HEARING DEVICE

Abstract

A hearing device comprising a behind-the-ear module and a tube element extending from the behind-the-ear module is disclosed. The behind-the-ear module comprises a signal processor for processing received audio signals into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, and an antenna configured for emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency. The hearing device further comprises at least one electrically conducting element, wherein a first section of the at least one electrically conducting element extends into the tube element, and at least one decoupling element, the at least one decoupling element being configured to electrically decouple the first section and the behind-the-ear module at the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section and the behind-the-ear module at second frequencies.

Claims

1. A hearing device comprising a behind-the-ear module and a tube element extending from the behind-the-ear module, wherein the behind-the-ear module comprises: a signal processor configured to process an audio signal and to provide an output signal to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user; an antenna configured for electromagnetic radiation emission at a first frequency and/or electromagnetic radiation reception at the first frequency; an electrically conducting element, wherein a first section of the electrically conducting element extends into the tube element; and a decoupling element configured to electrically decouple the first section and the behind-the-ear module at the first frequency, and to maintain an electrical connection between the first section and the behind-the-ear module at a second frequency.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting element has a second section, and wherein the decoupling element is between the first section and the second section; and wherein the decoupling element is configured to electrically decouple the first section from the second section at the first frequency, and to maintain an electrical connection between the first section and the second section at the second frequency.

3. The hearing device according to claim 2, wherein the second section of the electrically conducting element extends at least partly in the behind-the-ear module.

4. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element has an impedance above 1 kΩ at the first frequency.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is an inductor having a self-resonant frequency at the first frequency.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element comprises a primary decoupling element and a secondary decoupling element, the primary decoupling element and the secondary decoupling element being connected in series.

7. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is a primary decoupling element, and the hearing device further comprises a secondary decoupling element coupled to the primary decoupling element in series.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising an electro-mechanical interface configured to releasably attach the tube element to the behind-the-ear module.

9. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the electro-mechanical interface has a first portion forming a part of the behind-the-ear module and a second portion forming a part of the tube element, and wherein the decoupling element is in the second portion of the electro-mechanical interface or is in the behind-the-ear module.

10. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is further configured to electrically decouple the first section and the behind-the-ear module at a third frequency, the third frequency being different from the first frequency and the second frequency.

11. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting element is one of a plurality of electrically conducting elements, and the decoupling element is one of a plurality of decoupling elements; wherein the hearing device comprises the plurality of electrically conducting elements and the plurality of decoupling elements; and wherein the plurality of decoupling elements is configured to electrically decouple the plurality of electrically conducting elements from the behind-the-ear module at the first frequency.

12. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of electrically conducting elements is connected in series with one or more of the plurality of decoupling elements.

13. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising an ear element, the ear element being configured to be inserted into an ear canal of the user, the tube element interconnecting the ear element and the behind-the-ear module.

14. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the ear element comprises a receiver, and wherein the signal processor is configured to provide the output signal to the receiver, via the electrically conducting element.

15. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element has an impedance below 100Ω at the second frequency.

16. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency comprises an audible frequency.

17. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional electrically conducting element and an additional decoupling element; wherein the electrically conducting element is connected with the decoupling element, and the additional electrically conducting element is connected with the additional decoupling element; and wherein the decoupling element has a lower impedance than the additional decoupling element at audible frequencies.

18. A tube assembly for a hearing device, comprising: an ear element configured to be inserted into an ear of a user; a plug element configured for attachment to a behind-the-ear module; a tube element interconnecting the ear element and the plug element; and an electrically conducting element extending into the tube element; wherein the plug element comprises a decoupling element; and wherein the decoupling element is configured to decouple the electrically conducting element from the behind-the-ear module at a first frequency when the plug element is attached to the behind-the-ear module.

19. The tube assembly according to claim 18, where the decoupling element is an inductor with a self-resonant frequency at the first frequency.

20. The tube assembly according to claim 18, wherein the decoupling element is coupled in series with respect to the electrically conducting element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0066] FIGS. 1a and 1b schematically illustrate an example of components in a hearing device,

[0067] FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically illustrate an example hearing device according to the present disclosure,

[0068] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example hearing device according to the present disclosure, having two decoupling elements in series,

[0069] FIGS. 4a-4d schematically illustrate an example hearing device according to the present disclosure, with a plug and socket arrangement between the behind-the-ear module and the tube element,

[0070] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a tube assembly according to the present disclosure,

[0071] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the impedance of an inductor at the self resonant frequency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimed invention. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, the claimed invention may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the claimed invention to the skilled person.

[0073] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0074] Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0075] A block-diagram of an embodiment of a hearing device 10 is shown in FIG. 1a. The hearing device 10 comprises a behind-the-ear module 9 and a tube element 16 extending from the behind-the-ear module 9. The behind-the-ear module comprises a signal processor 12 for processing received audio signals into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, an antenna 15 configured for emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency. The hearing device 10 further comprises at least one electrically conducting element 18, wherein a first section 17 of the at least one electrically conducting element extends into the tube element 16. The hearing device further comprises at least one decoupling element 19. The at least one decoupling element 19 being configured to electrically decouple the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9 at the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9 at second frequencies. The at least one decoupling element 19 may thus be configured to electrically decouple the first section 17 and electrical components of the behind-the-ear module 9 at the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section 17 and electrical components of the behind-the-ear module 9 at second frequencies. The electrical components of the behind-the-ear module 9 may comprise the signal processor 12, the wireless communication unit 14, the antenna 15, the microphone 11, the battery 8, etc.

[0076] The hearing device 10 comprises a behind-the-ear module 9 comprising a first transducer, i.e. microphone 11, to generate one or more microphone output signals based on a received an audio signal. The one or more microphone output signals are provided to a signal processor 12 for processing the one or more microphone output signals. A receiver or speaker 13 is connected to an output of the signal processor 12 for converting the output of the signal processor into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, and provides the modified signal to the speaker 13. The speaker output is provided to the ear of a user via a tube element 16, such as a sound tube.

[0077] The hearing device signal processor 12 may comprise elements such as an amplifier, a compressor and/or a noise reduction system etc. The hearing device may further have a filter function, such as compensation filter for optimizing the output signal.

[0078] The hearing device 10, and more particularly the behind-the-ear module 9, further comprises a wireless communication unit 14 interconnected with antenna 15. The wireless communication unit 14 and the antenna 15 may be configured for wireless data communication using emission and reception of electromagnetic fields. A wireless communication unit may be implemented as transceiver 14. The hearing device 10 further comprises a power source 8, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery. The battery 8 may supply power to any one or more of the signal processor 12, the receiver, the one or more microphones 11, the wireless communication unit 14, etc. (connections not shown). The antenna 16 is configured for communication with another electronic device, in some embodiments configured for communication with another hearing device, such as another hearing device located at another ear, typically in a binaural hearing device system.

[0079] In FIG. 1b another block-diagram of an embodiment of a hearing device 10 is shown. A block-diagram of an embodiment of a hearing device 10 is shown in FIG. 1a.

[0080] The hearing device 10 comprises a behind-the-ear module 9 and a tube element 16 extending from the behind-the-ear module 9. The behind-the-ear module comprises a signal processor 12 for processing received audio signals into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, an antenna 15 configured for emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency. The hearing device 10 further comprises at least one electrically conducting element 18, wherein a first section 17 of the at least one electrically conducting element extends into the tube element 16. The hearing device further comprises at least one decoupling element 19. The at least one decoupling element 19 being configured to electrically decouple the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9 at the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9 at second frequencies. In FIG. 1b, the receiver 13 is provided in an ear element 20, and the at least one decoupling element 19 may thus be configured to electrically decouple the first section 17 of the electrically conducting element and electrical components of the behind-the-ear module 9, such as the signal processor 12, and/or the wireless communication unit 14, at the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section 17 and electrical components of the behind-the-ear module 9, such as the signal processor 12 at second frequencies.

[0081] The receiver or speaker 13 is provided in ear element 20 configured to be positioned in or at the ear of a user, such as at least partly in the ear canal, such as completely in the ear canal. The receiver 13 is connected to the output of the signal processor 12 for converting the output of the signal processor into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, and provides the modified signal to the speaker 13. The speaker output is provided to the ear of a user via a tube element 16, via electrically conducting element 18. As is seen, the hearing device thus further comprises ear element 20, the ear element 20 being configured to be inserted into the ear canal of the user, the tube element 16 interconnecting the ear element 20 and the behind-the-ear module 9, and wherein the ear element 20 comprises at least one in-ear electrical component 13. This may include a receiver, and the modified signal may be configured to be provided to the receiver, via the at least one electrically conducting element 17.

[0082] FIG. 2a shows schematically a hearing device 10. The at least one electrically conducting element 18 comprises the first section 17 and the second section 21 is seen as extending from the signal processor 12 and into the tube element 16. It is envisaged that the at least one electrically conducting element could be extending from any of the electrical components in the behind-the-ear modules and that the signal processor is used for illustration purposes. In FIG. 2a, the at least one electrically conducting element has a second section 21, and the at least one decoupling element 19 is provided between the first section 17 and the second section 21; the at least one decoupling element 19 being configured to electrically decouple the first section 17 from the second section 21 at the first frequency, while maintaining an electrical connection between the first section 17 and the second section 21 at the second frequencies. As is seen from FIG. 2a, the decoupling element 19 is positioned in the behind-the-ear module 9 and the second section 21 of the at least one electrically conducting element extends at least partly in the behind-the-ear module 9. Preferably, the at least one decoupling element 19 is provided adjacent the tube element 16, or in close proximity to the tube element 16. In some examples, this may provide that the decoupling is provided close to the part 28 of the electrically conducting element extending into the tube element 16.

[0083] FIG. 2b shows schematically a hearing device 10 corresponding to the hearing device 10 of FIG. 2a. As is seen from FIG. 2b, the decoupling element 19 is positioned in the tube element 16 and the second section 21 of the at least one electrically conducting element extends at least partly in the behind-the-ear module 9; and partly in the tube element 16.

[0084] The at least one decoupling element has a high impedance at the first frequency, preferably an impedance above 1 kΩ, such as above 4 kΩ, such as above 5 kΩ. The at least one decoupling element may be an inductor having a self-resonant frequency at the first frequency.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the at least one decoupling element is further configured to electrically decouple the first section and the behind-the-ear module at a third frequency, the third frequency being different from the first frequency and the second frequencies. In FIG. 3, the at least one decoupling element comprises a primary decoupling element 23 and a secondary decoupling element 24. The primary decoupling element 23 and the secondary decoupling element 24 are being connected in series. The primary decoupling element may be configured to decouple the at least one conducting element from the behind-the-ear module at the first frequency, while the secondary decoupling element may be configured to decouple the at least one conducting element from the behind-the-ear module at another frequency, such as at a third frequency different from the first frequency while maintaining an electrical connection at second frequencies.

[0086] The primary decoupling element 23 may have a self resonant frequency at the first frequency, such as about the first frequency, as discussed above, and the secondary decoupling element 24 may have a self resonant frequency at the other frequency, such as at the third frequency different from the first frequency. Hereby, any signals at the first frequency and the third frequency are blocked or at least significantly attenuated while maintaining an electrical connection at any other frequencies, i.e. at second frequencies.

[0087] FIGS. 4a-d show embodiments of a hearing device 10 further comprising an electro-mechanical interface 25 configured to releasably attach the tube element 16 to the behind-the-ear module 9.

[0088] The electro-mechanical interface 25 has a first part 26 forming part of the behind-the-ear module 9 and a second part 27 forming part of the tube element 16. The first part 26 and the second part 27 are configured to be releasably connected in any known way and comprises electrical contacts so that when connected, an electrical connection is provided between first section 17 and second section 21 of each electrically conducting element 18. The first part 26 may be implemented as a socket for receiving the second part 27, which may be implemented as a plug. The first part 26 may form an integrated part of the behind-the-ear module 9. The second part 27 may form an integrated part of the tube element 16.

[0089] In FIG. 4a, the at least one decoupling element 19 is provided in the second part 27 of the electro-mechanical interface 25. When the first part 26 and the second part 27 are connected, an electrical connection between the first section 17 and the second section 21 is formed, while the decoupling element 19 is configured to decouple the first section 17 and the second section 21 at the first frequency, such as configured to decouple the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9, such as the first section 17 and electrical components, illustrated by signal processor 12, of the behind-the-ear module 9 at the first frequency. Hereby, any coupling at the first frequency between the first section 17 and the behind-the-ear module 9 is at least reduced.

[0090] In FIG. 4b, the at least one decoupling element 19 is provided in the first part 26 of the electro-mechanical interface 25.

[0091] Providing the at least one decoupling element 19 in the electro-mechanical interface, such as in the first part 26 or in the second part 27, may in some examples provide that the decoupling is performed as close to the part of the electrically conducting element 28 extending into the tube element 16 as possible. In such case, the coupling may be efficiently reduced.

[0092] In FIG. 4c, the at least one decoupling element 19 is provided in the behind-the-ear module 9. Preferably, the at least one decoupling element is provided adjacent to the first part 26, or in close proximity to the first part 26, to ensure that the decoupling is provided as close to the part of the electrically conducting element extending into the tube element 16. The first part 26 of the electro-mechanical interface 25 forming part of the behind-the-ear module 9 and a second part 27 forming part of the tube element 16. In FIG. 4c, the first part 26 and the second part 27 are seen as being detached from each other, or disconnected.

[0093] In FIG. 4d, a hearing device having a plurality of electrically conducting elements comprising first sections 17′, 17″, 17′″ and second sections 21′, 21″, 21′″ is illustrated. The second sections may connect to any electrical component in the behind-the-ear module 9, including but not limited to, the power source 8, the signal processor 12, the wireless communication unit 14, etc. The first sections 17′, 17″, 17′″ may via connection to the second sections 21′, 21″, 21′″ connect to for example, but not limited to, electrical components in the ear element 20, such as to transducers, such as to a receiver, one or more microphones, etc. In some embodiments, an electrically conducting element may not connect to any components in the ear element 20, however, it is envisaged that also such electrically conductive elements are decoupled at the first and optionally also the third frequency.

[0094] In FIG. 4d, the first part 26 and the second part 27 of the electro-mechanical interface 25 is shown as connected. In FIG. 4d, a second section 21′ extends from the signal processor 12, through the first part 26 and to the second part 27. In the second part 27, the second section 21′ connects to the decoupling element 19′ for decoupling the first section 17′ at the first frequency. The first section 17′ extends from the decoupling element 19′ into the tube element 16. A further second section 21″ extends from anywhere in the behind-the-ear module, such as from the power source 8, the wireless communication unit 14, etc., and via the first part 25 to the decoupling element 19″ being positioned in the first part 26. The first section 17″ extends from the decoupling element 19″, through the second part 27 and into the tube element 16. Thereby, the decoupling element 19″ decouples the first section 17″ from the second section 21″ extending in the behind-the-ear module. A further second section 21′″ extends from the signal processor 12 to the decoupling element 19′″ being positioned in the behind-the-ear module 9. The first section 17′″ extends from the decoupling element 19′″ through the first part 26 and the second part 27 and extends into the tube element 16. The decoupling elements 19′, 19″, 19′″ are thus provided in series with the first sections 17′, 17″, 17′″ and the second sections 21′, 21″, 21′″.

[0095] It is envisaged that to obtain the best decoupling, each electrically conducting element extending into the tube element 16 should be decoupled using a decoupling element. Hereby, an efficient decoupling can be obtained between each of the at least one electrically conducting elements in the tube element 16 and the behind-the-ear module 9. As illustrated in the figures, the hearing device may comprise a plurality of electrically conducting elements 17′, 17″, 17′″, 21′, 21″, 21′″ and a plurality of decoupling elements 19′, 19″, 19′″ configured to electrically decouple the plurality of electrically conducting elements from the behind-the-ear module at the first frequency. As is seen each of the plurality of electrically conducting elements is connected in series with one or more of the plurality of decoupling elements.

[0096] In one example, the electrically conducting element 17′, 21′ extending from the signal processor 12 connects the signal processor to the receiver 13 in the ear element 20. Thus, the electrically conducting element carries the audio signal from the signal processor 12 to the receiver 13. Such an audio signal is typically a low power signal at audible frequencies, and therefore, to ensure the best quality of the audio signal received by the receiver 13, the decoupling element 19′ may be a decoupling element having a low impedance at the second frequencies, such as at the audible frequencies of the audio signal. The decoupling element may have an impedance which is lower than e.g. a decoupling element providing power to e.g. a microphone in the ear element 20. As the size of the decoupling element, such as the size of the inductor, is typically larger when the impedance should be minimized. By using only low impedance decoupling elements, for sensitive audio signals, the size of the hearing device can be minimized as other signals may be provided using decoupling elements having a higher impedance, and thus smaller physical size.

[0097] For example, at least a first electrically conducting element, such as 17′, 21′, and a second electrically conducting element, such as 17″, 21″, may be connected with a first decoupling element, such as 19′, and a second decoupling element, such as 19″, and the first decoupling element 19′ may have lower impedance than the second decoupling element 19″ at audible frequencies.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a tube assembly 30 for a hearing device, the tube assembly 30 comprises an ear element 20 configured to be inserted into the ear of a user, a plug element 27 configured for attachment to a behind-the-ear module (not shown), a tube element 16 interconnecting the ear element 20 and the plug element 27, and an electrically conducting element 17 extending into the tube element. The plug element 20 comprises a decoupling element 19, the decoupling element 19 being provided in series with the electrically conducting element 17; the decoupling element being configured to decouple the electrically conducting element 17 from the behind-the-ear module at a first frequency when the plug element 27 is attached to the behind-the-ear module. It is envisaged that there may be a number of electrically conducting elements 17 extending into the tube element; typically, each electrically conducting element will have a decoupling element mounted in series therewith. The decoupling element may be an inductor with a self-resonant frequency at the first frequency.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows the impedance of a decoupling element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The 2.4 GHz ISM band is illustrated by line 33, extending in a range about the center frequency of 2.4 GHz. The impedance of two inductors are shown with lines 31 and 32. It is seen that both inductors have a self-resonance at about 2.4 GHz, making such inductors efficient for decoupling at 2.4 GHz. It is envisaged that other inductors could be used for decoupling at e.g. a third frequency, so that the self resonant frequency would be selected at or at about the third frequency.

[0100] The person skilled in the art realizes that the claimed invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.