EP2577995A2

EP2577995A2 - Hearing device with a light guide and method for manufacturing such a hearing device

Info

Publication number: EP2577995A2
Application number: EP10723118.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck; Thomas Wessel; Michael Boretzki; Stefan Launer; Bernd Waldmann; Rainer Platz
Original assignee: Phonak AG
Current assignee: Sonova Holding AG
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2010-06-07
Publication date: 2013-04-10
Also published as: WO2010092193A3; WO2010092193A2

Abstract

The hearing device (1) comprises a behind-the-ear module (2) and an in-the-ear module (11) connected by a connector (12). A light emitting (4) and/or a light detecting (5) device are arranged in close proximity of an end (13) of the connector (12). The connector (12) functions as a light guide such that light (6) from the light emitting device (4) is emitted at sections (7) where the connector (12) has a rough surface. The hearing device (1) is less costly and more user friendly than a conventional one because there is no need for transparent windows in the casing and the location of light emission can be chosen more freely, for example half-way between the behind-the-ear module (2) and the in-the-ear module (11).

Description

HEARING DEVICE WITH A LIGHT GUIDE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A HEARING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of hearing devices. More particularly, it relates to a hearing device comprising a light emitting and/or sensing device and a method for manufacturing such a hearing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hearing devices are devices which relate to the hearing of an individual. They may be hearing aids, also denoted as hearing prostheses, serving for compensating a hearing loss, hearing protection against harmful noise, communication devices allowing individuals to speak to each other remotely, inconspicuously and/or in noisy environments, headsets which deliver and/or pick-up sound at the head of an individual or any combination of the before mentioned.

Even though the main function of hearing devices is picking up and/or delivering sound most hearing devices interact in further ways with their environment, for example by indicating a malfunctioning, such as an almost empty battery, with a flashing light, or by providing a mechanical push button for toggling through hearing programs. Different kinds of non-acoustical and in particular optical interactions are known from the state of the art:

EP 1 585 367 A2 discloses a hearing aid which senses if the device is worn by emitting infra red light and detecting the reflected light.

EP 2 063 664 Al discloses a hearing aid with an optically active casing. The casing is provided with an electrochrome polymer or organic LED. Status information is optically indicated.

EP 1 596 630 A2 discloses a hearing aid with an electrophoretic display on the housing.

EP 1 876 862 A2 also discloses a hearing aid with an electrophoretic display on the housing.

DE 10 2005 044416 Al discloses a hearing device with a volume controller implemented with an optical touch or movement sensor.

EP 1 589 784 A2 discloses a hearing aid which senses the proximity of a users hand based on infra red. Functions, such as program switching, can thereby be initiated.

WO 2004 / 110098 Al discloses a hearing aid with a visual indicator. An LED is mounted in the casing of the hearing aid. The light emitted by it is visible from outside the casing.

US 2004 / 044383 discloses a status indicator for implantable systems, based on an LED or LCD.

The solutions according to the state of the art are each imperfect in regard to one or more of the following aspects : - user friendliness

- simplicity of design

- number of components

- number of manufacturing steps

- manufacturing cost - quality, reliability and robustness

- sealing and water resistance

- power consumption

- suitability for miniaturization

- space requirements

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses at least one of the following problems:

- providing a hearing device of the kind which detects and/or emits light,

- providing a hearing device which is less complex,

- providing a hearing device which is less costly in regard to its manufacturing, and - providing a hearing device which opens up the possibility to detect and/or emit light at positions remote from the primary device component, in particular at positions which are better accessible and therefore more user friendly.

At least one of these problems is solved by the features of claim 1, in particular by a hearing device to be worn at the head of an individual comprising: - a primary component;

- a secondary component; a connector connecting said primary component with said secondary component, said connector being at least partially translucent; - a light emitting and/or sensing device associated with said primary component; wherein said light emitting and/or sensing device and an end of said connector are mounted such in close proximity to each other that said connector functions as a light guide for guiding light away from said primary component towards said secondary component and/or vice versa for guiding light towards said primary component.

This solution has the advantage that light emission and detection can be effected somewhere along the connector and is not bound to the two components in- and behind-the-ear .

A further aspect of the invention addresses the problem of arranging said emitting and/or sensing device in a behind- the-ear component with limited space availability within a primary casing.

This problem is solved by the hearing device of claim 5.

A further aspect of the invention addresses the problem of detecting user actions and/or device wearing conditions in a reliable, user friendly and/or cost efficient way.

This problem is solved by the hearing device of claim 8.

A further aspect of the invention addresses the problem of providing a hearing device with a connector which emits, collects and/or reflects light, or specific spectral components of it, at definable positions along its length.

This problem is solved by the hearing device of claim 12.

A further aspect of the invention addresses the problem of providing a method for manufacturing a hearing device with a connector which emits, collects and/or reflects light, or specific spectral components of it, at definable positions along its length.

This problem is solved by the method of claim 15.

Further embodiments and advantages emerge from the claims and the description referring to the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below, the invention is described in more detail by referring to drawings showing exemplified embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a custom ear-mold;

Fig. 2 shows a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention with a canal receiver and a one- size-fits-all ear-piece;

Fig. 3 shows a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention, while being worn, having two separate locations the touching of which can be sensed;

Fig. 4 shows a partial view of an ear-piece of a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention configured to sense ear-wax;

Fig. 5 shows a partial view of a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention, where an LED and a photo diode are arranged in a so called hook.

The described embodiments are meant as examples and shall not confine the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a hearing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. It may be, for example, a hearing aid serving for compensating a hearing loss of an individual. In a hearing aid environment sounds are sensed by a microphone, the microphone-signal is processed and amplified and converted back into the acoustical domain by a receiver 3. The hearing device 1 is designed to be worn at the head of an individual. It comprises a primary component, namely a behind-the-ear component 2 and a secondary component, namely an in-the-ear component or custom made ear-mold 11. The receiver 3 is located in the behind-the-ear component 2. The behind-the-ear component 2 and the in-the-ear component 11 are connected by a connector, namely by a sound tube 12. A light emitting device, namely an LED 4 (light emitting diode) , and a light sensing device, namely a photo diode 5, are associated with said behind-the-ear component 2 and are mounted in close proximity of the one end 13 of the sound tube 12. The device for light emission is arranged opposite to the device for light detection, when referring to the circular end 13 of said sound tube 12. The sound tube 12 is at least partially translucent for the light wavelengths of interest, in particular in the range of said end 13. Sound tube 12 can be implemented as a single piece. Due to the arrangement of said end 13 next to the LED 4 and photodiode 4, it can function as a light guide (or optical wave guide) , such that light originating from the LED 4 is fed into the sound tube 12 and is guided away from said behind- the-ear component 2 towards said in-the-ear component 11 and is emitted, as light 6, out of the wall of sound tube 12. Light 6 is visible to an outside observer or may be sensed by an outside device. The light does not necessarily reach the in-the-ear component 11. Vice versa, light impinging at certain locations along the sound tube 12 is at least partially guided away from said in-the-ear component 11 towards said behind-the-ear component 2, and in particular towards the light sensing device, namely photo diode 5. The sound tube 12 is preferably made from a transparent plastic material. It can be a conventional wide sound tube having an outer diameter of more than 2 mm, but it can also be a so called slim tube or narrow sound tube having an outer diameter of less than 2 mm. For optimal light guiding the sound tube should have a certain optical quality, namely it should have a reflecting, shiny or smooth tube wall surface and a substantially clear tube wall material. By providing certain portions of the sound tube 12 with a different optical quality it is possible to define where light is to be emitted and/or collected instead of being guided. A section or surface area 7 of the sound tube 12 between its two ends may be provided with a rough and/or textured, non reflecting surface and/or a milky tube wall material such that light 6 is primarily emitted in this section or surface area 7. In an alternative design the in-the-ear component may also be designed as a one-size-fits all ear-piece, similar to the ear-piece of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a hearing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a so called CRT-device. CRT stands for "canal receiver technology". There is a behind-the-ear component 2 and an in-the-ear component 21. The in-the-ear component 21 comprises a receiver 3 and a one-size-fits-all resilient ear-piece, such as a dome, tulip or slim-tip designed for at least partial insertion in the ear-canal. In the strict sense "one-size-fits-all" has to be read as "one-size-fits-many", since there are always special anatomies which are not suited for a particular ear-piece. The behind-the-ear module 2 is connected with the in-the- ear component 21 by an insulated wire 22. In close proximity of the one end 23 of the insulated wire 22 there is an LED 4 and a photo diode 5. In the strict sense, there is not only one wire, but there are two wires, namely two wires for connecting a not shown amplifier located in the behind-the-ear component 2 with the receiver 3 located in the in-the-ear component 21. The amplifier drives the receiver 3. Receiver 3 is a so called "canal receiver". The insulation is at least partially transparent and may be made from plastics. In an alternative embodiment the in- the-ear component may also be a custom made ear-mold, similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention. The hearing device is shown while it is being worn and being operated. The connector connecting the behind-the-ear component and the in-the-ear component comprises a first section or surface area 34 the optical quality of which is optimized for light guiding, i.e. its material is clear and its surfaces are reflecting, by being smooth and shiny or by being provided with a metal coating. There is a second section or surface area 35 as well as a third section or surface area 36 which are configured for touch sensing. The behind-the-ear component 2 comprises a light emitting device, e.g. an LED, as well as a light sensing device, e.g. a photo diode. Light from the LED is emitted into the connector and some of it is reflected back to the photo diode. The optical quality of the sections or surface areas 35 and 36 is chosen such that the characteristics of the reflectance changes measurable depending on whether a finger touches it. By holding a finger onto the connector the reflectance coefficient at the surface of the connector is changed and more or less light is finally reflected back from the LED to the photo diode. The detection which of the sections or surface areas 35 and 36 is touched may be facilitated by providing the connector in such a way with different optical qualities, that a change of reflectance has different frequency characteristics depending on which section or surface area is touched. For example it is possible to color a distal portion of the connector, such that reflections caused by touching the third section or surface area 36 will only affect light with a first spectral characteristic, e.g. green light, while touching the second section 35 affects light with a second spectral characteristic, e.g. white light. For measuring the spectral characteristic of the reflection there are two ways, which can also be combined. On the one hand it is possible to select a white LED or multi frequency (multi spectral peak) LED for light emission and to select a color sensor or spectral sensor for light sensing. On the other hand it is possible to use a itiulti color light emitting device, in particular a multi color LED, designed for emitting light of different colors, as well as a light emitting device driving means configured to operate the light emitting device in different time windows (duty cycles) with different colors, as well as light sensing device output interpretation means configured to interpret the output time window dependent. The two sections or surface areas 35, 36 may be assigned to different functions such as volume up and volume down. By employing multiple sensitive sections also a movement of the finger may be detected, and for example be interpreted as a gradual up/down adjustment. As shown, the sound tube touches the side of the users head. This can be detected for obtaining information on whether the device is worn or not and if it is correctly positioned. A further touch sensitive surface area may be provided for this. The connector may be a sound tube as shown in Fig. 1 or an insulated wire as shown in Fig. 2. The solution shown in

Fig. 3 is especially user-friendly, since the two sensitive sections 35 and 36 are far better reachable than user controls arranged on the housing behind-the-ear . The connector is easier to clean than a conventional mechanical switch. It is also relatively unsusceptible to moisture. The solution is therefore especially suitable for water resistant devices. The solution is also well suited for miniaturization, i.e. the connector thickness and the size of the behind-the-ear component can be decreased without cutting back the usability. The example of Fig. 3 concerns mainly touch sensing. However, it can also be provided with a status indication, wherein an LED may serve for both, providing the status indication light as well as providing the reflection measurement light. Measurements may be performed within short time windows, e.g. of less than ten millisecond duration, such that the measurement light does not get mistaken as indication light. The measurement polling frequency may for example be 10 Hz.

Fig. 4 shows a partial view of an ear mold 11 of a hearing device according to an embodiment of the invention which is configured to sense contamination with ear-wax 47, which is also denoted Cerumen. Light originating from a light emitting device in the not shown behind-the-ear component is reflected differently depending on the presence or absence of ear-wax 47. The accumulation of ear-wax can be detected by measuring and analyzing the reflectance, in particular in the way already described referring to the touch sensor of Fig. 3. In case of ear-wax the user can be instructed, for example with an audio message, to clean the ear mold 11. The same principle can be applied to sense a contamination of any kind of sound delivery system, e.g. slim tips, domes or tulip shaped ear pieces.

Fig. 5 shows a partial view of a hearing device according to the invention, where an LED 4 and a photo diode 5 are arranged in a so called hook 58. Within this document the hook 58 is regarded to be a part of the behind-the-ear component 2. The hook 58 comprises a threading and is thereby screwed onto a primary housing of the behind-the- ear component 2. On the side opposite to said threading there is a kind of socket on which the sound tube 12 is mounted. LED 4 and photo diode 5 are arranged next to the circular end 13 of sound tube 12. This solution is especially advantageous if there is not enough space in the primary housing, for example if an existing line of products is to be extended with light emission and/or sensing devices.

Application of the invention is especially advantageous in the case of small behind-the-ear casings, because small casings are less suited for mechanical user controls such as push buttons or potentiometers. If the maximum dimension of a casing is less than 25 mm it can be considered to be a small casing. Instead of reaching behind the ear trying to find a very small user control it is sufficient to touch the connector in front of the ear. The invention makes it therefore possible to implement especially user friendly and, at the same time, inconspicuous hearing devices.

Even though the examples of Fig. 1 to 5 employ both, a light emitting as well as a light sensing device it is possible to equip a hearing device with only one of them.

The light originating from the light emitting device, and secondarily being emitted from the connector, in any of the above described embodiments, may serve for a visual indication. For example, it is possible to indicate an on/off state, a volume state, a hearing program and/or a malfunctioning, such as low battery, ear wax contamination of the ear-piece or plugging of the microphone openings. The visual indication can be targeted to so called "significant others" such as caregivers, parents or teachers, which can see the visual indication, while the device is worn. However, the visual indication can also be provided for the case, when the hearing device is removed from the ear and for example held in the hands. Indications about the state of the hearing device have the advantage that the device can be operated with less assistance by a professional audiologist. Tasks such as cleaning or battery replacement can be performed by the user of the device or by said significant others. The indications may also be part of an interaction. For example the user may toggle through hearing programs by pushing a button while holding the device in his hands receiving a visual feedback about the selected program.

The light from the light emitting device may, as already described, serve for indication purposes and/or it may be part of a reflectance measuring means. However, it may also be modulated an serve for transmitting information to a device other than said behind-the-ear component, such as for example monitor devices for caregivers.

The light emitting device in any of the above described embodiments may be any suitable transmitter in the visual or infrared wavelength area, for example an LED, a multicolor LED, a dimmable LED, in particular being dimmed in an analog or pulse width modulated manner, an LED being actuated to be blinking, in particular with different blinking rates, an infra red LED and/or an organic LED.

A multi-color LED may for example indicate proper functioning with a green light, while malfunctioning is indicated with a red light. In a similar manner a blinking light may indicate malfunctioning, while a steady light indicates proper functioning. It is also possible to freely combine these measures, e.g. by allowing states like "dimmed, blinking, yellow" or "bright, steady, green" etc. The indication signal may be permanent, but it may also be in response to a user action such as switching on the device. An infra red LED may be used for an inconspicuous touch-sensor or invisible transmission of data to further devices.

The light sensing device in any of the above described embodiments may be, for example, a photo diode, a photo transistor, a color or spectrum sensor and/or a sensor array, in particular a CCD array. A sensor array may be combined with a connector which implements a multitude of parallel light guides. Such an arrangement can for example be used to detect a movement of a finger along the connector .

A first application of the light sensing device is already described above and is namely the sensing of reflected light originating from the light emission device. However, the light sensing device together with the light guiding connector can also be used advantageously for detecting ambient light which falls into the connector and is guided to the sensing device. Information about the ambient light can be used to detect listening environment conditions such as "night". The hearing device may be operated in a power saving mode as long as the state "night" is detected. The light sensing device can also be used to detect optical remote control signals, in particular infra red remote control signals. A single light sensing device may serve for more than one of these purposes.

There are different ways to manufacture a partially light guiding and partially light emitting connector. Conventional sound tubes or wire insulators are generally already clear and have smooth and shiny surfaces and are therefore already substantially light guiding. Connectors with light emitting portions can be fabricated from such conventional connectors by mechanically imprinting a pattern, mechanical abrasive processes, chemical etching, heat application or a combination of the above. Alternatively two pieces may be attached to each other. In the case of two light guiding pieces light emission may be obtained in the region of attachment. However, it is also possible to combine pieces having different light guiding qualities .

In all above described examples there is a behind-the-ear component connected by a connector to an in-the-ear component, wherein the light emitting and/or sensing device is arranged in the behind-the-ear component. However, it is to be noted that the light emitting and/or sensing device can also be arranged in the in-the-ear component. Further, the hearing device may comprise an in-the-concha component connected to an in-the-canal component, wherein again, the light emitting and/or sensing device may be arranged in either of them, the in-the-concha component or the in-the- canal component. Finally, a light emitting device may be arranged at one end of the connector and a light sensing device may be arranged at the other end of the connector.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A hearing device (1) to be worn at the head of an individual comprising: a primary component (2) ; a secondary component (11, 21);

- a connector (12, 22) connecting said primary component (2) with said secondary component (11, 21), said connector (12, 22) being at least partially translucent;

- a light emitting and/or sensing device (4, 5) associated with said primary component (2); wherein said light emitting and/or sensing device (4, 5) and an end (13, 23) of said connector (12, 22) are mounted such in close proximity to each other that said connector (12, 22) functions as a light guide for guiding light away from said primary component (2) towards said secondary component (11, 21) and/or vice versa for guiding light towards said primary component (2) .

2. The hearing device (1) of claim 1, wherein said primary component is a behind-the-ear component (2) and said secondary component is an in-the-ear component (11, 21), wherein in particular said said in-the-ear component (11, 21) is one or more of the following

- a custom made ear-mold (11) ;

- a one-size-fits many ear-piece (21), in particular a dome or a tulip shaped resilient ear-piece; - an ear-piece comprising a receiver (3) to be position in the ear canal.

3. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said connector (12, 22) is a sound tube (12), in particular one or more of the following:

- a sound tube made from a transparent plastic material;

- a sound tube being formed by a single piece;

- a conventional sound tube having an outer diameter of more than 2 mm;

- a slim sound tube having an outer diameter of less than 2 mm.

4. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said connector is an insulated wire (22) comprising an at least partially translucent insulation, in particular made from a plastic material, wherein, in particular, said wire serves for driving a canal receiver (3) .

5. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said primary component is a behind-the-ear component (2) and comprises a hook (58), which is on one side connected to a casing of said behind-the-ear component (2) and is on another side connected to said connector (12, 22), wherein said light emitting and/or sensing device (4, 5) is arranged within said hook (58) .

6. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said light emitting and/or sensing device (4, 5) is a light emitting device (4), in particular serving for one or more of the following purposes:

- indicating an on/off state;

- indicating a volume state; - indicating a hearing program; indicating a battery status;

- indicating available alternative input sources, in particular a telephone signal, a t-coil signal and/or a television signal; - indicating a proper functioning or a malfunctioning;

- indicating ear wax contamination;

- indicating plugging of a microphone opening;

- providing light which is, after being reflected, sensed by a light sensing device (5) comprised in a behind-the-ear component (2);

- providing light, which is modulated and serves for transmitting information to a device other than a behind-the-ear component (2) .

7. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said light emitting and/or sensing device (4, 5) is a light sensing device (5), in particular serving for one or more of the following purposes:

- detection of ambient light, and in particular of night, wherein in particular, when night is detected, the hearing device (1) is operated in a power saving mode;

- detection of optical remote control signals, in particular infra red remote control signals; - detection of reflected light originating from said hearing device (1) .

8. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, comprising a light emitting device (4) as well as a light sensing device (5), wherein there is at least temporarily a reflectance of light emitted by said light emitting device (4) back to said light sensing device (5) .

9. The hearing device (1) of claim 8, wherein detecting a presence and/or a characteristic of said reflectance serves for one or more of the following purposes:

- sensing if said connector (12, 22) is being touched with a finger; - sensing if a particular section (35, 36) of the connector (12, 22) is being touched with a finger;

- sensing if said connector (12, 22) is touching the head of said individual, thereby providing a signal indicative of whether the hearing device (1) is being worn and/or correctly positioned;

- detecting if said connector (12, 22) and/or an in-the- ear component (11, 21) is contaminated with ear-wax (47) .

10. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein, as the case may be, said light emitting device (4) is one or more of the following:

- an LED; a multi-color LED; _ o o —

- a dimmable LED, in particular being dimmed in an analog or pulse width modulated manner;

- an LED being actuated to be blinking, in particular with different blinking rates; - an infra red LED; an organic LED

11. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein, as the case may be, said light sensing device (5) is one or more of the following:

- a photo diode a photo transistor a color sensor

- a spectrum sensor - a CCD array

12. The hearing device (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein said connector (12, 22) comprises between its two ends at least a first section or surface area (34) having a first optical quality and a second section or surface area (7, 35, 36) having a second optical quality, said second optical quality being different from said first optical quality.

13. The hearing device (1) of claim 12, wherein

- said first section or surface area (34) is substantially light guiding, in particular by having a reflecting, shiny and/or smooth surface and a substantially clear-transparent material, and - said second section or surface area (7, 35, 36) is substantially light emitting and/or collecting, in particular by having a rough and/or textured surface and/or a milky material.

14. The hearing device (1) of claim 8 and one of the claims 12 and 13, wherein said connector (12, 22) comprises at least :

- a first touchable surface area (35) changing said reflectance, when being touched, primarily in a first frequency range or with a first frequency characteristics

- a second touchable surface area (36) changing said reflectance, when being touched, primarily in a second frequency range or with a second frequency characteristics wherein said hearing device (1) is designed to detect which of said two touchable surface areas (35, 36) is being touched by one or more of the following means: - a color, wave length or spectrum sensitive light sensing device (5);

- a multi color light emitting device (4), in particular a multi color LED, designed for emitting light of different colors, as well as a light emitting device driving means configured to operate the light emitting device in different time windows with different colors, as well as interpretation means for interpreting an output of said light sensing device (5), configured for interpreting said output time window dependent.

15. A method for manufacturing a hearing device (1) according to one of the claims 12 to 14, wherein said optical quality of said first and/or said second section or surface area (7, 34, 35, 36) is obtained by one or more of the following processing steps:

- mechanically imprinting a pattern;

- applying a mechanical abrasive process;

- chemical etching; - heat application.