JP3938322B2 - Hearing aid adjustment method and hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for adjusting an in-ear hearing aid and an in-ear hearing aid, and more particularly to separating and recognizing the sound level of a person wearing the hearing aid to determine the gain of the hearing aid and The present invention relates to a hearing aid adjustment method for increasing and decreasing output and a hearing aid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 6, the structure of the hearing aid is as follows: a microphone 10X that picks up sound and converts it into an audio signal; an amplifier 20X that amplifies the audio signal that has become an electric signal; adjusts the amplification degree of this amplifier 20X; An adjustment device 40X for setting an upper limit, an earphone 30X for receiving a sound signal and outputting sound, a battery serving as a power source, and the like are included.
[0003]
This hearing aid has been changed from an analog type hearing aid to a digital type hearing aid, and an A / D conversion is performed on an electric signal to perform digital arithmetic processing, and a D / A conversion is performed on the signal after the digital processing to convert it into an electric signal. .
[0004]
This digital type hearing aid has a non-linear function that changes the magnification of the sound, an auto volume function that automatically adjusts the volume, and a multi-channel function that can adjust the volume of high and low sounds separately, so that it has a wider range. The sound can be heard, the optimum sound volume can be automatically generated according to the detected sound volume, or the sound pressure level can be adjusted to the level that is easiest to hear for each pitch.
[0005]
In many cases, the gain of the hearing aid is generally adjusted by automatic gain control (AGC) in which the gain is automatically controlled in an acoustic environment.
[0006]
In this automatic gain control, the sound pressure of the microphone input of the hearing aid amplifier circuit is regulated, and when a loud sound exceeding a certain level comes in, the hearing aid automatically reduces the amplification factor of the sound, that is, reduces the gain. It is operating to do. As a result, the loud sound is prevented from being excessively distorted without being distorted, and the sound is moderately amplified so that a normal conversation can be heard easily.
[0007]
That is, in this automatic gain control, the microphone of the hearing aid, which recognizes the magnitude at all levels (including social sounds) reaching the ear including the own voice, is adjusted and the gain is adjusted.
[0008]
Furthermore, the gain of the hearing aid is reduced at a large level exceeding the set reference level in accordance with the hearing aid input sound including the own voice and the living sound, and is restored to the original gain when the time constant is exceeded. It has become.
[0009]
In other words, there is an output limit that cuts off too loud sounds so that loud sounds are not emitted to protect the ears, but it removes the strong energy parts and distorts loud sounds. There are a peak clip method and AGCi and AGCo methods which do not cause distortion.
[0010]
An important task of the hearing aid is to make it easier for the wearer to hear the sound, and it is necessary to adjust the characteristics of the hearing aid according to the degree of hearing loss and the cause of the hearing loss. This adjustment of the characteristics of the hearing aid is called fitting (adaptation), and is performed by several fitting methods.
[0011]
In general, make adjustments using a device that measures the characteristics of the hearing aid, based on an audiogram such as a pure tone audiogram obtained by hearing tests of the hearing impaired, and then attach a hearing aid to match each person's ear. Further fine adjustments have been made since then.
[0012]
In this adjustment, the gain is adjusted based on a comfort level (MCL: comfort value) that is a comfortable sound pressure level that is an index of ease of hearing, and an uncomfortable level (UCL: sound pressure level that feels too loud). The output limit is determined based on the uncomfortable value.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, hearing aids are classified into three types according to the position where they are worn: ear ring shape, ear hook shape, and box shape (pocket shape). As a special type, there is a bone conduction hearing aid. Then, in the ear hole shape, the hearing aid main body is inserted into the external auditory canal as shown in FIG. 5, and the sound input by the microphone outside the ear is amplified and output into the external auditory canal.
[0014]
The acoustic characteristics in the ear canal generally show an energy distribution having a resonance peak at 2 to 3 kHz when the hearing aid does not block the ear canal. This peak disappears when the ear canal is closed with a hearing aid. On the other hand, the hearing aid wearer's own voice is transmitted through the lips to reach the external input part of the hearing aid and is heard by the inner ear cochlea by bone conduction, as well as the sound pressure on the eardrum surface caused by vibration around the ear canal. Listening to the sound.
[0015]
When the ear canal is closed with an earphone or the like of a hearing aid, the voice in the ear canal resonates in a frequency band near 500 Hz and has a peak, and becomes smaller as the frequency band becomes higher. The peak value of voice energy in this low frequency band is so high that it exceeds the wearer's unpleasant value. Therefore, hearing aids that are said to be self-emphasized and often block the inside of the ear canal often make it difficult to wear. It is a serious problem.
[0016]
This voice enhancement sound can be separated from an external input sound by separating a sound input by an internal microphone installed in the ear canal by a filter circuit centered on 500 Hz.
[0017]
And when people exchange information using voice, the voice level is an important factor. When emotions are excited and the sound pressure level of surrounding sounds is high, The pressure level increases, and the other party's voice wants to be heard at a high sound pressure level. On the other hand, in a quiet environment or a solemn atmosphere, the sound pressure level of the own voice becomes small, and the other party's voice is desired to be heard at a low sound pressure level.
[0018]
In this way, the person changes and adjusts the volume of his / her voice according to the sound environment, and the expectation and hope that the sound pressure level of the other party's voice also follows the sound pressure level of his / her voice. is doing.
[0019]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the fact that there is a significant difference between the frequency distributions of the voice emphasis sound and the external input sound as described above, and its purpose is in accordance with the sound pressure level of the external sound. In addition to the primary adjustment of the amplification level, a secondary adjustment of the amplification level is performed according to the sound pressure level of the internal sound in the ear canal generated by the wearer's own voice. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid adjustment method and a hearing aid.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the hearing aid adjustment method of the present invention is a hearing aid adjustment method for adjusting the amplification degree according to the input sound pressure level when amplifying and transmitting sound. The amplification level is primarily adjusted with respect to the sound pressure level of the input external sound, and the amplification level is secondarily adjusted based on the sound pressure level of the internal sound input from the internal sound input unit disposed in the ear canal. Is the method.
[0021]
According to this method, by externally adjusting according to the sound pressure level of the external sound, the external sound is transmitted to the wearer's ear with a preferable level of sound pressure. In particular, by performing the secondary adjustment according to the sound pressure level of the voice emphasizing sound separated from the internal sound, the voice of the conversation partner can be transmitted at a sound pressure level preferable for conversation.
[0022]
Then, in this hearing aid adjustment method, the secondary adjustment is an adjustment to increase or decrease the amplification degree according to the level of the sound pressure level of the internal sound when the sound pressure level of the internal sound exceeds a predetermined determination value. And That is, when the internal sound becomes louder than the limit, the amplification degree of the external sound is increased or decreased according to the volume of the internal sound.
[0023]
By adopting this secondary adjustment, when a voice is generated for conversation, it is possible to change the amplification degree according to the magnitude of this voice.
[0024]
Further, the primary adjustment is an adjustment so that the output becomes a comfortable level with respect to the sound pressure level of the external sound. That is, the primary adjustment is made according to the comfort level so that the external sound can be easily heard.
[0025]
In the above-described method for adjusting a hearing aid, the sound pressure level of the internal sound is measured using the internal sound in the frequency band of 250 to 750 Hz.
[0026]
That is, the sound amplified by the internal microphone is separated by a filter circuit that passes a frequency band of 250 to 750 Hz centered on 500 Hz, and the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound is used.
[0027]
According to this method for adjusting a hearing aid, it is possible not only to increase and decrease the amplification level uniformly, but also to perform adjustment suitable for conversation by performing fine secondary adjustment for each frequency band. For example, change the amplification level only for the frequency range used for conversation, or change the amplification level only for the frequency range not used for conversation, or the frequency range used for conversation and the frequency range not used for conversation. Then, it is possible to make adjustments such as reversing the increase or decrease of the amplification degree and changing them in relation to each other.
[0028]
The hearing aid of the present invention includes an external microphone that inputs external sound outside the ear, an internal microphone that inputs sound inside the ear canal, an amplification unit that amplifies the input signal from the external microphone and the internal microphone , and external sound. A primary adjustment unit that adjusts the amplification level in the amplification unit according to the sound pressure level of the sound, and a secondary adjustment unit that adjusts the amplification level in the amplification unit according to the sound pressure level of the internal sound. A hearing aid characterized in that a sound pressure level is measured using an internal sound in a frequency band of 250 to 750 Hz .
[0029]
Then, when the sound pressure level of the internal sound exceeds a predetermined determination value, the secondary adjuster adjusts to increase or decrease the amplification degree of the external input unit according to the sound pressure level of the internal sound. In addition, the primary adjuster is configured to adjust the output to a comfortable level with respect to the sound pressure level of the external sound.
[0030]
Further, the secondary adjustment unit adjusts to increase or decrease the amplification degree of the external input unit according to the level of the sound pressure level of the internal sound when the sound pressure level of the internal sound exceeds a predetermined range, After the adjustment state is maintained for a predetermined time, the original adjustment state is restored.
[0031]
When returning to the original adjustment state, it is preferable to gradually return to the original adjustment state in order to avoid a sudden change in the amplification degree, that is, a sudden change in the sound volume output to the wearer's ear.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that although an ear-shaped hearing aid is described here as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a hearing aid that closes the ear canal.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 1, the in-ear hearing aid 1 includes an external input unit 10, an amplification unit 20, an output unit 30, a first adjustment unit 40, an internal sound input unit 50, and a second adjustment unit 60. Composed.
[0034]
As shown in the detailed configuration diagram of FIG. 2, the external sound input unit 10 includes an external microphone 11, collects sound existing outside the ear and converts it into an electrical signal, and the internal sound input unit 50 The internal microphone 51 provided in the vicinity of the earphone 32 arranged in the ear canal picks up the sound in the ear canal and converts it into an electrical signal.
[0035]
The amplifying unit 20 includes a preamplifier 21, an amplifier 22, and an output amplifier 23. The amplifying unit 20 amplifies the electric signal of the external microphone 11 and sends the amplified signal to the output unit 30.
[0036]
The output unit 30 includes an output device 31 and an earphone 32. The output unit 30 converts the electric signal amplified by the amplification unit 20 into sound and outputs the sound into the ear canal.
[0037]
The first adjustment unit 40 includes an input level detector 41 and a first adjuster 42. The first adjustment unit 40 detects the sound pressure level of the external sound input from the external input unit 10 and inputs the sound pressure level to the first adjuster 42 in advance. Using the adjustment value calculated based on the obtained data, the amplification degree in the amplifier 22 of the amplifying unit 20 is primarily adjusted for each frequency band.
[0038]
The second adjustment unit 60 includes a voice separation filter 61 that passes a frequency band of 250 to 750 Hz centered at 500 Hz, a voice level detector 62, and a second regulator 63. The voice enhancement sound component is separated from the internal sound input by the internal microphone 51, the sound level of the separated voice enhancement sound component is detected by the voice level detector 62, and calculated by the second adjuster 63. The amplification value in the amplifier 22 of the amplifying unit 20 is secondarily adjusted using the set value.
[0039]
The voice separation filter 61 removes shocking sounds suddenly generated by the voice in the ear canal due to crushing, coughing, nasal congestion, etc., and has a typical frequency characteristic and a moderate duration. The speech is passed.
[0040]
The data setting unit 70 is composed of a data setting device such as a personal computer, and sets adjustment data in the first adjuster 42, the output amplifier 23, and the second adjuster 63. The data setting unit 70 is linked with a hearing test device as necessary to accumulate HTL (hearing level), MCL (comfort level), and UCL (uncomfortable level) data of the wearer of the hearing aid 1. Data for adjusting the amplification degree is created in accordance with each level of the hearing ability, and is output to the first adjuster 42, the output amplifier 23, and the second adjuster 63.
[0041]
In other words, primary adjustment data is set in the first adjuster 42 so that the sound pressure level of the external sound becomes MCL, and the gain is primarily adjusted for each frequency band depending on the sound pressure level of the external sound. To do.
[0042]
Further, the output amplifier 23 is set with data for limiting the output so as not to output an unpleasant level set for each frequency band, and the output amplifier 23 is provided with an output limiting function.
[0043]
Then, the second adjuster 63 further adjusts the gain, which has been primarily adjusted, when the sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound by the filter exceeds a predetermined range. The secondary adjustment data is set. This secondary adjustment is performed by increasing the gain according to the sound pressure level so that the other party's voice can be heard easily when the sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component exceeds a predetermined value. Then, when the sound pressure level of the voice emphasis sound component becomes the same or lower than a predetermined value, the gain is decreased and the secondary adjustment is made in accordance with the sound pressure level so that the opponent's voice is also reduced. .
[0044]
The method of creating the adjustment data of the hearing aid 1 is performed as follows according to the flow illustrated in FIG.
[0045]
First, in step S10, a test on the ear of the deaf person is performed.
[0046]
As this test, a general test such as an external auditory canal test, a tympanic membrane test, and an X-ray test if necessary, a pure tone audio test for obtaining a hearing level (HTL: minimum audible threshold) in step S12, and a speech sound test There are hearing tests, etc. for performing tests, discomfort level tests (UCL test), comfort level tests (MCL test).
[0047]
By these tests, data of hearing level (HTL), comfort level (MCL), and discomfort level (UCL) are obtained.
[0048]
Next, in step S20, adjustment data is created.
[0049]
In step S21, primary adjustment data is created. In this primary adjustment data creation, the sound pressure level of the external sound input from the external microphone is set to a comfortable level for the data of the first adjuster 42. A gain (gain) for making an amplification degree is created as primary adjustment data. That is, the gain data is set so that the sound input from the outside based on the comfort level data of the wearer is at a comfortable level with respect to the ear of the deaf person, that is, just as easy to hear.
[0050]
Further, as setting data for the output amplifier 23, data is created so as to limit the maximum output so that the sound pressure level of the external sound does not exceed the uncomfortable level. That is, based on the discomfort level data of the wearer, the output upper limit gain data is determined based on UCL (discomfort value) which is unpleasant, i.e., uncomfortable sound pressure level.
[0051]
These primary adjustment data are usually created in the input frequency range of 250 Hz to 4 kHz, but when speech is input, the speech range of 1 to 3 kHz, which has a high degree of importance and contribution, is mainly used. Done.
[0052]
When the creation of the primary adjustment data is completed, the secondary adjustment data for the own voice is created in step S22.
[0053]
In this step S22a, a self-voice is generated with the hearing aid 1 attached to a hearing-impaired person, the self-voice is received by the internal microphone 51, and internal sound data including the self-voice is collected. This data collection is performed by having the wearer generate a voice in a state where data communication with the data setting device 70 is possible, and sending the voice data input to the internal microphone 51 to the data setting device 70. . The internal sound can be separated from the voice enhancement sound component by the voice separation filter 61.
[0054]
Since the sound pressure energy of the voice enhancement sound in the outer ear is mainly concentrated in the range of 250 to 750 Hz, the voice separation filter 61 that separates the voice enhancement sound component passes through the range of 250 to 750 Hz. To be configured.
[0055]
In step S22b, the data setting device 70 obtains the sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component from the signal input from the internal microphone 51, or frequency-analyzes the signal input from the internal microphone 51, The sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component for each band is obtained, and in step S22c, the data setting device 70 creates the data for secondary adjustment of the amplification degree from the data of the sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component. To do.
[0056]
The primary adjustment data and the secondary adjustment data are set in the data setting device 70 by setting the hearing aid 1 so that data communication with the data setting device 70 is possible. The data is input to the first regulator 41 and the output amplifier 23, and the secondary adjustment data is input to the second regulator 63.
[0057]
Next, a method for adjusting the automatic amplification degree of the hearing aid will be described with reference to the flow illustrated in FIG.
[0058]
When the attached hearing aid 1 is switched on and the automatic amplification adjustment flow starts, the sound pressure level (input level) Lo of the external sound input from the external microphone 11 is detected in step S31, and this sound is detected. Based on the pressure level Lo, a primary adjustment is performed regarding the increase or decrease of the amplification degree (gain) of the amplifier 22. By the primary adjustment according to the sound pressure level Lo of the external sound, even when the sound pressure level Lo of the external sound changes, the sound is transmitted to the wearer's ear with the sound pressure of the optimum level.
[0059]
Note that in the case of a hearing aid that does not have an automatic gain control function that changes the amplification level following the sound pressure level Lo of the external sound, it is set in advance based on various data of the hearing test in step S12, and is stored in the hearing aid 1 in advance. The input fixed amplification degree becomes the amplification degree of the primary adjustment.
[0060]
Next, the sound pressure level Li of the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound in step S32 is checked. If the sound pressure level Li is larger than the predetermined first determination value L1, the sound pressure level suitable for conversation in step S33. Secondarily adjust so that In step S34, this adjustment state is maintained for a predetermined time.
[0061]
This secondary adjustment of the sound pressure level changes the degree of amplification of each frequency band that has been primarily adjusted, but the entire frequency range may be changed in a lump, but it is used for conversation in consideration of each frequency band. The amplification degree only in the frequency band may be increased, or the amplification degree other than the frequency band used for the conversation may be reduced. Moreover, you may perform both simultaneously.
[0062]
The primary adjustment is changed by the secondary adjustment according to the sound pressure level Li of the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound, and the external sound including the voice of the conversation partner is transmitted at the sound pressure level suitable for the conversation. As a result, the voice of the conversation partner can be easily heard.
[0063]
In addition, the increase / decrease of the amplification degree may be changed to the amplification degree of the control target at a predetermined change speed at a time in one execution in step S33, but only a predetermined increment (or decrement) is changed. However, the amplification degree of the control target may be made step by step by executing the step S33 several times.
[0064]
If the sound pressure level Li of the voice enhancement sound component in step S32 is smaller than the predetermined first determination value L1, it is checked in step S35 whether secondary adjustment is being performed. If the secondary adjustment is being performed, the amplification of the secondary adjustment is returned to the primary adjustment in step S36, and if not, the process returns to the primary adjustment of step S31. By returning to this step S36, when there is no conversation, the original primary adjustment can be returned and the external sound can be transmitted at the optimum level.
[0065]
In addition, regarding the return to the primary adjustment, the amplification degree of the primary adjustment may be returned at a predetermined change speed at a time by executing this step S36 once. However, the amount of change to be returned in one execution is determined. The number of executions may return to the primary adjustment.
[0066]
When the hearing aid switch is turned off, the flow is terminated by an interrupt in step S50.
[0067]
In the above-described embodiment, the secondary adjustment is performed according to the sound pressure level Li of the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound, but the sound pressure of the voice enhancement sound component at the sound pressure level of the internal sound. Since the level occupies a large portion, it is possible to perform secondary adjustment according to the sound pressure level of the internal sound without separating the self-speech enhanced sound component.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the method for adjusting a hearing aid and the hearing aid according to the present invention, by making a primary adjustment according to the sound pressure level of the external sound, the preferred sound pressure such as the optimum level of the external sound in the ear of the wearer. Furthermore, at the time of conversation, the secondary adjustment is performed according to the sound pressure level of the voice enhancement sound component separated from the internal sound. Voice is transmitted.
[0069]
Therefore, it is possible to provide a hearing aid adjustment method and a hearing aid having an amplification action more in line with human behavior.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hearing aid according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the configuration of the hearing aid of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a method for creating adjustment data for a hearing aid according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a method for automatically adjusting the degree of amplification of a hearing aid according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of ear structure and wearing of a hearing aid.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conventional hearing aid.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hearing aid 10 External sound input part 20 Amplification part 30 Output part 40 1st adjustment part 50 Internal sound input part 60 2nd adjustment part 70 Data setting part Lo Sound pressure level Li of external sound Sound pressure level L1 of a voice enhancement sound component Predetermined judgment value

Claims (1)

An external microphone that inputs external sound outside the ear, an internal microphone that inputs sound in the external auditory canal, an amplification unit that amplifies the input signal from the external microphone and the internal microphone, and a sound pressure level of the external sound A primary adjustment unit that adjusts the amplification degree in the amplification unit, and a secondary adjustment unit that adjusts the amplification degree in the amplification unit according to the sound pressure level of the internal sound. A hearing aid characterized by using an internal sound in a frequency band of 750 Hz .

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