EP2282558B1 - Hearing aid and method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hearing device for wearing in the ear with a passage opening according to the patent claim 1 and a method for the automatic regulation of the size of a passage opening of a hearing device according to the patent claim 4.

Today's ido hearing devices (in the ear hearing devices) usually have a channel forming a passage opening between the inside of the ear and the outside of the ear (also called a vent). The vent provides a remedy for the problem of so-called occlusion, in which sounds, such as the hearing aid wearer's own voice or chewing sounds in the ear canal, are trapped and returned to the eardrum, rendering them unnaturally loud to the wearer's wearer. These effects can be so uncomfortable that many wearers do without a hearing aid. In order to reduce the problem of occlusion, it is known to attach passage openings to the hearing device. However, this often reduces the achievable acoustic gain and thus limits the performance of the hearing. Too large a passage opening can also go at the expense of the optimal size of the hearing. Hearing devices for individual carrier ears are often subject to strong space limitations, as e.g. a small hearing device often does not simultaneously provide a large opening and can have enough space for all the necessary electronic components. Another advantage of the vent is that it can be used for ventilation and moisture exchange of the interior of the ear.

In today's hearing devices, the size of the passage opening in the manufacture of the hearing is determined. The passage openings usually have a diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm. The diameter is always a compromise between the necessary reinforcement and comfort (occlusion and ventilation). A subsequent enlargement of the passage opening is not possible, a reduction only with great effort, for example with the help of Reduzierstücken.

From the document WO 2007/054589 A2 a hearing device is known, which in a channel has a transducer element, for example a membrane, which can change its shape, elasticity or vibration behavior for controlled attenuation of sound pressure. The transducer element may be partially made of a piezoelectric material, for example, and change its shape by electrical voltage.

From the document EP 1 272 003 A1 a hearing device is known in which in the auditory canal a receiver and surrounding an expandable element are arranged. The element is eg inflatable and can be changed in volume if necessary.

From the document US 2007/121980 A1 a hearing device to be inserted in an ear is known, the housing of which is designed for better adaptation to the individual auditory canal at least partially deformable. The deformability can be brought about, for example mechanically or by means of piezoelectricity.

From the post-published document EP 2 124 477 A2 For example, a hearing device for insertion into an auditory canal is known, which consists of an inner and four outer channels. The outer channels can be closed by four valves, wherein the valves can be formed for example of an electroactive material and are brought by an electrical potential by expansion to the closure of the channels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing device, which in terms of reinforcement and comfort always as well as possible to the respective hearing situation is adjusted. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for such an adaptation.

The object is achieved by a hearing device for wearing in the ear with a passage opening according to claim 1 and a method for automatic regulation of the size of a passage opening of a hearing device according to claim 4. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the hearing device according to the invention for carrying in the ear with a housing and a channel arranged in the housing, which is designed as a passage opening between the inside of the ear and the outside of the ear for sound or air, the channel has a valve or valve-like element, which by applying an electrical Voltage for changing the size of the passage opening is formed at least one position, wherein the valve is formed at least partially of an electroactive polymer, wherein the hearing device for recording a hearing situation, which requires an acoustic amplification or attenuation, and by means of the valve for the automatic adaptation of the Size of the passage opening is formed to the hearing situation, wherein the valve is constructed of a grid-like structure of electroactive polymer, wherein the lattice-like structure walls of polymer layers of the electroactive polymer and air holes aufwei st. If required, the hearing device according to the invention can change the size or the diameter of the passage opening in such a way that both good wearing comfort and optimum reinforcement are possible, adapted to the hearing situation. The hearing device can adapt flexibly to changing environmental influences. Depending on the situation, both the problems of occlusion and ventilation as well as the problems of under-amplification are solved.

The valve is formed by applying an electrical voltage to a change in the size of the passage opening. This is simple and low-effort and without an increased space requirements to accomplish.

Advantageously, for a particularly simple and rapid change in the size of the passage opening, the valve is at least partially formed from a material which is formed to a triggered change in its volume by at least 10%. Such a material can be arranged in the passage opening and caused by means of triggering to change its volume. In this way, the passage opening can be enlarged or reduced. Ideally, the material is designed to have a volume change of at least 25%.

The valve is at least partially made of an electroactive material, in particular a polymer. Such electroactive materials or polymers can be caused by applying a voltage to a change in their volume. Examples of such materials are ionic metal-polymer composites, ionic gels and conductive polymers. Because of their freedom from pollutants, polymers are well suited, especially dry systems, in which unwanted phase separation and / or the outdiffusion of active components or of solvents or plasticizers are excluded. Electroactive polymers are generally known and are used, for example, as sensors or actuators.

The valve is constructed of a grid-like structure of electroactive polymer, the grid-like structure having walls of polymer layers of the electroactive polymer and air holes. In this way, a particularly large size change can be achieved.

The method according to the invention for the automatic regulation of the size of the passage opening of the hearing device comprises the steps of registering a hearing situation, which comprises a acoustic amplification or attenuation requires, and adaptation of the size of the passage opening to the listening situation by means of the valve or valve-like element.

FIG 1

eine Ansicht einer bekannten Hörvorrichtung mit einem Kanal,

FIG 2

eine Ansicht eines Aufbaus eines Ventils mit mehreren Kammern,

FIG 3

eine weitere Ansicht eines Aufbaus eines Ventils mit runder Struktur,

FIG 4

eine weitere Ansicht eines Aufbaus eines ventils mit gitterartiger Struktur,

FIG 5

eine vergrößerte Ansicht der gitterartigen Struktur gemäß FIG 4,

FIG 6

eine Ansicht einer Anordnung eines Ventils an einer Position in dem Kanal,

FIG 7

eine Ansicht einer Anordnung eines langgezogenen Ventils in dem gesamten Kanal,

FIG 8

eine Abfolge der Grundschritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und

FIG 9

eine Großansicht einer Kammer gemäß FIG 2.

The invention and further advantageous embodiments according to features of the dependent claims are explained in more detail below with reference to schematically illustrated examples in the drawing, without thereby limiting the invention to these examples. Show it:

FIG. 1

a view of a known hearing device with a channel,

FIG. 2

a view of a construction of a valve with multiple chambers,

FIG. 3

another view of a construction of a valve with a round structure,

FIG. 4

another view of a construction of a valve with a grid-like structure,

FIG. 5

an enlarged view of the grid-like structure according to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6

a view of an arrangement of a valve at a position in the channel,

FIG. 7

a view of an arrangement of a long-drawn valve in the entire channel,

FIG. 8

a sequence of the basic steps of the method according to the invention and

FIG. 9

a closeup of a chamber according to FIG. 2 ,

Hearing devices have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. Typically, an input signal is recorded by means of a hearing device and converted into an audio signal, then processed and amplified in a signal processing unit and then output.

In the FIG. 1 the construction of a typical ido (in the ear) listening device 10 is shown. The hearing device has a microphone 11 as input converter, as output converter a receiver 12 and a signal processing unit 22 with amplifier. In addition, a battery 13 for power and power supply, a volume control 15 and in newer devices a program interface 16 is present. The hearing device also has a channel (vent) 14, which forms a passage opening between the inside of the ear and the outside of the ear.

A hearing device according to the invention now additionally has a valve or valve-like element arranged in the channel 14, which is designed to change the size of the passage opening; also possible is a complete closure of the passage opening. For this purpose, the valve is preferably at least partially formed from a material which can trigger a change in its volume triggered. In particular, such triggering may be to apply a voltage to the material or to alter an applied voltage. Materials that are caused to change in volume by stress are referred to as electroactive materials. examples for Electroactive materials are ionic metal-polymer composites, ionic gels and conductive polymers. In particular, electroactive conductive polymers are suitable for use as a valve of the hearing device, and of these in particular drying systems. Conductive polymers can achieve out-of-plane volume changes of up to about 30%. Electroactive polymers are in turn subdividable into ionic or electronic electroactive polymers. Examples of frequently used systems based on polypyrrole and / or polythiophene polymers or co-polymers. For the control and / or regulation of the valve and thus the change of the passage opening, for example, the signal processing unit or an additional control and regulating unit connected thereto can be used.

In the FIG. 2 and enlarge the FIG. 9 the general construction of a valve 17 of a hearing device 10 is shown, wherein the voltage-conducting components are not shown. The valve has, for example, a plurality of chambers 18, for example, five chambers, wherein more or less chambers are possible. By a multi-layer structure can be achieved even with small volume expansion, a large change in cross section. In each chamber 18, an air gap 19 is arranged between two polymer layers 20, which can be changed in its extent by expansion or contraction of the polymer layers, if necessary. Electrodes for applying a voltage are also attached to the polymer layers (not shown). In addition, it may be necessary to attach to the polymer layer, in particular the backs, a protective layer to prevent the ingress of water, water vapor or other harmful substances.

If, for example, a polymer is used which can change its volume by 30%, then, according to the following calculation example, a size adaptation can take place which corresponds approximately to an opening diameter of 1 mm to 3 mm and vice versa. The height of the valve is for example 5 mm; There are five chambers with a width of 1.2 mm each. The polymer layers are each 0.45 mm in their smallest dimension. In this state, the air gap is about 0.3 mm. This corresponds to a free cross section of 7.5 mm ² , which corresponds approximately to an opening diameter of 3 mm (7.06 mm ² ). With an expansion of the polymer layers from 30% to 0.59 mm each, an air gap of 0.3 mm remains. This corresponds to a free cross section of 0.75 mm ² , which approximates an opening diameter of 1 mm (0.78 mm ² ).

In the 3 to 5 each other embodiments of the valve are shown. The valve can, for example, as in FIG. 3 shown to be round, with only one polymer layer along the wall of the valve. By changing the volume of the polymer layer, the opening diameter changes directly here. In this way, a change in the opening diameter of the passage opening can also be achieved; however, this is less for a polymer with 30% volume change than for the multi-chamber valve.

In the FIG. 4 According to the invention, a valve with grid-like structures is shown. These are constructed in a similar way as the chamber-like structures and have walls with polymer layers and air holes, as in FIG. 5 shown in enlarged form. By expanding the polymer layers, the air holes can be reduced and even completely closed.

In the FIGS. 6 and 7 For example, it is shown how a valve can be arranged within the channel. It can, as in FIG. 6 shown, at a position of the channel, for example in the middle, but also at one end, be arranged. As in FIG. 7 However, the valve can also extend over the entire channel.

The hearing device according to the invention can automatically adapt to the corresponding hearing situation according to the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the hearing device registers a hearing situation, which amplification or attenuation requires ( FIG. 8 ; Step 23). For this purpose, for example, the signal processing unit or an additional processing unit or a control and regulation unit on the basis of the incoming signals determine the required gain or attenuation and compare, for example, with a reference value. If the reference value is exceeded, it can additionally be calculated by the signal processing unit or the additional processing unit or the control and regulation unit, which size of the passage opening is required to reduce the gain or attenuation to zero or at least below the reference value. This information is then used for the control of the valve 17. Then, the valve 17 is driven to reduce or enlarge the passage opening according to the specifications (step 24). This is effected in the case of an electroactive material or polymer by the application of a voltage. If, for example, more amplification is necessary, ie the incoming signal is too quiet, the passage opening is reduced by the valve or even completely closed. If, on the other hand, a weakening is necessary, that is to say the incoming signal is too loud, the passage opening is enlarged by the valve.

In addition, it can also be provided that a manual change of the passage opening of the channel through the hearing device support is possible, for example by means of an operating element on the hearing device.

The invention can be summarized briefly in the following way: For a particularly good adaptation to the particular hearing situation is a hearing for wearing in the ear with a housing and a channel disposed in the housing, which as a passage opening between the inside of the ear and the outside of the ear for sound or air is executed, wherein the channel comprises a component, in particular a valve, which is designed to change the size of the passage opening at at least one position provided, wherein the valve is constructed of a grid-like structure of electroactive polymer, wherein the grid-like structure walls Polymer layers of the electroactive polymer and having air holes.

Claims (4)

1. In-the-ear hearing aid (10) with a housing (21) and with a channel (14) which is arranged in the housing and which is designed as a through-opening for sound and air between the interior of the ear and the environment outside the ear, wherein the channel (14) has a valve (17) which, by application of an electrical voltage, is designed to change the size of the through-opening at at least one position, wherein the valve (17) is made at least partially from an electroactive polymer, wherein the hearing aid is designed for registering a hearing situation which requires an acoustic amplification or attenuation, and the valve is used to automatically adapt the size of the through-opening to the hearing situation, characterized in that the valve (17) is constructed from a lattice-like structure of electroactive polymer, the lattice-like structure having walls composed of polymer layers of the electroactive polymer and air gaps.
2. Hearing aid according to the preceding claim, wherein the valve (17) is formed at least partially from an electroactive polymer that is designed for a triggered change in its volume by at least 10% by the application of the electrical voltage or by the change at the applied electrical voltage, so that the through-opening can be made bigger or smaller.
3. Hearing aid according to Claim 2, wherein the electroactive material is designed to change its volume by at least 25% by application of an electrical voltage.
4. Method for automatically regulating the size of a through-opening in an in-the-ear hearing aid with a housing and with a channel which is arranged in the housing and which is designed as a through-opening for sound and air between the interior of the ear and the environment outside the ear, wherein the channel has a valve which, by application of an electrical voltage, is designed to change the size of the through-opening at at least one position, wherein the valve (17) is made at least partially from an electroactive polymer, said method comprising the following steps:

   - registering a hearing situation that requires an acoustic amplification or attenuation, and

   - using the valve to adapt the size of the through-opening to the hearing situation,

   characterized in that the valve (17) is constructed from a lattice-like structure of electroactive polymer, the lattice-like structure having walls composed of polymer layers of the electroactive polymer and air gaps.

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