Patent Grant
8958588
The present disclosure refers to a hearing aid (or a part of a hearing aid) and a detection device for same.
Hearing aids are small user-worn devices that can aid the user with listening to spoken language or other sound. To improve the perception of sound by a user, a hearing aid comprises at least one microphone for receiving acoustic sound signals and converting acoustic signals into electrical signals (or other input transducer for receiving electric signals comprising audio). These electrical signals are processed and, if necessary, amplified. The processed and amplified electrical signal is fed to a loudspeaker and converted into a sound signal that is directed to a user's ear. The loudspeaker of a hearing aid is commonly called a “receiver”, although it is not a receiver in the otherwise common sense of the word (in the present context of hearing aids, the term “receiver” is used in the same way as traditionally used in the field of telephones to mean an earphone that converts electrical signals into (acoustic) sounds (i.e. a loudspeaker)). Modern hearing aids can be remote-controllable and may comprise a wireless unit for wireless data exchange with other devices or units.
A wireless unit is usually connected to an antenna circuit to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals generated by or received by the wireless unit. Further, a control unit may be provided to control the operation of the hearing aid, e.g. if the hearing aid is switched on or off or if volume or other settings are altered. For these purposes, the control unit may be operatively connected to both an audiological signal processing unit and to the wireless unit. However, a more basic control unit that only serves for controlling switching on and off of the hearing aid may lack such operative connection to the wireless unit and/or the audiological signal processing unit. The term “audiological signal processing unit” is intended to indicate that the unit includes processing of signals relating to a user's perception of an input audio signal, e.g. enhancing a signal picked up by an input transducer of the hearing aid, with a view to the user's hearing impairment (e.g. including applying a time and frequency dependent gain to the signal).
Conventional air-conduction hearing instruments or other listening devices or parts thereof are normally (portable or wearable) small items of physical dimensions not larger than a few centimeters, typically comprising a source of energy (e.g. a rechargeable energy source, e.g. a battery). While such devices are not worn continuously day and night, they are put on and off several times per day. It may happen that the user has forgotten where the hearing aid was put off and placed afterwards, so that the hearing aid cannot be immediately found.
Due to its small size, it can easily be covered by other items in an ordinary household. In such case, it may become difficult and time-consuming to find the hearing aid or a part of a hearing aid.
The main task of a conventional air-conduction hearing aid is to amplify sound. If not in place at the ear, acoustic feedback may result. A consequence of acoustic feedback in hearing aids may be an audible whistling of the hearing aid. This may help normally hearing people to localize the hearing aid. Due to the handicap, it is very often not possible for a hearing impaired person to perceive the whistling of the hearing aid. Additionally, if the hearing aid has been left alone in “on-position” for a longer period of time, it may happen that the battery is drained completely and the hearing aid is not functioning. In this case, no whistling sound will be emitted that would otherwise help to find the hearing aid. Other portable, battery driven electronic parts may have similar localization problems. Other hearing aids than conventional air-conduction hearing aids may benefit from the present invention, e.g. bone conduction hearing aids or cochlear implant hearing aids, the latter comprising e.g. a part adapted for being located behind an ear, and external and implanted co-axially located antenna parts and an implanted electrode part.
EP2056626A1 describes a hearing aid system having a wireless communication unit for inductively transmitting and receiving signals. The wireless communication unit comprises a data stream input unit, an active unit, a frequency determining unit, an inductive antenna and a receiver front end. The frequency determining unit may comprise an inductor, two capacitances and, and a resistor. The resistor may be connected in series with another resistor, which may be bypassed by an activating switch. This may be implemented in order to achieve a fast initiation and termination of oscillations.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide means that aid a user when searching for her or his hearing aid or a part of the hearing aid.
A hearing aid device may comprise a number of separate parts which is or can be brought in (wired or wireless electrical and/or or acoustic) communication with each other during operation of the device. Such separate parts can be a first part e.g. adapted to be located behind the ear of a user and a second part e.g. adapted to be located at or in the ear of the user, the two parts being in electric and/or acoustic and/or electromagnetic communication with each other. The present inventive idea can be used in connection with such hearing aid or part of a hearing aid that comprises a control unit and a wireless unit comprising an antenna circuit. The presence of other functional components of the hearing aid, such as transducer and signal processing units in the part that is to be found, is not essential.
In a more general perspective, the inventive idea can be used in connection with any portable (small) electronic device comprising control unit and a wireless unit comprising an antenna circuit (e.g. a headset, an electronic key, an ear phone, etc.) and a corresponding detection device. In the present context, the term ‘small’ is taken to mean having a maximum outer dimension less than 0.1 m, such as less than 0.05 m, such as less than 0.02 m.
According to the present disclosure, the object is achieved by a hearing aid part comprising a control unit and an antenna circuit that is part of a wireless unit for wireless transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic signals. The antenna circuit comprises a number of electronic components (e.g. comprising a capacitance and/or an inductance) that together define a resonance frequency of the antenna circuit. The hearing aid part further comprises a dissipative resistance and a switch. The dissipative resistance and the switch are arranged to allow selective coupling or decoupling of the dissipative resistance to or from, respectively, the antenna circuit to thus allow controlling of the dissipative properties of the antenna circuit by means of the switch. If the dissipative resistance is coupled with or connected to the antenna circuit, it dissipates some of the energy of the antenna circuit. If the dissipative resistance is decoupled or disconnected from the antenna circuit, the dissipative resistance is ineffective. The switch allows for selective coupling or decoupling of the resistance to the antenna circuit.
In an embodiment, the hearing aid part further comprises an input transducer (e.g. a microphone and/or a wireless receiver). In an embodiment, the hearing aid part comprises an audiological signal processing unit. In an embodiment, the hearing aid part comprises an output transducer (e.g. a receiver, also termed loudspeaker). In an embodiment, the hearing aid part comprises an input transducer, an audiological signal processing unit, and an output transducer (which form part of or constitute a forward path of the hearing aid part). The input transducer and the output transducer are operatively connected to the audiological signal processing unit that is configured to process a sound-representing electrical signal provided by the input transducer and to generate an output signal that can be transformed into sound (or a stimulus perceivable by the user as sound) by means of the output transducer. In an embodiment, the hearing aid part constitutes a hearing aid in itself.
In an embodiment, the hearing aid part comprises a local source of energy, e.g. a battery, such as a rechargeable energy source. In an embodiment, the hearing aid part comprises circuitry for extracting energy from a signal received by the wireless unit to energize components of the hearing aid part.
The dissipative resistance preferably is or comprises an Ohmic resistor. In an embodiment, the switch comprises a transistor.
In an embodiment, the wireless unit and the antenna circuit defines an interface for establishing a wireless link to another device (e.g. a remote control, another hearing aid part or hearing aid (e.g. a contra-lateral hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid system), an audio gateway, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the wireless link is a link based on near-field communication, e.g. an inductive link based on an inductive coupling between antenna coils of transmitting and receiving parts. In such case, an inductance of the antenna resonance circuit of the hearing aid part according to the present disclosure may form part of or constitute the mentioned antenna coil of the hearing aid part. The same may correspondingly be the case of a capacitance, if the wireless link is based on a capacitive coupling. In another embodiment, the wireless link is based on far-field, electromagnetic radiation. Again, the electronic components of the antenna circuit may contribute to establishing the wireless interface to other devices.
In an embodiment, the wireless link to another device is in the base band (audio frequency range, e.g. between 0 and 20 kHz). Preferably, however, the wireless link is based on some sort of modulation (analogue or digital) at frequencies above 100 kHz. Preferably, frequencies used to establish communication between the hearing aid or hearing aid part and the other device is below 50 GHz, e.g. located in a range from 5 MHz to 50 GHz, e.g. below 100 MHz. In an embodiment, the wireless link is based on frequencies above 100 MHz, e.g. in an ISM range above 300 MHz, e.g. in the 900 MHz range or in the 2.4 GHz range or in the 5.8 GHz range.
In an embodiment, the resonance frequency of the antenna circuit of the hearing aid part is adapted to the frequency range of the wireless link for establishing communication to and/or from another device or part.
In a preferred embodiment, the switch is connected to and controlled by the control unit and the control unit is configured to couple the dissipative resistance with the antenna circuit when the audiological signal processing unit and/or the hearing aid part is switched off, and/or if the internal power supply of the hearing aid part is below a threshold (e.g. in that a voltage of a battery is below a threshold voltage, e.g. 1.2 V) or drained completely.
By means of the dissipative circuit, a hearing aid part is supplied with means that help finding the hearing aid part when lost, even if it is switched off or if the internal power supply of the hearing aid part is drained completely.
Preferably, the antenna circuit is connected to a wireless unit that is connected to and controlled by said control unit. In an embodiment, the wireless unit serves for data and signal communication to and from the hearing aid part, when the hearing aid part is operating.
In a preferred embodiment of the hearing aid part, the control unit is connected to the audiological signal processing unit and is adapted for controlling (at least a part of) the audiological signal processing unit. This allows e.g. a user (or an automatic procedure) to select a hearing situation and to adapt the audiological signal processing unit to a selected hearing situation.
In an embodiment, the audiological signal processing unit form part of an integrated circuit (IC). In a further preferred embodiment of the hearing aid part, the control unit, the audiological signal processing unit and (optionally all or a part of) the wireless unit are implemented into an integrated circuit. The switch may be implemented into said integrated circuit, too, or the switch is a non-integrated part of an electronic block of the hearing aid part that also comprises the integrated circuit.
The object is further achieved by a detection device for such hearing aid or hearing aid part. The detection device comprises an emitting circuit that is configured to generate and emit an electromagnetic signal that is tuned or tunable to a resonance frequency of the hearing aid part as disclosed above. The emitting circuit is connected to a detection device antenna. The detection device further comprises an impedance metering unit that is operatively connected to the detection device antenna and that is configured to determine a measure of an impedance of the detection device antenna when the emitting circuit emits an electromagnetic signal. The detection device further comprises an impedance evaluation unit that is connected to the impedance metering unit and that is configured to evaluate a current impedance value (e.g. with respect to a reference value).
Such detection device can act as a hearing aid part finder for a hearing aid part having an antenna circuit with a dissipative resistance, because an electromagnetic signal emitted by the detection device is in part dissipated by the dissipative antenna circuit of the hearing aid part when the hearing aid part is in the range of the detection device. The dissipation of the electromagnetic signal in the hearing aid part antenna circuit results in a change of impedance of the detection device antenna circuit. This change of impedance can be detected and indicated by the detection device. If the detection device generates a user-perceivable signal that is generated in response to a detected change of impedance, the user is informed that the hearing aid part is in the range of the detection device.
In a preferred embodiment of the detection device, the detection device is designed to indicate (e.g. show) the distance to the lost hearing aid part. The hearing aid part utilizes components already available with the wireless functionality of state-of-the-art hearing aids or hearing aid parts. Few extra components need to be added to the antenna circuit to enable the hearing aid part to be found by a dedicated detection device.
With respect to the detection device, it is preferred that a reference value for the evaluation of a current impedance signal by the impedance evaluation unit reflects an impedance measured by the impedance metering circuit when no hearing aid part is in the range of the detection device. The impedance evaluation is preferably configured to compare the reference value with the current impedance value and to generate a user-perceivable signal that indicates a difference between said current impedance value and said reference value. Preferably, the user-perceivable signal is a signal that indicates a magnitude of a difference between the reference value and the current impedance value. Thus, it is possible that the user-perceivable signal is generated in such a way that the user perceivable signal indicates a distance to a hearing aid part. This can be achieved if the range of possible differences in magnitude between a current impedance value and the reference value is mapped to a distance scale (and e.g. stored in a memory of the detection device prior to its use). A number N of predefined corresponding values of a measured detection unit antenna impedance ZDDAi and distance xi (i=1, 2, . . . , N) to the hearing aid part in question may be obtained by measurement in advance of ordinary use of the hearing aid part (e.g. at a fitting session or during fabrication test) and stored in a memory of the detection device. Preferably, the impedance evaluation unit is configured to be able to interpolate between two values of antenna impedance to provide a distance xcur between xn and xn+1 corresponding to a measured antenna impedance ZDDACUr between ZDDAn and ZDDAn+1.
In a preferred embodiment, the user-perceivable signal is a visual signal, e.g. on a display, that shows the distance to the hearing aid part. Alternatively or additionally, the user-perceivable signal may be aimed at other senses of the user; it may e.g. include an audible signal and/or a vibrational signal, and/or a temperature variation signal (a higher temperature indicating e.g. a smaller distance).
The detection device can be a standalone (preferably portable) device or it can be implemented into a hearing aid remote control and/or into an audio gateway device. In an embodiment, the detection device form part of a communication device, e.g. a Smartphone.
A hearing aid finder system thus comprises at least two parts, the hearing aid or hearing aid part to be found and a detecting device.
In an aspect, a hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid part and a detection device is thus provided.
The hearing aid part comprises
The detection device comprises
In an embodiment, the hearing aid part further comprises an input transducer, an audiological signal processing unit, and an output transducer, the input transducer and the output transducer being operatively connected to the audiological signal processing unit, the audiological signal processing unit being configured to process a sound representing an electrical signal provided by the input transducer and to generate an output signal that can be transformed into a stimuli perceived as sound by a user by means of the output transducer.
In an embodiment, the switch is connected to and controlled by the control unit, and the control unit is configured to couple the dissipative resistance with the antenna circuit when the audiological signal processing unit and/or the hearing aid or hearing aid part is switched off, and/or if the internal power supply of the hearing aid or hearing aid part is below a threshold or drained completely.
In a preferred embodiment, the detection device forms part of a remote control for controlling or influencing functions of the hearing aid (e.g. its volume, the current program for processing an input signal to the hearing aid, a power-on or power-off, etc.). In an embodiment, the hearing aid system comprises a pair of hearing aids or hearing aid parts forming part of a binaural hearing aid system. Preferably, both of the hearing aids or hearing aid parts are hearing aids or hearing aid parts as described above and in connection with the drawings and in the claims, so that the detection device is adapted to provide a distance measure for any of the two hearing aid devices (possibly being able to differentiate between the two).
In an embodiment, the detection device is configured to detect whether the hearing aid (or one or both hearing aids of a binaural hearing aid system) is in an activated (power on) or in a deactivated (power off or low power) state. In an embodiment, the detection device is configured to activate (power on) or deactivate (power off or low power) the hearing aid (part) (or hearing aids) according to a predefined scheme. In an embodiment, the detection device is configured to transmit information on the detected status of the hearing aid (or hearing aids) to another device, e.g. to a programming device or a control device (e.g. in the form of a communication device, e.g. a Smartphone). The mentioned interaction between the detection device and a hearing aid may be implemented between a detection device and a hearing aid part.
In an embodiment, the output transducer of the hearing aid comprises a receiver or loudspeaker for converting an electric signal to an output sound for being perceived by a user wearing the hearing aid. In an embodiment, the hearing aid comprises a bone-anchored hearing aid. In such case the output transducer of the hearing aid comprises a mechanical vibrator converting an electric signal to a vibration of bones of the head of a user wearing the hearing aid. In an embodiment, the output transducer of the hearing aid comprises a multi-array electrode of a cochlear implant.
The present disclosure shall now be further illustrated by way of example with reference to the attached figures. Of these figures:
a and 1b show alternative embodiments of a hearing aid according to the present disclosure,
a and 3b show alternative use cases of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure.
The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.
Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only. Other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
An embodiment of a hearing aid 10 that can be found by means of a detection device 20 (cf.
The electronic block 2 comprises at least an integrated circuit (IC) 4 and a tuned antenna circuit comprising a dissipative resistance 9, a capacitance 12 and an inductance 11. In an embodiment, one or more of the dissipative resistance 9, the capacitance 12 and an inductance 11 may be included in the integrated circuit in part or in full (e.g. some of the capacitance 12 may be included in the IC and some of it may external). The electronic block may comprise further ICs, possibly partitioned in other ways than shown in
The integrated circuit comprises an audiological signal processing unit 5 for the audiological signal processing and a wireless unit 6. During the intended use of the hearing aid, the wireless unit 6 receives and sends control information and/or audio data (e.g. from another hearing aid and/or from a remote control and/or an audio gateway). The information is transferred via electromagnetic waves of a determined frequency or frequency range. The electromagnetic waves are sent and received via a tuned antenna. For this regular mode of operation, the antenna comprises the capacitance 12 and the inductance 11.
For the particular purpose of the invention, two further components, which are not required for the intended use as a hearing aid, are added to the hearing aid circuit: The resistance 9 and a switch 8a in
The switch 8 is operated (controlled) by the control unit 7. During regular use, when the hearing aid 10 is worn at a user's ear, the switch 8 is open and the resistance 9 is not active as long as the hearing aid is switched on and normal operation as intended. The switch 8 closes and the resistance 9 is active if the hearing aid is switched off or if the battery is drained.
The detection device 20 is shown in
If the hearing aid 10 with the receiving antenna is located far from the detection device (i.e. “out of range”, e.g. more than 5 m or more than 10 m or more than 20 m), or otherwise electromagnetically shielded from the electromagnetic signal of the detection device, the impedance metering unit 23 will measure the impedance of the antenna of the detecting device alone. If the detection device 20 is brought in close proximity to the receiving antenna of the hearing aid (e.g. within a distance of 20 m or 10 m or 5 m or 2 m), the antenna of the hearing aid will be coupled inductively to the antenna of the detection device 20 and, thus, change its impedance.
To detect this change, the impedance metering unit 23 comprises an impedance evaluation unit. In its most simple embodiment, the impedance evaluation unit is a calibrated scale as shown in
Instead of an impedance metering unit with an evaluation unit, which is a scale with needle that acts as a visual signal indicating display, any form of display can be used, e.g. a numerical or a graphical display or a combination thereof.
The latter embodiment is particularly useful if the detection device is implemented as an integral part of a remote control for wirelessly controlling the hearing aid. In an embodiment, the detection device is implemented in a communication device, e.g. a Smartphone. Alternatively or additionally, information captured by the detection device is displayed and/or further processed in a smart phone.
a and 3b show alternative use cases of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure.
a shows a first embodiment of a hearing aid part (HAP) and an embodiment of a detection device (DD). The hearing aid part (HAP) comprises a wireless unit (WLU) and a control unit (CTR). The wireless unit (WLU) comprises an antenna circuit comprising a capacitance and an inductance that together define a resonance frequency, as e.g. described in connection with
b shows a second embodiment of a hearing aid part (HAP) and an embodiment of a detection device (DD) as also illustrated in
The invention is defined by the features of the independent claim(s). Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Any reference numerals in the claims are intended to be non-limiting for their scope.
Some preferred embodiments have been shown in the foregoing, but it should be stressed that the invention is not limited to these, but may be embodied in other ways within the subject-matter defined in the following claims and equivalents thereof. In the above part of the disclosure, the idea has been exemplified in connection with hearing aids, but it may be implemented in connection with any portable electronic devices comprising a wireless interface (e.g. head sets, ear phones, keys, etc.).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12159221 | Mar 2012 | EP | regional |
This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/609,962 filed on Mar.13, 2012 and to patent application Ser. No. 12159221.6 filed in the European Patent Office, on Mar. 13, 2012. The entire contents of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040131213 | Niederdrank | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2 056 626 | May 2009 | EP |
| 2056626 | May 2009 | EP |
| 2 296 973 | Jul 1996 | GB |
| WO 2010073749 | Jul 2010 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130243228 A1 | Sep 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61609962 | Mar 2012 | US |
