einem Lautsprecher. Parallel zu den Signalen der Mikrofone werden die Signale der Induktionsaufnehmer zum Schalten oder Steuern ausgenutzt. Eine Klassifikationseinrichtung untersucht, ob es sich bei dem Induktionssignal und dem akustischen Signal jeweils um ein Nutzsignal handelt.In addition, the patent specification describes DE 101 46 886 B4 a hearing aid with automatic switching to Hörspulebetrieb. A controller analyzes the signals received from the transducers and controls the transfer function between the transducers and a loudspeaker. Parallel to the signals of the microphones, the signals of the induction sensors are used for switching or control. A classification device examines whether the induction signal and the acoustic signal are each a useful signal.

Des Weiteren offenbart die Druckschrift DE 10 2007 008 738 A1 ein Verfahren zur Verbesserung der räumlichen Wahrnehmung. Das Eingangssignal wird analysiert, wobei ein Separieren von Schallquellen erfolgt. Ebenso kann bei dem Analysieren eine Signalklasse ermittelt werden, um das Hörgerät entsprechend zu steuern. Ferner wird durch das Hörgerät mindestens ein extern eingespeistes Signal neben einem Mikrofonsignal aufgenommen und das Hörgerät entsprechend gesteuert.Furthermore, the document discloses DE 10 2007 008 738 A1 a method for improving spatial perception. The input signal is analyzed, with a separation of sound sources. Likewise, when analyzing a signal class can be determined to control the hearing aid accordingly. Furthermore, the hearing device receives at least one externally fed signal next to a microphone signal and controls the hearing device accordingly.

Ferner ist in der Druckschrift WO 2008/071236 A2 ein Hörgerätesystem mit verbesserter Störschallunterdrückung beschrieben. Mehrere Eingangssignale des Hörgeräts werden jeweils durch einen Klassifikator klassifiziert. Dabei wird die Ähnlichkeit einer aktuellen akustischen Szene und einer vorgegebenen akustischen Szene ermittelt. In Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Ähnlichkeit werden die Eingangssignale der weiteren Verarbeitung zugeführt.Furthermore, in the document WO 2008/071236 A2 a hearing aid system with improved noise suppression described. Several input signals of the hearing aid are each classified by a classifier. The similarity of a current acoustic scene and a given acoustic scene is determined. Depending on the determined similarity, the input signals are sent for further processing.

Aus der Patentschrift DE 10 2005 019 149 B3 ist außerdem eine Hörhilfevorrichtung mit Kompensation von akustischen und elektromagnetischen Rückkopplungssignalen bekannt. Die Hörhilfevorrichtung besitzt zur Signalaufnahme ein Mikrofon und eine Spule. Die Umschaltung zwischen Mikrofon- und Spulenbetrieb erfolgt mit Hilfe eines Klassifikators. Dieser erkennt, ob am Mikrofon oder an der Telefonspule Sprache anliegt und Schalter dann automatisch gegebenenfalls übergangslos in den vorgesehenen Betrieb, z. B. reiner Mikrofonbetrieb, reiner Spulenbetrieb oder Mischbetrieb.From the patent DE 10 2005 019 149 B3 In addition, a hearing aid device with compensation of acoustic and electromagnetic feedback signals is known. The hearing aid has a microphone and a coil for signal recording. Switching between microphone and coil operation is done with the aid of a classifier. This detects whether the microphone or on the telecoil speech is present and switch then automatically seamless, if necessary, in the intended operation, eg. B. pure microphone operation, pure coil operation or mixed operation.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, eine Hörvorrichtung bereitzustellen, mit der es möglich ist, eine akustische Situation zuverlässiger erkennen zu können, wenn mehrere unterschiedliche Eingangssignale vorliegen. Darüber hinaus soll ein entsprechendes Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Hörvorrichtung vorgeschlagen werden.The object of the present invention is thus to provide a hearing device with which it is possible to more reliably recognize an acoustic situation when there are a plurality of different input signals. In addition, a corresponding method for operating a hearing device to be proposed.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe gelöst durch eine Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1.According to the invention this object is achieved by a hearing device according to claim 1.

In vorteilhafter Weise ist es durch die erfindungsgemäße Hörvorrichtung möglich, akustische Situationen in Abhängigkeit von den einzelnen Eingangssignalen besser erkennen zu können. Insbesondere kann die Situationserkennung separat in Abhängigkeit von Mikrofonsignalen und Audiosignalen, die elektromagnetisch empfangen wurden, durchgeführt werden.Advantageously, the hearing device according to the invention makes it possible to better recognize acoustic situations as a function of the individual input signals. In particular, the situation recognition may be performed separately in response to microphone signals and audio signals that have been received electromagnetically.

Zusätzlich wird mit der Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung eine Korrelation der aufgenommenen Signale ermittelt, so dass mit der Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung auch ein entsprechendes Steuersignal der Klassifikationseinrichtung bereitstellbar ist. Auch die Korrelation der aufgenommenen Signale gibt einen deutlichen Hinweis auf die akustische Situation.In addition, a correlation of the recorded signals is determined with the preprocessing device, so that a corresponding control signal of the classification device can also be provided by the preprocessing device. The correlation of the recorded signals also gives a clear indication of the acoustic situation.

Der Klassifikationseinrichtung ist eine.Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung vorgeschaltet, mit der anhand der Pegel ermittelbar ist, welches der aufgenommenen Signale dominant ist, und mit der ein entsprechendes Steuersignal der Klassifikationseinrichtung bereitstellbar ist. Durch den Pegel lässt sich zuverlässig die Dominanz eines Eingangssignals erkennen, wodurch wiederum das dominierende Signal zu einer besseren Situationserkennung analysiert werden kann.The classification device is preceded by a pre-processing device with which it is possible to determine, based on the levels, which of the recorded signals is dominant, and with which a corresponding control signal of the classification device can be provided. The level makes it possible to reliably detect the dominance of an input signal, which in turn allows the dominant signal to be analyzed to better identify the situation.

In der Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung kann für die Korrelationsanalyse eine Verzögerung des Signals von der Mikrofoneinrichtung gemäß einer bekannten Verzögerung des Signals von der Empfangseinrichtung vorkonfiguriert sein. Auf diese Weise lässt sich für die Korrelationsanalyse rasch ein zuverlässiges Ergebnis ermitteln.In the preprocessing device, a delay of the signal from the microphone device may be preconfigured for the correlation analysis according to a known delay of the signal from the receiving device. In this way, a reliable result can be quickly determined for the correlation analysis.

Weiterhin kann in der Klassifikationseinrichtung eine Entscheidungsmatrix implementiert sein, um anhand eines von der Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung gewonnenen Signals das Ausgangssignal der Klassifikationseinrichtung zu ermitteln. Hierdurch kann ohne Rechenaufwand eine Entscheidung anhand der ermittelten akustischen Situation getroffen werden.Furthermore, a decision matrix can be implemented in the classification device in order to determine the output signal of the classification device on the basis of a signal obtained by the preprocessing device. As a result, a decision based on the determined acoustic situation can be made without calculation effort.

Ferner kann die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung eine Richtmikrofonsteuereinheit, eine Störgeräuschbefreiungseinheit und eine Rückkopplungseinheit aufweisen, wobei bei Dominanz des Signals der Empfangseinrichtung gegenüber dem Signal der Mikrofoneinrichtung von den drei Einheiten lediglich die Störgeräuschbefreiungseinheit und die Rückkopplungseinheit entsprechend der ermittelten akustischen Situation adaptiert werden. Dominiert also beispielsweise das elektromagnetische empfangene Audiosignal, so ist es von Vorteil, wenn die Mikrofoneinrichtung fest auf Omnidirektionalbetrieb geschaltet wird, damit der Nutzer aus allen Richtungen ansprechbar bleibt.Furthermore, the signal processing device may comprise a directional microphone control unit, a noise suppression unit and a feedback unit, wherein, when the signal of the receiving device dominates the signal from the microphone device, only the noise removal unit and the feedback unit are adapted according to the determined acoustic situation. Thus, for example, if the electromagnetic received audio signal dominates, it is advantageous if the microphone device is permanently switched to omnidirectional mode so that the user remains responsive from all directions.

Die Klassifikationseinrichtung zieht bei Dominanz des Signals der Empfangseinrichtung das Signal der Mikrofoneinrichtung in vorbestimmten Zeitabständen zum Ermitteln der akustischen Situation heran. Dadurch wird die Situationserkennung weiter verfeinert, denn es wird nicht nur das jeweils dominante Signal zur Situationserkennung herangezogen.When the signal of the receiving device dominates, the classification device uses the signal of the microphone device at predetermined time intervals to determine the acoustic situation. This further refines the situation detection, because it is not only the dominant signal used for situation detection.

Weiterhin kann es vorteilhaft sein, dass, wenn keines der beiden aufgenommenen Signale dominiert, das Signal der Mikrofoneinrichtung von der Klassifikationseinrichtung für die Ermittlung der akustischen Situation herangezogen wird. Damit wird dem Grundsatz Rechnung getragen, dass für die Situationserkennung die natürliche akustische Umgebung vorrangig ist.Furthermore, it may be advantageous that, if neither of the two recorded signals dominates, the signal of the microphone device is used by the classification device for determining the acoustic situation. This reflects the principle that the natural acoustic environment is paramount for situational awareness.

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

FIG 1
den prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Hörgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik und
FIG 2
ein Blockschaltdiagramm einer erfindungsgemäßen Hörvorrichtung.
The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
the basic structure of a hearing aid according to the prior art and
FIG. 2
a block diagram of a hearing device according to the invention.

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

Gemäß dem Beispiel von FIG 2, das die Signalverarbeitung eines erfindungsgemäßen Hörgeräts symbolisiert, ist eine Mikrofoneinrichtung mit hier zwei Mikrofonen 10 und 11 vorgesehen. Die Signale beider Mikrofone 10, 11 werden miteinander verknüpft, so dass sich ein Signal m der Mikrofoneinrichtung ergibt. Darüber hinaus verfügt das Hörgerät beispielsweise über eine Telefonspule 12 und einen Audioeingang 13. Selbstverständlich können auch weitere elektrische beziehungsweise elektromagnetische Eingänge vorgesehen sein. Diese Empfangskomponenten 12, 13 werden hier unter dem Begriff "Empfangseinrichtung" subsumiert. Von dieser Empfangseinrichtung, d.h. also von den elektrischen beziehungsweise elektromagnetischen Empfängern, wird mindestens ein Signal e bereitgestellt.According to the example of FIG. 2 , which symbolizes the signal processing of a hearing aid according to the invention, a microphone device with two microphones 10 and 11 is provided here. The signals of both microphones 10, 11 are linked together so that a signal m of the microphone device results. In addition, the hearing aid has, for example, a telephone coil 12 and an audio input 13. Of course, further electrical or electromagnetic inputs can be provided. These receiving components 12, 13 are subsumed under the term "receiving device" here. From this receiving device, that is, from the electrical or electromagnetic receivers, at least one signal e is provided.

Das Signal m der Mikrofoneinrichtung sowie das Signal e der Empfangseinrichtung wird einer Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung 13 zugeführt. Diese besitzt beispielsweise einen Pegelmesser, um festzustellen, welches der beiden Signale m oder e den höheren Pegel besitzt. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann die Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung 14 auch eine Korrelationsanalyse durchführen, mit der eine Korrelationsgröße zwischen den beiden Signalen m und e ermittelt werden kann. Die Vorverarbeitungseinrichtung 14 reicht die Signale m und e an eine Klassifikationseinrichtung 15 weiter und liefert ihr entsprechend ihrer Pegel beziehungsweise Korrelationsgröße ein zusätzliches Steuersignal s. In der Klassifikationseinrichtung erfolgt dann anhand des Steuersignals s praktisch die Situationserkennung dadurch, dass gemäß einer vorgegebenen Logik eines der beiden Signale m oder e einer nachgeschalteten Signalverarbeitungseinheit 16 zugeführt wird. Die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 16 wir anhand des Klassifikationsergebnisses beziehungsweise der Situationserkennung zusätzlich gesteuert beziehungsweise adaptiert, weshalb die Klassifikationseinrichtung 15 der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 16 ein zusätzliches Steuersignal c zur Verfügung stellen kann. Letztlich wird das Ausgangssignal a der Klassifikationseinrichtung 15 durch die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 16 verstärkt an einen Hörer 17 geliefert.The signal m of the microphone device and the signal e of the receiving device is fed to a pre-processing device 13. This has, for example, a level meter to determine which of the two signals m or e has the higher level. Alternatively or additionally, the preprocessing device 14 can also perform a correlation analysis with which a correlation variable between the two signals m and e can be determined. The preprocessing device 14 passes the signals m and e to a classification device 15 and supplies it with an additional control signal s in accordance with its level or correlation variable. In the classification device, the situation detection is then practically carried out on the basis of the control signal s by supplying one of the two signals m or e to a downstream signal processing unit 16 in accordance with a predetermined logic. The signal processing device 16 is additionally controlled or adapted on the basis of the classification result or the situation recognition, for which reason the classification device 15 of the signal processing device 16 can provide an additional control signal c. Finally, the output signal a of the classification device 15 is amplified by the signal processing device 16 to a receiver 17.

Um also eine verbesserte Situationserkennung zu erreichen, werden der Situationserkennungseinheit (z.B. der Klassifikationseinrichtung 15) akustische und elektrische Eingangssignale m und e separat zur Verfügung gestellt. Zusätzlich findet im Vorfeld eine unabhängige Prüfung der Eingangssignale m und e statt, z.B. wie erwähnt nach Kriterien wie Pegel oder Korrelation. Für eine Korrelationsanalyse kann vorteilhafter Weise die Verzögerung eines Audiosignals, z.B. verursacht durch Verarbeitungselemente einer Drahtlosübertragungsstrecke, vorkonfiguriert werden.Thus, to achieve an improved situation recognition, the situation recognition unit (e.g., the classification means 15) provides acoustic and electrical input signals m and e separately. In addition, an independent check of the input signals m and e takes place in advance, e.g. as mentioned by criteria such as level or correlation. For a correlation analysis, the delay of an audio signal, e.g. caused by processing elements of a wireless transmission path, to be preconfigured.

Durch dieses separate Analysieren der verschiedenen Eingangssignale können akustische Situationen sicherer erkannt werden. Z.B. kann die akustische Situation "Fernsehen" daran erkannt werden, dass neben der akustischen Übertragung eine zusätzliche ähnlich starke Drahtlosübertragung stattfindet und beide Signale miteinander korreliert sind. Ebenso kann beispielsweise die akustische Situation "Musikübertragung in leiser Umgebung" (z.B. Joggen im Wald mit Musikunterhaltung per Funk) sicher dadurch erkannt werden, dass das elektromagnetische Eingangssignal einen deutlich höheren Pegel aufweist als das Mikrofonsignal und beide Signale nicht korreliert sind.By separately analyzing the various input signals, acoustic situations can be detected more reliably. For example, the acoustic situation "television" can be recognized by the fact that in addition to the acoustic transmission, an additional similarly strong wireless transmission takes place and both signals are correlated with each other. Likewise, for example, the acoustic situation "music transmission in a quiet environment" (e.g., jogging in the forest with music entertainment by radio) can be safely recognized by the fact that the electromagnetic input signal has a much higher level than the microphone signal and both signals are uncorrelated.

Die Situationserkennung kann über eine Entscheidungsmatrix dahingehend konfiguriert werden, welches Signal für die Situationserkennung heranzuziehen ist. Eine derartige Entscheidungsmatrix könnte folgendermaßen aussehen: Audio Mikrofon Richtmikrofon X Störgeräusch X X Soundsmoothing X X Rückkopplung X X The situation detection can be configured via a decision matrix as to which signal is to be used for the situation detection. Such a decision matrix could look like this: Audio microphone directional microphone X interference X X SoundSmoothing X X feedback X X

Diese Entscheidungsmatrix bedeutet, dass für den Fall, dass das Audiosignal überwiegt, das Richtmikrofon nicht eingeschaltet wird, aber eine Adaption hinsichtlich Störgeräusch, Soundsmoothing und Rückkopplung erfolgt. Überwiegt hingegen das Mikrofonsignal, so wird zusätzlich auch das Richtmikrofon eingeschaltet.This decision matrix means that if the audio signal outweighs the directional microphone is not turned on, but an adaptation in terms of noise, sound smoothing and feedback takes place. If, on the other hand, the microphone signal predominates, the directional microphone is additionally switched on.

Die Entscheidungsmatrix kann in Form von Software beispielsweise durch einen Akustiker konfigurierbar sein. Alternativ kann die Entscheidungsmatrix auch fest vorgegeben werden.The decision matrix may be configurable in the form of software by, for example, an acoustician. Alternatively, the decision matrix can also be fixed.

Für den Fall, dass das Mikrofonsignal dominiert und der Hörgeräteträger das Audiosignal nur begleitend nutzt, erfolgt also die Situationserkennung vorzugsweise ausschließlich anhand des Mikrofonsignals. Dominiert hingegen das Audiosignal, arbeitet die Situationserkennungseinheit ausschließlich auf der Basis des Audiosignals. Entsprechend dem obigen Beispiel wird dann zwar die Geräuschbefreiung und die Rückkopplungseinheit adaptiert, das Mikrofon wird aber auf den Omnidirektionalbetrieb gesetzt, um Ansprechbarkeit des Nutzers aus allen Richtungen zu gewährleisten. Alternativ zu der festen Einstellung in den Omnidirektionalbetrieb kann das Mikrofon bei Dominanz des Audiosignals anhand des unabhängig bereitstehenden Mikrofonsignals eingestellt werden. Dazu wird beispielsweise das Mikrofonsignal in längeren Zeitabständen kurzzeitig der Situationserkennung zugeführt und die Umgebung klassifiziert. Nach einer Entscheidung arbeitet die Klassifikationseinheit weiter mit dem dominierenden Audiosignal.In the event that the microphone signal dominates and the hearing aid wearer uses the audio signal only as an accompaniment, then the situation recognition preferably takes place exclusively on the basis of the microphone signal. On the other hand, if the audio signal dominates, the situation recognition unit operates exclusively on the basis of the audio signal. According to the above example, although the noise removal and the feedback unit are adapted, but the microphone is set to the omnidirectional operation to ensure responsiveness of the user from all directions. As an alternative to the fixed setting in the omnidirectional mode, the microphone can be adjusted for the dominance of the audio signal by means of the independently available microphone signal. For this purpose, for example, the microphone signal is supplied to the situation detection for a short time at longer intervals and classifies the environment. After a decision, the classification unit continues to work with the dominant audio signal.

Sind die Pegel beider Signale m und e der Mikrofoneinrichtung 10, 11 und der Empfangseinrichtung 12,13 annähernd gleich, und es liegt zusätzlich eine hohe Korrelation beider Signale vor, ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Situationserkennung primär anhand des Mikrofonsignals durchgeführt wird.If the levels of both signals m and e of the microphone device 10, 11 and the receiving device 12, 13 are approximately the same, and if there is also a high correlation between the two signals, it is advantageous if the situation recognition is performed primarily on the basis of the microphone signal.

Das geschilderte Ausführungsbeispiel lässt somit für den Hörgeräteträger den Vorteil erkennen, dass die Situationserkennung mit einem "reinen" Signal frei von Überlagerungseffekten durchgeführt wird. Außerdem kann die Korrelation mehrere Signale zu der Situationserkennung beitragen. Die Situationserkennung wird damit deutlich zuverlässiger.The described exemplary embodiment thus makes it possible for the hearing device wearer to recognize the advantage that the situation recognition is carried out with a "pure" signal free from superposition effects. In addition, the correlation can contribute several signals to the situation detection. The situation detection is thus much more reliable.

Zusätzlich ergibt sich für den Hörgeräteträger der Vorteil, dass die Adaption des Richtmikrofons bei dominanten Audiosignalen nicht auf dem Audiosignal basiert, sondern auf Basis des Mikrofons, das die tatsächliche akustische Situation charakterisiert.In addition, the hearing aid wearer has the advantage that the adaptation of the directional microphone in the case of dominant audio signals is not due to the audio signal but based on the microphone that characterizes the actual acoustic situation.

Claims (4)

  1. Hearing apparatus with
    - a microphone device (10, 11) for recording a sound signal,
    - a reception device (12, 13) for recording an electrical or electromagnetic signal,
    - a classification device (15) for determining an acoustic situation from the signals (m, e) of the microphone device and the reception device and
    - a signal processing device (16) for processing one of the two signals (m, e) of the microphone device (10, 11) or of the reception device (12, 13) as a function of a first control signal (c) of the classification device (15),
    - the signals (m, e) of the microphone device (10, 11) and the reception device (12, 13) being individually allocated to the classification device (15) for recognizing the situation,
    - characterized in that a preprocessing device (14) is connected upstream of the classification device (15), by means of which preprocessing device a correlation of the recorded signals (m, e) can be determined and by means of which preprocessing device a second corresponding control signal (s) for the classification device (15) can be provided for determining the acoustic situation,
    - with the preprocessing device (14) it can be determined which of the recorded signals is dominant on the basis of the level and by means of which preprocessing device the second control signal (s) of the classification device (15) can be provided accordingly, and
    - the classification device (15) uses the signal (m) of the microphone device (10, 11) at predetermined temporal intervals for determining the acoustic situation if the signal (e) of the reception device (12, 13) is dominant.
  2. Hearing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein, for the correlation analysis, a delay of the signal from the microphone device (10, 11) can be preconfigured in the preprocessing device (14) in accordance with a known delay of the signal from the reception device (12, 13).
  3. Hearing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a decision matrix is implemented in the classification device (15) in order to determine the output signal (a) of the classification device (15) on the basis of the second control signal (s) obtained from the preprocessing device (14).
  4. Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal processing device (16) has a directional microphone control unit, a noise removal unit and a feedback unit, and wherein of the three units only the noise removal unit and the feedback unit are adapted according to the determined acoustic situation if the signal (e) of the reception device (12, 13) dominates the signal (m) of the microphone device (10, 11).
EP09173019.2A 2008-10-28 2009-10-14 Hearing aid with special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing aid Active EP2182741B2 (en)

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ATE515153T1 (en) 2011-07-15
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