KR101271681B1 - In-The-Ear Hering for Protecting Audiobility from External Loudtone Exposure - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to insert an ear hearing aid into the ear, and to amplify the external sound in normal times, while audible sudden audible sound is immediately attenuated by an external horn protection ear type hearing aid to protect the hearing from exposure to the external pulsation. To provide.
External sound insulation protective ear plug of the present invention is an ear shell (Ear Shell) inserted into the ear canal of the ear; A substrate portion mounted in the ear shell and including a sound damping circuit; A battery unit supplying power to drive the electronic circuit of the substrate unit; A microphone for receiving an external sound; A volume controller for adjusting the intensity of the received sound received through the microphone to a desired level of sound; A toggle switch mounted on an outer surface of the substrate to adjust an operation of the substrate; A receiver for outputting the amplified voice signal output from the substrate section to the eardrum; And an information recording display unit having owner information printed on an outer surface of the ear shell.

Description

In-The-Ear Hering for Protecting Audiobility from External Loudtone Exposure}

The present invention relates to an external sound-proof hearing-induced hearing aid, and in particular, a hearing-aided hearing aid is inserted into the ear to normally amplify the external sound and listen to it, thereby suddenly attenuating the sound when a sudden sound occurs to protect the hearing from the external sounding of the external sound. External sound isolation protection ear hearing aid.

In general, a hearing impaired person refers to a person who is unable to hear enough to hear and understand conversations in everyday life, that is, a person with hearing impairment. According to the degree of hearing impairment, hearing loss from 27 dB to 40 dB is 41 dB Hearing loss of ~ 55dB is classified as moderate hearing loss, hearing loss of 56dB ~ 70dB is classified as hearing loss, and hearing loss of 70dB ~ 90dB is classified as hearing loss.

Because hearing impaired people with hearing impairments are inconvenient for daily living, hearing aids are needed to compensate for the degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids amplify the tone or ambient sound according to the degree of hearing loss, It is a device that helps you hear more clearly and sounds closer to natural sound.

Generally, a hearing aid includes a transmitter and a receiver for collecting a speaker sound and a surrounding sound and outputting it as an electric signal, an amplifier for receiving and amplifying a signal output from the transmitter, an amplifier for amplifying the amplified signal to a sound wave, And a battery for supplying electric power to the receiver and the amplifier.

These types of hearing aids are box type, ear type, ear type, and eye type. In recent years, the ear type has been further developed and the ear type which can be inserted deep into the ear is added. Thus, for a hearing impaired person, the hearing aid is always worn on the ear and can perform additional functions such as measuring a living body signal of the hearing impaired person or generating an alarm. In the case of the in-ear type hearing aids, various sensors are mounted on the ear-type hearing aids, so that it is possible to directly detect the body temperature change, pulse measurement, fall, vibration or impact in the ears environment. In the case of an ear-rest type hearing aid, various sensors are mounted on an ear-mold placed in the ear, and can function like an ear-type hearing aid.

However, as a professional group that is easily exposed to sudden squeaks such as gunshots and explosives, special workers such as soldiers and police officers usually use it without inconvenience to hear other people's voices. The ear has been exposed to a condition that may cause noise-induced hearing loss.

The present invention was developed to solve the problems of the prior art described in the background art, the object of the present invention is to enable the amplification of the sound required to listen to the voice of other people in the usual time, but the original of the hearing aid when sudden squeak occurs The purpose of the present invention is to provide an external sound-proof hearing-proof hearing aid for protecting hearing from noise-induced hearing loss that may affect the ear due to sound attenuation instead of sound amplification.

In order to achieve the above object, the external sound insulation protection ear canal according to an embodiment of the present invention (Ear Shell) is inserted into the ear canal of the ear; A substrate portion mounted in the ear shell and including a sound damping circuit; A battery unit supplying power to drive the electronic circuit of the substrate unit; A microphone for receiving an external sound; A volume controller for adjusting the intensity of the received sound received through the microphone to a desired level of sound; A toggle switch mounted on an outer surface of the substrate to adjust an operation of the substrate; A receiver for outputting the amplified voice signal output from the substrate section to the eardrum; And an information recording display unit having owner information printed on an outer surface of the ear shell.

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The substrate unit A / D converter for converting the analog audio signal input to the microphone into a digital signal; An input buffer memory for sequentially receiving and temporarily storing the digital signal converted by the A / D converter; An amplitude maximum value calculator configured to calculate a maximum amplitude value of an audio waveform signal within a time period corresponding to the size of the input buffer memory while the digital signals temporarily stored in the input buffer memory are sequentially output; A threshold comparison unit for comparing the maximum amplitude value calculated by the amplitude maximum value calculation unit with a previously stored threshold value; A zero value converting unit converting all of the digital data in the input buffer memory into a zero value when the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparing unit is equal to or greater than a previously stored threshold value and determines that the level of the input sound pressure corresponds to a sound level; A timer for counting a duration of the negative value converted into a zero value by the zero value converter; An amplifying unit for amplifying the sound inputted when the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparing unit is smaller than the threshold value and amplifying the sound output from the task execution command storage unit for selecting and storing the input sound; An output buffer memory for temporarily receiving the sound output from the amplifier and sequentially storing the sound; And a D / A converter for converting a digital sound signal output from the output buffer memory into an analog signal.

Further, in the above embodiment, the toggle switch is characterized in that the operation state of the digital amplifier alternately changes between the sound reception mode and the normal sound reception mode each time the switch is pressed.

In the above embodiment, the specified time period of the timer may be changed by a user's setting.

In the above embodiment, the distance from the substrate portion to the tip of the ear shell is at least 15 mm or more, and the ear shell is inserted into the ear canal of the ear and is in close contact with the skin.

According to the external horn protection ear type hearing aid of the present invention, when soldiers who are easily exposed to sudden squeaks such as firearms and gunpowder and professionals who are engaged in occupations that blow up dynamite are normally used to listen to the voices of others without inconvenience. While being able to be exposed to noise generated by the sound of explosion such as explosion of gunpowder or gun fire, it is effective to protect the hearing aid wearer's hearing by blocking the source which can cause noise-induced hearing loss.

In addition, according to the external horn protection whistle-type hearing aid of the present invention, since the command voice transmitted to the normal sound rather than the external horn can be heard routinely, it is possible to improve the hearing of a person who is weak in hearing and listen to music or talk naturally. As it can be heard, the user can improve the job performance by providing a comfortable environment.

The present invention is provided with an information recording display unit on which the owner information is printed on the outer surface of the ear shell, so that the identity of the wearer can be easily confirmed.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external sound insulation protective ear type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic circuit of an external sound insulation protection ear canal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which an external sound insulation protective ear type hearing aid is worn on the ear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings with respect to the external sound insulation protective whistle hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the drawings, the same parts will be described with the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the external sound insulation protective ear hearing aid 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an ear shell (Ear Shell; 100a) is inserted into the ear canal 200 of the ear; A substrate portion 100b mounted in the ear shell 100a and including a sound damping circuit; A battery unit 100c for supplying power for driving the electronic circuit of the substrate unit 100b; A microphone 4 for receiving an external sound; A volume controller 6 for adjusting the intensity of the received sound received through the microphone 4 to a desired level of constant sound; A toggle switch (2) mounted on an outer surface of the substrate portion (100b) to adjust an operation of the substrate portion (100b); A receiver 8 for outputting the amplified voice signal output from the substrate part 100b to the eardrum 400; And an information recording display portion A in which owner information is printed on the outer surface of the ear shell 100a.

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Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed block diagram of the board unit 100b, which is a part of the electronic circuit of the hearing aid 100, is shown. The toggle switch 2, the microphone 4, and the volume controller described with reference to FIG. For 6), additional description will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the substrate unit 100b includes an A / D converter 100-1 for converting an analog audio signal input to the microphone 4 into a digital signal; An input buffer memory (100-2) which sequentially receives and temporarily stores the digital signal converted by the A / D converter (100-1); Amplitude maximum value for outputting a digital signal temporarily stored in the input buffer memory (100-2) to calculate the maximum amplitude of the audio waveform signal within a time period corresponding to the size of the input buffer memory (100-2) A calculator 100-7; A threshold comparison unit (100-8) for comparing the maximum amplitude value calculated by the amplitude maximum value calculation unit (100-7) with a previously stored threshold value; If the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparison unit 100-8 is equal to or larger than a previously stored threshold, it is determined that the level of the input sound pressure corresponds to a sound level, and thus all digital data of the input buffer memory 100-2 is zero. a zero value converter 100-9 for converting to a zero value; A timer (100-3) for counting a duration of the sound converted into a zero value by the zero value converter (100-9); When the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparison unit 100-8 is smaller than the threshold, amplify the input sound, amplify the sound output from the task execution command storage 111b for selecting and storing the input sound. An amplifying unit 100-4; An output buffer memory (100-5) for temporarily receiving the sound output from the amplifying unit (100-4) and sequentially storing the sound; And a D / A converter (100-6) for converting the digital sound signal output from the output buffer memory (100-5) into an analog signal.

Next, operation | movement of the said board | substrate part 100b comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

When the user presses the toggle switch 2, the input buffer memory 100-2 is initialized to store a zero value, and is previously input through the microphone 4 and stored in the input buffer memory 100-2. The sound is output to the amplifier 100-4 through the sound selector 111a and the task execution command sound storage 111b, and the digital sound signal amplified by the amplifier 100-4 is output buffer memory 100. -5), it is output to the tympanic membrane 400 through the D / A converter 100-6 and the receiver 8. The toggle switch 2 is a digital button-type switch, and each time the button is pressed, the operation state of the digital amplifier 100-4 is alternately changed into the sound reception mode and the normal sound reception mode.

On the other hand, in the sound reception mode, the voice signal input to the microphone 4 is converted into a digital signal in the A / D converter (100-1), and then the digital converted in the A / D converter (100-1) The signal is output to the input buffer memory 100-2, sequentially stored, and output again in sequence, and the amplitude maximum value calculating unit 100-7 within a time interval corresponding to the size of the input buffer memory 100-2. If the amplitude maximum value is equal to or greater than the prestored threshold value by comparing the maximum amplitude value of the audio waveform signal calculated by the reference value with the threshold value previously stored in the threshold comparator 100-8, the level of the sound pressure input corresponds to the sound level. In operation, the zero value converter 100-9 converts all the digital data of the input buffer memory 100-2 into a zero value in the input buffer memory 100-2.
The timer 100-3 counts the duration of the sound converted to zero by the zero value converter 100-9, and the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparator 100-8 is greater than the threshold. If small, the amplification unit 100-4 inputs amplifies the sound and outputs it to the output buffer memory 100-5, receives the amplified sound from the output buffer memory 100-5 and temporarily stores the sound sequentially. The sound amplified by the output buffer memory 100-5 is temporarily stored in sequence, and then sequentially converted by the D / A converter 100-6 to convert the analog signal sound to the eardrum 400 through the receiver 8. .

The user may adjust the amplification degree of the amplification unit 100-4 according to the user's convenience using the volume controller 6. On the other hand, if the maximum amplitude value calculated above is equal to or greater than the threshold value compared with the threshold value previously stored in the threshold comparison unit 100-8, it is determined that the level of the input sound pressure is a sound corresponding to the sound level and the input buffer memory 100-2. After converting all the digital data into zero values by the zero value converter 100-9, the zero value is converted through the D / A converter 100-6 only during the time period specified by the timer 100-3. A beep is output through the receiver (8). It goes without saying that the specified time period of the timer 100-3 can be changed by the user's setting.

As described above, since only zero value beeps are output through the tympanic membrane 400 in the sound receiving mode, no sound is detected and the timer 100-3 only hears a zero beep for a predetermined time and the timer 100 -3) After a while, you can amplify the external voice signal again. Therefore, since it is not normally exposed to the sound of the sound, only a voice signal smaller than the threshold is inputted and amplified and listened. However, if the sound level of the sound is higher than the threshold when a sudden sound of the sound occurs, it is judged to be an external sound sound that can cause noise-induced hearing loss. It is possible to prevent the sound exposing to the eardrum 400 by hearing only the zero-value signal sound instead of the output sound.

The distance from the substrate portion to the end of the ear shell is at least 15mm or more, characterized in that the ear shell is inserted into the ear canal to be in close contact with the skin.
The distance from the substrate portion 100b to the end of the ear shell 100a is at least 15 mm or more, and since the ear shell 100a is inserted into the ear canal 200 of the ear and is in close contact with the skin, the strength of the sound pressure is increased in the ear shell 100a. It is rapidly canceled along the length, and the degree of sound transmission to the eardrum 400 is weakened, thereby reducing the possibility of noise-induced hearing loss.

In addition, the ulcer that occurs outside the hearing aid is due to the structure of the ear shell (100a) of the outer ulcer protection ear canal hearing aid 100 of the present invention in close contact with the skin of the ear canal (200) and the ear canal epidermis. It is not transmitted to the eardrum 400 through the.

As described above, in the present invention, the toggle switch 2 is attached to the ear hearing aid faceplate so that each time the toggle switch 2 is pressed, the operation state of the digital amplifier alternates between the sound reception mode and the normal sound reception mode. Is changed.

According to the external sound-absorbing hearing aid (100) of the present invention described so far, those who are easily exposed to sudden sound such as firearms or gunpowder, or those who are engaged in a job of detonating dynamite, the external sound-proof hearing-proof hearing aid of the present invention Wearing the (100), while hearing the other person's voice without discomfort in ordinary times, the hearing aid wearer by blocking the source that can cause noise-induced hearing loss by being exposed to the noise generated by the sound of explosion such as explosion of gunpowder or gun firearms It is effective to protect your hearing.

In addition, according to the external horn protection whistle-type hearing aid 100 of the present invention, the command voice, such as a command that is transmitted to the normal sound instead of the external horn, can be routinely heard, thereby improving the hearing of a weak hearing person, and The ability to enjoy watching or talking naturally can help the user improve his / her job performance by providing a comfortable conversation environment.

Since it includes an information record display portion (A), the owner information is printed on the outer surface of the ear shell (100a) to easily identify the wearer wearing the outer vulnerable hearing protection type of the present invention, The identity of the wearer of the hearing aid can be easily identified.

Until now, but described with reference to the drawings the external sound insulation protective whistle hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention will be understood that such a description is not intended to limit the present invention as described above, the scope of the present invention Is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, which is intended to cover all such modifications and variations as are derived from their meaning and scope and their equivalent concepts. It should be understood that such modifications are not to be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

2: toggle switch 4: microphone
6: volume control 100: receiver
100: hearing aid 100a: ear shell
100b: substrate portion 100c: battery portion
100-1: A / D Converter 100-2: Input Buffer Memory
100-3: timer 100-4: amplifier
100-5: Output buffer memory 100-6: D / A converter
100-7: maximum amplitude calculation unit 100-8: threshold comparison unit
100-9: zero value converting unit 200: ear canal
300: inside the ear canal 400: the eardrum

Claims (5)

delete An earshell inserted into the ear canal of the ear; A substrate portion mounted in the ear shell and including a sound damping circuit; A battery unit supplying power to drive the electronic circuit of the substrate unit; A microphone for receiving an external sound; A volume controller for adjusting the intensity of the received sound received through the microphone to a desired level of sound; A toggle switch mounted on an outer surface of the substrate to adjust an operation of the substrate; A receiver for outputting the amplified voice signal output from the substrate section to the eardrum; In the external sound insulation protection ear type hearing aid comprising a; information recording display portion printed owner information on the outer surface of the ear shell,
The substrate unit A / D converter for converting the analog audio signal input to the microphone into a digital signal; An input buffer memory for sequentially receiving and temporarily storing the digital signal converted by the A / D converter; An amplitude maximum value calculator configured to calculate a maximum amplitude value of an audio waveform signal within a time period corresponding to the size of the input buffer memory while the digital signals temporarily stored in the input buffer memory are sequentially output; A threshold comparison unit for comparing the maximum amplitude value calculated by the amplitude maximum value calculation unit with a previously stored threshold value; A zero value converting unit converting all of the digital data in the input buffer memory into a zero value when the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparing unit is equal to or greater than a previously stored threshold value and determines that the level of the input sound pressure corresponds to a sound level; A timer for counting a duration of the negative value converted into a zero value by the zero value converter; An amplifying unit for amplifying the sound inputted when the maximum amplitude value compared by the threshold comparing unit is smaller than the threshold value and amplifying the sound output from the task execution command storage unit for selecting and storing the input sound; An output buffer memory for temporarily receiving the sound output from the amplifier and sequentially storing the sound; And a D / A converter for converting a digital sound signal output from the output buffer memory into an analog signal. delete delete The method according to claim 2,
The distance from the substrate portion to the end of the ear shell is at least 15mm, the outer vesicle protection ear type hearing aid, characterized in that the earshell is inserted into the ear canal of the ear close to the skin.

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