EP3484179B1 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Hearing aid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3484179B1
EP3484179B1 EP18199191.0A EP18199191A EP3484179B1 EP 3484179 B1 EP3484179 B1 EP 3484179B1 EP 18199191 A EP18199191 A EP 18199191A EP 3484179 B1 EP3484179 B1 EP 3484179B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
faceplate
dipole antenna
hearing device
hearing aid
hearing
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.)
Active
Application number
EP18199191.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3484179A1 (en
Inventor
Hamed Hasani
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3484179A1 publication Critical patent/EP3484179A1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/273—Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/16—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole
    • H01Q9/26—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/40—Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective 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
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
    • 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
    • H04R2225/51—Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing device that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing device wearer EP 2 986 030 A1 known.
  • a hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals which are processed and in particular amplified to compensate for the particular hearing impairment.
  • a hearing aid usually comprises an input converter, for example in the form of a microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier, and an output converter.
  • the output converter is usually implemented as a miniature speaker and is also referred to as a handset or receiver. In particular, it generates acoustic output signals that are directed to the patient's hearing and generate the desired hearing perception.
  • BTE hearing aids In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids are available.
  • BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, also behind-the-ear or BTE), a housing with components such as a battery and the signal processing unit is worn behind the ear.
  • the receiver can either be in the wearer's ear canal (so-called ex-hearing aids or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids).
  • RIC receiver-in-the-canal
  • the receiver is arranged within the housing itself and a flexible sound tube, also known as a tube, guides the acoustic output signals of the receiver from the housing to the ear canal (tube hearing aids).
  • ITE hearing aids in-the-ear, also ITE or in-the-ear
  • CIC Consumer-in-Canal
  • the wireless communication of a hearing device for example with audio devices or (in the case of a binaural supply) with a second hearing device inserted into the other ear of a hearing device wearer, often takes place by inductive signal transmission.
  • (magnetic) coils with a large number of windings are used as antennas for transmitting and receiving the signals, the geometric dimensions of which are significantly smaller than the wavelength of the transmitted or received signals.
  • the frequency of the transmitted or received signals is regularly in the range from approximately 10 kHz to approximately 50 MHz. The range of such antennas is limited to the near field range of the transmitted or received signals.
  • electromagnetic signals in the GHz range are used for signal transmission between hearing aids or a hearing aid and another peripheral device, the wavelengths of which are roughly the order of magnitude of a hearing aid.
  • RF radio frequency
  • a frequently used standard for the transmission of RF signals is, for example, the Bluetooth standard.
  • the RF signal transmission takes place regularly over distances that correspond to a multiple of the wavelength of the transmitted or received signals, and thus uses the far field of these signals. Dipole antennas are often used to send and receive RF signals.
  • the length of a dipole antenna is advantageously chosen such that it corresponds to half the wavelength or a small multiple thereof. Due to the extremely cramped installation space and the shielding of electromagnetic radiation by the surrounding body tissue of a hearing device wearer, the integration of such an antenna in the housing of a hearing device worn in the ear is problematic. The transmission and reception efficiency of such hearing aids antennas used are therefore often less than required or desired.
  • the DE 696 37 454 T2 and the US 2010/0020994 A1 proposed to integrate the antenna into a return cord (pull-out string) or a return rod (pull-out stick) of a hearing aid, that is to say into a cord-like or rod-like object that queries the faceplate of the hearing aid, and when the hearing aid is inserted can be gripped with the fingers to pull the hearing aid out of the ear canal.
  • the part of the hearing device which is arranged most in the worn state is advantageously used in order to keep the shielding influence of the body of the hearing device wearer on the antenna as low as possible.
  • a return cord or a return rod runs largely parallel to the axis of the ear canal.
  • the return cord or the return rod therefore only have a quasi-vanishing extension.
  • the radiation of such an antenna directed outwards from the opening of the auditory canal is correspondingly weak.
  • Such an antenna radiates the predominant portion of the field intensity perpendicular to its longitudinal extent, where this portion of the field is in turn attenuated by the outer area of the auditory canal and the auricle.
  • DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 a method for reducing body effects on high-frequency antennas in hearing aids is also known, in which the antenna adaptation is set to a frequency that differs from the actual operating frequency of the radio system.
  • the DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 discloses in this context a hearing aid to be worn behind the ear, in which the antenna is applied to a hearing aid housing.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a possibility of increasing the radiation efficiency of an antenna integrated in a hearing aid in a simple manner.
  • the hearing aid according to the invention which is inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer, comprises a housing shell for receiving hearing aid components, a faceplate closing the housing shell.
  • the faceplate is usually either flat or slightly curved.
  • the position of the faceplate thus defines a (flat or slightly curved) surface - weakly curved means that the radius of curvature of the surface is significantly (in particular at least a factor of 5 to 10) larger than the extension of the faceplate.
  • the hearing aid furthermore comprises a dipole antenna which is designed with a helical structure with at least one complete turn and a helical axis aligned parallel to the faceplate.
  • a section of the antenna is referred to as a complete turn, which forms a full circle (360 °) when viewed along the helix axis.
  • the or each turn of the dipole antenna penetrates a surface occupied by a faceplate, so that at least one inner section of the dipole antenna is guided on the inside of this surface and at least one outer section of the dipole antenna is guided on the outside of this surface. It is further advantageous in the context of the invention if the dipole antenna is integrated in the faceplate. In such an embodiment, no section of the dipole antenna protrudes from the material of the faceplate. Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the faceplate is arranged in a groove formed in the faceplate.
  • the use of a dipole antenna designed as described above and arranged on the faceplate enables both hearing aids to communicate wirelessly and with external audio sources.
  • the radiation characteristic becomes due to the arrangement of the dipole antenna on the faceplate the dipole antenna improved.
  • the radiation pattern of the dipole antenna has a maximum outside the ear of the respective hearing device wearer, so that radiation losses through the ear are minimized and the efficiency of the dipole antenna is accordingly improved accordingly. In other words, the radiation efficiency of the dipole antenna is increased compared to conventional antennas in the arrangement according to the invention.
  • a helical structure in the sense of the present invention essentially means a helical structure with a number of turns.
  • the helical structure has a helix axis aligned parallel to the faceplate.
  • the two poles of the dipole antenna are preferably bent in the opposite direction. In other words, each pole of the dipole antennas is bent in the opposite direction with respect to the other pole.
  • the faceplate is expediently equipped with standard components such as microphones, battery contacts and the like.
  • the faceplate can be formed with actuating elements, such as rotary wheels or switches, which enable the hearing aid to be operated (for example by changing a hearing program).
  • a section of the dipole antenna guided on the inside on the surface occupied by the faceplate is understood to mean the section of the dipole antenna which, when the housing is assembled, is arranged within the housing or within the housing shell.
  • the at least one inner section of the dipole antenna is guided, in particular with respect to the housing, on the inside of the surface occupied by the faceplate.
  • the section of the dipole antenna which is guided on the outside on the surface occupied by the faceplate is understood to mean those sections which, when the housing is assembled, are arranged outside the housing, that is to say on the outside of the housing.
  • the at least one is external Section of the dipole antenna, in particular with respect to the housing, is guided on the outside of the area occupied by the faceplate.
  • the dipole antenna preferably has more than one complete turn and up to two turns.
  • the number of turns N is therefore preferably 1> N 2 2, where N can be any real number.
  • the dipole antenna particularly preferably has 1.5 turns.
  • the or each outer section of the dipole antenna protrudes from the material of the faceplate. This further improves the radiation efficiency or the radiation characteristic of the dipole antenna.
  • the faceplate has on its outside at least one protrusion formed in one piece with the faceplate, in which the or each outer section of the dipole antenna is embedded.
  • the or each (partial) turn of the dipole antenna guided on the outside of the faceplate is extrusion-coated.
  • the dipole antenna is expediently designed as a metallic wire.
  • the metallic wire can be flexible and thus adaptable to the geometry of the faceplate of the corresponding hearing device.
  • a rigid wire is preferably used as the dipole antenna.
  • the metallic wire forming the dipole antenna is designed with a round cross section.
  • the dipole antenna is designed as a metallic flat band
  • the faceplate is further preferably formed integrally with the housing shell.
  • the faceplate is not a separate component, but part of the housing shell.
  • the faceplate is made in one piece with the housing shell.
  • the hearing aid itself expediently comprises at least one microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier and a receiver, and further electronic and functional components.
  • the respective components are preferably arranged within the housing shell and / or are part of the housing.
  • the hearing aid is preferably designed as an ITE hearing aid.
  • the hearing aid is preferably designed as a CIC hearing aid.
  • FIG. 1 A hearing aid 1 that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer is shown with a housing shell 3 and a faceplate 5 that closes the housing shell 3.
  • the housing shell 3 and the faceplate 5 together form the housing 7 of the hearing device 1.
  • a toggle switch 9 is an actuating element of electronic components arranged in the interior 11 of the housing 7. These are not visible due to the closed representation of the hearing device 1. This also applies to the others inside the housing 7 arranged hearing aid components such as one (or more) microphones, a signal processing unit with an amplifier and a receiver, as well as further electronic and functional components.
  • a dipole antenna 13 made of metallic wire is arranged on the faceplate 5.
  • the dipole antenna 13 has a helical structure with a helix axis 15 aligned parallel to the faceplate 5 and in the present case 1.5 turns 17 and.
  • the windings 17 of the dipole antenna 13 penetrate a surface F occupied by a faceplate 5 (this is shown in FIGS 4 and 5 shown).
  • two outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13 are guided on the outside of this surface F and thus outside the housing 7 or outside the housing shell 3.
  • An inner section 21 of the dipole antenna 13 is guided inside the surface F and is thus arranged inside the housing 7 or outside the housing shell 3 (in the interior 11).
  • corresponding openings 23 are made in the faceplate 5, through which the windings 17 of the dipole antenna 13 are guided.
  • the outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13 are exposed and protrude from the material of the faceplate 5.
  • Fig. 2 is the dipole antenna 13 according to Fig. 1 shown separately.
  • the dipole antenna 13 has two poles 27, 29 which are bent in the opposite direction with respect to the other pole 27, 29.
  • the lower pole 27 is bent clockwise 31, the upper pole 29 counterclockwise 33.
  • the radiation characteristic of the dipole antenna 13 is improved compared to common antennas by a dipole antenna 13 designed in this way and arranged on the faceplate 5 of a hearing device 1.
  • the radiation pattern of the dipole antenna 13 has a maximum outside the ear of the respective hearing device wearer due to the exposed outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13, so that radiation losses through the ear are minimized and the efficiency of the dipole antenna is accordingly improved.
  • the radiation characteristic or the radiation pattern of the dipole antennas 13 used in the hearing device 1 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 based on the spatial directions 35 (x direction), 37 (y direction), 39 (z direction).
  • the maximum of the radiation stretches here in the y-direction 37, which extends away from the ear or head of the hearing device wearer when a hearing device 1 is inserted.
  • FIG. 4 A roughly schematic, off-center longitudinal section through a further hearing device 41 that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing device wearer is shown.
  • the hearing aid 41 comprises a housing shell 43 and a faceplate 45 closing the housing shell 43, which together form the housing 46 of the hearing aid 41.
  • a dipole antenna 47 made of metallic wire is also arranged on the faceplate 45 here.
  • the dipole antenna 47 has a helical structure with a helical axis 49 aligned parallel to the faceplate 45 and in the present case a turns 51.
  • the winding 51 penetrates a surface F occupied by a faceplate 45.
  • the inner section 53 of the dipole antenna 47 is guided on the inside of the surface F with respect to the housing 46, while the outer section 55 of the dipole antenna 47 is guided on the outside of the surface F with respect to the housing 46 is.
  • the section 53 of the dipole antenna 47 according to Fig. 4 is exposed and protrudes from the material of the faceplate 5.
  • Fig. 5 shows a further hearing aid 61 which can be inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer in a roughly schematic, eccentric longitudinal section.
  • the hearing aid 61 likewise comprises a housing shell 62 and a faceplate 63 which closes the housing shell 62.
  • the housing shell 62 and the faceplate 63 form the housing 64 of the hearing aid 61.
  • a dipole antenna 65 made of metallic wire is arranged on the faceplate 63 of the hearing device 61.
  • the dipole antenna 65 has a helical structure with a helical axis 69 aligned parallel to the faceplate 63 and also a windings 71 which penetrate a surface F occupied by a faceplate 63.
  • the inner section 73 of the dipole antenna 65 is guided on the inside of the surface F with respect to the housing 64.
  • the outer section 75 is guided on the outside of the surface F in relation to the housing 64.
  • the faceplate 63 is formed on its outside 76 in the present case with an integrally molded projection 77 with which the outer section 73 is molded. Section 75 of the dipole antenna 63 is thus not exposed in the present case, but is embedded in the projection 77.

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein in das Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers einsetzbares Hörgerät nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1. Ein solches Hörgerät ist aus EP 2 986 030 A1 bekannt.The invention relates to a hearing device that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing device wearer EP 2 986 030 A1 known.

Ein Hörgerät dient der Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten Person mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zu einer Kompensation der jeweiligen Hörschädigung entsprechend verarbeitet und insbesondere verstärkt werden. Ein Hörgerät umfasst hierzu üblicherweise einen Eingangswandler, beispielsweise in Form eines Mikrofons, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit mit einem Verstärker, sowie einen Ausgangswandler. Der Ausgangswandler ist in der Regel als Miniaturlautsprecher realisiert und wird auch als Hörer oder Receiver bezeichnet. Er erzeugt insbesondere akustische Ausgabesignale, die zum Gehör des Patienten geleitet werden und bei diesem die gewünschte Hörwahrnehmung erzeugen.A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals which are processed and in particular amplified to compensate for the particular hearing impairment. For this purpose, a hearing aid usually comprises an input converter, for example in the form of a microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier, and an output converter. The output converter is usually implemented as a miniature speaker and is also referred to as a handset or receiver. In particular, it generates acoustic output signals that are directed to the patient's hearing and generate the desired hearing perception.

Um den zahlreichen individuellen Bedürfnissen entgegenzukommen, werden unterschiedliche Bauformen von Hörgeräten angeboten. Bei den sogenannten BTE-Hörgeräten (Behind-The-Ear, auch Hinter-dem-Ohr bzw. HdO) wird ein Gehäuse mit Komponenten wie einer Batterie und der Signalverarbeitungseinheit hinter dem Ohr getragen. Je nach Ausgestaltung kann der Receiver entweder direkt im Gehörgang des Trägers (sogenannte Ex-Hörer-Hörgeräte oder Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC)-Hörgeräte). Alternativ ist der Receiver innerhalb des Gehäuses selbst angeordnet und ein flexibler, auch als Tube bezeichneter Schallschlauch leitet die akustischen Ausgabesignale des Receivers vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang (Schlauch-Hörgeräte). Bei ITE- Hörgeräten (In-the-Ear, auch IdO bzw. In-dem-Ohr) wird ein Gehäuse, welches sämtliche funktionale Komponenten einschließlich des Mikrofons und des Receivers enthält, zumindest teilweise im Gehörgang getragen. CIC-Hörgeräte (Completely-in-Canal) sind den ITE-Hörgeräten ähnlich, werden jedoch vollständig im Gehörgang getragen.In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids are available. In the so-called BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, also behind-the-ear or BTE), a housing with components such as a battery and the signal processing unit is worn behind the ear. Depending on the design, the receiver can either be in the wearer's ear canal (so-called ex-hearing aids or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids). Alternatively, the receiver is arranged within the housing itself and a flexible sound tube, also known as a tube, guides the acoustic output signals of the receiver from the housing to the ear canal (tube hearing aids). ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, also ITE or in-the-ear) have a housing that includes all functional components of the microphone and the receiver contains, at least partially worn in the ear canal. CIC (Completely-in-Canal) hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn entirely in the ear canal.

Die drahtlose Kommunikation eines Hörgerätes, beispielsweise mit Audiogeräten oder (bei einer binauralen Versorgung) mit einem in das andere Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers eingesetzten zweiten Hörgerät erfolgt häufig durch induktive Signalübertragung. Als Antenne zum Senden und Empfangen der Signale werden in diesem Fall (Magnet-)Spulen mit einer Vielzahl von Windungen eingesetzt, deren geometrische Ausmaße wesentlich geringer als Wellenlänge der gesendeten oder empfangenen Signale sind. Bei induktiver Signalübertragung zwischen Hörgeräten oder einem Hörgerät und einem anderen Peripheriegerät liegt die Frequenz der gesendeten oder empfangenen Signale regelmäßig im Bereich von etwa 10 kHz bis etwa 50 MHz. Die Reichweite solcher Antennen ist auf den Nahfeldbereich der gesendeten oder empfangenen Signale beschränkt.The wireless communication of a hearing device, for example with audio devices or (in the case of a binaural supply) with a second hearing device inserted into the other ear of a hearing device wearer, often takes place by inductive signal transmission. In this case, (magnetic) coils with a large number of windings are used as antennas for transmitting and receiving the signals, the geometric dimensions of which are significantly smaller than the wavelength of the transmitted or received signals. In the case of inductive signal transmission between hearing aids or a hearing aid and another peripheral device, the frequency of the transmitted or received signals is regularly in the range from approximately 10 kHz to approximately 50 MHz. The range of such antennas is limited to the near field range of the transmitted or received signals.

Alternativ werden zur Signalübertragung zwischen Hörgeräten oder einem Hörgerät und einem anderen Peripheriegerät auch elektromagnetische Signale im GHz-Bereich eingesetzt, deren Wellenlängen etwa in der Größenordnung eines Hörgeräts liegen. Man spricht in diesem Fall auch von Radiofrequenz(RF)-Signalen oder RF-(Signal-)Übertragung. Ein häufig genutzter Standard zur Übertragung von RF.-Signalen ist beispielsweise der Bluetooth-Standard. Die RF-Signalübertragung erfolgt regelmäßig über Strecken, die einem Vielfachen der Wellenlänge der gesendeten oder empfangenen Signale entsprechen, und nutzt somit das Fernfeld dieser Signale. Zum Senden und Empfangen von RF-Signalen werden häufig Dipolantennen eingesetzt.Alternatively, electromagnetic signals in the GHz range are used for signal transmission between hearing aids or a hearing aid and another peripheral device, the wavelengths of which are roughly the order of magnitude of a hearing aid. In this case, one also speaks of radio frequency (RF) signals or RF (signal) transmission. A frequently used standard for the transmission of RF signals is, for example, the Bluetooth standard. The RF signal transmission takes place regularly over distances that correspond to a multiple of the wavelength of the transmitted or received signals, and thus uses the far field of these signals. Dipole antennas are often used to send and receive RF signals.

Die Länge einer Dipolantenne ist vorteilhafterweise derart gewählt, dass sie der Hälfte der Wellenlänge oder einem kleinen Vielfachen davon entspricht. Aufgrund des äußerst beengten Bauraums sowie aufgrund der Abschirmung elektromagnetischer Strahlung durch das umgebende Körpergewebe eines Hörgeräteträgers ist die Integration einer solchen Antenne in dem Gehäuse eines im Ohr getragenen Hörgeräts problematisch. Die Sende- und Empfangseffizienz der in solchen Hörgeräten eingesetzten Antennen ist daher oft geringer als erforderlich oder gewünscht.The length of a dipole antenna is advantageously chosen such that it corresponds to half the wavelength or a small multiple thereof. Due to the extremely cramped installation space and the shielding of electromagnetic radiation by the surrounding body tissue of a hearing device wearer, the integration of such an antenna in the housing of a hearing device worn in the ear is problematic. The transmission and reception efficiency of such hearing aids antennas used are therefore often less than required or desired.

Um die Effizienz der Antenne zu verbessern, wird in der DE 696 37 454 T2 und der US 2010/0020994 A1 vorgeschlagen, die Antenne in eine Rückholschnur (Pull-out string) oder einen Rückholstab (Pull-out stick) eines Hörgerätes zu integrieren, also in einen schnur- oder stabartigen Gegenstand, der von der Faceplate des Hörgeräts nach außen abfragt, und bei eingesetztem Hörgerät mit den Fingern ergriffen werden kann, um das Hörgerät aus dem Gehörgang herauszuziehen. Dabei wird vorteilhaft der im getragenen Zustand zuäußerst angeordnete Teil des Hörgeräts genutzt, um den abschirmenden Einfluss des Körpers des Hörgeräteträgers auf die Antenne so gering wie möglich zu halten. Allerdings verläuft eine Rückholschnur oder ein Rückholstab weitgehend parallel zu der Achse des Gehörgangs.In order to improve the efficiency of the antenna, the DE 696 37 454 T2 and the US 2010/0020994 A1 proposed to integrate the antenna into a return cord (pull-out string) or a return rod (pull-out stick) of a hearing aid, that is to say into a cord-like or rod-like object that queries the faceplate of the hearing aid, and when the hearing aid is inserted can be gripped with the fingers to pull the hearing aid out of the ear canal. In this case, the part of the hearing device which is arranged most in the worn state is advantageously used in order to keep the shielding influence of the body of the hearing device wearer on the antenna as low as possible. However, a return cord or a return rod runs largely parallel to the axis of the ear canal.

Von außen betrachtet haben die Rückholschnur oder der Rückholstab daher nur eine quasi verschwindende Ausdehnung. Entsprechend schwach ist die aus der Öffnung des Gehörgangs nach außen gerichtete Abstrahlung einer solchen Antenne. Den überwiegenden Anteil der Feldintensität strahlt eine solche Antenne dagegen senkrecht zu ihrer Längserstreckung aus, wo dieser Feldanteil wiederum durch den äußeren Bereich des Gehörgangs und die Ohrmuschel gedämpft wird.Viewed from the outside, the return cord or the return rod therefore only have a quasi-vanishing extension. The radiation of such an antenna directed outwards from the opening of the auditory canal is correspondingly weak. Such an antenna, on the other hand, radiates the predominant portion of the field intensity perpendicular to its longitudinal extent, where this portion of the field is in turn attenuated by the outer area of the auditory canal and the auricle.

Aus DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 ist ferner ein Verfahren zur Verminderung von Körpereffekten auf Hochfrequenzantennen in Hörgeräten bekannt, bei dem die Antennenanpassung auf eine Frequenz eingestellt wird, die sich von der tatsächlichen Beriebsfrequenz des Funksystems unterscheidet. Die DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 offenbart in diesem Zusammenhang ein hinter dem Ohr zu tragendes Hörgerät, bei dem die Antenne auf einem Hörgerätegehäuse aufgebracht ist.Out DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 a method for reducing body effects on high-frequency antennas in hearing aids is also known, in which the antenna adaptation is set to a frequency that differs from the actual operating frequency of the radio system. The DE 10 2008 022 127 A1 discloses in this context a hearing aid to be worn behind the ear, in which the antenna is applied to a hearing aid housing.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Möglichkeit anzugeben, die Strahlungseffizienz einer in einem Hörgerät integrierten Antenne auf einfache Weise zu erhöhen.The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a possibility of increasing the radiation efficiency of an antenna integrated in a hearing aid in a simple manner.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß gelöst durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen und der nachfolgenden Beschreibung dargelegt.This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the description below.

Das erfindungsgemäße Hörgerät, welches in das Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers eingesetzt wird, umfasst eine Gehäuseschale zur Aufnahme von Hörgerätekomponenten, eine die Gehäuseschale verschließende Faceplate. Die Faceplate ist in üblicher Weise entweder flach oder schwach gekrümmt ausgebildet. Die Lage der Faceplate definiert somit eine (ebene oder schwach gekrümmte) Fläche - schwach gekrümmt bedeutet dabei, dass der Krümmungsradius der Fläche wesentlich (insbesondere mindestens um einen Faktor 5 bis 10) größer als die Ausdehnung der Faceplate ist.The hearing aid according to the invention, which is inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer, comprises a housing shell for receiving hearing aid components, a faceplate closing the housing shell. The faceplate is usually either flat or slightly curved. The position of the faceplate thus defines a (flat or slightly curved) surface - weakly curved means that the radius of curvature of the surface is significantly (in particular at least a factor of 5 to 10) larger than the extension of the faceplate.

Das Hörgerät umfasst weiterhin eine Dipolantenne, die mit einer wendelförmigen Struktur mit zumindest einer vollständigen Windung und einer parallel zur Faceplate ausgerichteten Wendelachse ausgebildet ist. Als vollständige Windung wird hierbei ein Abschnitt der Antenne bezeichnet, der - in Projektion entlang der Wendelachse gesehen - einen Vollkreis (360°) bildet.The hearing aid furthermore comprises a dipole antenna which is designed with a helical structure with at least one complete turn and a helical axis aligned parallel to the faceplate. A section of the antenna is referred to as a complete turn, which forms a full circle (360 °) when viewed along the helix axis.

In einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung durchdringt die oder jede Windung der Dipolantenne eine von einer Faceplate eingenommene Fläche, so dass mindestens ein innerer Abschnitt der Dipolantenne innenseitig dieser Fläche und mindestens ein äußerer Abschnitt der Dipolantenne außenseitig dieser Fläche geführt ist. Weiter vorteilhaft ist es im Rahmen der Erfindung, wenn die Dipolantenne in die Faceplate integriert ist. Bei einer solchen Ausgestaltung steht kein Abschnitt der Dipolantenne aus dem Material der Faceplate hervor. Eine ebenfalls bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass die Faceplate in einer in der Faceplate ausgebildeten Nut angeordnet ist.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each turn of the dipole antenna penetrates a surface occupied by a faceplate, so that at least one inner section of the dipole antenna is guided on the inside of this surface and at least one outer section of the dipole antenna is guided on the outside of this surface. It is further advantageous in the context of the invention if the dipole antenna is integrated in the faceplate. In such an embodiment, no section of the dipole antenna protrudes from the material of the faceplate. Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the faceplate is arranged in a groove formed in the faceplate.

Der Einsatz einer wie vorbeschrieben ausgebildeten und an der Faceplate angeordneten Dipolantenne ermöglicht sowohl eine drahtlose Kommunikation von Hörgeräten untereinander, als auch mit externen Audioquellen. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung der Dipolantenne an der Faceplate wird die Strahlungscharakteristik der Dipolantenne verbessert. Das Strahlungsmuster der Dipolantenne weist ein Maximum außerhalb des Ohres des jeweiligen Hörgeräteträgers auf, so dass Strahlungsverluste durch das Ohr minimiert werden und hierdurch die Effizienz der Dipolantenne entsprechend verbessert wird. Mit anderen Worten ist die Strahlungseffizienz der Dipolantenne gegenüber gängigen Antennen bei erfindungsgemäßer Anordnung erhöht.The use of a dipole antenna designed as described above and arranged on the faceplate enables both hearing aids to communicate wirelessly and with external audio sources. The radiation characteristic becomes due to the arrangement of the dipole antenna on the faceplate the dipole antenna improved. The radiation pattern of the dipole antenna has a maximum outside the ear of the respective hearing device wearer, so that radiation losses through the ear are minimized and the efficiency of the dipole antenna is accordingly improved accordingly. In other words, the radiation efficiency of the dipole antenna is increased compared to conventional antennas in the arrangement according to the invention.

Unter einer wendelförmigen Struktur im Sinne der vorliegenden Erfindung wir im Wesentlichen eine helixartige Struktur mit einer Anzahl von Windungen verstanden. Die helixartige Struktur weist eine parallel zur Faceplate ausgerichtete Wendelachse auf. Vorzugsweise sind die beiden Pole der Dipolantenne in entgegengesetzter Richtung gebogen. Mit anderen Worten ist also jeder Pol der Dipolantennen in umgekehrter Richtung in Bezug auf den anderen Pol gebogen.A helical structure in the sense of the present invention essentially means a helical structure with a number of turns. The helical structure has a helix axis aligned parallel to the faceplate. The two poles of the dipole antenna are preferably bent in the opposite direction. In other words, each pole of the dipole antennas is bent in the opposite direction with respect to the other pole.

Die Gehäuseschale und die diese verschließende Faceplate bilden hierbei gemeinsam das Gehäuse des Hörgerätes. Die Faceplate ist zweckmäßigerweise mit Standardkomponenten wie Mikrofonen, Batteriekontakten und dergleichen bestückt. Weiter kann die Faceplate mit Betätigungselementen, wie Drehrädchen oder Schaltern ausgebildet sein, die eine Bedienung des Hörgerätes (beispielsweise durch Änderung eines Hörprogrammes) ermöglichen.The housing shell and the faceplate closing this together form the housing of the hearing aid. The faceplate is expediently equipped with standard components such as microphones, battery contacts and the like. Furthermore, the faceplate can be formed with actuating elements, such as rotary wheels or switches, which enable the hearing aid to be operated (for example by changing a hearing program).

Unter einem innenseitig an der von der Faceplate eingenommenen Fläche geführten Abschnitt der Dipolantenne wird im Rahmen der Erfindung der Abschnitt der Dipolantenne verstanden, der bei zusammengebauten Gehäuse innerhalb des Gehäuses bzw. innerhalb der Gehäuseschale angeordnete ist. Mit anderen Worten ist der mindestens eine innere Abschnitt der Dipolantenne insbesondere bezogen auf das Gehäuses innenseitig der von der Faceplate eingenommenen Fläche geführt. Analog hierzu wird im Rahmen der Erfindung unter dem Abschnitt der Dipolantenne, der außenseitig an der von der Faceplate eingenommenen Fläche geführt werden, diejenigen Abschnitte verstanden, die bei zusammengebauten Gehäuses außerhalb des Gehäuses, also an der nach außen gerichteten Seite des Gehäuses angeordnet sind.. Mit anderen Worten ist der mindestens eine äußerer Abschnitt der Dipolantenne insbesondere bezogen auf das Gehäuses außenseitig der von der Faceplate eingenommenen Fläche geführt.Within the scope of the invention, a section of the dipole antenna guided on the inside on the surface occupied by the faceplate is understood to mean the section of the dipole antenna which, when the housing is assembled, is arranged within the housing or within the housing shell. In other words, the at least one inner section of the dipole antenna is guided, in particular with respect to the housing, on the inside of the surface occupied by the faceplate. Analogously to this, in the context of the invention, the section of the dipole antenna which is guided on the outside on the surface occupied by the faceplate is understood to mean those sections which, when the housing is assembled, are arranged outside the housing, that is to say on the outside of the housing. In other words, the at least one is external Section of the dipole antenna, in particular with respect to the housing, is guided on the outside of the area occupied by the faceplate.

Vorzugsweise weist die Dipolantenne mehr als eine vollständige Windung und bis zu zwei Windungen auf. Für die Anzahl der Windungen N gilt also bevorzugt 1 > N ≥ 2, wobei N ein beliebige reelle Zahl sein kann. Besonders bevorzugt weist die Dipolantenne 1,5 Windungen auf.The dipole antenna preferably has more than one complete turn and up to two turns. The number of turns N is therefore preferably 1> N 2 2, where N can be any real number. The dipole antenna particularly preferably has 1.5 turns.

In einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung steht der oder jeder äußere Abschnitt der Dipolantenne aus dem Material der Faceplate hervor. Hierdurch wird die Strahlungseffizienz bzw. die Abstrahlungscharakteristik der Dipolantenne weiter verbessert.In a preferred embodiment, the or each outer section of the dipole antenna protrudes from the material of the faceplate. This further improves the radiation efficiency or the radiation characteristic of the dipole antenna.

In einer alternativ bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung weist die Faceplate an ihrer Außenseite mindestens einen einstückig mit der Faceplate ausgebildeten Vorsprung auf, in den der oder jeder äußere Abschnitt der Dipolantenne eingebettet ist. Hierzu ist es bevorzugt, wenn die oder jede an der Außenseite der Faceplate geführte (Teil-)windung der Dipolantenne umspritzt ist.In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the faceplate has on its outside at least one protrusion formed in one piece with the faceplate, in which the or each outer section of the dipole antenna is embedded. For this purpose, it is preferred if the or each (partial) turn of the dipole antenna guided on the outside of the faceplate is extrusion-coated.

Zweckmäßigerweise ist die Dipolantenne als metallischer Draht ausgebildet. Der metallische Draht kann im Rahmen der Erfindung flexibel und damit an die Geometrie der Faceplate des entsprechenden Hörgerätes anpassbar sein. Alternativ bevorzugt ist als Dipolantenne ein starrer Draht eingesetzt. Der die Dipolantenne bildende metallische Draht ist in einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung mit einem runden Querschnitt ausgebildet. In einer alternativ bevorzugten Ausgestaltung ist die Dipolantenne als ein metallisches Flachband ausgebildetThe dipole antenna is expediently designed as a metallic wire. In the context of the invention, the metallic wire can be flexible and thus adaptable to the geometry of the faceplate of the corresponding hearing device. Alternatively, a rigid wire is preferably used as the dipole antenna. In an advantageous embodiment, the metallic wire forming the dipole antenna is designed with a round cross section. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the dipole antenna is designed as a metallic flat band

Weiter bevorzugt ist die Faceplate integral mit der Gehäuseschale ausgebildet. Die Faceplate ist in diesem Fall also kein separates Bauteil, sondern Teil der Gehäuseschale. Mit anderen Worten ist die Faceplate einteilig mit der Gehäuseschale gefertigt.The faceplate is further preferably formed integrally with the housing shell. In this case, the faceplate is not a separate component, but part of the housing shell. In other words, the faceplate is made in one piece with the housing shell.

Das Hörgerät selbst umfasst zweckmäßigerweise zumindest ein Mikrofon, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit mit einem Verstärker und einen Receiver, sowie weitere elektronische und funktionale Komponenten. Die jeweiligen Komponenten sind vorzugsweise innerhalb der Gehäuseschale angeordnet und/oder sind Bestandteile des Gehäuses. Das Hörgerät ist vorzugsweise als ein IdO-Hörgerät ausgebildet. Alternativ bevorzugt ist das Hörgerät als ein CIC-Hörgerät ausgebildet.The hearing aid itself expediently comprises at least one microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier and a receiver, and further electronic and functional components. The respective components are preferably arranged within the housing shell and / or are part of the housing. The hearing aid is preferably designed as an ITE hearing aid. Alternatively, the hearing aid is preferably designed as a CIC hearing aid.

Nachfolgend werden Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung anhand einer Zeichnung näher erläutert. Darin zeigen:

Fig. 1
in dreidimensionaler Darstellung ein Hörgerät mit einer die Faceplate durchdringenden Dipolantenne mit 1,5 Windungen,
Fig. 2
die Dipolantenne gemäß Fig. 1 in separater Darstellung,
Fig. 3
die Strahlungscharakteristik der Dipolantenne gemäß den Fig. 1 und 2.
Fig. 4
in schematischer Darstellung ein Hörgerät mit einer die Faceplate durchdringenden Dipolantenne mit einer vollständigen Windung in einem außermittigen Längsschnitt, sowie
Fig. 5
in schematischer Darstellung ein weiteres Hörgerät mit einer die Faceplate durchdringenden Dipolantenne mit einer vollständigen Windung in einem außermittigen Längsschnitt.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In it show:
Fig. 1
a three-dimensional representation of a hearing aid with a dipole antenna penetrating the faceplate with 1.5 turns,
Fig. 2
the dipole antenna according to Fig. 1 in a separate representation,
Fig. 3
the radiation characteristics of the dipole antenna according to the 1 and 2 .
Fig. 4
a schematic representation of a hearing aid with a dipole antenna penetrating the faceplate with a complete turn in an off-center longitudinal section, and
Fig. 5
a schematic representation of another hearing aid with a dipole antenna penetrating the faceplate with a complete turn in an eccentric longitudinal section.

In Fig. 1 ist ein in das Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers einsetzbares Hörgerät 1 mit einer Gehäuseschale 3 und einer die Gehäuseschale 3 verschließenden Faceplate 5 dargestellt. Die Gehäuseschale 3 und die Faceplate 5 bilden gemeinsam das Gehäuse 7 des Hörgerätes 1. In der Faceplate 5 ist ein Kippschalter 9 als Betätigungselement von im Innenraum 11 des Gehäuses 7 angeordneten elektronischen Komponenten. Diese sind aufgrund der geschlossenen Darstellung des Hörgerätes 1 nicht zu sehen. Dies gilt auch für die weiteren innerhalb des Gehäuses 7 angeordneten Hörgerätekomponenten wie ein (oder mehrere) Mikrofone, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit mit einem Verstärker und ein Receiver, sowie weitere elektronische und funktionale Komponenten.In Fig. 1 A hearing aid 1 that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer is shown with a housing shell 3 and a faceplate 5 that closes the housing shell 3. The housing shell 3 and the faceplate 5 together form the housing 7 of the hearing device 1. In the faceplate 5 is a toggle switch 9 as an actuating element of electronic components arranged in the interior 11 of the housing 7. These are not visible due to the closed representation of the hearing device 1. This also applies to the others inside the housing 7 arranged hearing aid components such as one (or more) microphones, a signal processing unit with an amplifier and a receiver, as well as further electronic and functional components.

An der Faceplate 5 ist eine Dipolantenne 13 aus metallischem Draht angeordnet. Die Dipolantenne 13 weist eine wendelförmige Struktur mit einer parallel zur Faceplate 5 ausgerichteten Wendelachse 15 und vorliegend 1,5 Windungen 17 und auf. Die Windungen 17 der Dipolantenne 13 durchdringen eine von einer Faceplate 5 eingenommenen Fläche F (diese ist in den Fig. 4 und 5 eingezeichnet). Entsprechend sind zwei äußere Abschnitte 19 der Dipolantenne 13 außenseitig dieser Fläche F und damit außerhalb des Gehäuses 7 bzw. außerhalb der Gehäuseschale 3 geführt. Ein innerer Abschnitt 21 der Dipolantenne 13 ist innerhalb innenseitig der Fläche F geführt und damit innerhalb des Gehäuses 7 bzw. außerhalb der Gehäuseschale 3 (im Innenraum 11) angeordnet. Hierzu sind in der Faceplate 5 entsprechende Öffnungen 23 eingebracht, durch welche die Windungen 17 der Dipolantenne 13 geführt sind. Die äußeren Abschnitte 19 der Dipolantenne 13 sind freilegend und stehen aus dem Material der Faceplate 5 hervor.A dipole antenna 13 made of metallic wire is arranged on the faceplate 5. The dipole antenna 13 has a helical structure with a helix axis 15 aligned parallel to the faceplate 5 and in the present case 1.5 turns 17 and. The windings 17 of the dipole antenna 13 penetrate a surface F occupied by a faceplate 5 (this is shown in FIGS 4 and 5 shown). Correspondingly, two outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13 are guided on the outside of this surface F and thus outside the housing 7 or outside the housing shell 3. An inner section 21 of the dipole antenna 13 is guided inside the surface F and is thus arranged inside the housing 7 or outside the housing shell 3 (in the interior 11). For this purpose, corresponding openings 23 are made in the faceplate 5, through which the windings 17 of the dipole antenna 13 are guided. The outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13 are exposed and protrude from the material of the faceplate 5.

In Fig. 2 ist die Dipolantenne 13 gemäß Fig. 1 separat gezeigt. Die Dipolantenne 13 weist zwei Pole 27, 29 auf, die in entgegengesetzter Richtung in Bezug auf den jeweils anderen Pol 27, 29 gebogen sind. Vorliegend ist der untere Pol 27 im Uhrzeigersinn 31, der obere Pol 29 entgegen des Uhrzeigersinns 33 gebogen. Durch eine derart ausgebildete und an der Faceplate 5 eines Hörgerätes 1 angeordnete Dipolantenne 13 wird die Strahlungscharakteristik der Dipolantenne 13 gegenüber gängigen Antennen verbessert. Das Strahlungsmuster der Dipolantenne 13 weist aufgrund der freiliegenden äußeren Abschnitte 19 der Dipolantenne 13 im eingesetzten Zustand ein Maximum außerhalb des Ohres des jeweiligen Hörgeräteträgers auf, so dass Strahlungsverluste durch das Ohr minimiert und hierdurch die Effizienz der Dipolantenne entsprechend verbessert wird.In Fig. 2 is the dipole antenna 13 according to Fig. 1 shown separately. The dipole antenna 13 has two poles 27, 29 which are bent in the opposite direction with respect to the other pole 27, 29. In the present case, the lower pole 27 is bent clockwise 31, the upper pole 29 counterclockwise 33. The radiation characteristic of the dipole antenna 13 is improved compared to common antennas by a dipole antenna 13 designed in this way and arranged on the faceplate 5 of a hearing device 1. The radiation pattern of the dipole antenna 13 has a maximum outside the ear of the respective hearing device wearer due to the exposed outer sections 19 of the dipole antenna 13, so that radiation losses through the ear are minimized and the efficiency of the dipole antenna is accordingly improved.

Die Strahlungscharakteristik bzw. das Strahlungsmuster der im Hörgerät 1 eingesetzten Dipolantennen 13 ist in Fig. 3 anhand der Raumrichtungen 35 (x- Richtung), 37 (y- Richtung), 39 (z- Richtung) gezeigt. Das Maximum der Strahlung erstreckt sich vorliegend in y-Richtung 37, welche sich bei einem eingesetzten Hörgerät 1 von dem Ohr bzw. dem Kopf des Hörgeräteträgers weg erstreckt.The radiation characteristic or the radiation pattern of the dipole antennas 13 used in the hearing device 1 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 based on the spatial directions 35 (x direction), 37 (y direction), 39 (z direction). The maximum of the radiation stretches here in the y-direction 37, which extends away from the ear or head of the hearing device wearer when a hearing device 1 is inserted.

In Fig. 4 ist ein grob schematischer außermittiger Längsschnitt durch ein weiteres in das Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers einsetzbares Hörgerät 41 gezeigt. Das Hörgerät 41 umfasst eine Gehäuseschale 43 und eine die Gehäuseschale 43 verschließende Faceplate 45, die gemeinsam das Gehäuse 46 des Hörgerätes 41 bilden. An der Faceplate 45 ist auch hier eine Dipolantenne 47 aus metallischem Draht angeordnet. Die Dipolantenne 47 weist eine wendelförmige Struktur mit einer parallel zur Faceplate 45 ausgerichteten Wendelachse 49 und vorliegend einer Windungen 51 auf. Die Windung 51 durchdringt eine von einer Faceplate 45 eingenommene Fläche F. Der innere Abschnitt 53 der Dipolantenne 47 ist bezogen auf das Gehäuse 46 innenseitig der Fläche F geführt, während der äußere Abschnitt 55 der Dipolantenne 47 bezogen auf das Gehäuse 46 außenseitig der Fläche F geführt ist. Der Abschnitt 53 der Dipolantenne 47 gemäß Fig. 4 ist freiliegend und steht aus dem Material der Faceplate 5 hervor.In Fig. 4 A roughly schematic, off-center longitudinal section through a further hearing device 41 that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing device wearer is shown. The hearing aid 41 comprises a housing shell 43 and a faceplate 45 closing the housing shell 43, which together form the housing 46 of the hearing aid 41. A dipole antenna 47 made of metallic wire is also arranged on the faceplate 45 here. The dipole antenna 47 has a helical structure with a helical axis 49 aligned parallel to the faceplate 45 and in the present case a turns 51. The winding 51 penetrates a surface F occupied by a faceplate 45. The inner section 53 of the dipole antenna 47 is guided on the inside of the surface F with respect to the housing 46, while the outer section 55 of the dipole antenna 47 is guided on the outside of the surface F with respect to the housing 46 is. The section 53 of the dipole antenna 47 according to Fig. 4 is exposed and protrudes from the material of the faceplate 5.

Fig. 5 zeigt ein weiteres in das Ohr eines Hörgeräteträgers einsetzbares Hörgerät 61 in einem grob schematischen außermittigen Längsschnitt. Das Hörgerät 61 umfasst ebenfalls eine Gehäuseschale 62 und eine die Gehäuseschale 62 verschließende Faceplate 63. Die Gehäuseschale 62 und die Faceplate 63 bilden das Gehäuse 64 des Hörgerätes 61. Wie auch in Fig. 4 ist an der Faceplate 63 des Hörgerätes 61 eine Dipolantenne 65 aus metallischem Draht angeordnet. Die Dipolantenne 65 weist eine wendelförmige Struktur mit einer parallel zur Faceplate 63 ausgerichteten Wendelachse 69 und ebenfalls einer Windungen 71 auf, die eine von einer Faceplate 63 eingenommene Fläche F durchdringt. Auch hier ist der innere Abschnitt 73 der Dipolantenne 65 bezogen auf das Gehäuse 64 innenseitig der Fläche F geführt. Der äußere Abschnitt 75 ist bezogen auf das Gehäuse 64 außenseitig der Fläche F geführt. Fig. 5 shows a further hearing aid 61 which can be inserted into the ear of a hearing aid wearer in a roughly schematic, eccentric longitudinal section. The hearing aid 61 likewise comprises a housing shell 62 and a faceplate 63 which closes the housing shell 62. The housing shell 62 and the faceplate 63 form the housing 64 of the hearing aid 61. As also in FIG Fig. 4 a dipole antenna 65 made of metallic wire is arranged on the faceplate 63 of the hearing device 61. The dipole antenna 65 has a helical structure with a helical axis 69 aligned parallel to the faceplate 63 and also a windings 71 which penetrate a surface F occupied by a faceplate 63. Here too, the inner section 73 of the dipole antenna 65 is guided on the inside of the surface F with respect to the housing 64. The outer section 75 is guided on the outside of the surface F in relation to the housing 64.

Im Unterschied zum Hörgerät 41 gemäß Fig. 4 ist die Faceplate 63 an Ihrer Außenseite 76 vorliegend mit einem einstückig angeformten Vorsprung 77 ausgebildet, mit dem der äußere Abschnitt 73 umspritzt ist. Der Abschnitt 75 der Dipolantenne 63 ist vorliegend somit nicht freiliegend, sondern in den Vorsprung 77 eingebettet.In contrast to the hearing aid 41 according to Fig. 4 the faceplate 63 is formed on its outside 76 in the present case with an integrally molded projection 77 with which the outer section 73 is molded. Section 75 of the dipole antenna 63 is thus not exposed in the present case, but is embedded in the projection 77.

Die Erfindung wird an den vorstehend beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispielen besonders deutlich, ist auf diese Ausführungsbeispiele gleichwohl aber nicht beschränkt. Vielmehr können weitere Ausführungsformen der Erfindung aus den Ansprüchen abgeleitet werden.The invention is particularly clear from the exemplary embodiments described above, but is nevertheless not restricted to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the claims.

BezugszeichenlisteReference symbol list

11
HörgerätHearing aid
33rd
GehäuseschaleHousing shell
55
FaceplateFaceplate
77
Gehäusecasing
99
Schaltercounter
1111
Innenrauminner space
1313
DipolantenneDipole antenna
1515
WendelachseSpiral axis
1717th
WindungSwirl
1919th
innerer Abschnittinner section
2121st
äußerer Abschnittouter section
2323
Öffnungopening
2727th
Pol der DipolantenneDipole antenna pole
2929
Pol der DipolantenneDipole antenna pole
3131
Richtung im UhrzeigersinnClockwise direction
3333
dem Uhrzeigersinn entgegengesetzte Richtungcounterclockwise direction
3535
x-Richtungx direction
3737
y-Richtungy direction
3939
z-Richtungz direction
4141
HörgerätHearing aid
4343
GehäuseschaleHousing shell
4545
FaceplateFaceplate
4646
Gehäusecasing
4747
DipolantenneDipole antenna
4949
WendelachseSpiral axis
5151
WindungSwirl
5353
innerer Abschnittinner section
5555
äußerer Abschnittouter section
6161
HörgerätHearing aid
6262
GehäuseschaleHousing shell
6363
FaceplateFaceplate
6464
Gehäusecasing
6565
DipolantenneDipole antenna
6969
WendelachseSpiral axis
7171
WindungSwirl
7373
innerer Abschnittinner section
7575
äußerer Abschnittouter section
7676
AußenseiteOutside
7777
Vorsprunghead Start

Claims (7)

  1. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) that can be inserted into the ear of a hearing device wearer, said hearing device comprising a housing shell (3, 43, 62) for receiving hearing device components, a faceplate (5, 45, 63) which closes the housing shell (3, 43, 62) and a dipole antenna (13, 47, 65),
    characterized in that the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) is formed with a helical structure having at least one complete turn (17, 51, 71) and a helix axis (15, 49, 69) aligned in parallel to the faceplate (5, 45, 63).
  2. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to Claim 1, wherein the two poles (27, 29) of the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) are bent in the opposite direction.
  3. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) has more than one complete turn (17, 51, 71) and up to two turns (17, 51, 71).
  4. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each outer section (19, 55, 75) of the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) protrudes from the material of the faceplate (5, 45, 63).
  5. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the faceplate (5, 45, 63) on its outside (76) has at least one projection (77) formed in one piece with the faceplate (5, 45, 63), into which the or each outer section (19, 55, 75) of the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) is embedded.
  6. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dipole antenna (13, 47, 65) is designed as a metallic wire.
  7. Hearing device (1, 41, 61) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the faceplate (5, 45, 63) is integrally formed with the housing shell (3, 43, 62).
EP18199191.0A 2017-11-08 2018-10-08 Hearing aid Active EP3484179B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017219882.6A DE102017219882B3 (en) 2017-11-08 2017-11-08 hearing Aid

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EP3484179A1 EP3484179A1 (en) 2019-05-15
EP3484179B1 true EP3484179B1 (en) 2020-05-20

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US (1) US10694302B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3484179B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6691192B2 (en)
CN (1) CN109756835B (en)
AU (1) AU2018256580A1 (en)
DE (1) DE102017219882B3 (en)
DK (1) DK3484179T3 (en)

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Publication number Publication date
EP3484179A1 (en) 2019-05-15
CN109756835B (en) 2021-04-20
DE102017219882B3 (en) 2019-01-03
JP6691192B2 (en) 2020-04-28
CN109756835A (en) 2019-05-14
JP2019088006A (en) 2019-06-06
AU2018256580A1 (en) 2019-05-23
US20190141460A1 (en) 2019-05-09
US10694302B2 (en) 2020-06-23
DK3484179T3 (en) 2020-08-24

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