WO2009156522A2

WO2009156522A2 - Earphone

Info

Publication number: WO2009156522A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/062705
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas ZURBRÜGG
Original assignee: Phonak Ag
Priority date: 2009-09-30
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: WO2009156522A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an earphone having a housing (3) with an earplug (4) arranged on a first ending of the housing (3) and with a wire (5) arranged on a second ending of the housing (3), wherein the housing (3) comprises further only a speaker (6) and a microphone (7).

Description

Earphone

The present invention relates to an earphone, preferably an insert earphone, indicating the output signal of a sound signal source, e.g. a sound playing device. The sound playing device can be a personal music player (PMP), e.g. a mp3-player, or a cell phone having a music player.

High sound pressure levels (SPL) while listening e.g. to music using an earphone or a pair of earphones connected to e.g. mp3-players can lead to hearing loss, especially with long exposure times. Noise-induced hearing loss is a function of sound pressure level and duration of exposure. Many people are not aware of the risk. A European Directive "Noise at Work Regulations" of February 2006, established the minimal security level at the equivalent noise exposure to 8OdB(A) for an 8-hour working day. The 8-hour equivalent level (Lequ, 8h) is a widely used measure for the risk of hearing damage in industry, and can equally be applied to leisure noise exposures. According to the afore-mentioned European Directive (see chapter 3.3.5 "Noise Assessment" of opinion "Potential Health Risks of Exposure to Noise from Personal Music Players and Mobile Phones Including a Music Playing Function" by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) of the European Commission of September 23, 2008) the sound pressure level of 8SdB(A) is regarded as the critical intensity; at exposures below 85db(A) the hearing losses were significantly lower than for exposures exceeding this value. Therefore, the new EC Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) introduces lower exposure action value at Lequ, 8h = 8OdB(A) . If these values are converted using the time- intensity trade-off of 3 dB increase for halving the time then the equivalent levels are shown, for example in a night club with sounds of 104dB(A) 2 minutes of exposure is equivalent to 8OdB(A) Lequ, 8h. Thus, according to the SCENHIR report, listening to a PMP player at 95dB (A) for 15 minutes a day would equate to the first action level, i.e. level at which protection has to be provided, under the assumption of this exposure repeated over a long period.

It is known that restricting the output signal of a sound playing device, which is delivered to the earphones, to a specific sound pressure level (SPL) is not an adequate measure since the differences between earphone characteristics (namely electric impedances) lead to significant differences in the effective sound pressure level (SPL) in the ear canal. These differences are estimated to be about 7 to 9 dB.

Commercially available earphones comprise only a speaker in the ear canal and thus, have no possibility to measure the effective sound pressure level in the ear canal. Sound pressure level (SPL) monitoring systems are known from US2008/0144842 Al, US 2008/0159547 Al and WO 2008/095013 Al.

The object of the present invention is to provide an earphone, which reduces the risk of noise-induced hearing loss by listening to a noise signal or an output signal from a sound source, e.g. music sound.

This object is solved by the features given in claim 1 according to the present invention. Further embodiments of the invention are given in the dependant claims 2 to 15. Furthermore, a method for processing an output signal from a sound signal source is given by the features according to claim 16.

The present invention relates to an earphone having a housing with an earplug arranged on a first ending of the housing and with a wire arranged on a second ending of the housing, wherein the housing comprises further only at least one speaker and at least one microphone. Thereby, a noise signal, e.g. music sound, which is output from the speaker, is directly picked up by the microphone in the ear canal of a user.

A further embodiment of the present invention is that the microphone is located in the region of the housing to be inserted into an ear canal of a user. Thereby, a measurement of the sound pressure level (also referred to as SPL) in the ear canal is achieved.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that that the speaker and the microphone are arranged inside of the housing. Thereby, the noise signal can be picked near the eardrum of the user, when the earphone is inserted to the user's ear canal.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the earphone is an insert earphone. Thereby, the noise signal can be picked up near the user's eardrum, which allows achieving a smaller RECD than if the user wears a type of earphone not to be inserted into the ear canal, like headphones for example.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that a converter unit and a display unit are arranged separate from the housing and are operationally connected to the microphone and to the housing. Thereby, the sound pressure level SPL of the noise signal can be indicated or monitored, respectively. Another embodiment of the present invention is that the converter unit is a dB-converter unit or a dB (A) -converter unit or a Leq-converter unit. Thereby, different aspects of determining the sound level pressure can be taken into consideration. Thereby, the sound signal picked up by the microphone in the ear canal can be measured with different possible measures: the sound pressure level SPL can be recorded by filtering to A, B, or C filter (here a dB (A) is used for example) , or the peak sound pressure level SPL is measured in dB indicating the highest sound pressure level SPL recorded either of the total (weighted) signal or of specific components or the 8-hour equivalent level (Lequ, 8h) which is a measure for the risk on hearing damage as already described above.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the wire comprises a plug to be connected to a sound signal source. Thereby, different types of sound signal source can be run in order to avoid noise-induced hearing loss.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the sound signal source is a personal music player or a cell phone with a music player. Thereby, the user can reduce the risk of a noise-induced hearing loss when listening to music sound.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the display unit is a traffic light style display or a vibration device. Thereby, the user of the sound playing device is warned when the average sound pressure level (SPL) exceeds a defined threshold.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the display unit comprises a display panel and an indicator unit. Thereby, the actual determined sound level can be shown in dB to the user.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that the indicator comprises at least two categories, preferably three categories. Thereby, different categories of sound pressure level SPL can be perceived by the user.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the first category indicates a sound pressure level SPL below 8OdB, the second category indicates the sound pressure level SPL above 8OdB and between 115dB and the third category indicates the sound pressure level SPL above 115dB. Thereby, these three categories of sound pressure level (SPL) ranges can be perceived by the user (i.e. perception of predetermined dB ranges for harmless, critical and dangerous sound pressure levels (SPL) ) . The three different categories indicate the sound pressure levels (SPL) measured in an indicator having different colors, e.g. green category indicating the sound pressure level (SPL) being harmless to noise-induced hearing loss (i.e. below 8OdB) , orange category indicating the sound pressure level (SPL) being critical (i.e. above 8OdB and between 115dB) and red category indicating the sound pressure level (SPL) being dangerous (above 115 dB) . Another embodiment of the present invention is that the microphone comprises a RECD measuring unit and/or an impedance measuring unit. Thereby, feedback can be given to the sound playing device, e.g. to adjust an equalizer to the individual anatomic conditions, or to ensure proper functionality.

Another embodiment of the present invention is that a memory unit is provided located separate from the housing. Thereby, the exposure of sound pressure level (SPL) and duration of exposure can be monitored. Another embodiment of the present invention is that the memory unit is operationally connected to the converter unit. Thereby, the measured sound pressure level (SPL) can be stored in the memory unit and can be used to determine when the critical or even dangerous noise exposure is reached in considering sound pressure level (SPL) and duration of exposure.

Earphone unit which comprises two earphones, which are connected to each other with a wire. Thereby, the user can listen to e.g. a music sound in using both his ears, which leads to a more pleasant listening experience.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for processing an output signal of a sound signal source, comprising the steps of: _ π _

- feeding an noise signal to a speaker being located in the region of the housing to be inserted into an ear canal of a user;

- picking up a sound signal from the speaker by a microphone being located in the region of the housing to be inserted into the ear canal of the user;

- measuring of sound pressure level (SPL) and converting into dB or dB (A) or Leq; and

- displaying the effective sound pressure level (SPL) in a display unit.

Thereby, the actual sound pressure level (SPL) of a noise signal from the microphone located in the ear canal can be determined and categorized into different categories, i.e. harmless, critical and dangerous and displayed to the user in order that he can adapt, i.e. reduce, the volume of the sound, e.g. music, of the sound playing device.

The present invention is further explained with the aid of examples of embodiments, which are shown in figures. There is shown in: fig. 1 schematically, a perspective view of a section of a pair of earphones according to the present invention; fig. 2 schematically, a first sound playing system having an earphone according to the present invention; fig. 3 schematically, a display unit according to fig. 2 of the present invention; and fig. 4 schematically, a further sound playing system having an earphone according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows schematically, a perspective view of a section of a pair of earphones according to the present invention. The earphones shown in fig. 1 are implemented in form of an ear phone unit consisting of two insert earphones 1, 2 to be inserted into the right and left ear of a user for example. It is also conceivable that only one single earphone 1, 2 can be provided. Each of the earphones 1, 2 shown in fig. 1, comprise a housing 3 with an earplug 4 arranged on a first ending to be inserted into the ear. The housing 3 is shaped angle-like. A second wire 5 is arranged on a second ending. The ear plug 4 is made out of elastic material in order to achieve a correct fit according to the individual shape of the ear canal of a user.

Fig. 2 shows schematically, a first sound playing system with an earphone according to the present invention, like an insert-earphone for example. The earphone comprises a speaker 6 and a microphone 7 both are located in the region of the housing (not shown in fig. 2) to be inserted into a ear canal 8 of the user. The speaker 6 and the microphone 7 are arranged inside of the housing. A noise signal 9, e.g. music sound 10, coming from a sound signal source 11, e.g. a music playing device such a as personal music player PMP, i.e. a mp3-player or a cell phone with a music player for example, is fed via the speaker 6 to the microphone 7. The sound pressure level SPL in the ear canal 8 is calculated, averaged and converted to a logarithmic scale in dB in a converter unit 12, and possibly weighted to perceived levels (dB(A)) in the converter unit 12. Thus, the music sound 10 is fed from the microphone 7 located in the ear canal 8 of the user into the converter unit 12, which can consist of a dB-converter unit 13, a dB (A) -converter unit 14 or a Leq-converter unit 15. Then, the measured, average sound pressure level SPL is displayed in a display unit 16, which is operationally connected to the converter unit 12. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the sound playing device can be fed with characteristics of the actually used earphone or pair of earphones being measured e.g. in an ear simulator in order to provide the indicating sound pressure level SPL ranges. However, this would assume static conditions in a standard ear canal neglecting individual anatomic differences, insertion depth and leakage, which significantly influence the sound pressure level SPL in an individual ear canal. The converter unit 12 and the display unit 16 are located separate from the microphone 6 and the speaker 7. It is also conceivable that the converter unit 12 and the display unit 16 are located in the sound signal source 11.

Fig. 3 shows schematically, the display unit 16 according to fig. 2, which is connected by a wire 5 to one or both of the earphones (not shown in fig. 3) and to the sound signal source (not shown in fig. 3) . The display unit 16 comprises a display panel 17, which can display the actual amount of the sound pressure level SPL in dB measured in the converter unit (not shown in Fig. 3) . The display panel 17 can be in form of a LED display (light emitting diode display) . Further, an indicator unit 18 is arranged in the display unit 16. The indicator unit 18 displays an actual corresponding category 19, 20, 21 of sound pressure level (SPL) ranges displayed in the display panel 17. The indicator unit 18 indicates different defined categories 19, 20, 21 of a sound pressure level SPL depending on the actual, average sound pressure level SPL measured. In the embodiment shown, three categories 19, 20, 21 can be distinguished. The indicator unit 18 is in form of a traffic light style display unit 22, in form of a color LED (light emitting diode) for example. The first category 19, e.g. displayed in green color, represents the sound pressure level SPL being harmless to noise-induced hearing loss (i.e. below 8OdB), the second category 20, e.g. displayed in orange color represents the sound pressure level SPL being critical (i.e. above 8OdB to 115dB) and the third category 21, e.g. displayed in red color represents the sound pressure level SPL being dangerous (above 115 dB) . It is also conceivable that the categories 19, 20, 21 of displaying the sound pressure level SPL can be less or more than three categories 19, 20, 21. Further, it is also conceivable that the indicator unit 18 is implemented as a vibrator device in order to warn the user when the sound pressure level SPL is above the defined threshold or if the exposure time has exceeded a defined threshold. Further, it is conceivable that the indicator unit 18 comprises at least a two-part subdivision, wherein the first subdivision indicates sound pressure level SPL below 8OdB and the second subdivision indicates sound pressure level SPL above 8OdB. Thereby, the trespassing of the defined threshold of the sound pressure level (SPL) is perceivable to the user, e.g. the first division indicates non harmful sound pressure level SPL (i.e. below 8OdB) and the second division indicates critical or even dangerous sound pressure level SPL (i.e. above 8OdB). Fig. 4 shows schematically, a further sound playing system having earphones according to the present invention. A further sound signal source 23 comprises a further display unit 24 integrated into the sound signal source 23. The noise signal 9, e.g. music sound 10, coming from the further sound signal source 23, e.g. a music playing device such as personal music player PMP, like a mp3-player or a cell phone with a music player for example, is fed via the speaker 6 to the microphone 7. The speaker 6 and the microphone 7 are located in the ear canal 8. The music sound is picked up by the microphone 7 located in the ear canal 8 of the user into the converter unit 12, e.g. the dB-converter unit 13, the dB (A) -converter unit 14 or the Leq-converter unit 15. Then, the measured sound pressure level SPL is displayed in the display unit 24, which is operationally connected to the converter unit 12 and to the microphone 7 and to the housing of the earphone (not shown in fig. 4) .

Claims

1. Earphone having a housing (3) with an earplug (4) arranged on a first ending of the housing (3) and with a wire (5) arranged on a second ending of the housing (3) , characterized in that the housing (3), further comprises only at least one speaker (6) and at least one microphone (7) .

2. Earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that the microphone (7) is located in the region of the housing (3) to be inserted into an ear canal (8) of a user.

3. Earphone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the speaker (6) and the microphone (7) are arranged inside of the housing (3) .

4. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the earphone is an insert earphone.

5. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a converter unit (12; 13; 14; 15) and a display unit (16; 24) are arranged separate from the housing (3) and are operationally connected to the microphone (7) and to the housing (3).

6. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the converter unit (12; 13; 14; 15) is a dB-converter unit (13) or a dB (A) -converter unit (14) or a Leq-converter unit (15) .

7. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wire (5) comprises a plug to be connected to a sound signal source (11; 23) .

8. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sound signal source (11; 23) is a personal music player or a cell phone with a music player.

9. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the display unit (16; 24) is a traffic light style display (22) or a vibration device.

10. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the display unit (16; 22; 24) comprises a display panel (17) and an indicator unit (18) .

11. Earphone according to claim 10, characterized in that that the indicator unit (18) comprises at least two categories (19; 20), preferably three categories (19; 20; 21).

12. Earphone according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first category (19) indicates a sound pressure level (SPL) below 8OdB, the second category (20) indicates the sound pressure level (SPL) above 8OdB and between 115dB and the third category (21) indicates the sound pressure level (SPL) above 115dB.

13. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the microphone (7) comprises a RECD (Real-Ear-to-Coupler-Difference) measuring unit and/or an impedance measuring unit.

14. Earphone according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a memory unit is provided located separate from the housing (3) and that the memory unit is operationally connected to the converter unit (12; 13; 14; 15) .

15. Earphone unit characterized in that it comprises two earphones (1; 2) according to one of the claims 1 to 14 connected to each other with a wire (5) .

16. A method for processing an output signal of a sound signal source (11; 23), comprising the steps of:

— feeding an noise signal (9; 10) to a speaker (6) being located in the region of the housing (3) to be inserted into an ear canal (8) of a user; - picking up a sound signal from the speaker (6) by a microphone (7) being located in the region of the housing (3) to be inserted into the ear canal (8) of the user;

- displaying the effective sound pressure level in a display unit (16; 24) .