HEARING DEVICE HAVING A MAGNETIC INDUCTION COIL

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a magnetic induction coil, a magnetic induction control unit interconnected with the magnetic induction coil. The magnetic induction control unit and the magnetic induction coil being configured for wireless communication. The hearing device comprises a behind-the-ear housing module, the behind-the-ear housing module comprising a signal processor for processing received audio signals into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, a connecting module configured for providing the modified signal to an ear of the user, a coupling module interconnecting the behind-the-ear housing module and the connecting module. The magnetic induction control unit is provided in the behind-the-ear housing module, and the magnetic induction coil is provided in the coupling module.

Claims

1. A hearing device comprising: a magnetic induction coil; a magnetic induction control unit coupled with the magnetic induction coil, the magnetic induction control unit and the magnetic induction coil being configured for wireless communication; a behind-the-ear housing module, the behind-the-ear housing module comprising a signal processor configured to process audio signals and to provide an output compensating for a hearing impairment of a user of the hearing device; a connecting module configured to transmit the output, or an output signal that is based on the output, towards an ear of the user; and a coupling module connecting the behind-the-ear housing module and the connecting module; wherein the magnetic induction control unit is in the behind-the-ear housing module, and wherein the magnetic induction coil is in the coupling module.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling module comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, the first coupling part being attached to the behind-the-ear housing module, and the second coupling part being attached to the connecting module.

3. The hearing device according to claim 2, wherein the first coupling part and the second coupling part are detachably connected with each other.

4. The hearing device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic induction coil is in the first coupling part.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising an in-the-ear module, the in-the-ear module configured to receive the output or the output signal via the coupling module and the connecting module, wherein the in-the-ear module is attached to the connecting module.

6. The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein the in-the-ear module comprises at least one electrical component, the at least one electrical component having an electrical interconnection with an electrical component of the behind-the-ear housing module.

7. The hearing device according to claim 6, wherein the electrical interconnection extends through the connecting module and through the coupling module to reach the electrical component of the behind-the-ear housing module.

8. The hearing device according to claim 6, wherein the behind-the-ear housing module comprises a filter configured to perform signal filtering to obtain the output signal.

9. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the electrical interconnection comprises an H-bridge circuit, the H-bridge circuit being in the behind-the-ear housing module between the signal processor and the filter, the H-bridge circuit being configured to receive the output and to generate a pulse-width-modulated signal having a rise time and a fall time, wherein the filter is configured to increase the rise time and the fall time of the pulse-width-modulated signal.

10. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the filter is configured to have an RC factor, which is between 10 and 200.

11. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the filter is a low-pass filter, the low pass filter having a cut-off frequency at or below 8 MHz.

12. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the filter is a band pass filter configured to filter out a frequency range around an operational frequency of the magnetic induction coil.

13. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling module comprises a shielding element.

14. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the shielding element has a connection to a ground.

15. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the shielding element is configured to provide a shielding between the behind-the-ear housing module and the magnetic induction coil.

16. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the shielding element is configured to provide a shielding between the magnetic induction coil and an electrical component in the coupling module.

17. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the shielding element is a cylindrically formed shielding element with a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the magnetic induction coil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] 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:

[0061] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of components in a hearing device,

[0062] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example hearing device according to the present disclosure,

[0063] FIGS. 3a and 3b show exemplary hearing devices with a coupling module according to the present disclosure, in more detail,

[0064] FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically a hearing device according to the present disclosure,

[0065] FIGS. 5a-e shows schematically the coupling module including a shielding element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] 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.

[0067] Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0068] A block-diagram of an embodiment of a hearing device 1 is shown in FIG. 1. The hearing device 1 comprises a first transducer, i.e. microphone 2, 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 4 for processing the one or more microphone output signals. A receiver or speaker 6 is connected to an output of the signal processor 4 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 6.

[0069] The hearing device signal processor 4 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.

[0070] The hearing device further comprises a magnetic induction control unit 14 interconnected with magnetic induction antenna 16 such as a magnetic induction coil. The magnetic induction control unit 14 is a wireless communication unit and the magnetic induction control unit 14 and the magnetic induction coil 16 may be configured for wireless data communication using emission and reception of magnetic fields. A wireless communication unit may be implemented as a magnetic induction control unit 14. The hearing device 1 further comprises a power source 8, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the hearing device furthermore comprises a power management unit 10 for controlling the power provided from the battery 8 to any one or more of the signal processor 4, the receiver, the one or more microphones 2, the magnetic induction control unit, 14. The magnetic induction coil 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.

[0071] In some embodiments, the power management unit is, or at least comprises, a power management processor. In some embodiments, the magnetic induction control unit is, or at least comprises, a magnetic induction control processor.

[0072] In FIG. 2, a first aspect of this disclosure is shown, in which the hearing device 1 comprises a magnetic induction coil 16 and a magnetic induction control unit 14, the magnetic induction control unit 14 being interconnected with the magnetic induction coil 16. The magnetic induction control unit 14 and the magnetic induction coil 16 are configured for wireless communication. The hearing device 1 comprises a behind-the-ear housing module 20, the behind-the-ear housing module 20 comprising the signal processor 4 for processing received audio signals into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment. The hearing device 1 further comprises a connecting module 22 configured for providing the modified signal to an ear of the user, e.g. to ear canal opening 35, a coupling module 24 interconnecting the behind-the-ear housing module 20 and the connecting module 22.

[0073] The magnetic induction control unit 14 is provided in the behind-the-ear housing module 20. The magnetic induction coil 16 is provided in the coupling module 24. The magnetic induction coil 16 has a longitudinal axis 18. Typically, the magnetic induction coil 16 is positioned in the coupling module 24 so that the longitudinal axis 18 of the magnetic induction coil 16 has a direction along an ear-to-ear axis of a user when the hearing device is positioned in the intended operational position at the ear of the user. Hereby, for example, communication with a hearing device comprising a corresponding magnetic induction coil, and being positioned at the other ear of the user, is facilitated. In some embodiments, the coupling module 24 may comprise a carrier substrate, such as a PCB, assisting the positioning of the magnetic induction coil 16 in the coupling module 24 in the desired position.

[0074] Electrical components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module 22 may comprise signal processor 4, magnetic induction control unit 14, one or more microphones 2, etc.

[0075] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the hearing device including the coupling module 24 in more detail. FIG. 3a illustrates that the coupling module 24 comprises a first coupling part 31 and a second coupling part 33, the first coupling part 31 being attached to the behind-the-ear housing module 20, and the second coupling part 33 being attached to the connecting module 22. The first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33 are being configured to be detachably connected. The first coupling part 31 comprises first electrical connectors 32 and the second coupling part 33 comprises second electrical connectors 34. The first electrical connectors 32 and the second electrical connectors 34 are configured to connect electrically when the first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33 are assembled. The first electrical connectors 32 and the second electrical connectors 34 are shown as a plug and socket implementation, but it is envisaged that such connection can be made in any way known to a skilled person.

[0076] The first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33 may additionally comprise corresponding physical connector parts (not shown) in any known way ensuring a detachable connection between the first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33.

[0077] It is seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b that the magnetic induction coil is provided in the first coupling part. As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the hearing device 1 further comprises an in-the-ear module 36. The in-the-ear module 36 is configured to receive the modified signal from the signal processor 4 via the coupling module 24 and the connecting module 22 and the in-the-ear module 36 is attached to the connecting module 22. It is seen that one end of connecting module 22 is attached to the coupling module 24, while another end of the connecting module 22 is attached to the in-the-ear module 36. In some embodiments, the connecting module 22 is fixedly connected with the second coupling part 33.

[0078] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the in-the-ear module 36 comprises at least one electrical component 37, such as a transducer 37, the at least one electrical component 37 having an electrical interconnection 39 with electrical components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module 22.

[0079] The electrical interconnection 39 is provided through the connecting module 22 and through the coupling module 24 to the electrical components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module 20.

[0080] As is seen, FIG. 3a illustrates the coupling module 24 in which the first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33 are detached. In FIG. 3b, the first coupling part 31 and the second coupling part 33 are assembled and there is an electrical connection 39 from the at least one electrical component 37 in the in-the-ear module 36 through the connecting module 22 and the coupling module 24 via first and second electrical connectors 32, 34 to the components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module; such as for example to the signal processor 4.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically a hearing device according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, the signal processor 4 and the magnetic induction control unit 14 are illustrated in the behind-the-ear housing module 20. Other components may be present in the behind-the-ear housing module 20, such as e.g. one or more microphones, battery, power management control unit, etc., however not shown for clarity. The magnetic control unit 14 is connected to magnetic induction coil 16 via control lines 41 connecting to either end of the magnetic induction coil 16. The magnetic induction coil 16 is provided in the coupling module 24. A filter 42 is provided in the behind-the-ear housing module 20, the filter 42 being configured to filter signals transmitted from the signal processor, including the modified signal to be provided to the at least one electrical component 37 of the in-the-ear module 36.

[0082] The filter 42 may be implemented in any way known to a skilled person. The filter may be a low-pass filter; and the low pass filter may have a cut-off frequency at or below 1 MHz, such as at or below 5 MHz, such as at or below 8 MHz. The filter 42 may be a band pass filter configured to filter out a frequency range around an operational frequency of the magnetic induction coil 16.

[0083] The filter may be configured to have an RC factor which is between 10 and 200 to efficiently smoothen the pulse-width modulated signal, e.g. increase the rise/fall time.

[0084] Shown schematically in FIG. 4, the hearing device may additionally comprise an H-bridge circuit 44. The H-bridge circuit 44 is provided in the behind-the-ear housing module 20 between the signal processor 4 and the filter 42. As shown, the H-bridge circuit 44 is provided as part of the signal processor 4. However, it is envisaged that the H-bridge circuit may also be provided as a circuit separate from the signal processor. The H-bridge circuit 44 is configured to receive the processed and modified signal and generate a modified signal being a pulse-width-modulated modified signal having a rise time and a fall time. The pulse-width-modulated modified signal is provided or transmitted to the filter 42 via lines 45, 45′.

[0085] In some embodiments, the filter 42 is configured to increase the rise time and the fall time of the pulse-width-modulated signal. Thus, the filter 42 may smoothen the pulse-width-modulated signal. Hereby, the modified signal transmitted by interconnecting lines 39, 39′ is less likely to produce harmonics, such as harmonics of a frequency likely to interfere with the operation of the magnetic induction coil 16. The modified signal transmitted by interconnecting lines 39, 39′ may be a filtered pulse-width-modulated modified signal.

[0086] FIGS. 5a-e shows schematically the coupling module. As illustrated in FIGS. 5a-e, in some embodiments, the coupling module 24 further comprises a shielding element 50. The shielding element 50 has, optionally, a connection to a ground 52, such as to a ground potential 52. It is envisaged that shielding element 50 may be any combination of any of the below suggested or further shielding elements.

[0087] It is envisaged that in some embodiments, a filter 42 and a shielding element 50 is provided in the hearing device as herein disclosed. In some embodiments, the hearing device may comprise a shielding element 50 while not comprising a filter 42. In some embodiments filter 42 may be unnecessary due to shielding by shielding element 50.

[0088] As illustrated, in FIG. 5a, in some embodiments, the shielding element 50 provides an electromagnetic shield between the behind-the-ear housing module 20 and the magnetic induction coil 16, such as between electrical components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module and the magnetic induction coil 16.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5b, in some embodiments, the shielding element 50 has a connection to a ground 52, such as to a ground potential 52 of the hearing device. In FIG. 5b, the ground 52 is illustrated for the shielding element 50 providing an electromagnetic shield between the behind-the-ear housing module 20 and the magnetic induction coil 16, such as between electrical components 12 of the behind-the-ear housing module and the magnetic induction coil 16. However, it is envisaged that any shielding element as herein disclosed may have a connection to a ground 52.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 5c, in some embodiments, the shielding element 50 provides a shielding between interconnecting lines 39, 39′ passing through the coupling module 24 and the magnetic induction coil 16. For example, as illustrated, the shielding element is provided between the magnetic induction coil 16 and the interconnecting lines 39, 39′. The magnetic induction coil, the shielding element and the interconnecting lines 39, 39′ may be provided in different planes; having the shielding element in a middle plane. It is seen that any further electrical components 55 provided in the coupling element may also be positioned so that they are shielded by shield element 50, e.g. at a same side of the shielding element 50 as any electrical interconnecting lines 39, 39′.

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 5d, in some embodiments, the shielding element 50 is a cylindrically formed shielding element 50 with a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 of the magnetic induction coil 16. The first cylinder end face 53 and the second cylinder end face 54 are open ended so that the end faces 53, 54 are not covered by the shielding element. The shielding element thereby provides an optimum electromagnetic shield of the magnetic induction coil 16 along the longitudinal direction 18, while at least one end face of the magnetic induction coil is not shielded. Particularly, in some embodiments, the magnetic induction coil 16 is configured to communicate with e.g. a hearing device, provided at another side of the head of a user, and e.g. the first cylinder end face 53, of the cylinder shaped shielding element 50 provided around the magnetic induction coil 16, towards the head of the user is left un-shielded to obtain efficient communication through the head of the user.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 5e, in some embodiments, the shielding element 50 is a cylindrically formed shielding element 50 with a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis 18 of the magnetic induction coil 16, the shielding element 50 further having a slit 56 along the longitudinal axis.

[0093] Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and 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 specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0094] 1 hearing device [0095] 2 transducer, i.e. microphone [0096] 4 signal processor [0097] 6 receiver or speaker [0098] 8 power source [0099] 10 power management unit [0100] 12 electrical components of the behind-the-ear housing module [0101] 14 magnetic induction control unit. [0102] 16 magnetic induction coil/antenna [0103] 18 longitudinal axis of the magnetic induction coil [0104] 20 behind-the-ear housing module [0105] 22 connecting module [0106] 24 coupling module [0107] 31 first coupling part [0108] 32 first coupling part contacts [0109] 33 second coupling part [0110] 34 second coupling part contacts [0111] 35 ear-canal opening [0112] 36 in-the-ear module [0113] 37 electrical component of the in-the-ear module [0114] 39, 39′ interconnecting lines [0115] 41 coil connecting lines [0116] 42 filter [0117] 44 H-bridge circuit [0118] 45 modified signal [0119] 50 shielding element [0120] 52 ground [0121] 53 first cylinder end face [0122] 54 second cylinder end face [0123] 55 electrical components provided in the coupling module [0124] 56 slit