EP2506601B1 - Hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity - Google Patents

Hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2506601B1
EP2506601B1 EP12158831.3A EP12158831A EP2506601B1 EP 2506601 B1 EP2506601 B1 EP 2506601B1 EP 12158831 A EP12158831 A EP 12158831A EP 2506601 B1 EP2506601 B1 EP 2506601B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing device
hearing aid
hearing
scales
shark skin
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EP12158831.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2506601A1 (en
Inventor
Bernd Meister
Hartmut Ritter
Christian Weistenhöfer
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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
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2410/00—Microphones
    • H04R2410/07—Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
    • 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
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing aid with a reduced acoustic wind sensitivity.
  • a hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It comprises in principle one or more input transducers, a signal processing device with an amplifying device or an amplifier and an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is typically used as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. Miniature loudspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g. Bone conduction receiver, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver.
  • the output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and produce a hearing sensation in the patient.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device.
  • the power supply of the hearing aid is effected by a battery arranged in the hearing aid housing.
  • the essential electronic components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as circuit carrier or connected thereto.
  • Hearing aids are known in various basic housing configurations.
  • In-the-ear (in-the-ear) hearing aids an enclosure containing all the functional components, including the microphone and receiver, is mostly worn in the ear canal.
  • Completely-in-Canal (CiC) hearing aids are similar to the IdO hearing aids, but are fully worn in the ear canal.
  • BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, behind the ear) a housing with components such as battery and signal processing device is worn behind the ear and
  • a flexible sound tube also referred to as a tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal.
  • RiC-BtE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is worn in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube that sends audible signals to an earpiece, conducts a flexible cable or a lead wire Hose, also referred to as a receiver hose or handset connection means, electrical signals to a receiver, which is mounted on the front of the handset tube.
  • the acoustic properties determine the quality of a hearing aid.
  • the acoustic properties are significantly facilitated by high-quality input transducers, output transducers and a good signal processing device.
  • Another influencing factor is the sensitivity to wind. Wind that sweeps over the hearing aid or forms by movement of the hearing aid wearer often leads to noise that is still amplified by the hearing aid and disturb the hearing aid wearer in his hearing and possibly the understanding of e.g. complicate spoken language.
  • the known countermeasures include a favorable configuration and location of the microphone openings relative to the head and auricle of the hearing aid wearer or covers on the hearing aid housing.
  • the influence of wind noise can be reduced by electronic measures, such as filtering or reduction of the amplification factor. Despite these measures, there is a need to further reduce the acoustic wind sensitivity of hearing aids or alternative solutions.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hearing aid with a reduced acoustic wind sensitivity.
  • the invention solves this problem with a hearing aid with the features of the independent claim.
  • these turbulences occur in the region of the microphones or the microphone inlet openings of a hearing device, they cause a noise that can be perceived as disturbing by a hearing aid wearer, or that is superimposed on a possible useful signal, eg speech, and adversely affects the perception of the useful signal.
  • the occurrence of turbulence can be detected, for example, by a deterioration in the signal-to-noise ratio, the ratio of useful signal to noise signal decreasing, for example, by an order of magnitude above a characteristic wind speed, than at wind speeds smaller than the characteristic wind speed, and in the following also critical wind speed or limit wind speed called.
  • the object of the invention to provide a hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity can thus also be described by the fact that the critical wind speed should be shifted towards higher speeds.
  • the basic idea of the invention is a hearing aid whose surface comprises a shark skin structure.
  • the skin of a shark consists of thousands of small scales with depressions and elevations.
  • the sharp and pointed shapes of the scales form small channels in the direction of a swimming movement of the shark.
  • the sharkskin structure comprises a surface of a hearing aid that has a length between 0.1 ⁇ m and 0.1 mm and a height that is smaller than the length.
  • the dimensions of the scales that make up the shark skin structure affect the wind speed at which a laminar wind flow turns into a turbulent flow.
  • the specified range represents a preferred size range.
  • the scales have channel-shaped depressions and rib-shaped elevations which are parallel to one another and define a longitudinal axis.
  • the longitudinal axes of the scales are aligned parallel to an axis which is defined by the straight line of sight of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the best effect of increasing the critical wind speed is generally achieved when the longitudinal axes of the scales are parallel to the vector of wind speed.
  • the wind for example during walking, predominantly runs parallel to the auricle, ie in the straight line of sight of a hearing aid wearer, over the hearing aid so that alignment of the longitudinal axes of the flake is parallel is advantageous to the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer. Because of the curved surface a hearing aid not all longitudinal axes of the scales can be aligned in the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer, at least one component should be aligned in this direction.
  • the surface with the sharkskin structure only includes points that are not in contact with the skin of the hearing aid wearer in the worn state of the hearing aid.
  • the sharkskin structure with its bumps and channels could cause an uncomfortable wearing sensation when it rests on the skin of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the sharkskin structure should only include sites that are not in direct skin contact. Such sites are e.g. on the top of the hearing aid housing or on the top of a hearing aid hook.
  • the flakes are embedded in a lacquer.
  • a varnish in which small scales with the described properties are embedded, allows the application of the sharkskin structure even on curved surfaces.
  • the shark skin structure is formed on the surface of a film.
  • This method has the advantage that the sharkskin structure can be removed by simple means, e.g. by sticking, can be applied to the hearing aid.
  • the sharkskin structure is embossed in the, in particular glass fiber reinforced, surface of the hearing aid.
  • Modern injection molding processes enable textures in the micrometer range, with which, for example, hearing aid housings with shark skin structure can be manufactured inexpensively in high quality.
  • Other methods of embossing a sharkskin structure into a hearing aid housing or a hearing device hook are high precision laser drilling techniques.
  • For a stable surface structure offers a hard or hardened surface, as can be achieved for example by a glass fiber reinforcement.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the material that forms the sharkskin structure is biocompatible.
  • biocompatible means that the material forming the shark skin structure has no negative influence on the hearing device wearer, in particular does not chemically irritate the skin of the hearing device wearer.
  • a biotolerant material is suitable, preferably a bioinert material is used.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a behind-the-ear hearing aid 1 'according to the prior art. It comprises a housing 2 'to be supported behind the auricle 15' of a hearing device wearer. In the housing 2 'are in addition to electronic components, which are combined to form a signal processing unit 13', two microphones with the microphone openings 4 ', a battery 10' and a receiver 12 'arranged. The acoustic signal generated by the receiver 12 'is passed through a hearing device hook 5' and a sound tube 14 'to an ear piece 11', which is inserted into an ear canal 16 'of the hearing aid wearer. In the worn state of the hearing aid defines the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer an axis 21, wherein in FIG. 1 the viewing direction is additionally indicated by an arrow.
  • FIG. 2 By way of example, important parts of a hearing aid 1 according to the invention are shown. It shows a hearing aid housing 2 with a hearing device housing surface 7, a hearing device hook 5, two microphone inlet openings 4 and a part of a sound tube 14. Positions 3 of the hearing aid 1, which preferably have a shark skin structure, are wind-exposed locations, ie, locations of the hearing device housing surface 7, for example and the hearing device hook 5, in particular in the immediate vicinity of the microphone inlet openings 4.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a scale 5 of a sharkskin structure. It comprises channel-shaped recesses 9 and rib-shaped elevations 8, which are parallel to one another and define a longitudinal axis 20.
  • a shark skin structure of a hearing aid at least components of the longitudinal axes 20 are preferably aligned parallel to an axis 21, which is defined by a straight line of sight of a hearing device wearer, wherein FIG. 2 the viewing direction is additionally indicated by an arrow.
  • FIG. 4 By way of example, a combination 6 of several scales 5 to a shark skin structure is shown.
  • the scales 5 are arranged offset from one another and overlap. Arrangements in which no overlap occurs, are also conceivable.
  • FIG. 5 an exemplary embodiment of a scale 5 is shown in cross section by way of example.
  • Essential are the channel-shaped recesses 9 and the rib-shaped elevations 8, which divides a tendency to turbulence air flow into smaller air currents and thus shifts the formation of eddies and turbulence to higher wind speeds.
  • the height of the elevations and the depth of the depressions in FIG. 5 are to be understood as an example.
  • Embodiments with equally high elevations, in the edge region higher elevations than in the middle of the scale, embodiments with different levels of the wells are also possible.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Hörgerät mit einer verringerten akustischen Windempfindlichkeit.The present invention relates to a hearing aid with a reduced acoustic wind sensitivity.

Ein Hörgerät dient der Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten Person mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zur Kompensation bzw. Therapie der jeweiligen Hörschädigung verarbeitet und verstärkt sind. Es umfasst prinzipiell einen oder mehrere Eingangswandler, eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung mit einer Verstärkungseinrichtung bzw. einem 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 in der Regel als elektroakustischer Wandler, z.B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z.B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Er wird auch als Hörer oder Receiver bezeichnet. Der Ausgangswandler erzeugt Ausgangssignale, die zum Gehör des Patienten geleitet werden und beim Patienten eine Hörwahrnehmung erzeugen. Der Verstärker ist in der Regel in die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung integriert. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts erfolgt durch eine im Hörgerätegehäuse angeordnete Batterie. Die wesentlichen elektronischen Komponenten eines Hörgeräts sind in der Regel auf einer gedruckten Leiterplatine als Schaltungsträger angeordnet bzw. damit verbunden.A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It comprises in principle one or more input transducers, a signal processing device with an amplifying device or an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transducer is typically used as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. Miniature loudspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g. Bone conduction receiver, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver. The output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and produce a hearing sensation in the patient. The amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device. The power supply of the hearing aid is effected by a battery arranged in the hearing aid housing. The essential electronic components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as circuit carrier or connected thereto.

Hörgeräte sind in verschiedenen grundlegenden Gehäusekonfigurationen bekannt. Bei IdO-Hörgeräten (In-dem-Ohr, In-the-Ear) wird ein Gehäuse, das sämtliche funktionalen Komponenten einschließlich Mikrofon und Receiver enthält, größtenteils im Gehörgang getragen. CiC-Hörgeräte (Completely-in-Canal) sind den IdO-Hörgeräten ähnlich, werden jedoch vollständig im Gehörgang getragen. Bei HdO-Hörgeräten (Hinter-dem-Ohr, Behindthe-Ear) wird ein Gehäuse mit Komponenten wie Batterie und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung hinter dem Ohr getragen und ein flexibler Schallschlauch, auch als Tube bezeichnet, leitet die akustischen Ausgangssignale eines Receivers vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang. RiC-BtE-Hörgeräte (Receiver-in-Canal Behind-the-Ear) gleichen den HdO-Hörgeräten, jedoch wird der Receiver im Gehörgang getragen und statt eines Schallschlauchs, der akustische Signale an ein Ohrstück leitet, leitet ein flexibles Kabel oder ein litzenführender Schlauch, auch als Hörerschlauch oder Hörerverbindungsmittel bezeichnet, elektrische Signale zu einem Receiver, welcher vorne am Hörerschlauch angebracht ist.Hearing aids are known in various basic housing configurations. For in-the-ear (in-the-ear) hearing aids, an enclosure containing all the functional components, including the microphone and receiver, is mostly worn in the ear canal. Completely-in-Canal (CiC) hearing aids are similar to the IdO hearing aids, but are fully worn in the ear canal. In BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, behind the ear) a housing with components such as battery and signal processing device is worn behind the ear and A flexible sound tube, also referred to as a tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal. RiC-BtE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is worn in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube that sends audible signals to an earpiece, conducts a flexible cable or a lead wire Hose, also referred to as a receiver hose or handset connection means, electrical signals to a receiver, which is mounted on the front of the handset tube.

Neben optischen Eigenschaften, wie eine kleine Baugröße oder eine gefällige Form, bestimmen die akustischen Eigenschaften die Qualität eines Hörgerätes. Die akustischen Eigenschaften werden maßgeblich durch hochwertige Eingangswandler, Ausgangswandler und eine gute Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung begünstigt. Eine weitere Einflussgröße ist die Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Wind. Wind, der über das Hörgerät streicht, bzw. sich durch Bewegung des Hörgeräteträgers bildet, führt oft zu Störgeräuschen, die noch vom Hörgerät verstärkt werden und den Hörgeräteträger in seiner Hörwahrnehmung stören und möglicherweise das Verständnis von z.B. gesprochener Sprache erschweren. Zu den bekannten Gegenmaßnahmen gehören eine günstige Ausgestaltung und Lage der Mikrofonöffnungen relativ zu Kopf und Ohrmuschel des Hörgeräteträgers oder Abdeckungen am Hörgerätegehäuse. Weiter kann durch elektronische Maßnahmen, wie Filterung oder Reduktion des Verstärkungsfaktors, der Einfluss von Windgeräuschen reduziert werden. Trotz dieser genannten Maßnahmen, besteht die Notwendigkeit, die akustische Windempfindlichkeit von Hörgeräten weiter oder durch alternative Lösungen zu verringern.In addition to optical properties, such as a small size or a pleasing shape, the acoustic properties determine the quality of a hearing aid. The acoustic properties are significantly facilitated by high-quality input transducers, output transducers and a good signal processing device. Another influencing factor is the sensitivity to wind. Wind that sweeps over the hearing aid or forms by movement of the hearing aid wearer often leads to noise that is still amplified by the hearing aid and disturb the hearing aid wearer in his hearing and possibly the understanding of e.g. complicate spoken language. Among the known countermeasures include a favorable configuration and location of the microphone openings relative to the head and auricle of the hearing aid wearer or covers on the hearing aid housing. Furthermore, the influence of wind noise can be reduced by electronic measures, such as filtering or reduction of the amplification factor. Despite these measures, there is a need to further reduce the acoustic wind sensitivity of hearing aids or alternative solutions.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, ein Hörgerät mit einer verringerten akustischen Windempfindlichkeit anzugeben.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hearing aid with a reduced acoustic wind sensitivity.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe mit einem Hörgerät mit den Merkmalen des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs.The invention solves this problem with a hearing aid with the features of the independent claim.

Ein wesentlicher Grund für das Auftreten von Stör- oder Windgeräuschen, wenn Wind über die Oberfläche eines Hörgerätes streicht, ist, dass ab einer bestimmten Windgeschwindigkeit, z.B. gemessen in Meter pro Sekunde, eine laminare Strömung in eine turbulente Strömung übergeht. Dieser Vorgang kann auch dadurch beschrieben werden, dass ein Fluid in Schichten, die sich nicht vermischen, strömt und das Fluid ab einer bestimmten Strömungsgeschwindigkeit immer mehr durch Turbulenzen, d.h. Verwirbelungen oder Querströmungen, gestört wird. Nachweisen lassen sich Turbulenzen beispielsweise in einem Windkanal. Wenn diese Verwirbelungen im Bereich der Mikrofone bzw. der Mikrofoneinlassöffnungen eines Hörgeräts auftreten, bewirken sie ein Rauschen, das von einem Hörgeräteträger als störend empfunden werden kann, oder das einem möglichen Nutzsignal, z.B. Sprache, überlagert ist und die Wahrnehmung des Nutzsignals negativ beeinflusst. Messtechnisch lässt sich das Auftreten von Turbulenzen zum Beispiel durch eine Verschlechterung des Signal-Rausch-Verhältnisses erkennen, wobei das Verhältnis Nutzsignal zu Rauschsignal ab einer charakteristischen Windgeschwindigkeit z.B. um eine Größenordnung stärker abnimmt als bei Windgeschwindigkeiten kleiner als die charakteristische Windgeschwindigkeit, im Folgenden auch kritische Windgeschwindigkeit oder Grenzwindgeschwindigkeit genannt. Die Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Hörgerät mit verringerter akustischer Windempfindlichkeit anzugeben, kann somit auch damit beschrieben werden, dass die kritische Windgeschwindigkeit zu höheren Geschwindigkeiten hin verschoben werden soll. Der Grundgedanke der Erfindung ist ein Hörgerät, dessen Oberfläche eine Haifischhautstruktur umfasst. Die Haut eines Haifischs besteht aus tausenden kleiner Schuppen mit Vertiefungen und Erhebungen. Die scharfen und spitzen Formen der Schuppen formen kleine Kanäle in Richtung einer Schwimmbewegung des Hais. Durch das Teilen des Wasserstroms in kleinste Bereiche wird verhindert, dass sich Wasserteilchen des Wasserstroms zusammenhängen, Wirbel bilden und dann auch den umgebenden Wasserstrom stören. Dieses Prinzip kann auch auf Luft als umgebendes Medium angewendet werden. Die technische Umsetzung des Wirkungsprinzips von Haifischhaut und die prinzipielle Realisierbarkeit solcher Strukturen ist aus dem Stand der Technik, z.B. aus Fraunhofer Mediendienst, Sonderausgabe 05-2010, Thema 4 "Haifischhaut für Flugzeuge, Schiffe und Windenergieanlagen", Herausgeber Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Münch en, bekannt, wobei der Einsatz in diesen Anwendungsgebieten im Wesentlichen auf einer Reduktion des Wasser- bzw. Luftwiderstands abzielt. Weitere Besonderheiten und Unterschiede beim Einsatz von Haifischhautstrukturen bei Hörgeräten werden im Folgenden beschrieben.An important reason for the occurrence of noise or wind noise when sweeping over the surface of a hearing aid, is that from a certain wind speed, for example, measured in meters per second, a laminar flow passes into a turbulent flow. This process can also be described by the fact that a fluid flows in layers that do not mix, and the fluid is disturbed more and more by turbulence, ie turbulence or crossflow, above a certain flow velocity. Turbulence can be detected, for example, in a wind tunnel. If these turbulences occur in the region of the microphones or the microphone inlet openings of a hearing device, they cause a noise that can be perceived as disturbing by a hearing aid wearer, or that is superimposed on a possible useful signal, eg speech, and adversely affects the perception of the useful signal. Measurally, the occurrence of turbulence can be detected, for example, by a deterioration in the signal-to-noise ratio, the ratio of useful signal to noise signal decreasing, for example, by an order of magnitude above a characteristic wind speed, than at wind speeds smaller than the characteristic wind speed, and in the following also critical wind speed or limit wind speed called. The object of the invention to provide a hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity can thus also be described by the fact that the critical wind speed should be shifted towards higher speeds. The basic idea of the invention is a hearing aid whose surface comprises a shark skin structure. The skin of a shark consists of thousands of small scales with depressions and elevations. The sharp and pointed shapes of the scales form small channels in the direction of a swimming movement of the shark. By dividing the water flow into the smallest areas, water particles from the water flow are prevented from forming, forming vortices and then disturbing the surrounding water flow. This principle can also be applied to air as the surrounding medium. The technical implementation of the principle of action of sharkskin and the principal Realizability of such structures is known from the prior art, for example Fraunhofer Media Service, Special Edition 05-2010, topic 4 "Shark skin for aircraft, ships and wind turbines", publisher Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Münch en, wherein the use in these application areas essentially aims at a reduction of the water or air resistance. Further features and differences in the use of shark skin structures in hearing aids are described below.

Vorzugsweise umfasst die Haifischhautstruktur einer Oberfläche eines Hörgeräts Schuppen, die eine Länge zwischen 0,1 µm und 0,1 mm und eine Höhe, die kleiner als die Länge ist, aufweisen.Preferably, the sharkskin structure comprises a surface of a hearing aid that has a length between 0.1 μm and 0.1 mm and a height that is smaller than the length.

Die Abmessungen der Schuppen, aus denen sich die Haifischhautstruktur zusammensetzt, beeinflusst die Windgeschwindigkeit, ab der eine laminare Windströmung in eine turbulente Strömung umschlägt. Der angegebene Bereich stellt einen bevorzugten Größenbereich dar.The dimensions of the scales that make up the shark skin structure affect the wind speed at which a laminar wind flow turns into a turbulent flow. The specified range represents a preferred size range.

Erfindungsgemäß weisen die Schuppen kanalförmige Vertiefungen und rippenförmige Erhebungen auf, die parallel zueinander sind und eine Längsachse definieren.According to the invention, the scales have channel-shaped depressions and rib-shaped elevations which are parallel to one another and define a longitudinal axis.

Weiter sind erfindungsgemäß im getragenen Zustand des Hörgerätes wenigstens Richtungskomponenten der Längsachsen der Schuppen parallel zu einer Achse ausgerichtet, die durch die gerade Blickrichtung eines Hörgeräteträgers definiert ist. Der beste Effekt einer Erhöhung der kritischen Windgeschwindigkeit ist im Allgemeinen dann zu erzielen, wenn die Längsachsen der Schuppen parallel zum Vektor der Windgeschwindigkeit ist. Im Fall eines Hörgerätes, das hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers getragen wird, wird der Wind, z.B. während des Gehens, überwiegend parallel zur Ohrmuschel, d.h. in die gerade Blickrichtung eines Hörgeräteträgers, über das Hörgerät streifen, so dass eine Ausrichtung der Längsachsen der Schuppen parallel zu der geraden Blickrichtung des Hörgeräteträgers vorteilhaft ist. Da aufgrund der gekrümmten Oberfläche eines Hörgeräts nicht alle Längsachsen der Schuppen in die gerade Blickrichtung des Hörgeräteträgers ausgerichtet werden können, soll zumindest eine Komponente in diese Richtung ausgerichtet sein.Furthermore, according to the invention, in the worn state of the hearing aid, at least directional components of the longitudinal axes of the scales are aligned parallel to an axis which is defined by the straight line of sight of a hearing aid wearer. The best effect of increasing the critical wind speed is generally achieved when the longitudinal axes of the scales are parallel to the vector of wind speed. In the case of a hearing aid which is worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, the wind, for example during walking, predominantly runs parallel to the auricle, ie in the straight line of sight of a hearing aid wearer, over the hearing aid so that alignment of the longitudinal axes of the flake is parallel is advantageous to the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer. Because of the curved surface a hearing aid not all longitudinal axes of the scales can be aligned in the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer, at least one component should be aligned in this direction.

Vorzugsweise umfasst die Oberfläche mit der Haifischhautstruktur nur Stellen, die im getragenen Zustand des Hörgerätes nicht mit der Haut des Hörgeräteträgers in Kontakt sind. Die Haifischhautstruktur könnte mit ihren Erhebungen und Kanälen ein unangenehmes Tragegefühl bewirken, wenn sie auf der Haut eines Hörgeräteträgers aufliegt. Um dies zu verhindern, soll die Haifischhautstruktur nur Stellen umfassen, die nicht in direktem Hautkontakt sind. Solche Stellen sind z.B. auf der Oberseite des Hörgerätegehäuses oder auf der Oberseite eines Hörgerätehakens.Preferably, the surface with the sharkskin structure only includes points that are not in contact with the skin of the hearing aid wearer in the worn state of the hearing aid. The sharkskin structure with its bumps and channels could cause an uncomfortable wearing sensation when it rests on the skin of a hearing aid wearer. To prevent this, the sharkskin structure should only include sites that are not in direct skin contact. Such sites are e.g. on the top of the hearing aid housing or on the top of a hearing aid hook.

Günstigerweise sind die Schuppen in einem Lack eingebettet. Ein Lack, in dem kleine Schuppen mit den beschriebenen Eigenschaften eingebettet sind, ermöglicht das Aufbringen der Haifischhautstruktur auch auf gekrümmten Flächen.Conveniently, the flakes are embedded in a lacquer. A varnish, in which small scales with the described properties are embedded, allows the application of the sharkskin structure even on curved surfaces.

Denkbar ist, dass die Haifischhautstruktur auf der Oberfläche einer Folie ausgebildet ist.It is conceivable that the shark skin structure is formed on the surface of a film.

Dieses Verfahren hat den Vorteil, dass die Haifischhautstruktur mit einfachen Mitteln, z.B. durch Aufkleben, auf das Hörgerät aufgebracht werden kann.This method has the advantage that the sharkskin structure can be removed by simple means, e.g. by sticking, can be applied to the hearing aid.

Mit besonderem Vorteil ist die Haifischhautstruktur in die, insbesondere glasfaserverstärkte, Oberfläche des Hörgerätes eingeprägt.With particular advantage, the sharkskin structure is embossed in the, in particular glass fiber reinforced, surface of the hearing aid.

Moderne Spritzgussverfahren ermöglichen Texturen im Mikrometerbereich, mit denen beispielsweise Hörgerätegehäuse mit Haifischhautstruktur kostengünstig in hoher Qualität hergestellt werden können. Weitere Verfahren, um eine Haifischhautstruktur in ein Hörgerätegehäuse oder einen Hörgerätehaken einzuprägen, sind hochpräzise Laserbohrverfahren. Für eine stabile Oberflächenstruktur bietet sich eine harte oder gehärtete Oberfläche an, wie sie z.B. durch eine Glasfaserverstärkung erreicht werden kann.Modern injection molding processes enable textures in the micrometer range, with which, for example, hearing aid housings with shark skin structure can be manufactured inexpensively in high quality. Other methods of embossing a sharkskin structure into a hearing aid housing or a hearing device hook are high precision laser drilling techniques. For a stable surface structure offers a hard or hardened surface, as can be achieved for example by a glass fiber reinforcement.

Eine bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass das Material, das die Haifischhautstruktur ausbildet, biokompatibel ist.A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the material that forms the sharkskin structure is biocompatible.

In diesem Zusammenhang soll unter biokompatibel verstanden werden, dass der Werkstoff, der die Haifischhautstruktur ausbildet, keinen negativen Einfluss auf den Hörgeräteträger hat, insbesondere die Haut des Hörgeräteträgers chemisch nicht reizt. Dazu eignet sich ein biotolerantes Material, bevorzugt wird ein bioinertes Material eingesetzt.In this context, biocompatible means that the material forming the shark skin structure has no negative influence on the hearing device wearer, in particular does not chemically irritate the skin of the hearing device wearer. For this purpose, a biotolerant material is suitable, preferably a bioinert material is used.

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

Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den nachfolgenden Figuren samt Beschreibung. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
schematisch ein Hörgerät nach dem Stand der Technik;
Fig. 2
exemplarisch Teile eines Hörgerätes mit möglichen Lagen der Oberflächen mit einer Haifischhautstruktur;
Fig. 3
ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Schuppe einer Haifischhautstruktur;
Fig. 4
ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Haifischhautstruktur;
Fig. 5
ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Querschnitts einer Schuppe einer Haifischhautstruktur.
Further advantageous developments will become apparent from the following figures, including description. Show it:
Fig. 1
schematically a hearing aid according to the prior art;
Fig. 2
exemplary parts of a hearing aid with possible layers of the surfaces with a sharkskin structure;
Fig. 3
an embodiment of a scale of a sharkskin structure;
Fig. 4
an embodiment of a shark skin structure;
Fig. 5
an embodiment of a cross section of a scale of a sharkskin structure.

Figur 1 zeigt schematisch ein Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät 1' nach dem Stand der Technik. Es umfasst ein hinter der Ohrmuschel 15' eines Hörgeräteträgers zu tragendes Gehäuse 2'. In dem Gehäuse 2' sind neben elektronischen Komponenten, die zu einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit 13' zusammengefasst sind, zwei Mikrofone mit den Mikrofonöffnungen 4', eine Batterie 10' und ein Receiver 12' angeordnet. Das vom Receiver 12' erzeugte akustische Signal wird durch einen Hörgerätehaken 5' und einen Schallschlauch 14' zu einem Ohrstück 11', das in einen Gehörgang 16' des Hörgeräteträgers eingesetzt wird, geleitet. Im getragenen Zustand des Hörgerätes definiert die gerade Blickrichtung des Hörgeräteträgers eine Achse 21, wobei in Figur 1 die Blickrichtung zusätzlich durch einen Pfeil angegeben ist. FIG. 1 schematically shows a behind-the-ear hearing aid 1 'according to the prior art. It comprises a housing 2 'to be supported behind the auricle 15' of a hearing device wearer. In the housing 2 'are in addition to electronic components, which are combined to form a signal processing unit 13', two microphones with the microphone openings 4 ', a battery 10' and a receiver 12 'arranged. The acoustic signal generated by the receiver 12 'is passed through a hearing device hook 5' and a sound tube 14 'to an ear piece 11', which is inserted into an ear canal 16 'of the hearing aid wearer. In the worn state of the hearing aid defines the straight line of sight of the hearing aid wearer an axis 21, wherein in FIG. 1 the viewing direction is additionally indicated by an arrow.

In Figur 2 sind exemplarisch wichtige Teile eines erfindungsgemäßen Hörgerätes 1 dargestellt. Sie zeigt ein Hörgerätegehäuse 2 mit einer Hörgerätegehäuseoberfläche 7, einen Hörgerätehaken 5, zwei Mikrofoneinlassöffnungen 4 und einen Teil eines Schallschlauchs 14. Stellen 3 des Hörgerätes 1, die bevorzugt eine Haifischhautstruktur aufweisen, sind Stellen, die Wind ausgesetzt sind, d.h. beispielsweise Stellen der Hörgerätegehäuseoberfläche 7 und des Hörgerätehakens 5, insbesondere in unmittelbarer Umgebung der Mikrofoneinlassöffnungen 4.In FIG. 2 By way of example, important parts of a hearing aid 1 according to the invention are shown. It shows a hearing aid housing 2 with a hearing device housing surface 7, a hearing device hook 5, two microphone inlet openings 4 and a part of a sound tube 14. Positions 3 of the hearing aid 1, which preferably have a shark skin structure, are wind-exposed locations, ie, locations of the hearing device housing surface 7, for example and the hearing device hook 5, in particular in the immediate vicinity of the microphone inlet openings 4.

Figur 3 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Schuppe 5 einer Haifischhautstruktur. Sie umfasst kanalförmige Vertiefungen 9 und rippenförmige Erhebungen 8, die parallel zueinander sind und eine Längsachse 20 definieren. In einer Haifischhautstruktur eines Hörgerätes sind zumindest Komponenten der Längsachsen 20 bevorzugt parallel zu einer Achse 21 ausgerichtet, die durch eine gerade Blickrichtung eines Hörgeräteträgers definiert ist, wobei in Figur 2 die Blickrichtung zusätzlich durch einen Pfeil angegeben ist. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a scale 5 of a sharkskin structure. It comprises channel-shaped recesses 9 and rib-shaped elevations 8, which are parallel to one another and define a longitudinal axis 20. In a shark skin structure of a hearing aid, at least components of the longitudinal axes 20 are preferably aligned parallel to an axis 21, which is defined by a straight line of sight of a hearing device wearer, wherein FIG. 2 the viewing direction is additionally indicated by an arrow.

In Figur 4 ist beispielhaft eine Kombination 6 von mehreren Schuppen 5 zu einer Haifischhautstruktur dargestellt. Vorzugsweise sind die Schuppen 5 versetzt zueinander angeordnet und überlappen sich. Anordnungen, bei denen keine Überlappung stattfindet, sind ebenfalls denkbar.In FIG. 4 By way of example, a combination 6 of several scales 5 to a shark skin structure is shown. Preferably, the scales 5 are arranged offset from one another and overlap. Arrangements in which no overlap occurs, are also conceivable.

In Figur 5 schließlich ist exemplarisch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Schuppe 5 im Querschnitt gezeigt. Wesentlich sind die kanalförmigen Vertiefungen 9 und die rippenförmigen Erhebungen 8, die einen zu Turbulenzen neigenden Luftstrom in kleinere Luftströmungen teilt und damit die Bildung von Wirbeln und Turbulenzen zu höheren Windgeschwindigkeiten verschiebt. Die Höhe der Erhebungen und die Tiefe der Vertiefungen in Figur 5 sind als ein Beispiel zu verstehen. Ausführungsbeispiele mit gleich hohen Erhebungen, im Randbereich höheren Erhebungen als in der Mitte der Schuppe, Ausführungsbeispiele mit unterschiedlichen Niveaus der Vertiefungen sind ebenso möglich.In FIG. 5 Finally, an exemplary embodiment of a scale 5 is shown in cross section by way of example. Essential are the channel-shaped recesses 9 and the rib-shaped elevations 8, which divides a tendency to turbulence air flow into smaller air currents and thus shifts the formation of eddies and turbulence to higher wind speeds. The height of the elevations and the depth of the depressions in FIG. 5 are to be understood as an example. Embodiments with equally high elevations, in the edge region higher elevations than in the middle of the scale, embodiments with different levels of the wells are also possible.

Claims (9)

  1. Hearing device (2), characterised in that the hearing device (2) includes a surface (7) with a shark skin structure (6).
  2. Hearing device (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the shark skin structure (6) includes scales (5), which comprise a length between 0.1 µm and 0.1 mm and a height which is less than the length.
  3. Hearing device (2) according to claim 2, characterised in that the scales (5) comprise channel-type recesses (9) and rib-type elevations (8) which are parallel to one another and define a longitudinal axis (20).
  4. Hearing device (2) according to claim 3, characterised in that when the hearing device (2) is being worn, at least directional components of the longitudinal axis (20) of the scales (5) are aligned in parallel to an axis (21), whereby the axis (21) is defined by the straight line of sight of a hearing device wearer.
  5. Hearing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the surface (7) with the shark skin structure (6) only includes points (3) which are not in contact with the skin of the hearing device wearer when the hearing device (2) is being worn.
  6. Hearing device (2) according to claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the scales (5) are embedded in a varnish.
  7. Hearing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the shark skin structure (6) is embodied on the surface of a film.
  8. Hearing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the shark skin structure (6) is impressed into the, in particular, glass-fibre-reinforced surface of the hearing device (2).
  9. Hearing device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the material which forms the shark skin structure (6) is biocompatible.
EP12158831.3A 2011-03-31 2012-03-09 Hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity Active EP2506601B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102011006563A DE102011006563B3 (en) 2011-03-31 2011-03-31 Hearing aid with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity

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EP2506601A1 EP2506601A1 (en) 2012-10-03
EP2506601B1 true EP2506601B1 (en) 2014-11-19

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US (1) US8744107B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2506601B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102740210A (en)
DE (1) DE102011006563B3 (en)
DK (1) DK2506601T3 (en)

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DE102017211668A1 (en) * 2017-07-07 2019-01-10 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Method for producing a housing part of a hearing device, housing part for a hearing device and hearing device
TWI786486B (en) 2020-12-10 2022-12-11 仁寶電腦工業股份有限公司 Hearing aid device

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US4869339A (en) * 1988-05-06 1989-09-26 Barton James I Harness for suppression of hearing aid feedback
PL195098B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2007-08-31 Aloys Wobben Reduction in the noise produced by a rotor blade of a wind turbine
JP2004508785A (en) * 2000-09-25 2004-03-18 フォーナック　アーゲー Ear device, manufacturing method of the device, and application of the method
US6510230B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2003-01-21 Theodore J. Marx Support device for a behind-the-ear hearing aid
US20030044035A1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2003-03-06 Masters Martin W. Processes for texturing the surface of a hearing instrument
DE10317509A1 (en) * 2003-04-16 2004-11-18 Daimlerchrysler Ag Fahrtwindbeaufschlagte edge of a motor vehicle component
DE10351247B4 (en) * 2003-11-03 2007-12-06 Webasto Ag Wind deflector for an openable vehicle roof
NL1032220C2 (en) * 2006-07-21 2008-01-22 Exsilent Res Bv Hearing aid e.g. in-the-ear hearing aid, has in-the-ear unit physically separated from housing, to electronically connect with microphone and loudspeaker during reproducing sound to auditory organ of user via sound-emitting opening

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EP2506601A1 (en) 2012-10-03
US20120250921A1 (en) 2012-10-04
DE102011006563B3 (en) 2012-05-10
CN102740210A (en) 2012-10-17
US8744107B2 (en) 2014-06-03
DK2506601T3 (en) 2015-02-23

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