JP4322866B2 - Hearing aid and hearing aid processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system, and more particularly to a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system having a function of correcting a change in frequency characteristics depending on the type of earplug.

  The shape of the external auditory canal into which the hearing aid is inserted varies depending on the user. In a hearing aid, sound input from a microphone is amplified by an integrated circuit and output as sound from a speaker provided at the tip of the hearing aid. At this time, if a gap is generated between the front end of the hearing aid that contacts the ear canal and the ear canal, the sound output from the speaker is fed back to the microphone and oscillated, that is, howling may occur. . The gap between the ear canal and the hearing aid, which is the cause of this, varies with the movement of the ear canal even for the same user. For example, even when there is usually no gap, when a mouth is moved by eating an object or speaking a word, a gap is instantaneously formed between the ear canal and the hearing aid, and howling may occur. This howling leads to discomfort for the user himself and causes a decrease in wearing feeling. In order to prevent such howling, it is effective to eliminate as much as possible the gap between the ear canal and the hearing aid tip.

  Here, if the hearing aids are classified from the viewpoint of the shape of the external auditory canal contact portion, the hearing aids are classified into a custom-made type that makes the shape of the hearing aid based on the user's ear shape and a ready-made type that is unified with the ready-made shape. The made-to-order type is advantageous in that it can reduce the gap between the ear canal and the hearing aid, i.e., the cause of howling, but it requires ear collection and production time, and is generally in the high price range. There is also a disadvantage of being located. On the other hand, the ready-made type does not require ear-shaped sampling, so it can be taken home immediately after purchase at the store, and is advantageous in that it is generally cheaper than custom-made, but the shape is unified. Therefore, there is a demerit that howling is likely to occur compared to custom-made.

  To solve the problems of the conventional ready-made type as described above, prepare several types of earplugs with different shapes and materials, and attach appropriate earplugs to the hearing aid tip according to the shape of the user's external auditory canal A method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 12 (a) to 12 (c) are diagrams showing examples of different earplug shapes and the like of a conventional ready-made type hearing aid. 12A to 12C, 1 is a microphone that converts sound input from the outside into an electric signal, 2 is an integrated circuit that processes the electric signal from the microphone 1, and 3 is processed by the integrated circuit 2. A speaker 4 that converts an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and outputs it as sound to the outside indicates a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit 2. Reference numeral 18 shown in FIG. 12 (a) denotes a sponge-type earplug for reducing the gap with the ear canal and preventing howling. Reference numeral 19 shown in FIG. 12 (b) denotes an earplug that can be attached to and detached from the distal end of the hearing aid. 20 shown in FIG. 12C is an earplug having a shape different from that of the earplug 19.

  In the example of the hearing aid shown in FIG. 12 (a), a sponge-type ear plug 18 is wound around the portion of the hearing aid that contacts the ear canal. The sponge-type earplug 18 fills the gap between the ear canal and the hearing aid tip, and the deformation can cope with the change in the gap, so that acoustic feedback from the speaker 3 to the microphone 1 that causes howling is reduced. To do. However, the sponge earplug 18 has problems such as contamination, deterioration of contractility (elasticity), change in acoustic characteristics, and the like due to aging.

FIGS. 12B and 12C show an example in which a removable earplug 19 or 20 is attached to the distal end portion of the hearing aid main body. Among these earplugs 19 and 20 having different shapes, by using one of the earplugs according to the shape of the user's external ear canal, it is possible to reduce the gap between the ear plug and the external ear canal and prevent howling. In addition, not only the shape but also a plurality of types of materials are prepared, and the effect of preventing howling can be obtained by using earplugs of appropriate materials.
JP-A-10-98797

  However, the frequency characteristics of the hearing aid change if the types of earplugs are different, such as the earplug 19 and the earplug 20 illustrated in FIGS. 12B and 12C. For example, in the case of the earplug 19, there is no dip in the frequency characteristic and the feeling of wearing is high. However, when the earplug 20 is used, a secondary peak occurs in the high sound range and the sound resonates, and howling easily occurs. As a result, the feeling of wearing is reduced. Further, the frequency characteristic displayed on the hearing aid adjustment device for adjusting the frequency characteristic of the hearing aid is only one typical characteristic, and the change in the frequency characteristic due to the difference in the earplugs is not reflected. Therefore, even for a specialist who adjusts (fitting) a hearing aid using the hearing aid adjustment device, the display value and the actual output value of the hearing aid are different, and it is difficult to perform accurate fitting.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, corrects the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of earplugs by the filter processing of the integrated circuit, and changes the sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplugs are changed. An object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system that can be reduced.

  The hearing aid of the present invention includes a microphone that converts sound input from the outside into an electrical signal, an integrated circuit that performs signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electrical signal from the microphone, and the integrated circuit A hearing aid body incorporating a speaker that converts an electrical signal processed by the circuit into an acoustic signal and outputs it as sound, a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit, and a shape of the ear canal of the user of the hearing aid A hearing aid including an earplug that is detachably attached to the hearing aid body in order to reduce a gap with the external auditory canal according to the frequency characteristics measured in advance for each of the earplugs prepared in plural types. A non-volatile memory for storing information and an earplug selection for identifying the type of earplug selected from the plurality of types of earplugs and attached to the hearing aid body Earplug selection information storage means for storing information, and the integrated circuit relates to frequency characteristics of a specific earplug read from the nonvolatile memory in accordance with earplug selection information obtained from the earplug selection information storage means. By performing the filtering process based on the information, the frequency characteristic of the hearing aid that varies depending on the type of the earplug is corrected.

  Also, the hearing aid processing system of the present invention is an integrated circuit that performs signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electric signal from the microphone, which converts sound input from the outside into an electric signal. A hearing aid body containing a speaker that converts the electrical signal processed by the integrated circuit into an acoustic signal and outputs the sound as an external signal, a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit, and a user of the hearing aid A hearing aid including an earplug detachably attached to the hearing aid body in order to reduce the gap with the ear canal according to the shape of the ear canal to prevent howling and improve the user's wearing feeling, and via a communication cable A hearing aid processing system comprising a hearing aid adjustment device connected to the hearing aid, wherein a plurality of types of prepared earplugs are measured in advance. Non-volatile memory for storing information relating to frequency characteristics, and earplug selection information storage for storing earplug selection information for identifying the type of earplug selected from the plurality of types of earplugs and attached to the hearing aid body Means is provided in the hearing aid body, and the integrated circuit is based on information on the frequency characteristics of a specific earplug read from the nonvolatile memory in accordance with earplug selection information obtained from the earplug selection information storage means. By executing the filtering process, the frequency characteristics of the hearing aids that differ depending on the type of earplugs are corrected, and the hearing aid adjusting device selects the earplugs for storing the earplug selection information in the earplug selection information storage means. It is characterized by displaying a screen.

  According to the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of the present invention, when a plurality of types of earplugs are selectively worn and used, the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of earplugs are corrected by the filter processing of the integrated circuit, and the earplugs are obtained. It is possible to reduce the change in sound quality and the difference in feeling when wearing. Further, according to the hearing aid processing system of the present invention, the earplug selection information for identifying the type of the earplug attached can be easily stored in the hearing aid using the earplug selection screen displayed on the hearing aid adjustment device used for fitting. Can be set and stored.

  In a preferred embodiment of the hearing aid according to the present invention, the integrated circuit that performs signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electrical signal from the microphone relates to a frequency characteristic measured in advance for each of the earplugs. A nonvolatile memory for storing information is incorporated. In a further preferred embodiment, the nonvolatile memory also serves as the earplug selection information storage means. By incorporating all the functions and means for correcting the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of earplug in the integrated circuit, it is possible to contribute to miniaturization and cost reduction of the hearing aid.

  In another preferred embodiment of the hearing aid according to the present invention, the earplug selection information storage means is an earplug selection switch provided in the hearing aid body, and the setting operation is performed according to the type of earplug attached to the hearing aid body. In accordance with the set position of the earplug selection switch, the integrated circuit reads information on the frequency characteristics of a specific earplug from the nonvolatile memory, and executes the filtering process based on the information. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily store the earplug selection information by operating the earplug selection switch provided in the hearing aid body, and the integrated circuit performs the filtering process based on the earplug selection information. Process to correct the difference.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the hearing aid according to the present invention, the earplug selection information storage means is provided with an earplug specifying mechanism for specifying the type of the earplug in a portion of the hearing aid main body where the earplug is mounted. The plurality of types of earplugs are provided with uneven shapes unique to the types of earplugs recognized by the earplug identification mechanism, and one of the plurality of types of earplugs is attached to the hearing aid body. The earplug selection information corresponding to the irregular shape unique to the type of the earplug recognized by the earplug specifying mechanism is input to the integrated circuit. According to this configuration, when one of a plurality of types of earplugs is attached to the hearing aid body, the earplug selection information corresponding to the type of the earplug is automatically integrated by the function of the earplug specifying mechanism. And the integrated circuit performs a process of correcting the difference between the earplugs by a filter process based on the earplug selection information.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of changes in frequency characteristics due to differences in the earplugs of the hearing aid. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a filter correction process executed by the integrated circuit built in the hearing aid.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hearing aid processing system of the present embodiment includes a hearing aid body 10, a plurality of types of earplugs 5 to 7 that are selectively attached to the hearing aid body 10, and a hearing aid adjustment device 8. The hearing aid adjustment apparatus 8 is configured by installing a dedicated hearing aid adjustment program in a personal computer, for example, and connecting a communication cable 9 having a connector 9 a for connection to the hearing aid main body 10.

  The hearing aid main body 10 is processed by the integrated circuit 2 and the integrated circuit 2 that perform signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electrical signal from the microphone 1 that converts external sound into an electrical signal. A speaker 3 for converting the electrical signal into an acoustic signal and outputting the sound as an external signal; and a battery 4 for supplying power to the integrated circuit 2. The hearing aid body 10 is selectively provided with one of a plurality of types of earplugs 5, 6, 7 for reducing the gap with the ear canal according to the shape of the user's ear canal to prevent howling and improve the feeling of wearing. Installed. The integrated circuit 2 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM), and stores various parameters (setting information) for the signal processing described above.

  The hearing aid adjustment device 8 is used to set parameters (setting information) stored in a nonvolatile memory built in the integrated circuit 2 of the hearing aid body 10. In general, a hearing aid does not have one optimum characteristic common to all users, but an expert adjusts the optimum compensation characteristic according to the hearing ability and listening preference of each user. In such adjustment (referred to as fitting), the frequency characteristics of the hearing aid are changed by rewriting parameters stored in the nonvolatile memory built in the integrated circuit 2 of the hearing aid body 10. The hearing aid adjustment device 8 is necessary for this fitting.

  Next, the operation of the hearing aid main body 10 will be described. Sound input from the microphone 1 of the hearing aid main body 10 is converted into an electric signal and applied to the integrated circuit 2. The integrated circuit 2 that operates using the battery 4 as a power source performs signal processing such as amplification and filtering according to parameters set in advance using the hearing aid adjustment device 8. The electric signal after the signal processing is given from the integrated circuit 2 to the speaker 3, converted into an acoustic signal, and outputted from the speaker 3 as sound. An earplug 5 (or 6 or 7) is attached to the tip of the hearing aid body 10 on the speaker side, and this is inserted into the user's ear canal. At this time, if a gap is generated between the earplug 5 that contacts the ear canal and the ear canal, the sound output from the speaker 3 is fed back to the microphone 1 and oscillated, that is, howling occurs. Sometimes.

  Such howling can be prevented by reducing the gap between the ear canal and the tip of the hearing aid. For this purpose, it is effective to prepare a plurality of types of detachable earplugs such as the earplugs 5 to 7 shown in FIG. 1 and select an optimal earplug according to the shape of the user's external ear canal. However, since the acoustic characteristics are different if the shape and material of the earplug are different, the frequency characteristics of the sound output from the speaker 3 change, and the frequency characteristics of the final hearing aid vary depending on the earplug as illustrated in FIG. To do. In the example of FIG. 2, the earplug 5 (solid line) has a relatively good frequency characteristic and a high feeling of wearing, but the earplug 6 (dashed line) has a secondary peak in the high frequency range and produces sound. This shows that the sound is resonated and howling is likely to occur. Further, the frequency characteristic displayed on the conventional hearing aid adjustment device 8 is only one typical characteristic, and the change of the frequency characteristic due to the difference in the earplugs is not reflected. Therefore, even for a specialist who performs hearing aid fitting using the hearing aid adjustment device 8, since the display value of the hearing aid adjustment device 8 and the actual output value of the hearing aid are different, it is difficult to perform accurate fitting.

  In the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of the present embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, information on the earplug selected according to the shape of the user's external auditory canal is held in the hearing aid, and changes depending on the type of the earplug. The frequency characteristics of the hearing aid are corrected by digital filtering. For this correction processing, information on the frequency characteristics of the earplugs 5 to 7 measured in advance and any of the earplugs 5 to 7 are attached to the non-volatile memory built in the integrated circuit 2 (selected) ) Is stored. That is, the non-volatile memory which memorize | stores the information regarding the frequency characteristic of each earplug 5-7 serves as the earplug selection information storage means. However, the two pieces of information may be stored separately in separate memories.

  Specifically, the information regarding the frequency characteristic is a filter coefficient of the digital filter. The filter coefficient of each earplug may be stored as it is, or the difference between the filter coefficient of the standard (default) earplug and the filter coefficient of other earplugs (difference from the filter coefficient of the standard earplug). You may remember. In the latter case, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced compared to the former case. The integrated circuit 2 selects a filter coefficient (or a difference) corresponding to the selected earplug according to the earplug selection information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and executes digital filter processing. By this process, the difference between the frequency characteristics of the default earplug and the frequency characteristics of the selected earplug is corrected.

  The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows an example of a filter correction process executed by the integrated circuit 2 when the earplug 5 is a standard (default) earplug. In step # 101, it is checked whether or not the earplug selection information read from the nonvolatile memory indicates the earplug 5. In the case of the earplug 5, it means that the attached earplug is a standard (default) earplug, so steps # 102 and # 103 are skipped and the correction process is not performed. If it is not the earplug 5, in the next step # 102, the filter coefficient that cancels out the frequency characteristic change amount depending on the type of earplug is read from the nonvolatile memory and developed. In subsequent step # 103, the difference in the earplugs is corrected by digital filter processing based on the filter coefficient. That is, the frequency characteristic of the output from the final hearing aid is corrected so that the same frequency characteristic as when the standard earplug 5 is used is obtained.

  Thus, according to the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of this embodiment, when one of a plurality of types of earplugs is selected and used, the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of the earplugs are Since it is corrected by the digital filter, it is possible to reduce the change in sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplug is changed. Moreover, it becomes possible to make the display value of the hearing aid adjusting device 8 used for adjusting the frequency characteristic for each user substantially coincide with the actual output value of the hearing aid.

  In the present embodiment, the digital filter built in the integrated circuit 2 is used as a filter for correcting the frequency characteristic that changes depending on the type of earplug. However, as a modification, a digital filter provided separately from the integrated circuit 2 is used. You may comprise so that correction may be performed using a filter or an analog filter.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of filter correction processing executed by the hearing aid adjustment apparatus and the hearing aid integrated circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hardware configuration of the hearing aid processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the respective components. In FIG. 4, the earplug selection screen 30 is displayed on the screen of the hearing aid adjustment device 8. Using this earplug selection screen 30, the type of the selected earplug can be input and stored in the nonvolatile memory of the integrated circuit 2 of the hearing aid body 10.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when fitting, the earplug type most suitable for the user's external ear canal shape is determined from the earplugs 5 to 7 (step # 201), and the ear of the hearing aid adjustment device 8 is determined. Input from the plug selection screen 30 (step # 202). When the input is confirmed, the earplug selection information as the input data is transferred to the hearing aid main body 10 via the communication cable 9 and stored in the nonvolatile memory of the integrated circuit 2 (step # 203). In this embodiment as well, the non-volatile memory that stores information related to the frequency characteristics of each earplug also serves as the earplug selection information storage means, but the two pieces of information may be stored separately in separate memories. In accordance with the read earplug selection information, the integrated circuit 2 reads out from the nonvolatile memory a filter coefficient that cancels out the frequency characteristic change amount depending on the earplug type and expands it (step # 204). And the process which correct | amends the difference in an earplug by the digital filter process based on a filter coefficient is performed (step # 205). The details of this correction processing are the same as in the first embodiment.

  Thus, according to the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of this embodiment, when one of a plurality of types of earplugs is selected and used, the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of the earplugs are Since it is corrected by the digital filter, it is possible to reduce the change in sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplug is changed. In addition, by inputting information (earplug selection information) on the type of the selected earplug from the earplug selection screen 30 of the hearing aid adjustment device 8 at the time of fitting, the earplug is stored in the non-volatile memory of the hearing aid with a simple procedure. Selection information can be stored.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of filter correction processing according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the hearing aid processing system is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the respective components. The hearing aid main body 10 of this embodiment is provided with an earplug selection switch 11 for setting and storing the type of earplug used (selected). In other words, the earplug selection switch 11 corresponds to earplug selection information setting means and storage means. In the present embodiment, a variable resistance type rotary switch is used as the earplug selection switch 11, and an integrated circuit is used as the earplug selection information indicating the type of the selected earplug, depending on the set position. Is given to 2. The integrated circuit 2 performs a process of correcting the frequency characteristics of the hearing aid according to the earplug selection information given from the earplug selection switch 11.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the type of the earplug of the hearing aid is determined (step # 301), the earplug selection switch 11 is operated so that the corresponding setting position is reached (step # 302). ). When the voltage (earplug selection information) corresponding to the set position of the earplug selection switch 11 is given to the integrated circuit 2 and the integrated circuit 2 specifies the type of the earplug (step # 303), the frequency characteristics depending on the type of the earplug. A filter coefficient that cancels the amount of change is read from the nonvolatile memory and developed (step # 304). Then, the integrated circuit 2 performs a process of correcting the difference in the earplugs by a digital filter process based on the filter coefficient (step # 305). The details of this correction processing are the same as in the first embodiment.

  Thus, according to the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of this embodiment, when one of a plurality of types of earplugs is selected and used, the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of the earplugs are Since it is corrected by the digital filter, it is possible to reduce the change in sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplug is changed. Further, the earplug selection information can be easily stored (held) in the hearing aid main body by operating the earplug selection switch 11 provided in the hearing aid main body 10. In the present embodiment, a variable resistance type rotary switch is used as the earplug selection switch 11, but other types of changeover switches may be used. For example, the slide-type earplug selection switch 12 shown in FIG. 8 or the push-button type earplug selection switch 13 shown in FIG. 9 may be used.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a hearing aid and a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid processing system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the whole hearing aid processing system, and FIG. 10B is a plan view of the earplug specifying mechanism 14 provided in the earplug mounting portion of the hearing aid main body 10 as viewed from the distal end side. is there. FIGS. 10C to 10E are plan views showing an engaging portion of each earplug with the earplug specifying mechanism 14. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the earplug specifying mechanism in the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of the hearing aid processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the respective components. The hearing aid main body 10 of this embodiment is provided with an earplug specifying mechanism 14 so that earplug selection information is automatically set according to the type of the earplug when the earplug is worn.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 10 (b), the earplug specifying mechanism 14 includes one positioning protrusion 14a and three earplug specifying protrusion insertion holes 14b arranged at intervals of 90 degrees. Correspondingly, as shown in the plan views of FIGS. 10 (c) to 10 (e), positioning protrusions of the ear plug specifying mechanism 14 are provided at the engaging portions of the ear plugs 15 to 17 with the ear plug specifying mechanism 14. The earplug specific protrusion 15a (16a, 17a) to be inserted into any one of the three positioning holes 15b (16b, 17b) and the three earplug specific protrusion insertion holes 14b is provided. As shown in FIG. 11, normally open type switches SW1 and SW2 that are pressed by the earplug specific protrusions 15a, 16a, and 17a to close the contacts are disposed inside the earplug specific protrusion insertion hole 14b of the earplug specific mechanism 14. SW3 is provided. One side of these contacts is commonly connected to the ground level, and the other side is connected to the input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 of the integrated circuit 2, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 10C to 10E, the earplug specific protrusions 15a, 16a and 17a of the three earplugs 15 to 17 are different from each other by 90 degrees with respect to the positioning holes 15b, 16b and 17b. Yes. That is, the positioning holes 15b, 16b, and 17b and the earplug specific protrusions 15a, 16a, and 17a correspond to an uneven shape unique to the type of earplug provided in each earplug 15-17.

  Therefore, when the earplugs 15 to 17 are attached to the hearing aid main body 10, the switches that are turned on by being pressed by the earplug specific protrusions 15a, 16a, and 17a are different, and SW1, SW2, and SW3 correspond to each other. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the earplug 15 is attached and SW1 is turned on. In this case, only the potential of IN1 among the three input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 of the integrated circuit 2 is at the ground level. On the contrary, the integrated circuit 2 can identify the type of the earplugs worn by checking which of the three input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 is at the ground level. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the earplug specifying mechanism 14 corresponds to the earplug selection information storage means, and which potential of the input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 is at the ground level corresponds to the earplug selection information.

  The integrated circuit 2 reads out, from the nonvolatile memory, a filter coefficient that cancels out the frequency characteristic change amount depending on the type of the earplug according to the earplug selection information obtained from the earplug specifying mechanism 14 via the input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3. expand. And the process which correct | amends the difference in an earplug by the digital filter process based on a filter coefficient is performed. The details of this correction processing are the same as in the first embodiment.

  Thus, according to the hearing aid and the hearing aid processing system of this embodiment, when one of a plurality of types of earplugs is selected and used, the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of the earplugs are Since it is corrected by the digital filter, it is possible to reduce the change in sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplug is changed. Also, the earplug identifying mechanism 14 provided in the hearing aid main body 10 and the positioning holes and earplug specific protrusions provided in the respective earplugs 15 to 17 automatically operate when the earplug is attached to the hearing aid main body 10. The earplug selection information is set and held in. In this embodiment, three types of earplugs are specified by turning on one of the three switches SW1 to SW3. However, two or three of the three switches SW1 to SW3 are specified. A total of seven types of earplugs can be specified if a combination that switches on is allowed. Further, the number of switches is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

  As described above, some embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and can be implemented in various forms.

  The present invention can be applied to a hearing aid that can be used by selectively wearing a plurality of types of earplugs and a hearing aid processing system thereof, and the frequency characteristics that change depending on the type of earplugs are corrected by the filter processing of the integrated circuit. The change in sound quality and the difference in wearing feeling when the earplug is changed can be reduced.

It is a block diagram of the hearing aid processing system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the example of a change of the frequency characteristic by the difference in the earplug of a hearing aid. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the filter correction process which the integrated circuit incorporated in the hearing aid performs. It is a block diagram of the hearing aid processing system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process of the filter correction which the hearing aid adjustment apparatus and the integrated circuit of a hearing aid perform. It is a block diagram of the hearing aid processing system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of filter correction processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid main body according to a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid body according to another modification of the third embodiment. It is a block diagram of the hearing aid processing system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of an earplug specifying mechanism according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the earplug shape different from the conventional hearing aid.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microphone 2 Integrated circuit 3 Speaker 4 Battery 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17 Ear plug 8 Hearing aid adjustment device 9 Cable 9a Connector 10 Hearing aid main body 11, 12, 13 Ear plug selection switch 14 Ear plug specific mechanism 30 Ear plug Selection screen

Claims (6)

A microphone that converts sound input from the outside into an electrical signal, an integrated circuit that performs signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electrical signal from the microphone, and electrical that has been processed by the integrated circuit A hearing aid main body incorporating a speaker that converts a signal into an acoustic signal and outputs it as sound to the outside, and a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit,
A hearing aid comprising an earplug detachably attached to the body of the hearing aid in order to reduce a gap with the ear canal according to the shape of the ear canal of the user of the hearing aid,
A nonvolatile memory for storing information on frequency characteristics measured in advance for each of the earplugs prepared in plural types, and a type of earplug selected from the plural types of earplugs and attached to the hearing aid main body. Earplug selection information storage means for storing earplug selection information to be identified,
The integrated circuit performs the filtering process based on information on the frequency characteristics of a specific earplug read from the nonvolatile memory according to the earplug selection information obtained from the earplug selection information storage means, A hearing aid characterized by correcting the frequency characteristics of a hearing aid that varies depending on the type of plug. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory is built in the integrated circuit. The hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nonvolatile memory also serves as the earplug selection information storage means. The earplug selection information storage means is an earplug selection switch provided in the hearing aid main body, and is set according to a setting position of the earplug selection switch that is set and operated according to the type of earplug attached to the hearing aid main body. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit reads information related to frequency characteristics of a specific earplug from the nonvolatile memory, and executes the filtering process based on the information. As the earplug selection information storage means, an earplug specifying mechanism for specifying the type of the earplug is provided in a portion of the hearing aid main body where the earplug is mounted, and the plurality of types of earplugs include the earplug. An uneven shape unique to the type of the earplug recognized by the specific mechanism is provided, and the earplug specific mechanism is recognized when one of the plurality of types of earplugs is attached to the hearing aid body. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein earplug selection information corresponding to a concavo-convex shape unique to the type of earplug is input to the integrated circuit. A microphone that converts sound input from the outside into an electrical signal, an integrated circuit that performs signal processing including amplification processing and filter processing for sound quality adjustment on the electrical signal from the microphone, and electrical that has been processed by the integrated circuit A gap between the hearing aid body containing a speaker that converts the signal into an acoustic signal and outputs the sound to the outside, a battery for supplying power to the integrated circuit, and the ear canal according to the shape of the ear canal of the hearing aid user Hearing aid comprising earplugs that are detachably attached to the hearing aid main body in order to reduce feedback and improve user wearing comfort, and a hearing aid adjustment device connected to the hearing aid via a communication cable A hearing aid processing system comprising:
A nonvolatile memory for storing information on frequency characteristics measured in advance for each of the earplugs prepared in plural types, and a type of earplug selected from the plural types of earplugs and attached to the hearing aid main body. Earplug selection information storage means for storing earplug selection information to be specified is provided in the hearing aid body,
The integrated circuit performs the filtering process based on information on the frequency characteristics of a specific earplug read from the nonvolatile memory according to the earplug selection information obtained from the earplug selection information storage means, Correct the frequency characteristics of different hearing aids depending on the type of plug,
The hearing aid adjustment apparatus displays an earplug selection screen for storing the earplug selection information in the earplug selection information storage means.

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