EP2534855B1 - Behind-the-ear hearing aid having a plug-in connector - Google Patents

Behind-the-ear hearing aid having a plug-in connector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2534855B1
EP2534855B1 EP10717094.6A EP10717094A EP2534855B1 EP 2534855 B1 EP2534855 B1 EP 2534855B1 EP 10717094 A EP10717094 A EP 10717094A EP 2534855 B1 EP2534855 B1 EP 2534855B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
microphone
connector
hearing aid
ear
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Revoked
Application number
EP10717094.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2534855A1 (en
Inventor
Joachim Roland Barth
Holger Kral
Frank Naumann
Andreas Ratay
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Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Application filed by Sivantos Pte Ltd filed Critical Sivantos Pte Ltd
Publication of EP2534855A1 publication Critical patent/EP2534855A1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0213—Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0216—BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
    • 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
    • H04R25/405—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic by combining a plurality of transducers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE or BtE, behind-the-ear) with connectors for a sound tube or receiver tube.
  • BTE or BtE behind-the-ear hearing aid
  • 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 consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of 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 signal generator is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver.
  • the output signal generator generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing perception in the patient.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device.
  • the hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing.
  • the essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.
  • Hearing aids are known in various basic housing configurations.
  • ITE hearing aids in-the-ear, in-ear
  • a housing containing all the functional components, including the microphone and receiver is mostly worn in the ear canal.
  • CIC Completely-in-Canal
  • BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, behind-the-ear) will be a housing with components such as Battery and signal processing device worn behind the ear and a flexible sound tube, also referred to as tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal.
  • RiC-BtE hearing aids (Receiver-Canal behind-the-ear) are similar to the BtE hearing aids, but the receiver is worn in the ear canal and the flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals to the receiver instead of acoustic signals, which is attached to the front of the tube. All housing configurations have in common is that as small a housing as possible be sought in order to increase the comfort and to reduce the visibility of the hearing aid for cosmetic reasons.
  • RiC-BtE hearing aids can be equipped with multiple microphones to provide spatial resolution of the ambient sound received by the microphones.
  • the multiple microphones are spatially separated from each other. It is obvious that the spatial arrangement of the microphones to each other and to the ear of the hearing aid wearer and in the room has an influence on the spatial resolution.
  • RiC-BtE hearing aids include a housing to be worn behind the ear or earpiece of the hearing aid wearer and a receiver to be worn in the auditory canal (Canal). Housing and receiver are connected by a tube (tube) with each other, which includes, inter alia, an electrical line, by means of which electrical output signals of the housing are passed to the receiver. Housing and receiver tube are usually detachably connected together, e.g. by means of a plug connection.
  • FIG. 1 is a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid according to the above-described prior art shown, but without a receiver. It comprises a housing 1 to be supported behind the auricle of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the housing contains, among other further, not-shown electronic components two microphones 2 arranged.
  • One of the microphones 2 is arranged at a further forward position and is therefore also referred to as a front microphone FM, the other microphone 2 is arranged at a position further back and is therefore also referred to as a rear microphone RM.
  • the housing For electrical connection to a receiver, the housing comprises a socket 3.
  • the socket 3 is part of a connector, by means of which a receiver tube 5 can be detachably connected via the connector 4 with the electronic components of the housing 1.
  • the connector is arranged on the front end face of the elongated housing 1. This front side of the housing 1 protrudes, if the housing is intended to be worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, to the upper front edge of the auricle and possibly beyond this, so it can be visible from the front and possibly also from the side.
  • a likewise not shown receiver is mounted, which is arranged in the auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer.
  • a disadvantage of the above-described prior art RiC-BtE hearing aid inter alia, that the connector 4 due to its exposed position on the front of the housing 1 and also because of its size very noticeable and visually less pleasing aesthetically and cosmetically.
  • Another disadvantage is that the microphones 2, which are arranged behind the connector 4, both located so far back of the housing 1, that they may be partially covered by the ear or the ear of the hearing aid wearer, which hinders the recording of ambient acoustic signals.
  • Another disadvantage is that the microphones 2 are arranged following the contour of the auricle at different heights, specifically the rear microphone 2 below the front microphone 2, whereas an arrangement at the same height would be more favorable for the directionality or the directionality index.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing BTE hearing aid with a small front end and improved acoustic properties.
  • the invention solves this problem with a hearing aid with the features of the main claim.
  • a hearing device comprises a housing to be supported behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, in which a connector for connection to a receiver tube or sound tube is arranged, wherein the connector is arranged on a side wall of the housing.
  • the lateral arrangement of the connector moves it away from the exposed position on the front end of the housing.
  • the case worn behind the ear housing usually at least visible from the front front end of the housing can be made smaller, also they can be made more free and visually pleasing because of the elimination of the connector.
  • a smaller front side causes a lower attenuation of acoustic signals that impinge on the worn on the ear hearing aid from the front.
  • front an orientation in the direction of the hearing aid wearer and “down” an orientation in the vertical direction down and thus coming from above towards the ear of the hearing aid wearer.
  • the connector is at a, when the housing is worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, directed towards the ear, down side wall of the housing arranged in hearing aids as the bottom or "bottom surface".
  • the side facing the ear is protected from view, which makes this positioning of the connector less noticeable.
  • it is not directly and unprotected exposed to potentially damaging environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt, which makes the positioning also less susceptible to interference.
  • the housing of the hearing aid on an elongated shape, and the connector is arranged on an elongated side wall of the housing.
  • the elongated side wall provides a relatively large compared to the end faces area that can be used to position the connector. This ensures greater freedom of design with regard to the connector and its locking mechanisms.
  • the greater freedom of design can for example also be used to provide a seal of the plug to the housing, which further improves the robustness of the overall system.
  • the hearing aid comprises a microphone which is connected to a microphone opening.
  • the microphone opening is arranged at a microphone position in the region of a front end side of the housing.
  • the hearing aid comprises at least two microphones, which are each connected to a microphone opening.
  • the microphone openings are arranged at spatially separate microphone positions, wherein one of the microphone positions is arranged in the region of a front end side of the housing.
  • the connector space Due to the lateral arrangement of the connector space is free at the front end of the housing, thus ensuring greater design freedom. This is used to provide the front microphone position on the front face.
  • the front microphone position thus moves further away from a possibly covered by the auricle position, which favors the recording of ambient acoustic signals.
  • the rear microphone position can also be moved further forward. Both microphone positions are thus located above the ear rather than behind the ear and can be arranged at least approximately at the same height on a horizontal line when the head of the hearing aid is upright.
  • the horizontal arrangement at the same height favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound (directionality) by the signal processing of the hearing aid.
  • the hearing aid with elongated housing at least two microphones are included, each of which is connected to a microphone opening, wherein the microphone openings are arranged at spatially separated microphone positions.
  • One of the microphone positions is disposed in an elongate side wall of the housing, and another microphone position is disposed in an end face of the housing.
  • the free space at the front end of the housing space is used to provide the front microphone position on the front end.
  • the horizontal arrangement favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound (directionality) through the signal processing of the hearing aid.
  • the described arrangement of a correspondingly flat or with a low cross-sectional connector can be used to run the housing of the hearing aid as a whole flatter or less flat, to increase the wearing comfort and to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing design.
  • the front end of the housing which is more visible from the front, can also be made flat or less flat.
  • FIG. 2 is a RiC BtE hearing aid with lateral connector 23 and microphone 22 at the front end side shown in side view schematically.
  • the hearing aid comprises a housing 21 to be worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the housing 21 is elongate in a conventional manner for BTE hearing aids such that it has a relatively small front, front, one or more elongated sidewalls, and one compared to front side face has slightly larger rear end face.
  • the connector 23 is designed as a socket.
  • the handset tube 25 has a connector 24 that includes a connector.
  • the connector 24 is inserted into a side of the housing 21 provided connector receptacle 29. In this case, the connector of the connector 24 is inserted into the socket of the connector 23.
  • electrical line 26 is not on illustrated end of the receiver tube 25 arranged, also not shown receiver electrically connected.
  • the receiver tube 25 together with the connector 24 can also be arranged laterally on the housing 21.
  • the connector 24 is made flat.
  • the connector 24 does not cover the front end side of the housing 21.
  • the front end side can therefore be used elsewhere and there is the front microphone position 27 is arranged.
  • At the front microphone position 27 is a microphone opening, not shown, in the housing 21, with which one of the microphones 22 is connected.
  • the microphone 22 may for example be arranged directly behind the microphone opening, or it may be connected by a sound channel with the microphone opening.
  • the front microphone position 27 is thus compared to a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid with frontally arranged on the front side Hörerschlauch connector overall forward of the hearing aid.
  • the rear microphone position 28 which must be arranged spatially separated from the front for the purpose of spatial resolution of the sound detection, moved on the hearing aid in total further forward.
  • RiC-BtE hearing aids are described as exemplary embodiments, in which a receiver tube connects a receiver positioned in the auditory canal of a hearing aid wearer.
  • each BtE hearing aids would be conceivable in which the receiver sits in the housing of the hearing aid and a sound tube leads into the ear canal of the hearing aid wearer.
  • the respective connector for connecting the sound tube would instead of the respective receiver hose connector also disposed on the underlying side wall of the respective housing and it would achieve the same advantages.
  • each of the gained free area in the front end side of the housing would be used for one of the microphone positions.
  • FIG. 3 is a hearing aid with side connector and microphone on the front face shown schematically in front view.
  • microphone openings 37 are provided at the front microphone position 37, with which the associated microphone, not shown, is connected.
  • the front microphone position 37 is recognizable at the front end of the housing 31.
  • the rear microphone position including microphone openings is not visible in the selected view.
  • a connector receptacle 39 into which the tube 35 is guided.
  • the connector of the listener tube 35 and the connector between the listener tube 35 and housing 31 are not visible in the selected view.
  • FIG. 4 is a connector 23 between the listener tube 45 and the hearing aid housing, not shown, shown schematically, which could be used as described above laterally arranged on a hearing aid housing.
  • an electrical line 46 Through the listener tube 45 extends an electrical line 46, by means of which a non-illustrated end of the receiver tube 45 arranged also not shown receiver is connected.
  • the connector 44 of the receiver tube 45 has a socket 42.
  • a provided on the hearing aid housing plug 43 can be inserted.
  • the plug 43 is part of the connector 23 and arranged on a circuit carrier 40.
  • a through-connection 41 extends through the circuit carrier 40 and connects the plug 43 with electronic components, not shown, of the hearing device, for example an output amplifier.
  • the connector 44 is inserted from below into the connector 23.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the microphone axes reproduced at the ear of a hearing aid wearer.
  • the hearing aid 51 is merely outlined as a contour in order to be able to explain the possible microphone positions 27, 28, FM, RM. From the ear of the hearing aid wearer, only the contour of the auricle 52 is indicated, but need not be reproduced true to scale or in the orientation to the housing 51 correctly.
  • the microphone positions FM and RM denote the usual positions in a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid.
  • the front microphone position FM (Front Microphone) is arranged on the upper side of the housing 51 and forms with the lower rear microphone position RM (Rear Microphone) a downward sloping line - as shown in the figure.
  • the sloping down line is forced, since the microphone positions must be arranged spatially separated to allow directionality at all, and on the other hand since the housing from the front microphone position FM to the rear RM of the contour of the pinna 52 following falls backwards ,
  • the different spatial arrangement of the microphone positions FM and RM is less favorable in terms of directionality than an equally high arrangement.
  • both microphone positions FM and RM are at least partially covered by the auricle 52, which makes it difficult to record ambient acoustic signals.
  • the front microphone position FM (and thus also the rear) back to move forward is not possible because the front end of the housing 51st is taken in a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid by the unillustrated Hörerschlauch connector.
  • an arrangement according to the invention of the receiver tube connector on the lateral wall of the housing 51 makes it possible to otherwise use the front end side or the front end side region.
  • the free front end face created in this way is used to arrange the front microphone position 27 there.
  • the front microphone position 27 is thus arranged in front of the housing 51, compared to the conventional front microphone position FM.
  • the rear microphone position 28 is located further forward.
  • the two microphone positions 27 and 28 thus form an at least approximately horizontal line - as shown in the figure.
  • the at least approximately equal spatial arrangement of the microphone positions 27 and 28 is particularly favorable in terms of directionality.
  • at least the front microphone position 27 is relatively less covered by the auricle 52, which favors the recording of ambient acoustic signals.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing BTE hearing aid with a small front surface and improved acoustic properties.
  • a hearing aid is proposed with a behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer housing 21,31, which has a connector 23,43 for connection to a receiver tube 25,35,45 or sound tube.
  • the connector 23,43 is disposed on a side wall of the housing 21,31.
  • the lateral arrangement of the connector moves it away from the exposed position on the front end of the housing.
  • the housing, which is supported behind the ear can usually be made smaller, at least from the front visible front end side of the housing.
  • a particularly advantageous embodiment provides at least two microphones 22, wherein one of the microphone positions 27 in Area of the front end side of the housing 21,31 is arranged.
  • the front microphone position thus moves further away from a position possibly covered by the auricle, on the other hand, with the front microphone position further forward, the rear microphone position can also be moved further forward.
  • the microphone positions are thus approximately horizontal, which favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound directionality by the signal processing of the hearing aid.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Obtaining Desirable Characteristics In Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät (HdO bzw. BtE, Behind-the-Ear) mit Steckverbinder für einen Schallschlauch oder Hörerschlauch.The invention relates to a behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE or BtE, behind-the-ear) with connectors for a sound tube or receiver tube.

Ein Hörgerät dient der Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten Person mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zur Kompensation bzw. Therapie der jeweiligen Hörschädigung verarbeitet und verstärkt sind. Es besteht prinzipiell aus einem oder mehreren Eingangswandlern, aus einer Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung, einer Verstärkungseinrichtung, und aus einem Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z.B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z.B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangssignalerzeuger 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 Ausgangssignalerzeuger erzeugt Ausgangssignale, die zum Gehör des Patienten geleitet werden und beim Patienten eine Hörwahrnehmung erzeugen sollen. Der Verstärker ist in der Regel in die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung integriert. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts erfolgt durch eine ins Hörgerätegehäuse integrierte Batterie. Die wesentlichen 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 consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of 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 signal generator is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver. The output signal generator generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing perception in the patient. The amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device. The hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing. The essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.

Hörgeräte sind in verschiedenen grundlegenden Gehäuse-Konfigurationen bekannt. Bei IdO-Hörgeräten (In-dem-Ohr, Inthe-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 BTE-Hörgeräte (Hinter-dem-Ohr, Behind-the-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 (Receiverin-Canal Behind-the-Ear) gleichen den BtE-Hörgeräten, jedoch wird der Receiver im Gehörgang getragen und der flexible Hörerschlauch leitet anstelle akustischer Signale elektrische Signale zum Receiver, welcher vorne am Hörerschlauch angebracht ist. Allen Gehäuse-Konfigurationen ist gemein, dass möglichst kleine Gehäuse angestrebt werden, um den Tragekomfort zu erhöhen und die Sichtbarkeit des Hörgeräts aus kosmetischen Gründen zu reduzieren.Hearing aids are known in various basic housing configurations. In the case of ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, in-ear), a housing 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) will be a housing with components such as Battery and signal processing device worn behind the ear and a flexible sound tube, also referred to as tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal. RiC-BtE hearing aids (Receiver-Canal behind-the-ear) are similar to the BtE hearing aids, but the receiver is worn in the ear canal and the flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals to the receiver instead of acoustic signals, which is attached to the front of the tube. All housing configurations have in common is that as small a housing as possible be sought in order to increase the comfort and to reduce the visibility of the hearing aid for cosmetic reasons.

RiC-BtE-Hörgeräte können mit mehreren Mikrofonen ausgestattet sein, um eine räumliche Auflösung des durch die Mikrofone aufgenommenen Umgebungsschalls zu ermöglichen. Man spricht von Direktionalität (Directionality). Um Direktionalität zu ermöglichen, sind die mehreren Mikrofone räumlich getrennt voneinander angeordnet. Es liegt auf der Hand, dass die räumliche Anordnung der Mikrofone zueinander und zum Ohr des Hörgeräteträgers und im Raum Einfluss auf die räumliche Auflösung hat.RiC-BtE hearing aids can be equipped with multiple microphones to provide spatial resolution of the ambient sound received by the microphones. One speaks of Directionality. To allow directionality, the multiple microphones are spatially separated from each other. It is obvious that the spatial arrangement of the microphones to each other and to the ear of the hearing aid wearer and in the room has an influence on the spatial resolution.

RiC-BtE-Hörgeräte umfassen ein hinter dem Ohr bzw. der Ohrmuschel des Hörgeräteträgers zu tragendes Gehäuse sowie einen im Gehörgang (Canal) zu tragenden Receiver. Gehäuse und Receiver sind durch einen Hörerschlauch (Tube) miteinander verbunden, welcher unter anderem eine elektrische Leitung umfasst, mittels derer elektrische Ausgangssignale des Gehäuses zum Receiver geleitet werden. Gehäuse und Hörerschlauch sind in der Regel lösbar miteinander verbunden, z.B. mittels einer Steckverbindung.RiC-BtE hearing aids include a housing to be worn behind the ear or earpiece of the hearing aid wearer and a receiver to be worn in the auditory canal (Canal). Housing and receiver are connected by a tube (tube) with each other, which includes, inter alia, an electrical line, by means of which electrical output signals of the housing are passed to the receiver. Housing and receiver tube are usually detachably connected together, e.g. by means of a plug connection.

In Figur 1 ist ein herkömmliches RiC-BtE-Hörgerät nach dem vorangehend geschilderten Stand der Technik dargestellt, allerdings ohne Receiver. Es umfasst ein hinter der Ohrmuschel eines Hörgeräteträgers zu tragendes Gehäuse 1. In dem Gehäuse sind neben weiteren, nicht dargestellten elektronischen Komponenten zwei Mikrofone 2 angeordnet. Eines der Mikrofone 2 ist an einer weiter vorne liegenden Position angeordnet und wird daher auch als Front-Microphone FM bezeichnet, das andere Mikrofon 2 ist an einer weiter hinten liegenden Position angeordnet und wird daher auch als Rear-Microphon RM bezeichnet.In FIG. 1 is a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid according to the above-described prior art shown, but without a receiver. It comprises a housing 1 to be supported behind the auricle of a hearing aid wearer. The housing contains, among other further, not-shown electronic components two microphones 2 arranged. One of the microphones 2 is arranged at a further forward position and is therefore also referred to as a front microphone FM, the other microphone 2 is arranged at a position further back and is therefore also referred to as a rear microphone RM.

Zur elektrischen Verbindung mit einem Receiver umfasst das Gehäuse eine Buchse 3. Die Buchse 3 ist Teil eines Steckverbinders, mittels dem ein Hörerschlauch 5 über den Konnektor 4 lösbar mit den elektronischen Komponenten des Gehäuses 1 verbunden werden kann. Der Steckverbinder ist an der vorne liegenden Stirnseite des länglichen Gehäuses 1 angeordnet. Diese Stirnseite des Gehäuses 1 ragt, wenn das Gehäuse bestimmungsgemäß hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers getragen wird, zum oberen vorderen Rand der Ohrmuschel hin und eventuell auch über diese hinaus, kann also von vorne und eventuell auch von der Seite sichtbar sein. Am nicht dargestellten anderen Ende des Hörerschlauchs 5 ist ein ebenfalls nicht dargestellter Receiver angebracht, der im Gehörgang des Hörgeräteträgers angeordnet getragen wird.For electrical connection to a receiver, the housing comprises a socket 3. The socket 3 is part of a connector, by means of which a receiver tube 5 can be detachably connected via the connector 4 with the electronic components of the housing 1. The connector is arranged on the front end face of the elongated housing 1. This front side of the housing 1 protrudes, if the housing is intended to be worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, to the upper front edge of the auricle and possibly beyond this, so it can be visible from the front and possibly also from the side. At the other end, not shown, of the receiver tube 5, a likewise not shown receiver is mounted, which is arranged in the auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer.

Nachteilig an dem vorangehend beschriebenen vorbekannten RiC-BtE-Hörgerät ist unter anderem, dass der Konnektor 4 aufgrund seiner exponierten Position vorne am Gehäuse 1 und auch aufgrund seiner Größe sehr auffällig und unter ästhetischen und kosmetischen Gesichtspunkten optisch wenig gefällig wirkt. Nachteilig ist zudem, dass die Mikrofone 2, die hinter dem Konnektor 4 angeordnet sind, beide so weit hinten am Gehäuse 1 angeordnet sind, dass sie eventuell teilweise vom Ohr bzw. der Ohrmuschel des Hörgeräteträgers überdeckt werden können, was die Aufnahme akustischer Umgebungssignale behindert. Nachteilig ist außerdem, dass die Mikrofone 2 der Kontur der Ohrmuschel folgend in unterschiedlicher Höhe angeordnet sind, und zwar das hintere Mikrofon 2 unterhalb des vorderen Mikrofons 2, wohingegen eine Anordnung auf gleicher Höhe für die Direktionalität bzw. den Direktionalitäts-Index günstiger wäre.A disadvantage of the above-described prior art RiC-BtE hearing aid, inter alia, that the connector 4 due to its exposed position on the front of the housing 1 and also because of its size very noticeable and visually less pleasing aesthetically and cosmetically. Another disadvantage is that the microphones 2, which are arranged behind the connector 4, both located so far back of the housing 1, that they may be partially covered by the ear or the ear of the hearing aid wearer, which hinders the recording of ambient acoustic signals. Another disadvantage is that the microphones 2 are arranged following the contour of the auricle at different heights, specifically the rear microphone 2 below the front microphone 2, whereas an arrangement at the same height would be more favorable for the directionality or the directionality index.

Aus der Druckschrift US 5,987,146 A ist ein Hörinstrument mit einem außerhalb eines Gehörgangs zu tragenden Gehäuse und mit mehreren in den Gehörgang führenden Schläuchen bekannt. Am gehörgangseitigen Ende eines der Schläuche ist ein Receiver angeordnet, am gehörgangseitigen Ende eines weiteren der Schläuche kann ein Mikrofon angeordnet sein. Die Schläuche sind an der Frontseite des Hörinstruments mit diesem verbunden und so bemessen, dass der Gehörgang nicht vollständig versperrt wird (open fit), damit Umgebungsgeräusche an den Schläuchen vorbei in das Gehör gelangen können.From the publication US 5,987,146 A is a hearing aid with an outside of the ear canal to be worn housing and with several leading into the ear canal hoses known. At the auditory end of one of the hoses, a receiver is arranged at the auditory end of another of the hoses, a microphone may be arranged. The hoses are connected to the front of the hearing instrument with this and dimensioned so that the ear canal is not completely blocked (open fit), so that ambient noise can pass through the hoses in the ear.

Aus der Druckschrift US 2008/0273733 A1 ist ein RiC-BtE-Hörgerät bekannt, bei dem ein Stecker für den Hörerschlauch an der Frontseite des Hörgerätegehäuses angeordnet ist und ein Mikrofon gegenüber dem Stecker zurückversetzt an der zur Frontseite hin geneigten Oberseite des Hörgerätegehäuses. Ein ähnliches Hörgerät ist auch aus der Druckschrift WO 2008/095489 A1 bekannt.From the publication US 2008/0273733 A1 is a RiC BtE hearing aid is known in which a plug for the listener tube on the front of the hearing aid housing is arranged and a microphone relative to the plug set back on the inclined to the front side top of the hearing aid housing. A similar hearing aid is also from the publication WO 2008/095489 A1 known.

Aus der Druckschrift US 7,027,608 B2 ist ein HdO-Hörgerät mit einem vorgeformten Schallschlauch bekannt, das in den Gehörgang führt und diesen nicht vollständig versperrt. Der Schallschlauch ist mit einem Stecker an der Frontseite des Hörgerätegehäuses verbunden. Ebenfalls an der Frontseite des Hörgerätegehäuses ist ein Mikrofon angeordnet.From the publication US 7,027,608 B2 is a BTE hearing aid with a preformed sound tube known that leads into the ear canal and not completely obstructed. The sound tube is connected to a plug on the front of the hearing aid housing. Also on the front of the hearing aid housing, a microphone is arranged.

Aus der Druckschrift US 7,110,562 B1 ist ein RiC-BtE-Hörgerät bekannt, bei dem ebenfalls ein Mikrofon sowie ein Stecker für den Hörerschlauch an der Frontseite des Hörgerätegehäuses angeordnet sind.From the publication US Pat. No. 7,110,562 B1 a RiC BtE hearing aid is known, in which a microphone and a plug for the receiver tube are also arranged on the front side of the hearing aid housing.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, ein unter ästhetischen Gesichtspunkten gefälliges HdO-Hörgerät mit kleiner vorderer Stirnseite und verbesserten akustischen Eigenschaften anzugeben.The object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing BTE hearing aid with a small front end and improved acoustic properties.

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

Gemäß einem Grundgedanken der Erfindung umfasst ein Hörgerät ein hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers zu tragendes Gehäuse, in dem ein Steckverbinder zur Verbindung mit einem Hörerschlauch oder Schallschlauch angeordnet ist, wobei der Steckverbinder an einer Seitenwand des Gehäuses angeordnet ist.According to a basic idea of the invention, a hearing device comprises a housing to be supported behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, in which a connector for connection to a receiver tube or sound tube is arranged, wherein the connector is arranged on a side wall of the housing.

Die seitliche Anordnung des Steckverbinders rückt ihn von der exponierten Position an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses weg. Dadurch kann die bei hinter dem Ohr getragenem Gehäuse in der Regel zumindest von vorne sichtbare vordere Stirnseite des Gehäuses kleiner gemacht werden, außerdem kann sie wegen des Wegfalls des Steckverbinders freier und optisch gefälliger gestaltet werden. Zudem bewirkt eine kleinere Stirnseite eine geringere Dämpfung akustischer Signale, die von vorne auf das am Ohr getragene Hörgerät auftreffen.The lateral arrangement of the connector moves it away from the exposed position on the front end of the housing. As a result, the case worn behind the ear housing usually at least visible from the front front end of the housing can be made smaller, also they can be made more free and visually pleasing because of the elimination of the connector. In addition, a smaller front side causes a lower attenuation of acoustic signals that impinge on the worn on the ear hearing aid from the front.

Vorangehend und nachfolgend werden die Begriffe "vorne", "hinten", "oben" und "unten" jeweils ausgehend von dem hinter dem Ohr getragenen Hörgeräte-Gehäuse verstanden. Damit bezeichnet "vorne" eine Ausrichtung in Blickrichtung des Hörgeräteträgers und "unten" eine Ausrichtung in vertikaler Richtung nach unten und damit von oben kommend hin zum Ohr des Hörgeräteträgers.Previously and hereinafter, the terms "front", "rear", "top" and "bottom" are understood in each case based on the worn behind the ear hearing aid housing. Thus, "front" an orientation in the direction of the hearing aid wearer and "down" an orientation in the vertical direction down and thus coming from above towards the ear of the hearing aid wearer.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist der Steckverbinder an einer, wenn das Gehäuse hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers getragen wird, zum Ohr hin gerichteten, unten liegenden Seitenwand des Gehäuses angeordnet, bei Hörgeräten auch als Boden bzw. "Bottom Surface" bezeichnet. Die zum Ohr hin gerichtete Seite ist vor Blicken geschützt, was diese Positionierung des Steckverbinders unauffälliger macht. Zudem ist sie auch nicht direkt und ungeschützt exponiert für möglicherweise schädigende Umgebungseinflüsse, wie Feuchtigkeit oder Schmutz, was die Positionierung auch unanfälliger gegen Störeinflüsse macht.According to an advantageous development of the connector is at a, when the housing is worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer, directed towards the ear, down side wall of the housing arranged in hearing aids as the bottom or "bottom surface". The side facing the ear is protected from view, which makes this positioning of the connector less noticeable. In addition, it is not directly and unprotected exposed to potentially damaging environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt, which makes the positioning also less susceptible to interference.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung weist das Gehäuse des Hörgeräts eine längliche Form auf, und der Steckverbinder ist an einer länglichen Seitenwand des Gehäuses angeordnet. Die längliche Seitenwand bietet eine im Vergleich zu den Stirnflächen verhältnismäßig große Fläche, die zur Positionierung des Steckverbinders genutzt werden kann. Damit ist eine größere Gestaltungsfreiheit hinsichtlich des Steckverbinders und seiner Verriegelungsmechanismen gewährleistet. Die größere Gestaltungsfreiheit kann beispielsweise auch dazu genutzt werden, eine Abdichtung des Steckers zum Gehäuse vorzusehen, was die Robustheit des Gesamtsystems zusätzlich verbessert.According to an advantageous development, the housing of the hearing aid on an elongated shape, and the connector is arranged on an elongated side wall of the housing. The elongated side wall provides a relatively large compared to the end faces area that can be used to position the connector. This ensures greater freedom of design with regard to the connector and its locking mechanisms. The greater freedom of design can for example also be used to provide a seal of the plug to the housing, which further improves the robustness of the overall system.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung umfasst das Hörgerät ein Mikrofon, das mit einer Mikrofon-Öffnung verbunden ist. Die Mikrofon-Öffnung ist an einer Mikrofon-Position im Bereich einer vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses angeordnet.According to an advantageous development, the hearing aid comprises a microphone which is connected to a microphone opening. The microphone opening is arranged at a microphone position in the region of a front end side of the housing.

Durch die seitliche Anordnung des Steckverbinders wird an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses Raum frei und gewährleistet so eine größere Gestaltungsfreiheit. Diese wird dazu genutzt, die vordere Mikrofon-Position an der vorderen Stirnseite vorzusehen. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position rückt damit zum einen weiter von einer eventuell von der Ohrmuschel überdeckten Position weg, was die Aufnahme akustischer Umgebungssignale begünstigt.Due to the lateral arrangement of the connector space is free at the front end of the housing, thus ensuring greater design freedom. This is used to provide the front microphone position on the front face. The front microphone position thus moves further away from a possibly covered by the auricle position, which favors the recording of ambient acoustic signals.

Gemäß einer weiteren vorteilhaften Weiterbildung umfasst das Hörgerät mindestens zwei Mikrofone, die jeweils mit einer Mikrofon-Öffnung verbunden sind. Die die Mikrofon-Öffnungen sind an räumlich voneinander getrennten Mikrofon-Positionen angeordnet, wobei eine der Mikrofon-Positionen im Bereich einer vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses angeordnet ist.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hearing aid comprises at least two microphones, which are each connected to a microphone opening. The microphone openings are arranged at spatially separate microphone positions, wherein one of the microphone positions is arranged in the region of a front end side of the housing.

Durch die seitliche Anordnung des Steckverbinders wird an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses Raum frei und gewährleistet so eine größere Gestaltungsfreiheit. Diese wird dazu genutzt, die vordere Mikrofon-Position an der vorderen Stirnseite vorzusehen. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position rückt damit zum einen weiter von einer eventuell von der Ohrmuschel überdeckten Position weg, was die Aufnahme akustischer Umgebungssignale begünstigt. Zum anderen kann mit weiter vorne angeordneter vorderer Mikrofon-Position auch die hintere Mikrofon-Position weiter nach vorne gerückt werden. Beide Mikrofon-Positionen liegen damit eher über dem Ohr als hinter dem Ohr und können mindestens annährend auf gleicher Höhe, auf einer bei aufrechtem Kopf des Hörgeräte-Trägers horizontalen Linie angeordnet werden. Die horizontale Anordnung auf gleicher Höhe begünstigt die räumliche Auflösung des aufgenommenen Umgebungsschalls (Direktionalität) durch die Signalverarbeitung des Hörgeräts.Due to the lateral arrangement of the connector space is free at the front end of the housing, thus ensuring greater design freedom. This is used to provide the front microphone position on the front face. The front microphone position thus moves further away from a possibly covered by the auricle position, which favors the recording of ambient acoustic signals. On the other hand, with the front microphone position further forward, the rear microphone position can also be moved further forward. Both microphone positions are thus located above the ear rather than behind the ear and can be arranged at least approximately at the same height on a horizontal line when the head of the hearing aid is upright. The horizontal arrangement at the same height favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound (directionality) by the signal processing of the hearing aid.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des vorangehend beschriebenen Hörgeräts mit länglichem Gehäuse sind mindestens zwei Mikrofone umfasst, die jeweils mit einer Mikrofon-Öffnung verbunden sind, wobei die Mikrofon-Öffnungen an räumlich voneinander getrennten Mikrofon-Positionen angeordnet sind. Eine der Mikrofon-Positionen ist in einer länglichen Seitenwand des Gehäuses angeordnet, und eine weitere Mikrofon-Position ist in einer Stirnseite des Gehäuses angeordnet. Dadurch wird der freie Raum an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses Raum genutzt, um die vordere Mikrofon-Position an der vorderen Stirnseite vorzusehen. Die Anordnung eines weiteren Mikrofons in einer der länglichen Seitenwände, und zwar vorzugsweise der bei am Ohr getragenen Hörgerät nach oben vom Ohr weg orientierten Seitenwand, ergibt eine möglichst wenig von der Ohrmuschel überdeckte Position der Mikrofone annährend horizontal auf gleicher Höhe. Die horizontale Anordnung begünstigt die räumliche Auflösung des aufgenommenen Umgebungsschalls (Direktionalität) durch die Signalverarbeitung des Hörgeräts.According to an advantageous embodiment of the above-described hearing aid with elongated housing at least two microphones are included, each of which is connected to a microphone opening, wherein the microphone openings are arranged at spatially separated microphone positions. One of the microphone positions is disposed in an elongate side wall of the housing, and another microphone position is disposed in an end face of the housing. As a result, the free space at the front end of the housing space is used to provide the front microphone position on the front end. The arrangement of another microphone in one of the elongated side walls, preferably the side wall supported on the ear upwardly away from the ear oriented sidewall, as little as possible of the auricle covered position of the microphones almost horizontally at the same height. The horizontal arrangement favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound (directionality) through the signal processing of the hearing aid.

Es ist ersichtlich, dass die beschriebene Anordnung eines entsprechend flach bzw. mit geringem Querschnitt ausgeführten Steckverbinders dazu genutzt werden kann, das Gehäuse des Hörgeräts insgesamt flacher oder weniger flächig auszuführen, um den Tragekomfort zu erhöhen und eine ästhetisch ansprechendere Gestaltung zu erreichen. Insbesondere kann auch die von vorne eher sichtbare vordere Stirnseite des Gehäuses flacher oder weniger flächig ausgeführt werden.It can be seen that the described arrangement of a correspondingly flat or with a low cross-sectional connector can be used to run the housing of the hearing aid as a whole flatter or less flat, to increase the wearing comfort and to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing design. In particular, the front end of the housing, which is more visible from the front, can also be made flat or less flat.

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

Fig. 2
Hörgerät mit seitlichem Steckverbinder und Mikrofon an der vorderen Stirnseite in Seitenansicht,
Fig. 3
Hörgerät mit seitlichem Steckverbinder und Mikrofon an der vorderen Stirnseite in Frontansicht,
Fig. 4
Steckverbinder, Hörerschlauch und Hörgerätegehäuse und
Fig. 5
schematische Darstellung der Mikrofon-Achsen am Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers.
Further advantageous developments will become apparent from the following figures, including description. Show it:
Fig. 2
Hearing aid with side connector and microphone on the front side in side view,
Fig. 3
Hearing aid with side connector and microphone on the front face in front view,
Fig. 4
Connectors, receiver tube and hearing aid housing and
Fig. 5
schematic representation of the microphone axes at the ear of a hearing aid wearer.

In Figur 2 ist ein RiC-BtE-Hörgerät mit seitlichem Steckverbinder 23 und Mikrofon 22 an der vorderen Stirnseite in Seitenansicht schematisch dargestellt. Das Hörgerät umfasst ein hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers zu tragendes Gehäuse 21. Das Gehäuse 21 ist in für HdO-Hörgeräte üblicher Weise länglich gestaltet, so dass es eine verhältnismäßig kleine frontseitige, vordere Stirnseite, eine oder mehrere längliche Seitenwände, und eine im Vergleich zur frontseitigen Stirnfläche etwas größere rückseitige Stirnseite aufweist.In FIG. 2 is a RiC BtE hearing aid with lateral connector 23 and microphone 22 at the front end side shown in side view schematically. The hearing aid comprises a housing 21 to be worn behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer. The housing 21 is elongate in a conventional manner for BTE hearing aids such that it has a relatively small front, front, one or more elongated sidewalls, and one compared to front side face has slightly larger rear end face.

In dem Gehäuse sind neben weiteren üblicherweise erforderlichen Komponenten Mikrofone 22 und ein Steckverbinder 23 zur Verbindung mit einem Hörerschlauch 25 angeordnet. Der Steckverbinder 23 ist als Buchse ausgeführt. Der Hörerschlauch 25 weist einen Konnektor 24 auf, der einen Steckverbinder umfasst. Der Konnektor 24 ist in eine seitlich am Gehäuse 21 vorgesehene Konnektor-Aufnahme 29 eingelegt. Dabei ist der Steckverbinder des Konnektors 24 in die Buchse des Steckverbinders 23 eingesteckt. Dadurch wird mittels der im Hörerschlauch 25 verlaufenden elektrischen Leitung 26 ein am nicht dargestellten Ende des Hörerschlauchs 25 angeordneter, ebenfalls nicht dargestellter Receiver elektrisch verbunden.In the housing microphones 22 and a connector 23 for connection to a receiver tube 25 are arranged in addition to other components usually required. The connector 23 is designed as a socket. The handset tube 25 has a connector 24 that includes a connector. The connector 24 is inserted into a side of the housing 21 provided connector receptacle 29. In this case, the connector of the connector 24 is inserted into the socket of the connector 23. As a result, by means of running in the receiver tube 25 electrical line 26 is not on illustrated end of the receiver tube 25 arranged, also not shown receiver electrically connected.

Durch die seitliche Anordnung des Steckverbinders 23 kann der Hörerschlauch 25 samt Konnektor 24 ebenfalls seitlich am Gehäuse 21 angeordnet werden. Zu diesem Zweck ist der Konnektor 24 flach ausgeführt. Durch diese Anordnung überdeckt der Konnektor 24 nicht die vordere Stirnseite des Gehäuses 21. Die vordere Stirnseite kann daher anderweitig genutzt werden und es ist dort die vordere Mikrofon-Position 27 angeordnet. An der vorderen Mikrofon-Position 27 befindet sich eine nicht dargestellte Mikrofon-Öffnung im Gehäuse 21, mit der eines der Mikrofone 22 verbunden ist. Das Mikrofon 22 kann beispielsweise direkt hinter der Mikrofon-Öffnung angeordnet sein, oder es kann durch einen Schallkanal mit der Mikrofon-Öffnung verbunden sein. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position 27 befindet sich damit im Vergleich zu einem herkömmlichen RiC-BtE-Hörgerät mit vorne stirnseitig angeordneten Hörerschlauch-Konnektor insgesamt weiter vorne am Hörgerät. Damit ist auch die hintere Mikrofon-Position 28, die Zwecks räumlicher Auflösung der Schalldetektion räumlich getrennt von der vorderen angeordnet sein muss, am Hörgerät insgesamt weiter nach vorne gerückt.Due to the lateral arrangement of the connector 23, the receiver tube 25 together with the connector 24 can also be arranged laterally on the housing 21. For this purpose, the connector 24 is made flat. By this arrangement, the connector 24 does not cover the front end side of the housing 21. The front end side can therefore be used elsewhere and there is the front microphone position 27 is arranged. At the front microphone position 27 is a microphone opening, not shown, in the housing 21, with which one of the microphones 22 is connected. The microphone 22 may for example be arranged directly behind the microphone opening, or it may be connected by a sound channel with the microphone opening. The front microphone position 27 is thus compared to a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid with frontally arranged on the front side Hörerschlauch connector overall forward of the hearing aid. Thus, the rear microphone position 28, which must be arranged spatially separated from the front for the purpose of spatial resolution of the sound detection, moved on the hearing aid in total further forward.

Vorangehend und nachfolgend sind als Ausführungsbeispiele jeweils RiC-BtE-Hörgeräte beschrieben, bei denen ein Hörerschlauch einen im Gehörgang eines Hörgeräteträgers positionierten Receiver verbindet. Stattdessen wären jeweils auch BtE-Hörgeräte denkbar, bei denen der Receiver im Gehäuse des Hörgeräts sitzt und ein Schallschlauch in den Gehörgang des Hörgeräteträgers führt. Der jeweilige Steckverbinder zur Anbindung des Schallschlauchs wäre statt des jeweiligen Hörerschlauch-Steckverbinders ebenfalls an der unten liegenden Seitenwand des jeweiligen Gehäuses angeordnet und es würden dieselben Vorteile erzielt. Insbesondere würde jeweils die gewonnene freie Fläche im Bereich der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses für eine der Mikrofon-Positionen genutzt werden.Previously and subsequently, RiC-BtE hearing aids are described as exemplary embodiments, in which a receiver tube connects a receiver positioned in the auditory canal of a hearing aid wearer. Instead, each BtE hearing aids would be conceivable in which the receiver sits in the housing of the hearing aid and a sound tube leads into the ear canal of the hearing aid wearer. The respective connector for connecting the sound tube would instead of the respective receiver hose connector also disposed on the underlying side wall of the respective housing and it would achieve the same advantages. In particular, each of the gained free area in the front end side of the housing would be used for one of the microphone positions.

In Figur 3 ist ein Hörgerät mit seitlichem Steckverbinder und Mikrofon an der vorderen Stirnseite in Frontansicht schematisch dargestellt. Im Gehäuse 31 sind an der vorderen Mikrofon-Position 37 Mikrofon-Öffnungen 38 vorgesehen, mit denen das zugehörige nicht dargestellte Mikrofon verbunden ist. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position 37 befindet sich erkennbar an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses 31. Die hintere Mikrofon-Position samt Mikrofon-Öffnungen ist in der gewählten Ansicht nicht erkennbar.In FIG. 3 is a hearing aid with side connector and microphone on the front face shown schematically in front view. In the housing 31 microphone openings 37 are provided at the front microphone position 37, with which the associated microphone, not shown, is connected. The front microphone position 37 is recognizable at the front end of the housing 31. The rear microphone position including microphone openings is not visible in the selected view.

An der unteren Seite des Gehäuses 31 befindet sich eine Konnektor-Aufnahme 39, in die der Hörerschlauch 35 hinein geführt ist. Der Konnektor des Hörerschlauchs 35 sowie die Steckverbindung zwischen Hörerschlauch 35 und Gehäuse 31 sind in der gewählten Ansicht nicht erkennbar.On the lower side of the housing 31 is a connector receptacle 39 into which the tube 35 is guided. The connector of the listener tube 35 and the connector between the listener tube 35 and housing 31 are not visible in the selected view.

Es ist ersichtlich, dass eine derartige Anordnung eines entsprechend flach bzw. mit geringem Querschnitt ausgeführten Hörerschlauch-Konnektors dazu genutzt werden kann, das Gehäuse 31 des Hörgeräts insgesamt flacher oder weniger flächig auszuführen, um den Tragekomfort zu erhöhen und eine ästhetisch ansprechendere Gestaltung zu erreichen. Insbesondere kann die von vorne eher sichtbare Stirnseite flacher oder weniger flächig ausgeführt werden.It can be seen that such an arrangement of a correspondingly flat or with a small cross-section executed Hörerschlauch connector can be used to run the housing 31 of the hearing aid as a whole flat or less flat, to increase the comfort and to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing design. In particular, the front side, which is more visible from the front, can be made flat or less flat.

In Figur 4 ist ein Steckverbinder 23 zwischen Hörerschlauch 45 und dem nicht dargestellten Hörgerätegehäuse schematisch dargestellt, der wie vorangehend beschrieben seitlich an einem Hörgerätegehäuse angeordnet verwendet werden könnte. Durch den Hörerschlauch 45 verläuft eine elektrische Leitung 46, mittels derer ein am nicht dargestellten Ende des Hörerschlauchs 45 angeordneter ebenfalls nicht dargestellter Receiver verbunden wird. Der Konnektor 44 des Hörerschlauchs 45 weist eine Buchse 42 auf.In FIG. 4 is a connector 23 between the listener tube 45 and the hearing aid housing, not shown, shown schematically, which could be used as described above laterally arranged on a hearing aid housing. Through the listener tube 45 extends an electrical line 46, by means of which a non-illustrated end of the receiver tube 45 arranged also not shown receiver is connected. The connector 44 of the receiver tube 45 has a socket 42.

In die Buchse 42 kann eine am Hörgerätegehäuse vorgesehener Stecker 43 eingesteckt werden. Der Stecker 43 ist Teil des Steckverbinders 23 und an einem Schaltungsträger 40 angeordnet. Eine Durchkontaktierung 41 verläuft durch den Schaltungsträger 40 hindurch und verbindet den Stecker 43 mit nicht dargestellten elektronischen Komponenten des Hörgeräts, z.B. einem Ausgangsverstärker.In the socket 42, a provided on the hearing aid housing plug 43 can be inserted. The plug 43 is part of the connector 23 and arranged on a circuit carrier 40. A through-connection 41 extends through the circuit carrier 40 and connects the plug 43 with electronic components, not shown, of the hearing device, for example an output amplifier.

Es ist ersichtlich, dass der Konnektor 44 von unten in den Steckverbinder 23 eingesteckt wird.It can be seen that the connector 44 is inserted from below into the connector 23.

In Figur 5 ist eine schematische Darstellung der Mikrofon-Achsen am Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers wiedergegeben. Das Hörgerät 51 ist lediglich als Kontur skizziert, um daran die möglichen Mikrofon-Positionen 27, 28, FM, RM erläutern zu können. Vom Ohr des Hörgeräteträgers ist lediglich die Kontur der Ohrmuschel 52 angedeutet, die aber weder maßstabsgetreu noch in der Orientierung zum Gehäuse 51 korrekt wiedergegeben zu sein braucht.In FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the microphone axes reproduced at the ear of a hearing aid wearer. The hearing aid 51 is merely outlined as a contour in order to be able to explain the possible microphone positions 27, 28, FM, RM. From the ear of the hearing aid wearer, only the contour of the auricle 52 is indicated, but need not be reproduced true to scale or in the orientation to the housing 51 correctly.

Die Mikrofon-Positionen FM bzw. RM bezeichnen die bei einem herkömmlichen RiC-BtE-Hörgerät üblichen Positionen. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position FM (Front Microphone) ist an der oberen Seite des Gehäuses 51 angeordnet und bildet mit der weiter unten liegenden hinteren Mikrofon-Position RM (Rear Microphone) eine nach hinten abfallende Linie - wie in der Abbildung eingezeichnet. Die nach hinten abfallende Linie ergibt sich zwangsweise, da die Mikrofon-Positionen räumlich getrennt angeordnet sein müssen, um Direktionalität überhaupt zu ermöglichen, und da anderseits da Gehäuse von der vordere Mikrofon-Position FM zur hinteren RM der Kontur der Ohrmuschel 52 folgend nach hinten abfällt. Die unterschiedlich hohe räumliche Anordnung der Mikrofon-Positionen FM und RM ist hinsichtlich der Direktionalität weniger günstig als eine gleich hohe Anordnung. Zudem ist erkennbar, dass beide Mikrofon-Positionen FM und RM von der Ohrmuschel 52 mindestens teilweise überdeckt sind, was die Aufnahme akustischer Umgebungssignale erschwert. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position FM (und damit auch die hintere) weiter nach vorne zu rücken ist jedoch nicht möglich, da die vordere Stirnseite des Gehäuses 51 bei einem herkömmlichen RiC-BtE-Hörgerät vom nicht dargestellten Hörerschlauch-Konnektor eingenommen wird.The microphone positions FM and RM denote the usual positions in a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid. The front microphone position FM (Front Microphone) is arranged on the upper side of the housing 51 and forms with the lower rear microphone position RM (Rear Microphone) a downward sloping line - as shown in the figure. The sloping down line is forced, since the microphone positions must be arranged spatially separated to allow directionality at all, and on the other hand since the housing from the front microphone position FM to the rear RM of the contour of the pinna 52 following falls backwards , The different spatial arrangement of the microphone positions FM and RM is less favorable in terms of directionality than an equally high arrangement. In addition, it can be seen that both microphone positions FM and RM are at least partially covered by the auricle 52, which makes it difficult to record ambient acoustic signals. However, the front microphone position FM (and thus also the rear) back to move forward is not possible because the front end of the housing 51st is taken in a conventional RiC BtE hearing aid by the unillustrated Hörerschlauch connector.

Im Gegensatz dazu ermöglicht es eine erfindungsgemäße Anordnung des Hörerschlauch-Konnektors an der seitlichen Wand des Gehäuses 51, die vordere Stirnseite bzw. den vorderen Stirnseitenbereich anderweitig zu nutzen. Erfindungsgemäß wird die derart geschaffene freie vordere Stirnseite dazu genutzt, dort die vordere Mikrofon-Position 27 anzuordnen. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position 27 ist damit, im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen vorderen Mikrofon-Position FM, weiter vorne am Gehäuse 51 angeordnet. Entsprechend ist auch die hintere Mikrofon-Position 28 weiter vorne angeordnet. Die beiden Mikrofon-Positionen 27 und 28 bilden damit eine zumindest nährungsweise horizontale Linie - wie in der Abbildung eingezeichnet. Die zumindest näherungsweise gleich hohe räumliche Anordnung der Mikrofon-Positionen 27 und 28 ist hinsichtlich der Direktionalität besonders günstig. Zudem ist erkennbar, dass zumindest die vordere Mikrofon-Position 27 vergleichsweise weniger stark von der Ohrmuschel 52 überdeckt ist, was die Aufnahme akustischer Umgebungssignale begünstigt.In contrast, an arrangement according to the invention of the receiver tube connector on the lateral wall of the housing 51 makes it possible to otherwise use the front end side or the front end side region. According to the invention, the free front end face created in this way is used to arrange the front microphone position 27 there. The front microphone position 27 is thus arranged in front of the housing 51, compared to the conventional front microphone position FM. Accordingly, the rear microphone position 28 is located further forward. The two microphone positions 27 and 28 thus form an at least approximately horizontal line - as shown in the figure. The at least approximately equal spatial arrangement of the microphone positions 27 and 28 is particularly favorable in terms of directionality. In addition, it can be seen that at least the front microphone position 27 is relatively less covered by the auricle 52, which favors the recording of ambient acoustic signals.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung lässt sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, ein unter ästhetischen Gesichtspunkten gefälliges HdO-Hörgerät mit kleiner Frontfläche und verbesserten akustischen Eigenschaften anzugeben. Dazu wird ein Hörgerät vorgeschlagen mit einem hinter dem Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers zu tragenden Gehäuse 21,31, das einen Steckverbinder 23,43 zur Verbindung mit einem Hörerschlauch 25,35,45 oder Schallschlauch aufweist. Der Steckverbinder 23,43 ist an einer Seitenwand des Gehäuses 21,31 angeordnet. Die seitliche Anordnung des Steckverbinders rückt ihn von der exponierten Position an der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses weg. Dadurch kann die bei hinter dem Ohr getragenem Gehäuse in der Regel zumindest von vorne sichtbare vordere Stirnseite des Gehäuses kleiner gemacht werden. Eine besonders vorteilhafte Weiterbildung sieht mindestens zwei Mikrofone 22 vor, wobei eine der Mikrofon-Positionen 27 im Bereich der vorderen Stirnseite des Gehäuses 21,31 angeordnet ist. Die vordere Mikrofon-Position rückt damit zum einen weiter von einer eventuell von der Ohrmuschel überdeckten Position weg, zum anderen kann mit weiter vorne angeordneter vorderer Mikrofon-Position auch die hintere Mikrofon-Position weiter nach vorne gerückt werden. Die Mikrofon-Positionen liegen damit annährend horizontal, was die räumliche Auflösung des aufgenommenen Umgebungsschalls Direktionalität durch die Signalverarbeitung des Hörgeräts begünstigt.A basic idea of the invention can be summarized as follows: The object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing BTE hearing aid with a small front surface and improved acoustic properties. For this purpose, a hearing aid is proposed with a behind the ear of a hearing aid wearer housing 21,31, which has a connector 23,43 for connection to a receiver tube 25,35,45 or sound tube. The connector 23,43 is disposed on a side wall of the housing 21,31. The lateral arrangement of the connector moves it away from the exposed position on the front end of the housing. As a result, the housing, which is supported behind the ear, can usually be made smaller, at least from the front visible front end side of the housing. A particularly advantageous embodiment provides at least two microphones 22, wherein one of the microphone positions 27 in Area of the front end side of the housing 21,31 is arranged. The front microphone position thus moves further away from a position possibly covered by the auricle, on the other hand, with the front microphone position further forward, the rear microphone position can also be moved further forward. The microphone positions are thus approximately horizontal, which favors the spatial resolution of the recorded ambient sound directionality by the signal processing of the hearing aid.

Claims (5)

  1. Hearing device, comprising a housing (21, 31) which is to be worn behind the ear of a wearer of the hearing device and which has a plug connector (23, 43) for connection to a receiver tube (25, 35, 45) by means of a connector (24, 44),
    characterized
    - in that the connector (24, 44), which is part of the receiver tube (25, 35, 45) and comprises a plug connector, is arranged on a side wall of the housing (21, 31) and is inserted into a connector receptacle (29, 39) which is arranged laterally on the housing,
    - in that the plug connector (23, 43) of the housing (21, 31) is designed as a socket,
    - in that the plug connector of the connector (24, 44) is plugged into the plug connector (23, 43) of the housing (21, 31), and
    - in that a microphone (22) is included, which microphone is connected to a microphone opening (38) which is arranged in a microphone position (27) in the region of a front end side of the housing (21, 31).
  2. Hearing device according to Claim 1, wherein the plug connector (23, 43) is arranged on a side wall of the housing (21, 31) which is directed towards the ear when the housing (21, 31) is worn behind the ear of a wearer of the hearing device.
  3. Hearing device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (21, 31) has an elongate shape, and the plug connector (23, 43) is arranged on an elongate side wall of the housing (21, 31).
  4. Hearing device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the hearing device comprises at least two microphones (22) which are each connected to a microphone opening (38), wherein the microphone openings (38) are arranged in microphone positions (27, 28) which are physically separated from one another, and one of the microphone positions (27) is arranged in the region of a front end side of the housing (21, 31).
  5. Hearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hearing device comprises at least two microphones (22) which are each connected to a microphone opening (38), wherein the microphone openings (38) are arranged in microphone positions (27, 28) which are physically separated from one another, and one of the microphone positions (28) is arranged in an elongate side wall of the housing (21, 31), and a further microphone position (27) is arranged in the front end side of the housing (21, 31).
EP10717094.6A 2010-02-11 2010-04-20 Behind-the-ear hearing aid having a plug-in connector Revoked EP2534855B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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DE102010007846 2010-02-11
US31991910P 2010-04-01 2010-04-01
PCT/EP2010/055194 WO2011098153A1 (en) 2010-02-11 2010-04-20 Behind-the-ear hearing aid having a plug-in connector

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EP2534855A1 EP2534855A1 (en) 2012-12-19
EP2534855B1 true EP2534855B1 (en) 2018-01-24

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US (1) US8867769B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2534855B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5518214B2 (en)
CN (1) CN102763434B (en)
AU (1) AU2010345432B2 (en)
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WO (1) WO2011098153A1 (en)

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DK2521378T3 (en) * 2011-05-06 2019-09-30 Oticon As Behind-the-ear hearing aid with receiver in the ear
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CN102763434A (en) 2012-10-31
CN102763434B (en) 2016-05-11
EP2534855A1 (en) 2012-12-19
JP5518214B2 (en) 2014-06-11
WO2011098153A1 (en) 2011-08-18
AU2010345432A1 (en) 2012-09-27
US20120328139A1 (en) 2012-12-27
JP2013520049A (en) 2013-05-30
DK2534855T3 (en) 2018-05-07
US8867769B2 (en) 2014-10-21

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