JP4170143B2 - Hearing aid system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hearing aid system that transmits sound collected by a microphone (hereinafter abbreviated as “microphone”) to a user through a bone conduction speaker.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, hearing aid systems for assisting the hearing ability of the hearing impaired are known. As one of such hearing aid systems, wireless hearing aid systems are already commercially available (for example, wireless hearing aid systems WH-AX201, WH-AX1001, and WH-TX100 manufactured by Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.).
[0003]
The wireless hearing system is composed of a hearing aid receiver and a transmitter. The hearing aid receiver includes a built-in microphone housed in the main body and an earphone connected to the main body by a cord. When listening to a nearby sound, the hearing aid receiver can be used alone as a hearing aid. In addition, the hearing aid receiver has a reception function for receiving radio waves from a transmitter having a microphone.
[0004]
The transmitter includes a microphone, and transmits a sound signal obtained by collecting sound with the microphone to the hearing aid receiver by radio waves. Therefore, when listening to a sound far away, the sound collected by the microphone of the transmitter can be received by the hearing aid receiver and listened to by the earphone.
[0005]
In the wireless hearing aid system configured as described above, since the earphone of the hearing aid receiver is connected to the main body by a cord, there is a problem that it is troublesome for the user when the earphone is worn, which hinders popularization.
[0006]
Further, in this wireless hearing aid system, an earphone that transmits sound by sound waves is used to transmit information to the user. Therefore, it is pointed out that the user picks up noise and causes howling, which causes a heavy burden on the user and is easily fatigued.
[0007]
In order to solve this problem, in recent years, bone conduction type hearing aids using bone conduction speakers have been put into practical use and provided to the market (trade name “Hyperlink” manufactured by Fujiko Co., Ltd.). As disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, this bone conduction speaker causes a voice to be heard by transmitting vibrations of a diaphragm that is vibrated by a voice coil to bone tissue. This hearing aid is configured to transmit a sound signal obtained by collecting sound with a microphone of the main body to a bone conduction speaker through a cable and to transmit information.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2967777
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the bone conduction type hearing aid is connected to the main body including the microphone by a cord as in the above-described wireless hearing aid system, the problem that it is troublesome for the user when worn is solved. Absent.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid system capable of obtaining a good wearing feeling.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a hearing aid system according to the present invention includes a portable wireless transmitter with a microphone that transmits a sound signal obtained by collecting sound with a microphone as a wireless signal, and a portable headset. The headset includes a wireless receiver that receives a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter with a microphone and reproduces a sound signal, and a bone conduction speaker that is driven based on the sound signal reproduced by the wireless receiver. PreparationThe bone conduction speaker is vibrated by a giant magnetostrictive element whose shape is displaced according to the sound signal reproduced by the wireless receiver.It is characterized by that.
[0012]
  According to this hearing aid system, the sound signal obtained by collecting the sound with the microphone is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless receiver and transmitted to the user through the bone conduction speaker. And a good wearing feeling can be obtained. In addition, since the sound collected by the microphone is transmitted to the user using the bone conduction speaker, soft information transmission, which is a feature of the sound, is possible, and a user-friendly hearing aid system can be provided.In addition, the sound quality is better than that of a bone conduction speaker using a conventional voice coil, and there is an advantage that it is easy for the user to listen.
[0013]
The hearing aid system according to the present invention may further include an information transmitter that transmits a sound signal from an information source device to the wireless receiver as a wireless signal. According to this configuration, if an information transmitter is installed at a predetermined location and a microphone is connected as an information source device, for example, a conversation with an attendant at the predetermined location can be performed without a wireless transmitter with a microphone. it can. Moreover, if an information transmitter is installed in a predetermined place and a guidance device is connected as an information source device, for example, the voice from the guidance device can be heard without a wireless transmitter with a microphone.
[0014]
  Further, the bone conduction speaker used in the hearing aid system according to the present invention is:A stopper fixed to one end of a cylindrical housing, a holding material fixed to the other end of the housing, a transmission material inserted into a hollow portion of the holding material, a magnet, and a cylindrical shape on both cutting surfaces. A super magnetostrictive element held between the stopper and the transmission material with a magnet interposed therebetween, a coil provided around the super magnetostrictive element, formed into a cylindrical shape, and generates a magnetic field to drive the super magnetostrictive element; It has a pressing material which is arranged between one end of the transmission material and the holding material and presses the transmission material, the magnet and the giant magnetostrictive element in the direction of the stopper.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This hearing aid system is roughly composed of a headset 1 and a wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone.
[0017]
The headset 1 includes a radio receiver 10 attached to the frame 2, a left bone conduction speaker 20a, a right bone conduction speaker 20b, and a battery 30. Although the detailed structure of the frame 2 is not shown, the frame 2 is configured to be stretchable so as to fit the shape of the user's head.
[0018]
The radio receiver 10 reproduces a sound signal by receiving and demodulating the radio wave transmitted from the radio transmitter 40 with a microphone, and sends the sound signal to the left bone conduction speaker 20a and the right bone conduction speaker 20b. The electrical configuration of the wireless receiver 10 will be described later. The wireless receiver 10 is provided with a volume adjustment knob 11 so that the outputs of the right bone conduction speaker 20a and the left bone conduction speaker 20b can be adjusted. The power of the wireless receiver 10 is supplied from the battery 30. The battery 30 can also be built in the wireless receiver 10.
[0019]
The right bone conduction speaker 20a and the left bone conduction speaker 20b have the same structure. Therefore, the following description will be simply made as “bone conduction speaker 20”. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the bone conduction speaker 20 includes a stopper 22, a magnet 23, a giant magnetostrictive element 24, a coil 25, a transmission material 26, a spring 27, and a housing housed in a hollow portion of a cylindrical housing 21. The holding material 28 is used.
[0020]
The housing 21 is composed of a cylindrical styrene pipe having an outer diameter of 10φ, an inner diameter of 7φ, and a length of about 39 mm, for example. The stopper 22 is made of a cylindrical ferrite material having a diameter of about 7φ × 15 mm, and a cylindrical protrusion 22a having a height of about 2 mm is formed at one end thereof. The stopper 22 is fixed to one end of the housing 21.
[0021]
The giant magnetostrictive element 24 has, for example, a cylindrical shape of about 2φ × 8 mm, and a magnet 23 having a size of about 3φ × 2 mm is interposed between both cut surfaces thereof, so that the protrusion 22a of the stopper 22 and the transmission material 26 Is held between. The giant magnetostrictive element 24 is a magnetic material in which the amount of displacement and change rate of strain generated by applying a magnetic field is larger than that of a conventional magnetostrictive material and the generated stress is large.
[0022]
A coil 25 formed in a cylindrical shape is provided around the giant magnetostrictive element 24. The coil 25 is used to drive the giant magnetostrictive element 24 by generating a magnetic field. The transmission material 26 is made of brass having a cylindrical shape of about 3.8φ × 10 mm, for example, and has a flange 26a of about 6φ on one end face.
[0023]
A holding member 28 made of a cylindrical phenol material having an outer diameter of 7φ, an inner diameter of 4φ, and a length of about 6 mm is fixed to the other end portion of the housing 21, and a transmission material 26 is attached to the hollow portion. Loosely inserted. A spring 27 made of, for example, phosphor bronze is disposed between the flange 26a of the transmission member 26 and the cut surface of the holding member 28, and the transmission member 26, the magnet 23, and the giant magnetostrictive element 24 are pressed in the direction of the stopper 22. ing. The other end face of the transmission member 26 is exposed to the outside and is brought into contact with a part of the user's head via a pad (not shown).
[0024]
In the bone conduction speaker 20 configured as described above, when the sound signal output from the wireless receiver 10 is supplied to the coil 25, a current flows through the coil 25 to generate a magnetic field, and the giant magnetostrictive element 24 is It is displaced in the vertical direction in the figure according to the sound signal. The displacement of the giant magnetostrictive element 24 is transmitted to the user as vibration.
[0025]
The wireless transmitter with microphone 40 includes a microphone 41. The wireless transmitter with microphone 40 converts a sound signal obtained by collecting sound with the microphone 41 into a radio wave and transmits it to the wireless receiver 10. The electrical configuration of the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 will be described later.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the wireless receiver 10. The radio receiver 10 includes an antenna 12a, a high frequency amplifier 12, a frequency mixer 13, a crystal local oscillator 14, a multiplication amplifier 15, a first intermediate frequency amplifier 16, a narrow band FM-IF circuit 17, a low frequency amplifier 18, and a low frequency. The power amplifier 19 is configured. A left bone conduction speaker 20 a and a right bone conduction speaker 20 b are connected to the output of the low frequency power amplifier 19.
[0027]
The radio wave received by the antenna 12 a is converted into a high frequency signal and sent to the high frequency amplifier 12. The high frequency amplifier 12 amplifies the high frequency signal from the antenna 12 a and sends it to the frequency mixer 13. On the other hand, the crystal local oscillator 14 generates a signal that oscillates at a predetermined frequency and sends it to the multiplier amplifier 15. The multiplication amplifier 15 multiplies and amplifies the signal from the crystal local oscillator 14 and sends it to the frequency mixer 13.
[0028]
The frequency mixer 13 mixes the high-frequency signal from the high-frequency amplifier 12 and the signal from the multiplication amplifier 15, converts it to an intermediate frequency signal having an intermediate frequency, and sends it to the first intermediate frequency amplifier 16. The first intermediate frequency amplifier 16 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal from the frequency mixer 13 and sends it to the narrowband FM-IF circuit 17. The narrowband FM-IF circuit 17 extracts the sound signal by performing mixing, limiting amplification, and FM detection on the signal having the intermediate frequency from the first intermediate frequency amplifier 16 and demodulating the signal, and sends it to the low frequency amplifier 18. send.
[0029]
The low frequency amplifier 18 amplifies the sound signal from the narrow band FM-IF circuit 17 and sends it to the low frequency power amplifier 19. The low-frequency power amplifier 19 amplifies the sound signal from the low-frequency amplifier 18 with an amplification factor according to the setting of the volume adjustment knob 11, and sends it to the left bone conduction speaker 20a and the right bone conduction speaker 20b. Thereby, the user can listen to sound by bone conduction.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone. The wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone includes a microphone 41, an audio amplifier 42, a howling prevention circuit 43, a frequency modulator 44, a crystal oscillator 45, a buffer amplifier 46, a multiplication amplifier 47, a multiplication amplifier 48, a power amplifier 49, and an antenna 49a. Has been. For example, a shortened antenna can be used as the antenna 49a.
[0031]
The microphone 41 sends a sound signal obtained by collecting the sound to the sound amplifier 42. The audio amplifier 42 amplifies the sound signal from the microphone 41 and sends it to the howling prevention circuit 43. The howling prevention circuit 43 detects a sound signal from the voice amplifier 42 and controls the amplification factor of the voice amplifier 42 to prevent howling. The signal output from the howling prevention circuit 43 is sent to the frequency modulator 44.
[0032]
The frequency modulator 44 modulates the frequency of the signal from the howling prevention circuit 43 and sends it to the crystal oscillator 45. The crystal oscillator 45 generates a signal that oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the frequency-modulated signal from the frequency modulator 44, and sends the signal to the buffer amplifier 46. The buffer amplifier 46 is provided to make the coupling between the crystal oscillator 45 and the load as sparse as possible so as to eliminate the influence of load fluctuations and to stabilize the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator 45. The output of the buffer amplifier 46 is sent to a multiplication amplifier 47.
[0033]
The multiplication amplifier 47 multiplies the signal from the buffer amplifier 46 and sends it to the multiplication amplifier 48. The multiplication amplifier 48 further multiplies the signal from the multiplication amplifier 47 and sends it to the power amplifier 49. The power amplifier 49 amplifies the signal from the multiplication amplifier 48 and sends it to the antenna 49a. Thereby, the sound signal input by the microphone 41 is transmitted from the antenna 49a as a radio wave.
[0034]
Next, an example in which a hearing impaired person uses the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. Both the headset 1 and the wireless receiver with microphone 40 are configured to be carried by a hearing-impaired person. Normally, as shown in FIG. 5, the headset 1 is used by being attached to the head of the hearing-impaired person. The At this time, the bone conduction speaker 20 can be worn in a state where it abuts on the front side of the ear of the hearing impaired person or a state where it abuts on the rear side of the ear. Moreover, the wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone is used, for example, by being attached to a belt of a hearing impaired person. Note that the wireless receiver 40 with a microphone can be configured to be used around the neck like a pendant, for example.
[0035]
According to this normal usage mode, the bone conduction speaker 20 of the headset 1 does not block the ear hole of the hearing impaired person, and thus has an advantage of less fatigue. Moreover, according to the conventional hearing aid inserted into the ear hole, since it is obvious that the person is deaf, there is a problem that stress is accumulated. However, when the headset 1 is used, it is the same as the style of listening to music. , There is no sense of incongruity, and such problems are less likely to occur.
[0036]
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 can be used by being placed at the center of a circle of a plurality of persons such as a family. According to this mode of use, the hearing-impaired person can listen to the conversation of the whole family at the same volume, so that the family can enjoy it.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 can be used by being placed near a television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as “TV”), for example. According to this mode of use, a hearing-impaired person can watch TV anywhere and can watch TV while talking with his / her family.
[0038]
Next, a procedure for using the above-described hearing aid system will be described. The hearing impaired person first prepares the wireless receiver 10. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, the power switch of the wireless receiver 10 is turned on (step S10).
[0039]
Next, the headset 1 is worn on the head (step S11). As a result, the wireless receiver 10 is in a state where the sound transmitted from the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 can be heard (step S12). Next, the volume is adjusted by operating the volume adjustment knob 11 (step S13). When the above preparation is completed, conversation and various voices can be enjoyed thereafter.
[0040]
Next, the hearing impaired person prepares the wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, the antenna 49a is attached (step S20). Next, the power switch of the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 is turned on (step S21). Thereby, the transmission from the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 is started.
[0041]
Next, if the conversation is with a small number of people (YES in step S22), the microphone-equipped radio receiver 40 is attached to a belt or the like to be used in a normal usage mode (step S23). Thereafter, the hearing impaired person can enjoy conversation with a small number of people and various voices.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the conversation is not a conversation with a small number of people (NO in step S22) but a conversation surrounding the table (YES in step S24), the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 is placed at the center of the conversation (step S25). Thereafter, the hearing impaired person can enjoy conversations with a large number of people such as family members and various voices.
[0043]
If it is not a conversation or the like surrounding the table (NO in step S24), for example, when watching television at home (step S26), the wireless transmitter 40 with a microphone is placed near the television (step S27). Thereafter, the hearing-impaired person can watch TV.
[0044]
As described above, according to the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 and the headset 1 are connected wirelessly, so that the hearing aid system can be worn. There is no troublesomeness and a good wearing feeling can be obtained. In addition, introduction of wireless communication makes it possible to handle a variety of information, and users can easily listen to accurate information themselves in many environments and situations.
[0045]
In addition, since the sound collected by the microphone 41 of the wireless transmitter with microphone 40 is transmitted to the user using the bone conduction speaker 20, soft information transmission is possible and a user-friendly hearing aid system is provided. it can. Further, since the output of the bone conduction speaker 20 can be adjusted by the volume adjustment knob 11 provided in the wireless receiver 10, it can be quickly adapted to the environment and the stress on the user can be minimized.
[0046]
(Second Embodiment)
The hearing aid system according to the second aspect of the present invention is obtained by further adding an information transmitter with an interface to the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment described above. This interface-attached information transmitter corresponds to the information transmitter of the present invention.
[0047]
10A and 10B are views showing the external appearance of the interface-attached information transmitter 50. FIG. 10A is a perspective view seen from the front, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view seen from the back. The information transmitter with interface 50 includes an information source selection switch 51 and a volume control knob 52 provided on the front panel, a source input terminal 53 and a microphone input terminal 54 provided on the rear panel, and an antenna provided on the upper surface of the housing. 55. The interface-attached information transmitter 50 includes a built-in capacitor microphone (not shown), and this built-in capacitor microphone is used when the microphone is not connected to the microphone input terminal 54.
[0048]
The information source selection switch 51 is used to select one from a plurality of information sources. As an information source, one of “dynamic microphone”, “condenser microphone”, “TV, MD, personal computer” and “PA” can be selected. The volume adjustment knob 52 is used to adjust the magnitude of the sound signal output from the information transmitter with interface 50.
[0049]
The source input terminal 53 is used to input a sound signal output from a television (TV), MD, personal computer (personal computer) or PA system. The microphone input terminal 54 is used for inputting a sound signal from a dynamic microphone or a condenser microphone.
[0050]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the interface-attached information transmitter 50. This interface-equipped information transmitter 50 includes a microphone 60, an information source device 61, an information source selection switch (SW) 51, an audio amplifier 62, a frequency modulator 63, a crystal oscillator 64, a buffer amplifier 65, a multiplication amplifier 66, and a multiplication amplifier 67. , A power amplifier 68, a volume control knob 52, an antenna 55, and a battery 69. For example, a shortened antenna can be used as the antenna 55.
[0051]
The microphone 60 is composed of, for example, a dynamic microphone or a condenser microphone, and is connected to the microphone input terminal 54. The sound signal obtained by collecting sound with the microphone 60 is sent to the information source selection switch 51. The information source device 61 includes, for example, a television, a personal computer, an MD, and a PA. In addition to the above, the information source device 61 may be a device such as a broadcasting device, a loudspeaker, a local guidance device, various telephones, an emergency broadcasting device, or the like. The information source device 61 is connected to the source input terminal 53. The sound signal output from the information source device 61 is sent to the information source selection switch 51.
[0052]
The information source selection switch 51 includes an output of a dynamic microphone input from a microphone input terminal 54, an output of a condenser microphone, an output of a television (TV) input from a source input terminal 53, an output of an MD, and a personal computer (personal computer). Either the output or the output of the PA system is selected and sent to the audio amplifier 62. The audio amplifier 42 amplifies the sound signal from the information source selection switch 51 and sends it to the frequency modulator 63.
[0053]
The frequency modulator 63 frequency-modulates the signal from the audio amplifier 62 and sends it to the crystal oscillator 64. The crystal oscillator 64 generates a signal that oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the frequency-modulated signal from the frequency modulator 63, and sends the signal to the buffer amplifier 65. The buffer amplifier 65 is provided to make the coupling between the crystal oscillator 45 and the load as sparse as possible so as to eliminate the influence of load fluctuations and stabilize the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator 64. The output of the buffer amplifier 65 is sent to the multiplication amplifier 66.
[0054]
The multiplication amplifier 66 multiplies the signal from the buffer amplifier 65 and sends it to the multiplication amplifier 67. The multiplier amplifier 67 further multiplies the signal from the multiplier amplifier 66 and sends it to the power amplifier 68. The power amplifier 68 amplifies the signal from the multiplication amplifier 67 at an amplification factor according to the setting of the volume adjustment knob 52 and sends the amplified signal to the antenna 55. Thereby, the sound signal input from the microphone 55 or the information source device 61 is transmitted from the antenna 55 as a radio wave.
[0055]
Next, an example in which a hearing impaired person uses the hearing aid system according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. The hearing-impaired person wears only the headset 1 and the interface-equipped information transmitter 50 to which the microphone 60 is connected is installed at a government agency such as a government office or a hospital window. The conversation between the person in charge of the window and the hearing impaired person is performed using a sound signal transmitted from the microphone 60 to the wireless receiver 10 of the headset 1 via the interface-equipped information transmitter 50. Also, a guide device such as a museum is connected to the interface-equipped information transmitter 50, and guidance is provided using sound signals transmitted from the guide device to the wireless receiver 10 of the headset 1 via the interface-equipped information transmitter 50. Is done.
[0056]
Next, a procedure for using the above-described hearing aid system will be described. The procedures for preparing the wireless receiver 10 (see the flowchart in FIG. 8) and preparing the information transmitter 40 with microphone (see the flowchart in FIG. 9) are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. However, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 (the same parts as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals), it is not a conversation or the like surrounding the table (NO in step S24). If the information of the device 50 is to be heard (step S28), the information transmitter 40 with microphone is turned off (step S29). Thereafter, the hearing-impaired person can listen to various information and information on the interface-equipped information transmitter 50.
[0057]
The interface-attached information transmitter 50 is prepared as follows. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, first, if the information source is a microphone (YES in step S30) and if it is a built-in condenser microphone (YES in step S31), the procedure proceeds to step S38.
[0058]
On the other hand, if the information source is a microphone (YES in step S30) and is not a built-in condenser microphone (NO in step S31), the type of the microphone is checked (step S32). And if it is a capacitor | condenser microphone (step S33) or a dynamic microphone (step S34), the microphone will be connected to the microphone input terminal 54 of the information transmitter 50 with an interface (step S35). Thereafter, the procedure proceeds to step S38.
[0059]
If the information source is not a microphone, that is, if it is the information source device 61 (NO in step S30), one end of the connection cord is connected to the information transmitter with interface 50 (step S36), and the other end is the information source. Connected to the device 61 (step S37). Thereafter, the procedure proceeds to step S38.
[0060]
In step S38, the information source selection switch 51 is operated so as to select a desired information source. Then, an antenna suitable for the venue is prepared (step S39). Here, if the place where the interface-attached information transmitter 50 is installed is not wide (NO in step S40), the normal antenna 55 is connected to the interface-attached information transmitter 50 (step S41). On the other hand, if the venue is large, a suitable antenna for the venue is selected from a plurality of wide area antennas (step S42), and the selected antenna is connected to the information transmitter with interface 50 (step S43).
[0061]
When the above operation is completed, the power switch is turned on (step S44). As a result, transmission starts, and the volume control knob 52 is operated to set the volume to an appropriate value (step S45). As described above, preparation for information transmission is completed, and the deaf person wearing the headset 1 can receive information from the interface-attached information transmitter 50.
[0062]
As described above, according to the hearing aid system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the interface-equipped information transmitter 50 includes a broadcasting device, a loudspeaker, a television, a local guidance device, various telephones, an emergency broadcasting device, and the like. By connecting an information source device, it has been difficult for the hearing impaired to hear the sound of movie theaters, theaters, etc., the lecturer's lecturer, the meeting, the explanation of the school, school, etc. Regardless of the seating position, it is possible to listen. In particular, by using the interface-equipped information transmitter 50 in theaters, lecture halls, classrooms, etc., it is possible to construct an environment for transmitting sufficient information to the hearing impaired without placing a burden on the healthy person.
[0063]
In addition, information transmission to a large number of hearing impaired persons, which is impossible with current hearing aids and wired type hearing aids, particularly information transmission to hearing impaired persons located several tens of meters away can be sufficiently performed. .
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the sound signal obtained by collecting the sound with the microphone is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless receiver and transmitted to the user through the bone conduction speaker. There is no trouble associated with wearing, and a good wearing feeling can be obtained. Moreover, since the sound collected by the microphone is transmitted to the user using the bone conduction speaker, soft information transmission is possible, and a user-friendly hearing aid system can be provided.In addition, the sound quality is better than that of a bone conduction speaker using a conventional voice coil, and there is an advantage that it is easy for the user to listen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hearing aid system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a bone conduction speaker used in the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a radio receiver used in the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a wireless transmitter with a microphone used in the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a normal usage pattern of the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another usage pattern of the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining still another usage pattern of the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for preparing the radio receiver of the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for preparing the wireless transmitter with a microphone in the hearing aid system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an external view showing an information transmitter with an interface used in a hearing aid system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an information transmitter with an interface used in a hearing aid system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for preparing a wireless transmitter with a microphone of the hearing aid system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for preparing an information transmitter with an interface in a hearing aid system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Headset
2 frames
10 Wireless receiver
11 Volume control knob
20 Bone conduction speaker
20a Left bone conduction speaker
20b Right bone conduction speaker
30 batteries
40 Wireless transmitter with microphone
41 microphone

Claims (3)

A portable wireless transmitter with a microphone that transmits a sound signal obtained by collecting sound with a microphone as a wireless signal;
With a portable headset,
The headset is
A wireless receiver that receives a wireless signal from the wireless transmitter with microphone and reproduces a sound signal;
A bone conduction speaker driven based on a sound signal reproduced by the wireless receiver ,
The hearing aid system , wherein the bone conduction speaker is vibrated by a giant magnetostrictive element whose shape is displaced in accordance with a sound signal reproduced by the wireless receiver .   The hearing aid system according to claim 1, further comprising an information transmitter that transmits a sound signal from an information source device to the wireless receiver as a wireless signal. The bone conduction speaker includes a stopper fixed to one end of a cylindrical housing, a holding material fixed to the other end of the housing, a transmission material inserted into a hollow portion of the holding material, a magnet, and a cylinder. The magnetostrictive element having a shape and being held between the stopper and the transmission material with the magnet interposed between the two cut surfaces, provided around the super magnetostrictive element, formed into a cylindrical shape, and a magnetic field And a coil that drives the giant magnetostrictive element by generating the pressure, and is disposed between one end of the transmission material and the holding material and presses the transmission material, the magnet, and the giant magnetostrictive element in the direction of the stopper. claim 1 or claim 2 hearing aid system according to; and a timber.

Images