JP2013247559A - Hearing aid transmitter and hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing aid transmitter and a hearing aid allowing a user to perform fitting.SOLUTION: In a fitting mode, a hearing aid transmitter 100 controls a fitting adjustment sound control section 105, through a transmission control section 110, to cause a fitting adjustment sound generation section 104 to transmit a fitting adjustment sound, which is amplified step by step on each frequency band, to a receiver 200 via a transmission section. Receiving response to an inquiry on audibility from an operation section 101, the gain based on an amplified value at the moment when receiving the response is stored in a memory 111 for each frequency band as gain adjustment value for the frequency. In a listening mode, by controlling an equalizer 107, after adjusting the gain of the frequency band on each frequency band based on the gain adjustment value stored in the memory 111, and an external sound input via a microphone 102 is transmitted to a receiver 200 through a transmission section.

Description

  The present invention allows a user to easily perform fitting adjustment by himself / herself, and transmits a hearing aid transmitter and a hearing aid for a hearing aid such as a hearing aid or a sound collector that assists the user in listening to external sound. About.

  Conventionally, hearing aids such as hearing aids and sound collectors worn by hearing impaired persons include microphones that acquire external sound and speakers that output external sound amplified by volume gain obtained by fitting adjustment to the user. Have been proposed, and a wireless separation type in which a microphone and a speaker are separated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In order to use such a hearing aid properly, fitting adjustment for adjusting the volume gain according to the individual hearing ability, that is, the frequency characteristic of the hearing ability of the user must be performed periodically. However, the fitting adjustment is performed by, for example, an audiometer that generates a beep sound that is a fitting adjustment sound for each frequency to measure the frequency characteristics, software that adjusts the gain of the hearing aid according to the measured frequency characteristics, a computer, or the like. Since a dedicated device is required, it can only be performed at a hearing aid retailer or the like, and cannot be easily performed by the user himself.

JP 2011-101356 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hearing aid transmitter and a hearing aid capable of easily performing fitting adjustment by the user himself / herself.

  The hearing aid transmitter according to the present invention performs a predetermined process on a receiver that is attached to a user's ear and outputs external sound to the user so that the external sound heard is suitable for the user. This is a hearing aid transmitter of a hearing aid that assists the user in listening to external sound, and is adapted to listen to a fitting mode that adjusts the gain for each frequency band suitable for the user and external sound. Switching between the listening mode, and in the fitting mode, an operation unit for generating a listening confirmation signal for confirming a user's response to whether or not the fitting adjustment sound can be heard, a microphone for acquiring external sound, and an input through the microphone An amplifier that amplifies external sound, a fitting adjustment sound generator that generates a fitting adjustment sound, and a filter generated from the fitting adjustment sound generator. A fitting adjustment sound control unit for controlling the frequency and amplification level of the tuning adjustment sound, a memory for storing a gain adjustment value for each frequency band, and a gain of the external sound amplified by the amplifier based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band. An equalizer for adjustment, a transmission unit for transmitting external sound whose gain is adjusted by the equalizer to the receiver, a fitting adjustment sound control unit, and a transmission control unit for controlling the equalizer are provided. In the fitting mode, the transmission control unit controls the fitting adjustment sound control unit, and the fitting adjustment sound amplified stepwise from the fitting adjustment sound generation unit for each frequency is transmitted via the transmission unit. In addition to transmitting to the receiver, a gain based on an amplification value when a response to whether or not listening is input from the operation unit is stored in the memory as a gain adjustment value of the frequency in the memory, and in the listening mode. , Controlling the equalizer, adjusting the gain of the external sound input through the microphone based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band stored in the memory for each frequency band, and transmitting the external sound to the receiver via the transmission unit To do.

  The hearing aid according to the present invention is a hearing aid that assists the user in listening to external sound, and is attached to the hearing aid transmitter having the above-described configuration and the user's ear, A receiver that receives the external sound transmitted from the hearing aid transmitter after being subjected to predetermined processing by the hearing aid transmitter so as to be suitable for the user, and outputs the received external sound to the user. Yes.

  In the hearing aid according to the present invention, in the fitting mode, the hearing aid transmitter transmits a frequency-adjusted fitting adjustment sound of one frequency band to the hearing aid receiver, and the user adjusts the fitting adjustment sound. When the hearing confirmation signal is input to the transmission control unit of the hearing aid transmitter when the user operates the operation unit of the hearing aid transmitter when The transmission control unit of the auxiliary equipment transmitter stores the gain based on the amplification value at that time in the memory as a gain adjustment value of this frequency band, and sequentially performs such operations in a plurality of frequency bands, thereby allowing the user to A suitable gain adjustment value for each frequency band can be obtained. Therefore, the hearing aid of the present invention can be easily adjusted by the user himself / herself without going to a store or the like.

It is the perspective view which showed the hearing aid which concerns on this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid according to the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which adjusts the gain suitable for a user.

  Hereinafter, hearing aids to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the hearing aid 1 is a hearing aid, a sound collector, etc. which assists a hearing-impaired person's hearing of external sound, Comprising: Hearing instrument transmitter 100 that performs predetermined processing to be transmitted and the external sound transmitted from the hearing instrument transmitter 100 that is attached to the user's ear 10 or the like, and receives the received external sound. And a hearing aid receiver 200 that outputs to the user.

  The hearing aid transmitter 100 includes an operation unit 101 operated by a user, a microphone 102 that acquires external sound and converts it into an acoustic signal, an amplifier 103 that amplifies the acoustic signal converted by the microphone 102, and a beep sound. A beep sound generation unit 104, a beep sound control unit 105 that controls the beep sound generation unit 104, a voice guide unit 106 that provides voice guidance to the user, an equalizer 107 that equalizes an acoustic signal, and an equalizer 107 Modulation unit 108 that modulates the equalized acoustic signal, radio transmission antenna 109 that transmits the acoustic signal modulated by modulation unit 108, transmission control unit 110 that controls equalizer 107, and the like, and gain adjustment for each frequency band It has a memory 111 for storing values and a display unit 112 for displaying frequency characteristics of the user's hearing ability. The hearing aid transmitter 100 performs a predetermined process on the sound signal composed of external sound input through the microphone 102 so as to be suitable for the user, and transmits the sound signal subjected to the predetermined process via the wireless transmission antenna 109. Then, the signal is transmitted to the hearing aid receiver 200 using short-range wireless communication, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The operation unit 101 confirms whether or not the user can listen to a fitting mode selection key 101a for selecting a fitting mode for adjusting the volume gain so as to suit the user for each frequency according to the individual hearing ability and the surrounding environment of the user. It comprises various operation keys including a confirmation key 101b for generating a listening confirmation signal and a listening mode selection key 101c for selecting a listening mode for listening to external sound, and is provided on the housing 113 of the hearing aid transmitter 100. Yes. The operation unit 101 may be a touch panel.

  In the listening mode, the microphone 102 listens to external sound and converts it into an acoustic signal, and outputs the converted acoustic signal to the amplifier 103.

  The amplifier 103 is composed of, for example, an automatic gain controller (AGC). In the listening mode, the amplifier 103 automatically receives an acoustic signal input from the microphone 102 under the control of the transmission control unit 110. And output to the equalizer 107.

  The beep sound generation unit 104 generates a beep sound signal at a preset frequency and amplification level under the control of the beep sound control unit 105 in the fitting mode, and outputs the beep sound signal to the equalizer 107. Here, the beep sound is a sound such as “pea”, for example, and indicates a fitting adjustment sound for identifying whether or not the user can listen, that is, whether or not the user can hear it.

  The beep sound control unit 105 controls the frequency and amplification level of the beep sound generated by the beep sound generation unit 104 under the control of the transmission control unit 110 in the fitting mode.

  The voice guidance unit 106 outputs various voice guidance signals stored in the internal memory to the equalizer 107 under the control of the transmission control unit 110 in the fitting mode and the listening mode. For example, when an operation key of the operation unit 101 is operated, the voice guidance unit 106 outputs a corresponding voice guidance signal to the equalizer 107.

  In the listening mode, the equalizer 107 amplifies and modulates the acoustic signal input from the amplifier 103 based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band set as described later under the control of the transmission control unit 110. Output to the unit 108. In the fitting mode, the equalizer 107 outputs the beep sound signal input from the beep sound generation unit 104 to the modulation unit 108 as it is.

  The modulation unit 108 digitally modulates the acoustic signal, the beep sound signal, and the voice guidance signal input from the equalizer 107, and drives the wireless transmission antenna 109 to the signal obtained by the modulation to the hearing aid receiver 200. Send.

  The transmission control unit 110 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and an operation program in the fitting mode, an operation program in the listening mode, and the like are stored in the internal memory. Then, when the fitting mode selection key 101a of the operation unit 101 is operated, the transmission control unit 110 switches the hearing aid transmitter 100 to the fitting mode. Further, in the fitting mode, the transmission control unit 110 controls the beep sound control unit 105 to transmit the beep sound signal amplified step by step by the beep sound generation unit 104 to the hearing aid receiver 200. To do.

  The frequency of the beep sound generated by the beep sound generation unit 104 includes, for example, five frequencies of 400 Hz, 800 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. A beep signal is generated independently at each of these frequencies, and is generated so as to be amplified in stages by 3 dB starting from a predetermined basic sound level (for example, 0 dB) for each frequency. The frequency of the above-described beep sound is merely an example, and other frequencies may be used. For example, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz used in an audiometer are used. For example, the frequency may be 5 or more or 5 or less from 125 Hz to 8 kHz. Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately change how many dB each beep sound signal is amplified.

  Further, the transmission control unit 110, while transmitting the beep sound signal amplified in stages at each frequency, to the hearing aid receiver 200, the user presses the confirmation key 101b, thereby confirming the confirmation key 101b. When a listening confirmation signal is input, the volume gain required in that frequency band is calculated based on the amplification value at that time, and the calculated volume gain is stored in the memory 111 for each frequency band as a gain adjustment value. .

  Specifically, the transmission control unit 110 first transmits a beep sound signal whose volume is amplified by 3 dB stepwise at a predetermined time at 400 Hz to the hearing aid receiver 200, and the user listens to the beep sound signal. When the confirmation key 101b is pressed by the user when the sound volume is considered to be possible or optimum by the user, and a listening confirmation signal is input from the confirmation key 101b, it is necessary at 400 Hz based on the amplification value at that time. The calculated gain is calculated, and the calculated gain is stored in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value. Next, the transmission control unit 110 transmits a beep sound signal whose volume is amplified by 3 dB stepwise at a predetermined time at 800 Hz to the hearing aid receiver 200, and the user can listen to the beep sound signal or the user. When the confirmation key 101b is pressed by the user when the sound volume is considered to be optimal and a listening confirmation signal is input from the confirmation key 101b, it is required at 800 Hz calculated based on the amplification value at that time. Is stored in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value. Similarly, for 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz, the transmission control unit 110 uses, as a gain adjustment value, a gain required at the frequency calculated based on the amplification value when the listening confirmation signal is input. Store in the memory 111.

  In this way, the transmission control unit 110 obtains gain adjustment values for each frequency band suitable for the user with respect to the five frequency bands of 400 Hz band, 800 Hz band, 1 kHz band, 2 kHz band, and 4 kHz band. If the listening control signal is not input from the confirmation key 101b even if the transmission control unit 110 amplifies in stages and reaches the maximum amplification value for each predetermined frequency, the transmission control unit 110 uses the maximum amplification value in the frequency band. The required gain is calculated, and the calculated gain is stored in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value.

  On the other hand, when the listening mode selection key 101c of the operation unit 101 is operated, the transmission control unit 110 switches the hearing aid transmitter 100 to the listening mode. Then, the transmission control unit 110 reads the gain adjustment value for each frequency band from the memory 111, controls the equalizer 107, and based on the read gain adjustment value for each frequency band from the external sound input via the microphone 102. The acoustic signal is equalized, that is, amplified for each frequency band, and the amplified acoustic signal is transmitted to the hearing aid receiver 200 so as to be suitable for the user.

  Further, the transmission control unit 110 causes the display unit 112 to display display data in the fitting mode and the listening mode. For example, when the operation unit 101 is operated, display data corresponding to the operation is displayed on the display unit 112. The display unit 112 displays the frequency characteristics (auditory sensitivity) of the user's hearing as a graph or numerical value. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain easily the frequency characteristic (auditory sensitivity) of the present hearing ability.

  The hearing aid receiver 200 is formed so that its shape can be worn on the ear 10, and is an earphone compatible with short-range wireless communication, for example, Bluetooth. Headphones may also be used. Then, the hearing aid receiver 200 receives a reception unit 202 that demodulates an acoustic signal or the like from the hearing aid transmitter 100 received via the wireless reception antenna 201, and an acoustic signal or the like demodulated by the reception unit 202. A reception processing unit 203 that amplifies, and a speaker 204 that outputs sound based on the acoustic signal amplified by the reception processing unit 203 to the user. Therefore, the user wearing the hearing aid receiver 200 can hear the external sound whose gain is adjusted by the hearing aid transmitter 100 so as to be suitable for the user in the listening mode, for example.

  Next, in the hearing aid 1 configured as described above, an adjustment method for adjusting the gain suitable for the user for each frequency according to the individual hearing ability and the surrounding environment by the user himself / herself is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, in step S1, the transmission control unit 110 of the hearing aid transmitter 100 switches to the fitting mode when the user operates the fitting mode selection key 101a of the operation unit 101. Then, in step S <b> 2, the transmission control unit 110 first transmits a beep sound signal having a predetermined basic sound level of a first frequency, for example, 400 Hz, to the hearing aid receiver 200.

  Next, in step S3, the transmission control unit 110 determines whether or not a listening confirmation signal from the confirmation key 101b is input within a preset standby time. At this time, if it is determined that the listening confirmation signal has not been input within the predetermined standby time, the transmission control unit 110 determines whether or not the frequency is a predetermined maximum amplification value at step S4. If the transmission control unit 110 determines that the amplification value is not the predetermined maximum amplification value, in step S5, the beep sound signal is amplified step by step by a preset amplification amount, for example, 3 dB, and the hearing aid receiver 200, and the process returns to step S3.

  Then, when a listening confirmation signal is input within a predetermined standby time in step S3, the transmission control unit 110, in step S6, the currently applied frequency calculated based on the amplification value at that time, Here, the gain required at 400 Hz is stored in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value. If the transmission control unit 110 determines that the predetermined maximum amplification value is obtained in step S4, the transmission control unit 110 needs to use the currently applied frequency calculated in step S6 based on the maximum amplification value, here 400 Hz. The obtained gain is stored in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the transmission control unit 110 amplifies the audio guidance signal related to the fitting mode with the gain adjustment value of 400 Hz updated in step S <b> 6 and transmits the amplified signal to the hearing aid receiver 200. For example, the transmission control unit 110 sends a voice guidance saying “Since a beep sound of 800 kHz, which is the next frequency, is amplified while being stepped, press the confirmation key when listening with appropriate sensitivity.” It amplifies with the gain adjustment value of 400 Hz updated at step S6, and transmits it to the hearing aid receiver 200. That is, the user is provided with voice guidance at an amplification level that has been confirmed to have good listening sensitivity.

  Next, in step S8, the transmission control unit 110 determines whether the final frequency has been achieved. If the transmission control unit 110 determines that the final frequency has not been achieved, the transmission control unit 110 transmits a beep sound signal having a basic sound level of 800 Hz to the hearing aid receiver 200 in step S9. Then, the transmission control unit 110 returns to step S3, repeats the operations of step S3 to step S9 at 800 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz, and stores the gain adjustment value for each frequency in the memory 111. If the transmission control unit 110 determines in step S8 that the final frequency has been completed, the transmission control unit 110 ends. Thereby, the hearing aid transmitter 100 can obtain a gain adjustment value for each frequency band that is optimal for the frequency characteristic (auditory sensitivity) of the hearing ability of the user.

  After that, when the user operates the listening mode selection key 101c of the operation unit 101 to switch to the listening mode, the transmission control unit 110 reads the gain adjustment value for each frequency band from the memory 111 and reads the read frequency band. Based on the different gain adjustment value, the sound signal composed of the external sound input via the microphone 102 is gain-adjusted for each frequency band, and the gain-adjusted sound signal is transmitted to the hearing aid receiver 200. Therefore, the user wearing the hearing aid receiver 200 can hear the external sound whose gain is adjusted to be suitable for the frequency characteristics (auditory sensitivity) of his / her hearing ability.

  As described above, in the fitting mode, the hearing aid 1 of the present invention first transmits to the hearing aid receiver 200 a beep signal having one frequency that is amplified stepwise by the hearing aid transmitter 100. The transmission control unit of the hearing aid transmitter 100 can be obtained by pressing the confirmation key 101b of the operation unit 101 of the hearing aid transmitter 100 when the user can hear this beep signal and the sound volume is considered optimal. When the listening confirmation signal from the confirmation key 101b is input to 110, the transmission control unit 110 stores the gain required at this frequency calculated based on the amplification value at that time in the memory 111 as a gain adjustment value. By performing such an operation at a plurality of frequencies, a gain adjustment value for each frequency band suitable for the user can be obtained. Therefore, the hearing aid 1 of the present invention can be easily adjusted by the user himself / herself without going to a store or the like. Furthermore, since the hearing aid 1 of the present invention can perform fitting adjustment without going to a store or the like, when performing fitting adjustment according to the surrounding environment, while considering the surrounding environment on the spot, Fitting adjustment according to the surrounding environment can be performed.

  The hearing aid receiver 200 of the hearing aid 1 may receive the frequency band-specific gain adjustment value from the hearing aid transmitter 100 and store it in the memory 205. In such a case, when the user uses the new hearing aid transmitter 100 due to the failure of the hearing aid transmitter 100, the loss of the hearing aid transmitter 100, or other reasons. In addition, the new hearing aid transmitter 100 can read out the frequency band gain adjustment value from the memory 205 of the hearing aid receiver 200 to achieve the same setting. That is, the gain adjustment value for each frequency band stored in the memory 205 functions as backup data for the gain adjustment value for each frequency band stored in the memory 111 of the hearing aid transmitter 100.

  Further, the memory 111 of the hearing aid transmitter 100 and / or the memory 205 of the hearing aid receiver 200 may be fixed inside and removable from the hearing aid transmitter 100 and the hearing aid receiver 200. A removable storage medium may be used.

  Furthermore, the hearing aid 1 is not limited to transmitting an acoustic signal or the like using Bluetooth, but other short-range wireless communication technologies, WiFi compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specification, infrared rays, FM radio waves, and the like. For example, an acoustic signal or the like may be transmitted using another wireless communication technology. Moreover, the hearing aid 1 may connect the hearing aid transmitter 100 and the hearing aid receiver 200 with a wired connection, and transmit an acoustic signal or the like via the wired connection.

1 hearing aids, 10 ears, 100 hearing aids transmitter, 101 operation unit, 101a fitting mode selection key, 101b confirmation key, 101c listening mode selection key, 102 microphone, 103 amplifier, 104 beep generation unit, 105 beep sound Control unit, 106 voice guidance unit, 107 equalizer, 108 modulation unit, 109 wireless transmission antenna, 110 transmission control unit, 111 memory, 112 display unit, 113 housing, 200 hearing aid receiver, 201 wireless reception antenna, 202 reception unit , 203 Reception processing unit, 204 Speaker, 205 Memory

Claims (5)

To the receiver that is attached to the user's ear and outputs external sound to the user, the received external sound is subjected to predetermined processing to be suitable for the user and transmitted to the outside of the user. In the hearing aid transmitter of the hearing aid that assists in listening to the sound,
Switching between the fitting mode for adjusting the gain for each frequency band suitable for the user and the listening mode for listening to external sound, and in the fitting mode, a listening confirmation signal for confirming the user's response to whether or not the fitting adjustment sound can be heard. An operating part to be generated,
A microphone to acquire external sound;
An amplifier for amplifying external sound input through the microphone;
A fitting adjustment sound generating unit for generating a fitting adjustment sound;
A fitting adjustment sound controller for controlling the frequency and amplification level of the fitting adjustment sound generated from the fitting adjustment sound generator;
A memory for storing frequency band gain adjustment values;
An equalizer that adjusts the gain of the external sound amplified by the amplifier based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band;
A transmission unit that transmits external sound whose gain is adjusted by the equalizer to the receiver;
The fitting adjustment sound control unit and a transmission control unit for controlling the equalizer,
The transmission control unit
When in the fitting mode, the fitting adjustment sound control unit is controlled, and the fitting adjustment sound amplified stepwise from the fitting adjustment sound generation unit for each frequency is transmitted to the receiver via the transmission unit, and A gain based on an amplification value when a response to whether or not to listen is input from the operation unit is stored in the memory as a gain adjustment value of the frequency for each frequency band, and in the listening mode, the equalizer is controlled, A hearing aid, wherein the external sound input through the microphone is gain-adjusted for each frequency band based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band stored in the memory, and is transmitted to the receiver via the transmitter. Orthosis transmitter.   In the fitting mode, the transmission control unit is based on the maximum amplification value if the listening confirmation signal is not input from the operation unit even when the fitting adjustment sound in the one frequency band reaches a predetermined maximum amplification value. The hearing aid transmitter according to claim 1, wherein a gain is stored in the memory as a gain adjustment value of the one frequency band. A voice guidance unit that transmits voice guidance including guidance information related to the fitting mode to the receiver via the equalizer and the transmission unit;
When the listening confirmation signal is input in the fitting mode, the transmission control unit controls the voice guide unit and the equalizer so that the voice guidance input from the voice guide unit to the equalizer is The hearing aid transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the gain is adjusted with a gain adjustment value of a frequency of the frequency and transmitted to the receiver via the transmitter. In hearing aids that assist users in listening to external sound,
A hearing aid transmitter that transmits the external sound that has been listened to by performing a predetermined process suitable for the user;
A hearing aid receiver that is attached to a user's ear, receives external sound transmitted from the hearing aid transmitter, and outputs the received external sound to the user;
The hearing aid transmitter is:
Switching between the fitting mode for adjusting the gain for each frequency band suitable for the user and the listening mode for listening to external sound, and in the fitting mode, a listening confirmation signal for confirming the user's response to whether or not the fitting adjustment sound can be heard. An operating part to be generated,
A microphone to acquire external sound;
An amplifier for amplifying external sound input through the microphone;
A fitting adjustment sound generating unit for generating a fitting adjustment sound;
A fitting adjustment sound controller for controlling the frequency and amplification level of the fitting adjustment sound generated from the fitting adjustment sound generator;
A memory for storing frequency band gain adjustment values;
An equalizer that adjusts the gain of the external sound amplified by the amplifier based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band;
A transmission unit for transmitting external sound adjusted in gain by the equalizer to the hearing aid receiver;
The fitting adjustment sound control unit and a transmission control unit for controlling the equalizer,
The transmission control unit
In the fitting mode, the fitting adjustment sound control unit is controlled, and the fitting adjustment sound amplified stepwise from the fitting adjustment sound generation unit for each frequency is transmitted to the hearing aid receiver through the transmission unit. And a gain based on an amplification value when a response to whether or not listening is input from the operation unit is stored in the memory as a gain adjustment value of the frequency for each frequency band, and the equalizer is controlled in the listening mode. Then, the external sound input through the microphone is adjusted for each frequency band based on the gain adjustment value for each frequency band stored in the memory, and is transmitted to the hearing aid receiver via the transmission unit. Hearing prosthesis characterized by   The hearing aid according to claim 4, wherein the transmission control unit stores the gain adjustment value for each frequency band in a memory of the hearing aid receiver.

Images