WO2005018279A1 - Hearing aid system with switching arrangement - Google Patents

Hearing aid system with switching arrangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005018279A1
WO2005018279A1 PCT/DK2004/000445 DK2004000445W WO2005018279A1 WO 2005018279 A1 WO2005018279 A1 WO 2005018279A1 DK 2004000445 W DK2004000445 W DK 2004000445W WO 2005018279 A1 WO2005018279 A1 WO 2005018279A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
audio signal
signal
audio
circuitry
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2004/000445
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mette Boel Pedersen
Original Assignee
Oticon A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oticon A/S filed Critical Oticon A/S
Publication of WO2005018279A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005018279A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/43—Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
    • H04R25/502—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using analog signal processing

Definitions

  • the invention concerns hearing aid systems with first and second audio sources.
  • the first audio source comes from the microphone or microphones of the hearing aid where the second source is a signal transmitted from a remote location. This could be a telecoil signal, an FM, AM or other form of audio signal transmitted by wire or wirelessly.
  • a hearing aid system comprising: - hearing aid circuitry, - a first audio source for generating a first audio signal, - a second audio source for generating a second audio signal, where the second audio source is transmitted by a transmitter from a remote location, - a receiver for receiving the second audio signal from the transmitter of the second audio source, - a manually activated switch for coupling the first or the second audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry, a circuitry for analyzing the second audio signal when this is received at the hearing aid circuitry, - a switch for automatically coupling the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry based on the analysis of the second audio signal received.
  • the user may choose by operating the manually activated switch whether he or she wants to listen to the second or the first audio signal.
  • the user may shift to telecoil mode. Whenever he leaves the range of the telecoil transmitter, the hearing aid will automatically change mode and provide the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry.
  • the first audio input is either attenuated a certain degree, or it is totally shut off.
  • This facility may be pre-selected, or the user may choose at the location whether he or she wants to listen to the second audio input alone or in combination with the first audio input.
  • the invention also comprises a method of operating a hearing aid system as claimed in claim 4, 5 and 6.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the hearing aid system according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a state diagram showing the various states which the hearing aid will be in during normal use. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 an overall diagram of the hearing aid is shown, where two different inputs 20,21 are shown.
  • the microphone or microphones 1 generate the first input 20 and the alternative input 21 is generated externally from the hearing aid and transmittet thereto eg by a wireless transmitter. Both inputs has amplification stages 3,4 coupled thereto.
  • a selection switch 5 selects whether the alternative input 21 or the signal 20 from the microphone 1 is fed to the hearing aid signal processing device 6.
  • the signal processing device 6 outputs an electric signal to the receiver 7, which produces the sound to be heard by the hearing aid user.
  • the selection switch is controlled in part by a manual input 8 and in part by an electronic analyzing block 9.
  • the alternative input line 2 is in fig. 1 shown as a wireless input line, and any module for receiving a wireless telecoil, FM, RF or other signal could be coupled thereto. Alternatively any wired input, like a DAI signal could be supplied to the alternative input line 2.
  • the user may select between the microphone input signal 20 and the alternative input 21 by using the button 8.
  • the analyzing block 9 also receive the signal from the alternative input 21. If the signal in the alternative input 21 deteriorates, the analyzing block 9 outputs a signal to the selector switch 5 to revert to the signal from the microphone input 20.
  • a timer 15 is shown which may optionally be used to determine when the signal 21 from the alternative input has been absent or deteriorated for some time. In this way it is avoided that the microphone input signal 20 is automatically chosen at temporary fall out of the wireless signal 21.
  • the two basic states, which the hearing aid may be in according to the invention are symbolized at 10 and 11.
  • the microphone 1 is selected as input, and in this state the user may manually change the input and select the alternative input 21, and by doing so the hearing aid changes into a new state 11. This is symbolized by the arrow 12.
  • a number of alternatives presents themselves: - the alternative input 21 is supplied alone to the hearing aid, - the alternative input 21 is supplied along with the microphone input 20 in preprogrammed amplitude proportion, - the alternative input 21 is supplied along with the microphone input 20 in a proportion mixed by the user. From the state 11 the hearing aid may revert to the state 10 in two different ways symbolized by the two arrows 13, 14.
  • Arrow 13 is the automatic return to the state 10, which is accomplished by the analyzing unit 9 based on the quality of the signal at the alternative input 21, and possibly coupled with a time out function. This could happen when the user leaves an area with a telecoil input signal.
  • Arrow 14 is the manual return accomplished by the user by activating the button 8. This could happen because the user no longer wished to listen to the alternative input 21 even if the quality of this signal is fine.
  • a signal line is provided from the microphone input to the analyzing unit 9. hi this way it becomes possible to also take into account such parameters as the signal/noise ration in the microphone input signal 20 and the cross correlation function between microphone input 20 an alternative input 21 in the making of the decision to change to the microphone signal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a hearing aid system comprising: hearing aid circuitry, a first audio source for generating a first audio signal, a second audio source for generating a second audio signal, the second audio source having a transmitter for transmitting the second audio signal, a receiver for receiving the second audio signal from the second audio source, a manually activated switch for coupling the first or the second audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry, a circuitry for analyzing the second audio signal when this is received at the hearing aid circuitry, a switch for automatically coupling the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry based on the analysis of the second audio signal received.

Description

TITLE Hearing aid system with switching arrangement.
AREA OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns hearing aid systems with first and second audio sources. The first audio source comes from the microphone or microphones of the hearing aid where the second source is a signal transmitted from a remote location. This could be a telecoil signal, an FM, AM or other form of audio signal transmitted by wire or wirelessly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In these hearing aid systems a choice must be made whether the first or the second audio signal is desired. The user could make the choice by providing a manually operated switch, to allow the user to chose between the first and the second audio signal. Also from WO 01/52597 an automatic system is known whereby the signal from the second audio source is being constantly monitored, and whenever the signal is of a predefined quality, the signal is transmittet to the hearing aid circuitry. When the signal quality deteriorates the first audio source is again routed to the hearing aid circuitry. One problem with this prior art is that the user may at times prefer the first audio source even when the second audio source is present in the predefined quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems are solved with a hearing aid system comprising: - hearing aid circuitry, - a first audio source for generating a first audio signal, - a second audio source for generating a second audio signal, where the second audio source is transmitted by a transmitter from a remote location, - a receiver for receiving the second audio signal from the transmitter of the second audio source, - a manually activated switch for coupling the first or the second audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry, a circuitry for analyzing the second audio signal when this is received at the hearing aid circuitry, - a switch for automatically coupling the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry based on the analysis of the second audio signal received.
With this hearing aid system the user may choose by operating the manually activated switch whether he or she wants to listen to the second or the first audio signal. When entering an area with a wireless signal like in the vicinity of a telecoil facility, the user may shift to telecoil mode. Whenever he leaves the range of the telecoil transmitter, the hearing aid will automatically change mode and provide the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry.
When the second audio input is chosen the first audio input is either attenuated a certain degree, or it is totally shut off. This facility may be pre-selected, or the user may choose at the location whether he or she wants to listen to the second audio input alone or in combination with the first audio input.
The invention also comprises a method of operating a hearing aid system as claimed in claim 4, 5 and 6.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the hearing aid system according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a state diagram showing the various states which the hearing aid will be in during normal use. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In fig. 1 an overall diagram of the hearing aid is shown, where two different inputs 20,21 are shown. The microphone or microphones 1 generate the first input 20 and the alternative input 21 is generated externally from the hearing aid and transmittet thereto eg by a wireless transmitter. Both inputs has amplification stages 3,4 coupled thereto. A selection switch 5 selects whether the alternative input 21 or the signal 20 from the microphone 1 is fed to the hearing aid signal processing device 6. The signal processing device 6 outputs an electric signal to the receiver 7, which produces the sound to be heard by the hearing aid user.
The selection switch is controlled in part by a manual input 8 and in part by an electronic analyzing block 9.
In fig. 1 two microphones 1 are shown but one, two or more microphones could be used to generate either directional or omnidirectional signals to the hearing aid signal processing device. The alternative input line 2 is in fig. 1 shown as a wireless input line, and any module for receiving a wireless telecoil, FM, RF or other signal could be coupled thereto. Alternatively any wired input, like a DAI signal could be supplied to the alternative input line 2.
According to the invention the user may select between the microphone input signal 20 and the alternative input 21 by using the button 8. Once the alternative input 21 has been chosen, the analyzing block 9 also receive the signal from the alternative input 21. If the signal in the alternative input 21 deteriorates, the analyzing block 9 outputs a signal to the selector switch 5 to revert to the signal from the microphone input 20. A timer 15 is shown which may optionally be used to determine when the signal 21 from the alternative input has been absent or deteriorated for some time. In this way it is avoided that the microphone input signal 20 is automatically chosen at temporary fall out of the wireless signal 21.
hi fig. 2 the two basic states, which the hearing aid may be in according to the invention are symbolized at 10 and 11. At 10 the microphone 1 is selected as input, and in this state the user may manually change the input and select the alternative input 21, and by doing so the hearing aid changes into a new state 11. This is symbolized by the arrow 12. In this state a number of alternatives presents themselves: - the alternative input 21 is supplied alone to the hearing aid, - the alternative input 21 is supplied along with the microphone input 20 in preprogrammed amplitude proportion, - the alternative input 21 is supplied along with the microphone input 20 in a proportion mixed by the user. From the state 11 the hearing aid may revert to the state 10 in two different ways symbolized by the two arrows 13, 14. Arrow 13 is the automatic return to the state 10, which is accomplished by the analyzing unit 9 based on the quality of the signal at the alternative input 21, and possibly coupled with a time out function. This could happen when the user leaves an area with a telecoil input signal. Arrow 14 is the manual return accomplished by the user by activating the button 8. This could happen because the user no longer wished to listen to the alternative input 21 even if the quality of this signal is fine.
As seen in fig. 1 a signal line is provided from the microphone input to the analyzing unit 9. hi this way it becomes possible to also take into account such parameters as the signal/noise ration in the microphone input signal 20 and the cross correlation function between microphone input 20 an alternative input 21 in the making of the decision to change to the microphone signal.
Also it becomes possible to introduce an automatic shift from the microphone signal 20 to the alternative input 21 based on the contents of the two signals. This could be used to make the hearing aid automatically shift to telecoil mode when talking on the phone. Here the microphone input will be band limited and the telecoil signal will be present at the alternative input line.

Claims

1. A hearing aid system comprising: - hearing aid circuitry, - a first audio source (1) for generating a first audio signal (20), - a second audio source for generating a second audio signal, the second audio source having a transmitter for transmitting the second audio signal, a receiver (2) for receiving the second audio signal (21) from the second audio source, - a manually activated switch (8) for coupling the first or the second audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry (6), a circuitry (9) for analyzing the second audio signal (21) when this is received at the hearing aid circuitry, - a switch for automatically coupling the first audio signal to the hearing aid circuitry (6) based on the analysis of the second audio signal (21) received.
2. Hearing aid system as claimed in claim 1, where the first audio signal (20) is either attenuated or shut off when the second audio signal (21) is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6).
3. Hearing aid system as claimed in claim 1, where a timer (15) is provided for monitoring the second signal (21) whenever this signal is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6) such that when the second signal (21) has been below a threshold amplitude for a predetermined time the first audio signal (20) is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6).
4. A method of operating a hearing aid system comprising: generating a first audio signal (20), - generating a second audio signal (21), - transmitting the second audio signal (21), - receiving the second audio signal (21) - manually choosing between coupling the first and the second audio signal, to a hearing aid circuitry (6), - monitoring the quality of the second audio signal (21) whenever this signal is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6), - automatically coupling the first audio input (20) signal to the hearing aid circuitry whenever the quality of the second audio signal (21) deteriorates below a predetermined limit.
5. A method of operating a hearing aid system as claimed in claim 4, where the first audio signal (20) is either attenuated or shut off when the second audio signal (21) is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6).
6. A method of operating a hearing aid system as claimed in claim 4, where a timer (15) is provided for monitoring the second signal (21) whenever this signal is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6) such that when the second signal (21) has been below a threshold amplitude for a predetermined time the first audio signal (20) is coupled to the hearing aid circuitry (6).
PCT/DK2004/000445 2003-08-05 2004-06-23 Hearing aid system with switching arrangement WO2005018279A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA200301132 2003-08-05
DKPA200301132 2003-08-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005018279A1 true WO2005018279A1 (en) 2005-02-24

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1909535A2 (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-09 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Hearing device with controlled input channels and corresponding method
CN1825860B (en) * 2005-02-21 2010-12-15 泛泰·科力特株式会社 Method of outputting audio signal for the hard-of-hearing and mobile communication terminal using the method
US8355516B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2013-01-15 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hearing apparatus with a special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing apparatus

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4920570A (en) * 1987-12-18 1990-04-24 West Henry L Modular assistive listening system
WO2001052597A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-19 Etymotic Research, Inc. Transmission detection and switch system for hearing improvement applications
US20020076073A1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-06-20 Taenzer Jon C. Automatically switched hearing aid communications earpiece
US20030059076A1 (en) * 2001-09-24 2003-03-27 Raimund Martin Hearing aid device with automatic switching to hearing coil mode

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4920570A (en) * 1987-12-18 1990-04-24 West Henry L Modular assistive listening system
WO2001052597A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-19 Etymotic Research, Inc. Transmission detection and switch system for hearing improvement applications
US20020076073A1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-06-20 Taenzer Jon C. Automatically switched hearing aid communications earpiece
US20030059076A1 (en) * 2001-09-24 2003-03-27 Raimund Martin Hearing aid device with automatic switching to hearing coil mode

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1825860B (en) * 2005-02-21 2010-12-15 泛泰·科力特株式会社 Method of outputting audio signal for the hard-of-hearing and mobile communication terminal using the method
EP1909535A2 (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-09 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Hearing device with controlled input channels and corresponding method
EP1909535A3 (en) * 2006-10-02 2011-05-18 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Hearing device with controlled input channels and corresponding method
US8139799B2 (en) 2006-10-02 2012-03-20 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing apparatus with controlled input channels and corresponding method
US8355516B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2013-01-15 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hearing apparatus with a special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing apparatus
EP2182741B2 (en) † 2008-10-28 2014-10-15 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hearing aid with special situation recognition unit and method for operating a hearing aid

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