EP3148218B1 - Acoustical module with acoustical filter - Google Patents

Acoustical module with acoustical filter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3148218B1
EP3148218B1 EP16189013.2A EP16189013A EP3148218B1 EP 3148218 B1 EP3148218 B1 EP 3148218B1 EP 16189013 A EP16189013 A EP 16189013A EP 3148218 B1 EP3148218 B1 EP 3148218B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
acoustical
pressure pick
module
points
filter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16189013.2A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3148218A1 (en
Inventor
Andreas Tiefenau
Koen van Gilst
Laurens De Ruijter
Nicolaas Maria Jozef Stoffels
Mike Geskus
Rasmus Voss
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonion Nederland BV
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Sonion Nederland BV
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3148218A1 publication Critical patent/EP3148218A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3148218B1 publication Critical patent/EP3148218B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/405—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic by combining a plurality of transducers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an acoustical module configured to separate sound pressure signals from external sources.
  • the present invention relates to an acoustical module where the influence of self-generated signals is attenuated.
  • EP 2 843 971 A1 Various arrangements involving two sound detectors have been suggested over the years. Examples of prior art references are EP 2 843 971 A1 , GB 1 383 473 A , US 2001/0008559 A1 and WO 01/01732 A1 with EP 2 843 971 A1 being the most relevant reference.
  • EP 2 843 971 A1 discloses in paragraph [0035] that attenuation between a rear and a front inlet mav be provided bv positioning a damping material in the fluid channel leading from the rear inlet to a microphone diaphragm in order to provide a passive attenuation of 3 dB or more.
  • the implementation suggested in EP 2 843 971 A1 is however disadvantageous in that the damping material is provided in an interior fluid channel which makes the implementation of EP 2 843 971 A1 a complete static solution in that the damping material may not be replaced in case other acoustical properties of the hearing aid device are required.
  • Such self-generated signals may involve acoustical signals and vibration signals.
  • the acoustical module of the present invention is thus adapted to receive incoming acoustical pressure signals via a plurality of microphone units and regenerate the received signal via the receiver unit.
  • the acoustical module of the present invention may be applicable in relation to hearing devices, such as various types of hearing aids.
  • pressure pick-up points are to be understood as openings and/or holes through which incoming acoustical pressure signals are allowed to enter the acoustical module.
  • at least one microphone unit may be acoustically connected to each of the pressure pick-up points.
  • acoustical pressure signals are to be understood as acoustical sound/audio signals representing for example speech, music etc.
  • the receiver unit may comprise a single receiver or a plurality of receivers.
  • a single receiver a single acoustical signal and a signal vibration signal is generated.
  • a plurality of receivers may collectively generate both acoustical signals and vibration signals. The contribution of all receivers may be combined into a total acoustic signal and a total vibration signal.
  • the acoustical filter may advantageously be positioned between the first and the second acoustical pressure pick-up points. In this manner an incoming acoustical signal may be attenuated upon passing the acoustical filter so that the acoustical pressure pick-up points receive an incoming acoustical signal with different strengths.
  • a first microphone unit may be acoustically connected to the first acoustical pressure pick-up point
  • a second microphone unit may be acoustically connected to the second acoustical pressure pick-up point.
  • Dome shaped structures may exhibit additional properties in relation to the acoustical module.
  • the acoustical module may further comprise an additional acoustical filter and a third acoustical pressure pick-up point being acoustically connected to a microphone unit.
  • the additional acoustical filter may either be positioned between the second and the third acoustical pressure pick-up points or between the first and second pressure pick-up points.
  • acoustical filters can be placed between all off the pressure pick-up points. By applying more than two acoustical pressure pick-up points the suppression of the unwanted signals can be further improved.
  • the reconstruction of the head-related transfer function (HRTF) could be at least partly achieved which is otherwise lost due to the fact that the microphone units are not at the exact position of the ear drum.
  • additional acoustical pressure pick-up points may also be used to generate another desired directionality of the acoustical module.
  • the additional acoustical filter may form part of a dome shaped structure or it may be attached to a dome shaped structure being shaped in a manner so that it supports fixation of the acoustical module in an ear channel.
  • the plurality of microphone units may comprise omni-directional microphone units and/or directional microphone units.
  • a sleeve may be provided to ease fixation of a dome to the exterior of the acoustical module.
  • the dome may either comprise or have an acoustical filter attached thereto.
  • the sleeve may be manufactured using an injection mouldable material, such as a polymer material.
  • the sleeve and the dome form a one-piece component.
  • the plurality of acoustical pressure pick-up points may act as one or more venting holes for the receiver unit.
  • the acoustical module comprises for example two acoustical pressure pick-up points a single or both of these pressure pick-up points may be used for venting the receiver unit.
  • the acoustical module comprises for example three acoustical pressure pick-up points one, two or three pressure pick-up points may be used for venting the receiver unit.
  • a plurality of dedicated venting holes may act as one or more venting holes for the receiver unit may be provided.
  • the acoustical module may further comprise a protection arrangement for preventing dust or other impurities to enter the plurality of acoustical pressure pick-up points.
  • the protection arrangement may comprise a number of barrier structures being either secured to or forming part of the sleeve.
  • the present invention relates to a hearing device comprising an acoustical module according to the first aspect.
  • the hearing device may comprise a hearing aid of any type, including in-the-channel (ITC) type hearing aids.
  • ITC in-the-channel
  • the present invention relates to an acoustical module being capable of suppressing self-generated acoustical signal and self-generated vibrations.
  • the acoustical module comprises a sound generating receiver and two acoustical pressure pick-up points where acoustical sound is allowed to enter the module.
  • One or more acoustical filters are provided between the acoustical pressure pick-up points.
  • Each of the two acoustical pressure pick-up points picks up the following signals:
  • the acoustical module of the present invention is adapted to be positioned inside the ear channel. In this position the two acoustical pressure pick-up points form an outer pick-up point, A, and an inner pick-up point, B.
  • each of the two acoustical pressure pick-up points will pick up a self-generated acoustical receiver signal, S Rec , acc , a self-generated vibration receiver signal, S Rec, v ib , and the external acoustical sound, S Ext .
  • S MicA S Rec , acc A + S Rec , vib A + S Ext A
  • S MicB S Rec . acc B + S Rec . vib B + S Ext B
  • S MicA and S MicB are microphone signals being acoustically connected to the acoustical pressure pick-up points A and B, respectively.
  • an artificial microphone signal can be calculated from two acoustical pressure pick-up points, which does not contain a self-generated component originating from the receiver.
  • S Mic art S A ⁇ ⁇ Rec A ⁇ B ⁇ S B
  • N Mic art N MicA 2 + ⁇ Rec A ⁇ B ⁇ N MicB 2
  • N Mic art N Mic 1 + ⁇ Rec A ⁇ B 2
  • SNR Mic A S Ext A N Mic
  • SNR Mic art S Ext A N Mic ⁇ 1 ⁇ ⁇ Rec A ⁇ B ⁇ Ext B ⁇ A 1 + ⁇ Rec A ⁇ B 2
  • the SNR of the acoustical module can be optimized by adding a filtering element, which reduces the external sound signal in pressure pick-up point B relative to pressure pick-up point A, whereby minimizing the term ⁇ Ext B ⁇ A as well as the SNR of the artificial microphone.
  • the robustness of the suppression of the receiver signals can be further improved.
  • the reconstruction of the HRTF could be at least partly achieved, which is partially lost due to the fact that the microphones are not at the exact position of the ear drum. Additional acoustical pressure pick-up points could also be used to generate another desired directionality of the acoustical module.
  • the SNR of the acoustical module can be improved by adding a damping and/or a filtering element between the acoustical pressure pick-up points A and B in order to reduce the external sound signal in pressure pick-up point B relative to pressure pick-up point A.
  • a suitable filtering element may be implemented as a dome as already used in today's receiver-in-channel (RIC) hearing aids to hold the receiver in place.
  • any other acoustic sealing/filtering element or another support element to hold the acoustic module in a certain position relative to the ear canal may be applied as a filter.
  • This type of dome may be seen as a passive acoustic element.
  • the dome provides an acoustic resistance, a mass and a compliance which is mainly defined by the leakage around the dome and through-going openings/holes in the dome.
  • the openings/holes can be designed in such a way, that a wanted combined resistance/mass/compliance is achieved.
  • the created effective acoustic filter is defined by these values and the surrounding acoustic environment.
  • an acoustic filtering element such as a dome
  • a beneficial change in signal attenuation between the two pick-up points can be achieved.
  • the influence of self-generated acoustic and vibration feedback signals can be suppressed by proper signal processing.
  • the acoustical module 101 comprises two acoustical pressure pick-up points 102, 103 for receiving incoming sound from the outer ear 108.
  • the acoustical module is positioned in the ear channel 107 with a sound generating receiver 104 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • a pair or dome shaped acoustical filters 105, 106 improve the wearing comfort of the acoustical module while being positioned in the ear channel 107.
  • the dome 106 forms an acoustical filter between acoustical pressure pick-up points 102, 103 so that acoustical sound arriving from the outer ear 108 is attenuated before arriving at pressure pick-up point 103.
  • the acoustical sound signal reaching pressure pick-up point 103 is attenuated relative to the acoustical sound pressure reaching pressure pick-up point 102.
  • the acoustical module depicted further comprises an arrangement of microphone units (not shown) being acoustically connected to the acoustical pressure pick-up points 102, 103.
  • the microphone units applied may be omni-directional and/or directional microphones in suitable combinations. Also, microphone modules comprising for example two microphone units and a common back volume are applicable as well.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 102, 103 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 104. Alternatively or in combination therewith one or more dedicated venting holes (not shown) may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • Fig. 1 Several advantages are associated with the arrangement depicted in Fig. 1 . Firstly, the wearing comfort and/or the retention force of the acoustical module are both improved. The reason for this being that two domes leads to an increase of the surface touching the ear channel. This increased surface area can either be used to reduce the local contact pressure while keeping the retention force at the same level as with a single dome, or to increase the retention force without increasing the contact pressure. Secondly, the stable positioning of the acoustical pressure pick-up points relative to the ear channel prevents blockage of the pick-up points.
  • the acoustical module 201 comprises three acoustical pressure pick-up points 202, 203, 204 for receiving incoming sound from the outer ear 210.
  • the acoustical module is positioned in the ear channel 209 with a sound generating receiver 205 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • Three dome shaped acoustical filters 206, 207, 208 improve the wearing comfort of the acoustical module while being positioned in the ear channel 209.
  • the domes 207, 208 form acoustical filters between acoustical pressure pick-up points 203, 204 and 202, 203, respectively.
  • the acoustical module depicted in Fig. 2 further comprises an arrangement of microphone units (not shown) being acoustically connected to the acoustical pressure pick-up points 202, 203, 204.
  • the microphone units applied may be omni-directional and/or directional microphones in suitable combinations.
  • microphone modules comprising for example two microphone units and a common back volume are applicable as well.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 202, 203, 204 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 205.
  • one or more dedicated venting holes may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • Fig. 3 shows a solution not according to the invention.
  • the acoustical module 301 comprises two acoustical pressure pick-up points 302, 303 for receiving incoming sound from the outer ear 307.
  • the acoustical module is positioned in the ear channel 306 with a sound generating receiver 304 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • a dome shaped acoustical filter 305 is positioned between acoustical pressure pick-up points 302, 303 so that acoustical sound arriving from the outer ear 307 is attenuated before arriving at pressure pick-up point 303.
  • the acoustical sound signal reaching pressure pick-up point 303 is attenuated relative to the acoustical sound pressure reaching pressure pick-up point 302.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 302, 303 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 304. Alternatively or in combination therewith one or more dedicated venting holes (not shown) may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • the acoustical module 401 comprises two acoustical pressure pick-up points 402, 403 for receiving incoming sound from the outer ear 408.
  • the acoustical module is positioned in the ear channel 407 with a sound generating receiver 404 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • a pair or dome shaped acoustical filters 405, 406 improve the wearing comfort of the acoustical module while being positioned in the ear channel 407.
  • the dome 406 forms an acoustical filter between acoustical pressure pick-up points 402, 403 so that acoustical sound arriving from the outer ear 408 is attenuated before arriving at pressure pick-up point 403.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 402, 403 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 404. Alternatively or in combination therewith one or more dedicated venting holes (not shown) may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • the dome 406 is attached to or integrated with the sleeve 409 which is dimensioned to match the outer dimension of the acoustical module 401.
  • the sleeve 409 makes it easier to mount the dome 406 to the acoustical module 401.
  • the sleeve 409 is manufactured by a flexible/elastic material so that it may be kept in position relative to the acoustical module 401 by contractive forces.
  • the dome 406 and the sleeve 409 are preferable made as an integrated component, i.e. a one-piece component.
  • the length of the sleeve 509 has been increased so that it now surrounds the two acoustical pressure pick-up points 502, 503 of the acoustical module 501.
  • the acoustical module of Fig. 5 is positioned in an ear channel 507 with a sound generating receiver 504 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • a pair or dome shaped acoustical filters 505, 506 improve the wearing comfort of the acoustical module while being positioned in the ear channel 507.
  • the dome 506 forms an acoustical filter between acoustical pressure pick-up points 502, 503 so that acoustical sound arriving from the outer ear 508 is attenuated before arriving at pressure pick-up point 503.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 502, 503 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 504. Alternatively or in combination therewith one or more dedicated venting holes (not shown) may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • protection grids have been arranged in front of the two acoustical pressure pick-up points 602, 603.
  • the protection grids may be separate grids or they may form an integral part of the sleeve 609.
  • the embodiment 600 of Fig. 6 is similar to that of Fig. 5 thus comprising an acoustical module 601 having domes 605, 606 attached thereto - the latter via the sleeve 609.
  • a sound generating receiver 604 faces the eardrum of the ear channel 607 which terminates at the outer ear 608.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 602, 603 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 604.
  • one or more dedicated venting holes may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • the embodiment 700 shown in Fig. 7 has an integrated sports lock 710. Otherwise it us similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 thus comprising an acoustical module 701 comprises two acoustical pressure pick-up points 702, 703 for receiving incoming sound from the outer ear 708.
  • the acoustical module is positioned in the ear channel 707 with a sound generating receiver 704 facing the eardrum (not shown).
  • the two dome shaped acoustical filters 705, 706 improve the wearing comfort while being positioned in the ear channel 707.
  • the dome 706 forms an acoustical filter between acoustical pressure pick-up point 702 and 703.
  • the acoustical pressure pick-up points 702 and 703 may optionally be used as one or more venting holes for the sound generating receiver 704.
  • one or more dedicated venting holes may be provided.
  • a dedicated venting hole is to be understood as a venting hole not serving any other purpose than being a venting hole for the receiver.
  • dome 706/sleeve 709 is disclosed in detail in relation to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the domes 105, 206, 405, 505, 605 and 705 have been disclosed as acoustical filters. However, this may necessary not be the case in that these domes have the primary purpose of supporting the acoustical module.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
EP16189013.2A 2015-09-18 2016-09-15 Acoustical module with acoustical filter Active EP3148218B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15185813 2015-09-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3148218A1 EP3148218A1 (en) 2017-03-29
EP3148218B1 true EP3148218B1 (en) 2019-12-18

Family

ID=54150310

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16189013.2A Active EP3148218B1 (en) 2015-09-18 2016-09-15 Acoustical module with acoustical filter

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP3148218B1 (da)
DK (1) DK3148218T3 (da)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK4205407T3 (da) * 2020-08-26 2024-09-30 Sonion Nederland Bv Mikrofonenhed, der er anbragt på oversiden af modtagerenhedens dyse

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH533408A (de) * 1972-02-02 1973-01-31 Bommer Ag Hörgerät
US6724902B1 (en) * 1999-04-29 2004-04-20 Insound Medical, Inc. Canal hearing device with tubular insert
AU4776999A (en) * 1999-06-24 2001-01-31 Topholm & Westermann Aps Hearing aid with controllable directional characteristics
WO2001054451A2 (en) * 2000-01-19 2001-07-26 Microtronic Nederland B.V. A directional microphone assembly
EP2107828B1 (en) 2008-04-02 2016-06-29 Sonion Nederland B.V. An assembly comprising a sound emitter and two sound detectors
EP2843971B1 (en) * 2013-09-02 2018-11-14 Oticon A/s Hearing aid device with in-the-ear-canal microphone

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

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Publication number Publication date
EP3148218A1 (en) 2017-03-29
DK3148218T3 (da) 2020-02-24

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