EP3794843A1

EP3794843A1 - Multi-part eardrum contact hearing device placed deep in the auditory canal

Info

Publication number: EP3794843A1
Application number: EP19727951.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tobias FRITZSCHE; Dominik Kaltenbacher; Jonathan Schächtele; Florian Strobl; Martin Theuring
Original assignee: Vibrosonic GmbH
Current assignee: Vibrosonic GmbH
Priority date: 2018-05-18
Filing date: 2019-05-20
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Also published as: CN112425186A; DE102018207922A1; WO2019219972A1; US20210211811A1; KR20210013604A

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing device which has an eardrum module and an auditory canal module, wherein the eardrum module can be arranged in contact with the eardrum of a person and the auditory canal module can be arranged in the auditory canal of the person.

Description

Multi-part eardrum contact hearing aid placed deep in the ear canal

The invention relates to a hearing aid having a tympanic module and a hearing gear module, wherein the eardrum module in contact with the drum shell of a person can be arranged and the ear canal module in the auditory canal of the person can be arranged.

Eardrum contact hearing aids create a sound impression on the wearer by exerting a force on the eardrum with direct mechanical contact. This anlie at least partially on the eardrum ing force leads to a deformation that is transmitted to the ossicular chain and so penetrates to the inner ear. Compared with a classic hearing aid, which transmits the sound to the eardrum via airborne sound, it can achieve higher efficiency and a flatter frequency response. In an eardrum hearing aid, a motor element (actuator) acts on the eardrum via a mechanical connection. This is realized by a structure which contains the actuator and which is directly connected to the eardrum. lies. This structure should be light in order not to cause an unpleasant feeling of pressure or even pain due to its inertia during movements of the head.

Users of hearing aids also attach great importance to the fact that the hearing aid is not perceived by other people. Therefore, this should preferably be housed invisibly from the outside in the ear canal. It should contain an energy storage te supply that can be exchanged and / or charged. The structure of the hearing system, which is in contact with the drum fur, is called in the following eardrum module (TFM). Since the eardrum is very sensitive and deep in the narrow auditory canal, it should be introduced or removed for safety reasons only by a specialist and otherwise remain on the eardrum.

Object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid that can be brought into contact with the eardrum, but with the drum fur in contact with components can be easily configured and the eardrum module is still reliably supplied with signals and energy.

This object is achieved by the hearing aid according to claim 1. The dependent claims indicate advantageous developments of the hearing aid according to the invention.

According to the invention, a hearing aid is provided which has an eardrum module which can be arranged in contact with a tympanic membrane of a person and an auditory canal module which can be arranged in the auditory canal of the person.

That the eardrum module can be arranged in contact with a person's eardrum implies that the eardrum module is suitably staltet, and in particular has suitable dimensions. The dimensions can be individually adapted to a specific person. If the eardrum module to be produced as standard, so the dimensions of the eardrum module can be adapted to average adult adult persons. If the eardrum module is intended for children, its dimensions may be adjusted to the average size of children in the appropriate age group. The same applies to the Ear canal module whose dimensions can also be individually geared to the hearing a particular person or can be adapted to average dimensions.

According to the eardrum module and the ear canal module in the normal state in which the eardrum module and the Ge hearing gear module are arranged in the ear of the person, only by means of at least egg nes cable connected to each other. Apart from the limitation of the movement through the ear of the person so the eardrum module and the ear canal module within the predetermined by the length of the cable maximum distance from each other are free to move against each other. This loading mobility is preferably limited at best by a stiffness of the at least one cable. According to the invention, the eardrum module and the ear canal module are electrically contacted with each other via the at least one cable.

Because the eardrum module is separate from the eardrum module and is connected to it only by means of a cable, the eardrum module exerts a force on the eardrum only on the basis of its inertia. However, since many components of the hearing aid in the ear canal module can be arranged, the mass of the eardrum module can be kept small, so that the force applied to the eardrum inertial force is small.

The ear canal module may preferably be placed deep in the ear canal. For example, a proximal end of the ear canal module in Bestim proper state close to the eardrum, for example, about 1 to 6 mm from the eardrum, come to rest in the outer auditory canal. Advantageously, a distal end of the ear canal module can be proximal to a distal end of the ear canal. The auditory canal module and the eardrum module Kings nen advantageously be provided for a longer period of, for example, more than a day, preferably more than a week, experimentally, more than a month to remain uninterrupted in the ear canal. Advantageously, they are not taken from the patient.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cable can be elastically and / or plastically stretchable. This makes it possible to fur module and the ear canal module one after the other in the ear. The eardrum module can first be inserted while the ear canal module is still outside the ear canal. If the drum shell module is placed on the eardrum, the ear canal module can be pushed behind it until it is at the target position in the external auditory canal.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for this purpose, the cable can be stretched elastically from a wound or folded state and / or the cable can itself be made of an elastic material. In example, the cable can also be designed as a spring spiral or snail-shaped wound. Advantageously, the geometry and rigidity of the cable are tuned so that cable elongation required by the cable for insertion (eg, about 3 cm) is low enough to avoid causing unpleasant or deleterious effects on the drum , Advantageously, the cable is designed so that it takes on relaxation a geometry that fits between the eardrum module and the ear canal module in their intended arrangement space. For example, the cable may advantageously be wound into a spiral or worm shape.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cable may be configured as a flexible laminate which has at least one electrical insulating layer and at least one electrically conductive layer which is arranged on the electrically insulating layer. Advantageously, the cable can be configured as a flexible printed circuit board.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cable can be connected via a connec tion or an adjacent connection with the ear canal module or connectable. It can then be placed eardrum module with attached cable to the eardrum, while the eardrum module facing away from the end of the cable is held outside the ear. The ear canal module can be already fixedly arranged at this outer end or it can be connectable, for example via a connec tion or an adjacent connection with the ear canal module. Before inserting the ear canal module into the ear, the connection the cable is made with the ear canal module and the auditory canal module inserted into the ear canal. Optionally, the cable may be permanently attached to the eardrum module. It means insoluble that the Ka bel is not reconnectable from the eardrum module separable.

Advantageously, the eardrum module has at least one actuator. In this case, the eardrum module is advantageously designed so that a vibra tion of the actuator is transferable to the eardrum when the eardrum module is in contact with the eardrum. In particular, so vibra tions of the actuator in the proper arrangement of the eardrum module can be transferred to the eardrum.

In an advantageous embodiment, the actuator may have a membrane structure having at least one carrier layer and at least one gerschicht arranged on the Trä piezoelectric layer, wherein the piezoelectric layer has at least one piezoelectric material. By applying a voltage to the piezoelectric layer, vibrations of the membrane structure can then be generated.

Advantageously, the membrane structure in a surface of the

Membrane structure have at least one all layers of the membrane structure by separating cut line through which the membrane structure is divided into at least one, two or more segments. In this case, the cutting line advantageously cuts through all layers of the membrane structure, so that the membrane structure is mechanically decoupled at the cutting line. The membrane structure may advantageously be circular. It can then extend the cutting lines radially to the center of the membrane structure. A subdivision with only one cutting line is also possible, for example when the cutting line runs in a spiral from the center of the membrane structure to an outer edge of the membrane structure. By such a sub-division of the membrane structure, this can be deflected with particular large amplitudes and thereby allow a good coupling to the eardrum.

Advantageously, the ear canal module can have a memory for electrical energy. This may be a non-rechargeable battery or, advantageously, a rechargeable battery. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ear canal module may have at least one microphone. In this way, the ear canal module can pick up sound in the ear canal and convert it into an electrical signal. This electrical signal can then be used to drive the eardrum module. The placement of the microphone in the ear canal module allows a particularly natural sound impression. The fact that the ear canal module and the eardrum module are separated from each other, the eardrum module is not burdened with additional mass.

Advantageously, the ear canal module, at least if it is to be assigned in the ear canal, have on its outer side anchoring means with which it can be held on the inner wall of the ear canal. Such Veran kerungsmittel may be, for example bristles, umbrellas, sails, rings, spirals or other shaped structures on the outside of the ear canal module, which extend from the surface of the electrical device to the ear canal wall and support the ear canal module there. Before given to the anchoring means have a certain mechanical flexibility, so that the anchoring means adapts when inserted into its bestimmungsge proper position of the shape of the ear canal. This can be realized, for example, by the anchoring means being formed from an elastic material such as, for example, silicone, polyurethane foam or a comparable material. If the ear canal module is contacted by a cable by means of a mechanical contact, for example a plug, then a force with which the anchoring means hold the auditory canal module in the auditory canal is preferably greater than a force required to establish and / or release the mechanical connection. In this way, the me chanical contact can be made and / or solved without moving the ear canal module.

In an advantageous embodiment, electrical energy can be fed to the hearing gear module wirelessly. For this purpose, the ear canal module may have an interface for the transmission of electrical energy. This should advantageously be conveniently usable by the patient. For a wireless transmission, for example, inductive energy transmission, capacitive energy transmission and / or energy transmission by means of electromagnetic shear waves such as radio or light or energy transmission via ultrasound possible. In this way it is possible to avoid dirt and wear-prone electrical contacts on the ear canal module and also to avoid touching the ear canal module. The ability of the battery to be rechargeable allows the earphone module to consume more power without frequent user visits or frequent battery replacement.

However, it is also possible to supply the energy to the ear canal module via a reconnectable detachable cable connection. Such a reconnectable detachable connection may be, for example, a connec tion or an applied contact connection.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention may be provided for the hearing aid, an outdoor module, with the ear canal module, z. B. to Ver supply of the ear canal module with electrical energy, is connectable. Such an outdoor module may for example be a loading module. The Außenmo module may for example have a battery, which is particularly preferably rechargeable. However, replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries are also possible.

Advantageously, the outer module is connectable to the ear canal module via a wireless connection or a reconnectable detachable connection for supplying the ear canal module with electrical energy.

Preferably, the outdoor module can be designed so that it can be arranged on the ear except half of the ear canal. Advantageously, the outdoor module may have, for example, one or two ear pieces which are shaped so that they can be held by or on an ear of the person. For example, the outdoor module may have a headphone design, so it can be worn on the head and have ear parts that come to rest in accordance with the intended, in or on the auricle.

Since there is more space available for the outdoor module, the batteries or rechargeable batteries can be designed to charge multiple times of the ear canal module suffice. A capacity of the batteries can thus be a multiple of a capacity of an energy store of the auditory canal module.

It is also possible to provide both wireless and wired connections to the Energieübertra supply between the outdoor module and the ear canal module, so that the patient, depending on the availability of charging adapters and other parameters such as charging time and freedom of movement, decide which compound he uses for transmission , If the outdoor module has a cable connection for charging a battery of the outdoor module, it is advantageous if it can also be used while the outdoor module is charging the auditory canal module. In this way, the ear canal module and the outdoor module can be loaded at the same time who the, from the cable connection, the energy for both processes can be delivered simultaneously.

In an advantageous embodiment, the outer module can have a bracket on which the at least one ear part is arranged, and the sen is so sen that it can engage over the head of the person. It is also advantageously possible if the or the ear parts are each at least partially in a Ge hearing gear of the person can be arranged. Advantageously, however, the ear parts are accessible from the outside and can be arranged by the user himself without professional male help in the ear canal and removed from the ear canal.

To produce a wireless connection between the outer module and the ear canal module can advantageously optical, acoustic (ultrasonic), inductive, capacitive and / or electromagnetic waves, so example, light and / or radio, based compounds are used.

In an advantageous embodiment, the auditory canal module and / or the eardrum module may have active electronic components, such as, for example, active amplifiers, filters and / or signal processors. In this case, auxiliary power for operating the active electronics can advantageously be transmitted to the corresponding module. Such auxiliary energy can be transmitted from the outdoor module to the auditory canal module and / or from Ear canal module to the eardrum module. By auxiliary power akti ve electronic components of the ear canal module and / or the Trom melfellmoduls be operated. In particular, can be loaded with such auxiliary power, a rechargeable storage for electrical energy such as a battery of the ear canal module.

It is also advantageous to transmit an information signal, particularly preferably an audio signal, from the outdoor module to the auditory canal module and / or from the auditory canal module to the eardrum module.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, energy and in formationssignal from the outdoor module to the ear canal module and / or from Ge hearing gear module are transmitted to the eardrum module via a same channel, for example, from the ear canal module to the eardrum module via the cable to which they are connected.

However, it is also possible to transmit the signal and the energy via separate channels, which can also be realized by means of different possibilities mentioned above. In this way, it becomes possible to optimize the transmission paths for the information signal and the power independently of each other on information transmission and power transmission. For efficient energy transmission, for example, inductive coupled resonant circuits are advantageous, which operate in or near resonance of the resonant circuits. The higher the quality factor of the resonant circuits, the more efficiently the energy can be transmitted. For a signal transmission, however, a rather low quality is advantageous in order to achieve a sufficient bandwidth. The quality requirements can thus be in opposite directions for the signal transmission and the energy transmission. If the signal transmission and the energy transmission are realized independently, they can be optimized inde pendent of each other. Advantageously, for example, two individually optimized inductive transmissions may be provided or also, for example, an inductive transmission of energy and optical transmission of the signal, which is advantageous because optical transmitter and Emp catcher can be implemented in a very small space while an inductive resonant energy transfer very efficient is. The information signal can be transmitted, for example, analog or digital.

In an advantageous embodiment, the outdoor module can have operating elements and / or an interface for receiving data and / or audio signals from a data or audio source. Such an interface can be for example a Bluetooth interface. Operating commands can be given in example by one or more buttons on the outdoor module eingge ben.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer module and / or the auditory canal module can have one or more local radio interfaces such as Bluetooth or inductive interfaces such as NFMI. In this way, it becomes possible to use the hearing aid, for example, as a hands-free device for a mobile phone or headphones when listening to music or watching movies ver. In environments with a lot of ambient noise, the signals from external microphones placed close to the source of interest, such as a conversation partner, can be integrated. Such microphones can be coupled in a corresponding manner to the outdoor module or the ear canal module.

Advantageous here is an embodiment in which the outdoor module has the corre sponding interface, as a result, the smaller battery of the hearing gear module is less loaded. In addition, the electromagnetic waves in the outer module are less damped or absorbed by body tissue. It is therefore advantageous to use the outdoor module as a communication relay for the coupling of external devices. It can therefore the outdoor module, the communication link to the external devices, such as a mobile phone or a smartphone or other ge called devices, produce and at the same time maintain the advantageously also wireless connection to the ear canal module. The Kommuni cation between the outdoor module and the ear canal module then takes place only over a short distance and is thus energy efficient. Preferably, the outdoor module is intended to be arranged so that it has a Sichtver connection to the ear canal module. Configuration data can also be transmitted to the hearing aid module with the outdoor module. For example, the configuration data can be transmitted from an external device to the outdoor module and then transmitted from the sem to the ear canal module. Data and power transmission to the ear canal module can be provided by the outdoor module at the same time. As a result, the higher power requirement of the hearing gear module in the signal transmission from and / or to the outdoor module can be compensated by the energy transfer, so that the battery of the hearing gear module is not charged. It may even be possible to charge the battery or the battery of the hearing aid simultaneously with the signal transmission. The outdoor module can be worn, for example, like a headset for charging and / or for coupling.

The auditory canal module and the eardrum module may in some embodiments be considered together as a hearing aid if they can also act independently of the outside module as a hearing aid.

It is also possible such an embodiment in which the ear canal module only passively establishes an electrical connection between the eardrum module and outdoor module. For outdoor module, it then provides, for example, a plug connection, which is tergeführt over the cable to the eardrum module. Signal processing, energy storage, microphone and possibly further components are then located in the outdoor module.

While the user is wearing the outdoor module, in some embodiments of the outdoor module his ear canal may be occluded, thereby shielding the microphone of the ear canal module from the environment. In order to be able to hear normally during use of the outdoor module, one or more microphones can be integrated in the outdoor module. The audio signals picked up by the microphones can then be forwarded to the ear canal module via the interface for data or signal transmission between the outside module and the ear canal. The auditory canal module can then pass on to the eardrum module in addition to or instead of the signals picked up by the microphone of the auditory canal module. As stated above, different, preferably wireless, transmission techniques between the outdoor module and the earphone module can be used for the data and energy transmission. For example, an inductive power transmission and a data transmission by radio, for example via Bluetooth or proprietary interfaces in an ISM band, are advantageous. A coupling external devices to the outdoor module can preferably be done by means of standardized vendor-independent wireless interfaces to be compatible with as many devices. Here, for example, the industry standard Bluetooth is suitable.

The outdoor module may have different configurations. Possible, for example, completely decoupled parts for left and right ear, for example similar to the "Truly Wireless Earbuds" or "Hearables". A further possibility is an embodiment in a bracket headphone design in which the ear parts of the outer module rest on the outer ear or enclose them in their entirety. In a further embodiment, the outer module may have two elements placed and fixed in or on the pinna, which are connected to a flexible structure such as a rubber band or a cable.

The outdoor module can have a transmission unit for an inductive energy transmission for charging the auditory canal module and optional communication devices for external devices, electronic assemblies for control, storage and signal processing, one or more energy stores, controls, display elements and / or microphones. If a left and a right ear part of the outer module are decoupled from each other, a wireless communication interface can be provided between the two ear parts. In this way, synchronous states can be guaranteed on both sides. Such a wireless communication interface can, for example by means of an inductive connection, for. B. NFMI who made the, because it is less attenuated by the intervening head as a transmission by radio.

Since not every user requires a hearing aid on both sides, it is advantageous if the outdoor module also works with only one hearing aid. The hearing aid according to the invention, comprising the eardrum module and the ear canal module (two-part design), or containing the eardrum module, the ear canal module and the exterior module (three-part design) may advantageously have an interface to operate commands such as on / off, louder / quieter, choosing a Configuration profile, to receive. In order to make the ear canal module and / or the outdoor module small, it may be advantageous to provide other solutions than buttons. In an advantageous embodiment, the commands can be transmitted by means of an optical interface to the ear canal module and / or the outer module. In this case, it is advantageous if the Hehörgangmo module or the outer module has a photodiode, which can be performed very compact. An external device such as a

Smartphone, a wristwatch, a key ring, an amulet, etc., can send data to the interface by simply flashing a light-emitting diode or the display. Also, an information transfer in the counter Rich device is feasible, for example, by a light emitting diode on the ear canal module or the outdoor module. A flashing of this LED example can be received via the camera of a smartphone or another photoreceiver ger.

Desired settings can then be made first with the external device and then on the hearing aid, so the outdoor module and / or the ear canal module, transmitted by the external device is held with the optical transmitter / receiver in the direction of the corresponding Mo module. If the communication is made with the ear canal module ago, so preferably the external device is held so that a visual connection is made to the ear canal module.

If a data transmission from the ear canal module or the outdoor module to the external device realized, for example, conditions of the hearing gear module or the outdoor module such as a charge level, will be displayed. A transmission by radio (Bluetooth LE, etc.) is also possible with an external device, where it is advantageously held to the transmis conditions of the settings at the level of the ear. Even larger configuration data packages are transferable in this way. Below are again advantageous optional Realisierungsmöglichkei th of the hearing aid according to the invention are summarized.

The hearing aid according to the invention may have a tympanic module and a hearing gear module that is placeable deep in the ear canal.

The ear canal module can be provided for a longer period of time, for example, more than a day to remain without interruption in the ear canal.

The ear canal module and the eardrum module are connected to each other via a cable. The cable can be a coiled cable and is based in particular on a flex PCB technology. The Spiralka bel can also consist of two series-connected spirals to achieve a ge ringere overall spring constant and thus at the same deflection a clotting gere restoring force and to increase the overall elasticity. When stretching a coil spring, it can lead to the formation of a torsional moment. This can lead to material loads or unintentional twisting of the two ends. If interconnected single spirals are used, they are therefore advantageously connected in such a way that the torsional moments of the individual spirals at the interface of the two spirals are the same at fixed ends. A rotation of the interface is then not hindered and stresses in the material or at the ends are avoided.

The cable can be connected to at least one side by a detachable plug connection.

In addition, a wireless power and / or signal interface may additionally be provided between the eardrum module and the ear canal module. The signal transmission may be optical (visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light), inductive (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitive (predominantly via an electric field), electromagnetic waves (for example radio), and / or ultrasound (with a carrier frequency outside the audible spectrum).

Also, a power transmission between the ear canal module and the The eardrum module can be optically (by means of visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light), inductively (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitively (predominantly via an electric field), via electromagnetic waves (radio), and / or via ultrasound (outside the audible spectrum ) respectively.

Advantageously, different principles for the transmission of power and signal can be provided.

It is also possible to provide the same principle for the transmission of power and signal. In particular, the same transmission and / or reception structure or areas thereof can be used for the signal and power transmission. For example, the same coil or coil with multiple taps may be used.

In particular, different frequency ranges can also be used for the power and signal transmission. The signal transmission may advantageously use the power transmission as a carrier signal (eg modulated by the signal, in-band communication).

The ear canal module can advantageously a battery or a battery aufwei sen. The battery or the battery can be advantageous rechargeable. In this case, the loading in the ear canal can be carried out particularly advantageously (without taking out the auditory canal module).

Advantageously, an outdoor module or loading module can be provided, wherein the terms outdoor module and loading module can also be used interchangeably. The outdoor module can optionally be worn on the head. Optionally, the outdoor module may itself have a battery that may be beneficial enough to be rechargeable.

The outdoor module may optionally provide a wireless connection to peripherals (for example, smartphones, etc.), advantageously using a standardized interface such as Bluetooth.

The outdoor module may include one or more microphones that advantageously use audio signals from these microphones during charging can be used to maintain the hearing aid function.

The charging can be advantageously carried out via a wireless energy transfer, for example optically (by visible light, infrared light, ultravio lette light), inductively (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitive (mainly via an electric field), via electromagnetic waves (radio), and / or via ultrasound (outside the audible spectrum).

The outdoor module can advantageously produce a wireless data connection to the ear canal module. This data or signal transmission can optically (visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light), inductively (mainly via a magnetic field), capacitive (predominantly via an electric field), via electromagnetic waves (radio), and / or by means of ultrasound (with egg ner carrier frequency outside the audible spectrum) take place. Different principles for the transmission of power and signal can be seen before.

It is also advantageously possible to provide the same principle for the transmission of power and signal. In this case, the same transmitting and / or receiving structure or portions thereof may be used for signal and power transmission. For example, different frequency ranges can be used for power and signal transmission. It is also possible that the signal transmission uses the power transmission signal as Trä gersignal which is modulated for signal transmission.

The loading can also be done via a wired interface. For example, the outdoor module and the ear canal module can be connected via a connector. Advantageously, a connector can be used, which finds each other without view. Energy and / or data can be transmitted via such a wire-bound interface.

Advantageously, the ear canal module can have an interface for the transmission of configuration data with low bandwidth. Such data may be, for example, a volume setting, a configuration profile, an equalizer configuration, the presence of the outside module, and the like. The interface may advantageously be optical, in particular the ear canal module may comprise an optical receiver such as a photodiode. The transmission can be, for example, by Blin ken a display or a light emitting diode on an external device such as a smartphone, the outdoor module or a bracelet.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ear canal module can be designed without a battery. In this case, the outdoor module may be considered part of the hearing aid, which in addition to the ear canal module is carried in the ear canal and contains a battery. The outdoor module may then be provided for removal by the user. A battery of the outdoor module may be non-rechargeable and replaceable by the carrier or rechargeable. It may, for example, be taken by the user and placed in a charger. The battery can also be made non-removable and can be charged via a contactless or contact-type connection. Such a connection can be produced as described above, while the outer module is worn by the user in the ear.

The transmission between the outdoor module and the ear canal module can be wired. For example, the outer module and the ear canal module can be connected via a plug connection, advantageously via a plug connection which finds each other without a view. Microphone, Signalver processing and / or amplifier can be divided as desired between the ear canal module and the outdoor module. Advantageously, all active compo nents are arranged in the outer module and the ear canal module and / or the eardrum module include only passive components.

The ear canal module and the outdoor module can be connected to each other via a wireless interface. The ear canal module can have an active amplifier electronics. A signal transmission between the ear canal module and the outer module, for example, optically (sichtba res light, infrared light, ultraviolet light), inductively (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitive (predominantly via an electric field), by means of elekt romagnetischer waves (radio) and / or means Ultrasound (with a carrier frequency outside the audible spectrum) done. A power transmission between the outer module and the auditory canal module, for example, optically (visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet tes light), inductively (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitive (predominantly via an electric field), via electromagnetic waves (radio) and / or Ultrasound (with a carrier frequency outside the audible Spekt rums) done. Different principles can be used for the transmission of power and signal or the same principle can be used for the transmission of power and signal. In the latter case, for example, the same transmission and / or reception structure or preparation che same (for example, the same coil or a coil with multiple taps) are used for the signal and power transmission. It is also possible to use different frequency range for the power and signal transmission. The signal transmission can also use the power transmission as a carrier signal (modulated by the signal, in-band communication).

The signal can advantageously be transmitted analog or digital. In the latter case, the ear canal module can have a digital-to-analog converter.

In an advantageous embodiment, the ear canal module can be realized without active amplifier electronics. It is possible that the signal for the transducer is transmitted directly with sufficient power. Transmission can be in baseband or the signal can be passively demodulated. Signal transmission may be optical (visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light), inductive (predominantly via a magnetic field), capacitive (predominantly via an electric field), electromagnetic waves (radio) and / or ultrasound (with a carrier frequency outside the audible range Spectrum).

The outdoor module may have an interface for transmission of low bandwidth configuration data. Such data may, for example, a volume setting, a configuration profile, a

Equalizer configuration, a presence of the outer module and the like. The interface may for example be optical, in which case the Au ßenmodul an optical receiver such as a photodiode can have. The transmission can then by flashing a display or a light emitting diode on an external device such as a

Smartphone, an armband, a key ring, or an arm band.

In an advantageous embodiment, the ear canal module may have at least one passage opening which extends from a side facing the eardrum module in bestimmungsgemä ßer arrangement of the ear canal module to a directed at intended arrangement outward Be te of the ear canal module. Through this, a cable can be feasible, which can be arranged with one end on the eardrum module.

The invention also relates to a method for placing a Hörgerä tes as described above in an ear of a person,

wherein the ear canal module has a through opening.

In this case, the eardrum module is placed in contact with the eardrum of the person in a first step, the cable with its the Trom melfellmodul end facing away from the ear is held.

It is then passed through the through hole, the cable and

the ear canal module is guided on the cable in the auditory canal of the person.

The cable can advantageously have at least one contact point where the auditory canal module is arranged when the auditory canal module is seated in the ear canal at its intended position. It may then be there with the ear canal module in electrical contact with the ear canal module.

Advantageously, the cable may have a mark where the ear canal module is arranged on the cable at bestim proper arrangement. Then the ear canal module can be inserted on the cable up to the mark or up to a defined distance from the mark in the auditory canal of the person.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to some figures. Like reference numerals denote the same or corresponding features. The features shown in the examples can also be realized independently of concrete examples and can be found under the examples. be combined.

It shows

Figure 1: A first exemplary embodiment of a

hearing aid according to the invention,

Figure 2: an embodiment of a spiral-shaped, flexible cable to

Connection of a tympanic membrane module with an auditory canal module,

FIG. 3 shows a spiral, expandable cable in the expanded state,

FIG. 4 shows an expandable cable with two connected spirals in the expanded state;

FIG. 5: a hearing aid according to the invention in two ears,

FIGS. 6 to 10 are exemplary block diagrams of hearing aids according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a hearing device with an energy transmission that combines wired energy transfer with wireless energy transmission, and

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which for connecting a

Tympanic module with an ear canal module a cable is passed through a passage opening in the ear canal module.

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a hearing device according to the invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hearing aid has an eardrum module 1 which is arranged in contact with an eardrum 9 of a person. The hearing aid shown in Figure 1 also has a hearing gear module 2, which is located deep in the ear canal 7 of the person. The eardrum module 1 and the ear canal module 2 are arranged in the ear 6 of the person and connected there only by means of a cable 4. The eardrum module 1 and the ear canal module 2 are contacted electrically via the cable 4. The eardrum module 1, in the example shown on an actuator, not shown, which is designed so that a vibration of the actuator to the eardrum 9 is transferable when the eardrum 1 module with the

Eardrum 9 is in contact. Such an actuator may, for example, be configured as a membrane structure comprising a carrier layer and a

Comprises piezoelectric layer, wherein the piezoelectric layer contains a piezoelectric material, so by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric layer Schwingun conditions of the membrane structure can be generated, which are on the eardrum 9 on portable. By way of example, the membrane structure may be subdivided into at least one, two or more segments in a surface of the membrane structure by at least one cutting line which cuts through all layers of the membrane structure, so that the membrane structure is mechanically coupled at the cutting line.

In the example shown, the auditory canal module 2 has a memory, not shown, for electrical energy, which may be rechargeable. In addition, in the example shown, the auditory canal module 2 at least one micro-phone, which is also not shown.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hearing device also has an exterior module 3, which functions here as a loading module 3. The charging module 3 is coupled to the hearing aid module 2 via a wireless interface 5, via which electrical energy and data signals, e.g. Audio signals from the charging module 3 to the ear canal module 2 is transferable.

It can be seen that the auditory canal module 2 is arranged completely deep in the auditory canal 7 of the person. It can only be removed by a specialist in this state. The outdoor module 3, however, partially protrudes from the hearing aisle 7 and can be removed by the user. The outdoor module 3 may itself have a battery that was in the ear or in the removed to loadable by the user.

The outdoor module 3 also has an interface over which Funksigna le 8 can be sent and received. By these radio signals data, for example, configuration data and / or audio signals from an external Device are received and / or sent to an external device.

Figure 2 shows an example of a possible embodiment of a cable 4 for Ver connection of the eardrum module 1 and the auditory canal module 2. The cable 4 is designed here elastically stretchable, the cable 4 from a wound nem, helical state is stretchable. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cable 4 has a flexible laminate which on the one hand has an electrically insulating layer and on the other hand has a structured electrically conductive layer 41. The cable 4 has, in a relaxed state, a flat helical shape and has a diameter of the worm shape of z. B. 5mm. In this way, if the auditory canal module 2 and the eardrum module 1 are intended angeord net in the ear canal 7, there may be rolled up and fits into the external auditory canal. 7

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the cable 4 shown in FIG. 2 in an ex-panded state. It can be seen that in the expanded state the cable runs helically and tapers towards the middle.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the elastically stretchable cable 4 with two halves 4a and 4b, wherein the halves 4a and 4b are ver in the middle a related party. FIG. 4 shows the cable 4 in the extended state. It can be seen that the halves 4a and 4b widen away from the connecting point in the middle according to their respective spiral shape. In the non-expanded th state, the two halves 4a and 4b each have a worm shape, the two worm shapes are in their centers with each other a related party.

FIG. 5 shows a 3-part embodiment which is arranged in both ears 6a and 6b of a person 11. In each ear 6a and 6b of the person 11, an eardrum module 1a or 1b is disposed in contact with the respective eardrum 9a, 9b. In addition, an auditory canal module 2a or 2b is arranged in each auditory canal 7a or 7b of the person. In each ear 6a and 6b except the outer module 3a and 3b is arranged. The outer modules 3a and 3b are here designed so that they each have a portion 31a and 31b, which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the ear canal 7a and 7b. The outdoor modules 3a and 3b also each have one Section 32a and 32b, whose diameters are smaller than the diameter of the corresponding auditory canals 7a and 7b.

With regard to the coupling of the outer modules 3a and 3b with the auditory canal modules 2 a and 2 b and the auditory canal modules 2 a and 2 b with the eardrum modules 1 a and 1 b, what has been said in FIG. 1 applies correspondingly.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the outdoor modules 3a and 3b have cut points with which they can be coupled to an external device 61 such as a smartphone 61. In addition, the two Außenmodu le 3a and 3b have interfaces with which the two outer modules 3a and 3b are coupled together. This connection can, for example, the NEN to exchange data between the two outdoor modules and to enable in this way binaural hearing aid functions.

Figure 6 shows schematically an interconnection of two hearing aids, each having an outer module 3a, 3b, an ear canal module 2a, 2b and an eardrum Mo moules, lb. In the following, the structure of only one of the hearing aids will be described. The above applies to the other hearing aid accordingly.

The outdoor module 3 a has a microphone 71 which is connected to a signal processing device 72. The outdoor module 3 a also has an energy management unit 73, which is connected to an energy store 74. The power management unit 73 may also be connected to the signal processing unit 72 to exchange information. The energy management unit 73 can be supplied via an optional charging interface with electrical energy for charging the energy store 74, provided that it is rechargeable. The energy management unit 73 supplies all active ele ments in the outdoor module 3 a with energy. For this purpose, appropriate connec tions are ready, however, are not presented in this and the following figures are Darge.

The outdoor module 3a may also include an antenna 75 which is connected to the signal processing unit 72 via a transceiver 76. About such a control commands can be entered, information is read and / or audio signals are transmitted. Optional can also a user interface with the signal processing unit 72 verbun the be through which the user adjust the volume, programs wech or the device off and on or can put in a power saving mode.

The outdoor unit 3a also has a transmitter and receiver 77 for wireless data transmission, via which data can be exchanged with a wireless transmitter and receiver 79 in the auditory canal module 2a. The outdoor module 3a also has a wireless transmitter 78 for wireless transmission of electrical energy to a receiver 80 of the hearing gear module 2a. In the auditory canal module 2a, the receiver 79 is coupled to a signal processing unit 83 via a data transceiver 81. The wireless electrical energy receiver 80 is connected to a power management unit 84 via a transceiver 82 for power transmission. The power management unit 84 is gekop pelt with an energy storage 85 and is also connected to the signal processing unit 83 for the exchange of information. The energy management unit 84 ver provides all active elements in the ear canal module 2a with energy. For this purpose hen hen appropriate compounds ready, but these are not shown in this and the following figures. The auditory canal module 2a also has a microphone 86, by means of which the sound to be heard can be received if the outer module 3a is not arranged in the auditory canal.

The auditory canal module 2 a has an amplifier 89 which amplifies the signal for the trom melfellmodul determined output signals of the signal processing unit 83. To forward the signals, the auditory canal module 2a is connected via a cable 4 to the eardrum module la.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the outer modules 3a and 3b each have an inductive interface consisting of a transceiver 87 and an antenna 88 explicitly shown here as a coil, via which data can be transmitted between the outer modules 3a and 3b.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an interconnection for a further exemplary embodiment of a hearing aid according to the invention. The hearing aid shown in FIG. 7 in each case has an eardrum module 1a and 1b and a respective eardrum module 1a and 1b. auditory canal module 2a and 2b. The eardrum module la, lb and the hearing gear module 2a, 2b are in turn verbun by means of a cable 4 to each other via which an electrical contact is made. In the gezeig th in Figure 7 example, the hearing aid also has an outdoor unit 3a, 3b, which is intended here to be permanently worn in the ear, but to reload a battery 74 of the outdoor module 3a, 3b can be removed by the user without expert help , Since the outdoor module is shown in the case of play permanently worn in the ear and has a battery 74, the ear canal module 2 a, 2 b need not add their own energy storage to ver. As a result, the auditory canal module 2 a, 2 b can be made significantly smaller. To transfer energy from the outdoor module 3a, 3b to the hearing gear module 2a, 2b here is an inductive energy transfer, z. B. by means of in duktive transmission provided.

Since the outer module 3a, 3b is permanently worn in the ear, it impedes the walkway to the ear canal module 2a, 2b. It is therefore here in Außenmo module 3a, 3b, a microphone 71 is provided which receives sound. Between the outer module 3 a, 3 b and the ear canal module 2 a, 2 b, an optical connection 10 Ver is provided for signal transmission. The transmitting and Empfangsele elements 77 and 79 are therefore shown in this example explicitly as a combination of light emitting and photodiode. That from the microphone of the outdoor module 3a,

3b recorded audio signal is transmitted via the optical interface 10 to the ear canal module 2a, 2b and transmitted from the latter via the cable 4 to the eardrum module la, lb.

FIG. 8 shows a further example of a hearing aid according to the invention, each having an ear canal module 2 a and 2 b and an eardrum module 1 a and 1 b in each ear of the person. The ear canal modules 2a and 2b and the drum skin modules 1a and 1b are constructed as shown in FIG. Please refer to the description there.

While two outer modules 3a and 3b are provided in FIG. 6, only one outer module 3 is provided in FIG. This outdoor module 3 contains all to antennas, which were distributed in Figure 6 on the two outdoor modules 3a and 3b. Therefore, the outdoor module 3 in Figure 8 includes two data outputs 77a and 77b and two outputs 78a and 78b, by means of which data or energy to the corresponding inputs 79 and 80 of the auditory canal modules 2a and 2b are portable.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the outdoor unit 3 has a left microphone 71a and a right microphone 71b, which are coupled to a common signal processing unit 72. The outdoor module 3 also has an energy management unit 73, which is supplied via an external interface with electrical shear energy and is coupled to an energy storage 74. It may also be connected to the signal processing unit 72 for the exchange of information. The energy management unit 73 also supplies all active units of the outdoor module 3 a, 3 b with energy via non-recorded connections. .The signal processing unit 73 is in turn connected via data or energy transmitters with the outputs 77a, 78a, 77b, 78a a related party.

In Figures 6 to 8 both energy and data from the outer modules 3a, 3b and 3, respectively, are transmitted to the ear canal modules 2a, 2b. Both transmissions are wireless. FIG. 9 again shows an embodiment as in FIG. 6, in which a separate outer module 3a and 3b is provided for each ear. Unlike in FIG. 6, the outer modules 3a and 3b are connected to the corresponding auditory canal modules 2a, 2b by means of a cable 91, via which both energy and data signals are transmitted. For this purpose, the outdoor units 3 a and 3 b each have a common output 92 for energy and data, which is connected in the corresponding outer module 3 a or 3 b both to the energy management unit 73 and to the signal processing unit 72. On the side of the outer module 2a and 2b, the cable 91 is connected via a releasable connector 80 with the ear canal module 2a and 2b. The data and power connector 80 is connected to a data processing unit 83 and an energy management unit 84. The energy management unit 84 is in each case connected to an energy store 85, which can be loaded via the plug connector 80 and can supply the active units of the auditory canal module with energy.

In the figures 6 to 9 include the ear canal modules 2a and 2b active scarf processing elements that require a supply of auxiliary power. FIG. 10 shows an inventive embodiment of the hearing aid, in which the auditory canal module contains 2a and 2b only passive electrical components and signals from the outdoor module 3a, 3b to the eardrum module la, lb directs. As before, the eardrum module 1a, 1b is connected via a cable 4 to the ear canal module 2a, 2b. The ear canal module is connected via a cable 91 and a lösba Ren connector 80 with the outdoor module 3 a, 3 b. This is intended to wear on the ear, for example in the form of a behind-the-ear device, ge. As in Figure 7, it can be removed for recharging or replacement of a battery 74 by the user without expert assistance. The ear canal module provides a passive electrical connection between fastex binder 80 on the outside and cable 4 to the eardrum module la, lb ago and is used in the removal of the outer module 3a, 3b as a strain relief.

At the point of contact 92 between the cable 91 and the outdoor module 3a, 3b, the signal amplified by the amplifier 89 housed in the outdoor module 3a, 3b is transmitted to the baffle converter integrated in the tympanic module 1a, 1b.

The outdoor module 3 a, 3 b has an energy management unit 73, which is connected to an energy store 74. If the energy store is rechargeable, the outdoor module 3a, 3b has a charging interface, which is connected to the energy management unit 73. The outdoor module 3a, 3b also has a signal processing unit 72. This may be connected to the energy management unit 73 for information exchange.

It also generates the signal for the sound transducer, which is passed to the ampli ker 89. Furthermore, it is connected to a in the outdoor module 3 a, 3 b integrated microphone 71, which receives audio signals from the environment. An inductive data transmission unit 87 with antenna coil 88 serves for data exchange between the two outer modules 3a and 3b. Optionally, the outdoor module 3a, 3b may have a transmitting and receiving unit for radio signals 76 with an antenna 75 in order to exchange data with peripherals such as a smartphone.

Figure 11 shows an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the Au ßenmodul 3 is connected via a wire 5b with the eardrum module 2. In this case, the wire 5b is arranged with its one end on the outer module 3 and at its opposite end to an intermediate module 102a having a transmission device for wired and / or wireless power and / or signal transmission, for example contact pins, a light source, a coil and / or a capacitor plate.

The auditory canal module 2 has a receiving device 102b for a wire-bound and / or wireless energy transmission, which according to the transmitting device in the intermediate module 102a, for example, electrical contact surfaces, a device for converting light energy into electrical energy, a coil or a capacitor plate may have. The hearing gear module 2 is connected in the example shown via a cable 4 with the eardrum module 1. The intermediate module 102a and / or the auditory canal module 2 can be held in the ear canal 7 by means of an anchoring means 102c, for example, which is arranged on an outer side of the corresponding components and contacts the auditory canal wall.

FIG. 12 shows an optional embodiment of the invention in which the auditory canal module has a passage opening 100. Through this, the cable 4 connected to the eardrum module 1 can be guided to the outside. It can then be placed on the eardrum 9 in a method according to the invention first drum submodule 1. The cable 4 can be kept outside the auditory canal and the auditory canal module 2 can be pushed onto the cable 4 by guiding the cable 4 through the opening 100. It can then be the auditory canal module 2 in the ear canal out a while pulling the cable 4 through the opening 100 who the. The cable 4 may have a mark 101, on the basis of which it is recognizable whether the ear canal module has been sufficiently advanced on the cable. The cable 4 may have a contact point 102, via which an electrical contact to contacts 103 of the auditory canal module can be produced. The contact point 102 is arranged there on the cable, where the contacts of the auditory canal module 103 are in bestimmungsge-wise arrangement.

Claims

claims

1. Hearing aid, comprising

an eardrum module that is disposable in contact with a person's tympanic membrane,

an ear canal module which can be arranged in the auditory canal of the person, wherein the eardrum module and the ear canal module are arranged in the state arranged in an ear of the person only by means of at least one cable,

wherein the eardrum module and the ear canal module via the at least one cable are electrically contacted with each other.

2. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the cable

is stretchable.

3. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the cable from a wound or folded state is elastically stretchable table and / or wherein the cable is made of an elastic material.

4. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable is wound in a spiral shape.

5. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable has a flexible laminate, wherein the flexible laminate has at least one electrically insulating layer and at least one electrically conductive layer.

6. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable is connected via a plug connection or an adjacent connection with the ear canal module.

7. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable insoluble and / or cohesively verbun with the eardrum module is the.

8. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Tympanic module has at least one actuator, and is ausgestal tet, that a vibration of the actuator on the eardrum is transferable bar, when the eardrum module is in contact with the eardrum.

9. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator has a membrane structure, wherein the membrane structure at least ei ne carrier layer and at least one arrange on the support layer te, at least one piezoelectric material having, piezoelectric layer, so that by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric layer oscillations the membrane structure can be generated.

10. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the

Membrane structure in a surface of the membrane structure by at least one, all layers of the membrane structure severing cut line is divided into at least one, two or more segments, so that the membrane structure is coupled mechanically ent at the cutting line.

11. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Ge hearing gear module has a memory for electrical energy, which is preferably rechargeable.

12. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Ge hearing gear module has at least one microphone.

13. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein electrical cal energy is supplied to the ear canal module wirelessly.

14. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein electrical energy cal the ear canal module via a reconnectable sol- bare and / or positive and / or non-positive connection can be fed.

15. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, further aufwei send an outdoor module which mationssignal with the ear canal module for supplying the ear canal module with electrical energy and / or information is connectable and / or with the ear canal module for supplying the eardrum module with electrical energy and / or connectable to an information signal is connectable.

16. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the Außenmo module comprises a battery, which is preferably rechargeable.

17. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the Außenmo module with the ear canal module via a wireless connection or a reconnectable releasable and / or positive and / or non-positive connection for supplying the ear canal module with electrical energy is connected.

18. Hearing aid according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the outer module has one or two ear parts, which are shaped so that they can be held by the ear of the person.

19. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 18,

wherein the outer module has a bracket on which the at least one ear part is arranged, and which is dimensioned so that it can engage over the head of the person.

20. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 or 19,

wherein the one or more ear parts are each arranged in an ear canal of the person.

21. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 20,

wherein the outdoor module has at least one microphone.

22. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 21, wherein a Signalübertragungsver connection can be produced between the outdoor module and the ear canal module.

23. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim,

wherein the signal transmission connection is independent of the Ver connection for supplying the ear canal module with electrical energy or energy wherein the signal transmission connection via the connection for supplying the ear canal module with electrical energy.

24. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the outdoor module has an interface for establishing a connection to an external device.

25. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the outdoor module has an interface for receiving operating commands and / or for receiving audio signals from an audio source.

26. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the outer module has at least one operating element with which the hearing aid is operating bar.

27. Hearing aid according to one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the outdoor module is connected via a cable with an intermediate module, the hearing in Ge the person can be arranged,

wherein the intermediate module has a transmitting device for a wired and / or wireless energy and / or signal transmission,

wherein the ear canal module comprises a receiving device for a wire-bound and / or wireless energy and / or signal transmission.

28. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the ear canal module has at least one passage opening, which is from a direction of the eardrum facing the eardrum when intended arrangement to one after extends at the intended arrangement outward side of the ear canal module.

29. A method for arranging a hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims in an ear of a person,

wherein the ear canal module has a through opening, wherein in a first step, the eardrum module is placed in contact with the eardrum of the person, wherein the cable with its end remote from the eardrum module is held outside the ear res,

wherein the cable is passed through the passage opening, and wherein the ear canal module is guided on the cable in the ear canal of Per son.

30. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the cable has at least one contact point where the ear canal module is arranged to when the ear canal module sits at its bestimmungsge MAESSEN position in the ear canal, where it is in electrical contact with the ear canal module.

31. The method according to one of the two preceding claims,

wherein the cable has a mark where the ear canal module is arranged on the cable at bestimmungs proper arrangement, wherein the ear canal module on the cable up to the mark or up to a defined distance from the mark in the Ge hearing gear of the person is performed.