Hearing instrument with antenna and capacitive transducer

Abstract

A hearing instrument (2) is described, comprising a housing (4) that can be worn behind or in the ear of a user. The housing contains a wireless communication device (16) with a transmitter and receiver unit (20) and an electrically connected antenna (18), and a capacitive command transmitter (22) with a control and evaluation circuit (26) and an electrically connected electrode arrangement (24). The antenna (18) of the wireless communication device (16) is identical to the electrode arrangement (24) of the capacitive command transmitter (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hearing instrument with a housing worn behind or in the ear of a user.

[0002] A hearing instrument is generally defined as an electronic device that supports the hearing ability of a person wearing the hearing instrument (hereinafter referred to as the "wearer" or "user"). In particular, the invention relates to hearing instruments designed to fully or partially compensate for the hearing loss of a hearing-impaired user. Such a hearing instrument is called a "hearing aid." There are also hearing instruments that protect or improve the hearing ability of users with normal hearing, for example, by enabling improved speech comprehension in complex listening situations. Hearing instruments also include wireless headphones (worn in or on the ear), in particular so-called earplugs and headsets.

[0003] Hearing instruments in general, and hearing aids in particular, are usually designed to be worn on the head, specifically in or on one of the user's ears, particularly as behind-the-ear (BTE) devices or in-the-ear (ITE) devices. Internally, hearing instruments typically include at least one (acousto-electrical) input transducer, a signal processing unit (signal processor), and an output transducer. During operation, the input transducer(s) picks up sound waves from the surrounding environment and converts these into an input audio signal (i.e., an electrical signal carrying information about the ambient sound). The signal processing unit then processes the input audio signal (i.e., converts it into a specific audio signal).(modified with regard to its acoustic information) to support the user's hearing, in particular to compensate for hearing loss. The signal processing unit outputs a correspondingly processed (output) audio signal to the output converter. In modern hearing aids, signal processing regularly includes, in addition to or as an alternative to frequency-dependent amplification of the input audio signal, a variety of other functions, e.g., beamforming (i.e., direction-dependent attenuation), active noise cancellation, wind noise reduction, feedback attenuation, binaural processing to support spatial hearing, dynamic and / or spectral compression, etc.

[0004] In most cases, the output transducer is an electro-acoustic transducer that converts the (electrical) output audio signal back into sound waves, which are then emitted into the user's ear canal, modified relative to the ambient sound. In behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, the output transducer, also known as the receiver, is usually integrated outside the ear within the hearing aid's housing. In this case, the sound emitted by the output transducer is guided into the user's ear canal via a sound tube. Alternatively, the output transducer can also be located within the ear canal, and thus outside the behind-the-ear housing. Such hearing aids are also known as receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices.Hearing instruments worn in the ear that are so small that they do not protrude beyond the ear canal are also called CIC devices (from the English term "completely in canal").

[0005] In other designs of hearing instruments, the output transducer can also be designed as an electro-mechanical transducer that converts the output audio signal into structure-borne sound (vibrations), whereby this structure-borne sound is emitted, for example, into the skull bone of the user.

[0006] Modern hearing aids typically feature a wireless communication device that allows the hearing aid to wirelessly exchange data with one or more peripheral devices, such as another hearing aid for the user's other ear or a mobile phone. Such a communication device has an antenna integrated into the hearing aid's housing, designed to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves (radio waves), often in the GHz frequency range. Wireless data transmission usually occurs using the Bluetooth standard (especially the Bluetooth Low Energy standard).

[0007] Furthermore, hearing aids often feature a control element, i.e., an electrical switching element that can be manually actuated to generate a command for operating the hearing aid (e.g., a switch-on or switch-off command, a command to change the gain of the output audio signal, and / or a command to change a signal processing program). To avoid failure-prone moving components, capacitive control elements are sometimes used. Such a capacitive control element has an array of electrodes located within the hearing aid housing, by means of which an alternating electric field is generated in a volume of space located in front of the hearing aid housing.The capacitive transmitter functions by allowing the user's finger, when brought close to the electrode array or placed on the corresponding point on the housing, to change the (electrical) capacitance of the electrode array in a characteristic way through interaction with the alternating electric field. Upon detection of this change, a control and evaluation circuit of the capacitive transmitter, electrically connected to the electrode array, triggers the corresponding operating error.

[0008] To detect the capacitance change described above, an alternating voltage is generally applied to the electrode array by a control and evaluation circuit of the capacitive transmitter. This voltage generates an alternating electric field in the vicinity of the electrode array. The control and evaluation circuit measures an electrical response signal (in particular, the current of the current flow generated by the alternating voltage) as a measure of the capacitance of the electrode array. Two common capacitive measurement methods are distinguished with regard to measuring the response signal: According to the first method, which is referred to, for example, as "single-electrode measurement" or "self-capacitance sensing," the control and evaluation circuit measures the response signal at the same electrode of the electrode array to which it applies the alternating voltage.As a capacitance-dependent response signal, the control and evaluation circuit measures, for example, the current flowing across this electrode under the influence of the alternating voltage or the frequency of the alternating voltage (utilizing the fact that the sensor electrode is part of a resonant circuit with a capacitance-dependent varying resonance). In all cases, the response signal is characteristic of the (electrical) capacitance of the electrode relative to an external ground potential. Thus, in the "single-electrode measurement," the external ground potential, which here is formed, for example, by the user's body, acts as the counter electrode of the capacitor whose capacitance is being measured.

[0009] According to a second measurement method, also known as "two-electrode measurement," "transmitter-receiver principle," or "mutual capacitance sensing," the control and evaluation circuit applies an alternating voltage to a first electrode (transmitting electrode) of the electrode array and measures the response signal at another electrode (receiving electrode). In this case, the control and evaluation circuit measures, for example, the current induced in the receiving electrode by the alternating electric field as a capacitance-dependent response signal. This response signal is characteristic of the (electrical) capacitance of the capacitor formed by the transmitting and receiving electrodes.In "two-electrode measurement", body parts of the user (especially a finger approaching the electrode arrangement) act as an interfering potential, which changes the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two sensor electrodes and is detected via this.

[0010] In all the cases described above, the simultaneous arrangement of the antenna of the wireless communication device and the electrode array of the capacitive transmitter is problematic, since both structures must necessarily occupy a comparatively large proportion of the severely limited installation space in the hearing aid housing for effective function. To make matters worse, the same areas of a hearing aid are preferentially suited for both the arrangement of the antenna of the wireless communication device and the arrangement of the electrode array of the capacitive transmitter, namely areas directly on or near the housing wall that are freely accessible from the outside in the intended wearing position of the hearing aid in or on the user's ear.This problem is particularly critical with an ITE device, where the antenna and electrode array can almost exclusively be positioned on the front surface of the housing that faces outwards when the hearing aid is in use. A non-overlapping, side-by-side arrangement of the antenna and electrode array (i.e., an arrangement with sufficient distance between them) is often impossible due to space constraints or at least disadvantageous due to mutual interference. Conversely, an overlapping arrangement of the antenna and electrode array would lead to mutual functional impairment of both.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a hearing instrument equipped with both an effective wireless communication device and an advantageous command transmitter.

[0012] This problem is solved according to the invention by a hearing instrument with the features of claim 1. Advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0013] The invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing that is to be worn in a designated wearing position behind the ear or in the ear of a user. The hearing aid can therefore also be a behind-the-ear (BTE) device, as described above. In this case, in addition to the housing worn behind the ear, the hearing aid typically includes an earpiece to be placed in the user's ear and a flexible connecting element that joins the housing and the earpiece. The hearing aid in this case is optionally either a classic hearing aid with a receiver located in the housing or a receiver-in-canal (RIC) device in which the receiver is located in the earpiece. In the former case, the connecting element is formed by a sound tube that transmits the sound produced by the receiver to the earpiece.In the latter case, the connecting piece is an electrical cable through which the output audio signal is transmitted to the receiver located in the earpiece. Preferably, however, the hearing instrument is designed as an ITE device. The particularly compact design of the antenna, combined with the electrode arrangement of the capacitive transmitter, is especially advantageous in such devices due to the severely limited installation space.

[0014] In all embodiments described above, a wireless communication device and a capacitive command transmitter are also arranged in the housing.

[0015] The wireless communication device serves for wireless signal exchange (especially data exchange) between the hearing instrument and a peripheral device, e.g. another hearing instrument or a smartphone of the user, and includes an antenna and an electrically connected transmitting and receiving unit (transceiver).

[0016] The capacitive transmitter comprises an electrode array with at least one sensor electrode and a control and evaluation circuit (also referred to as a "sensor controller") electrically connected to the electrode array. The capacitive transmitter is designed to detect the approach of a user's finger to the housing, or any touching or pressure exerted on the housing by the finger, as a signal for an operating command and, in this case, to generate a corresponding operating command for the hearing aid. The operating command might, for example, switch the hearing aid or a specific hearing aid function on and / or off, change the amplification of the output audio signal (and thus the volume of the sound perception generated by the hearing aid), or switch between different signal processing programs.The function of the control element is optionally defined context-dependently, so that actuating the control element can trigger different actions in different situations. Additionally or alternatively, the function of the control element is implemented depending on the type of operating event, so that, for example, a prolonged proximity event triggers a different action than a simple, brief approach and / or multiple brief proximity events. In principle, the capacitive control element can be implemented as a proximity switch that generates the operating command as soon as a user's finger is brought within a certain distance (e.g., less than 2 mm) of the housing without touching it. To prevent faulty (i.e.,To avoid (unwanted) triggering of the operating command by the user, the capacitive control transmitter is preferably designed as a touch switch that only triggers the operating command when the housing is touched, in particular (optionally) only when the housing is deformed under the pressure of the touch.

[0017] In order to advantageously arrange both the antenna of the wireless communication device and the electrode arrangement of the capacitive sensor within the housing of the hearing instrument without these structures interfering with each other, the antenna of the wireless communication device and the electrode arrangement of the capacitive sensor are identical in the hearing instrument according to the invention. In other words, the entire antenna is also used as the electrode arrangement, and the entire electrode arrangement is also used as the antenna. Put another way, there is no part of the antenna that is not also used as part of the electrode arrangement, and no part of the electrode arrangement that is not also used as part of the antenna. The available space within the housing is thus used particularly efficiently for the arrangement of the antenna and the electrode arrangement.

[0018] To avoid mutual interference between the wireless communication device and the capacitive transmitter during operation in a simple yet effective manner, the wireless communication device and the capacitive transmitter are preferably designed for significantly different (electrical) frequencies. Specifically, the transmitting and receiving unit of the wireless communication device is configured to generate and receive a first alternating current electrical signal (e.g., a voltage or current signal) at a first frequency, while the control and evaluation circuitry of the capacitive transmitter is configured to generate a second alternating current electrical signal (again, e.g., a voltage or current signal) at a second frequency. The first frequency is at least 10 times higher, and preferably at least 100 times higher, than the second frequency.For example, the first frequency is greater than 100 MHz, preferably greater than 1 GHz, and in particular 2.4 GHz. The communication device is specifically designed to send and receive data in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. The second frequency, on the other hand, is less than 10 MHz, and in particular 100 kHz. For the sake of clarity, the first alternating current signal will hereinafter also be referred to as the "radio signal," while the second alternating current signal will also be referred to as the "sensor signal." Accordingly, the first frequency will hereinafter also be referred to as the "radio frequency" and the second frequency as the "sensor frequency."

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna comprises two antenna sections that are galvanically isolated from each other, so that no direct exchange of electrons between the two antenna sections is possible. The two antenna sections are electrically connected separately to the control and evaluation circuitry of the capacitive transmitter as distinct electrodes of the electrode arrangement.

[0020] The capacitive command transmitter preferably uses the "relative capacitance measurement" method described above. In this case, the two antenna sections serve as different sensor electrodes: the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode of the capacitive command transmitter. The control and evaluation circuit of the capacitive command transmitter is configured to apply the sensor voltage to one of the two sensor electrodes (the transmitting electrode) and to measure a response signal characteristic of the capacitance of the electrode arrangement at the other sensor electrode (the receiving electrode). The control and evaluation circuit measures, in particular, the current strength of the current generated in the receiving electrode under the influence of the sensor signal and the resulting electric field.

[0021] A design of the antenna in the form of multiple spirals has proven particularly advantageous with regard to high antenna efficiency combined with a compact size. In these embodiments of the invention, the antenna comprises at least two intertwined spiral arms, which widen, particularly at the center of the spiral, for example, into a semi-circular disk-shaped (in the case of two spiral arms, particularly a semi-circular disk-shaped) or comb-shaped central structure. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the antenna is designed as a butterfly antenna (bowtie antenna).

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna is mounted on a convex, in particular dome-shaped, antenna carrier. The antenna carrier is optionally designed to be elastically deformable. At least in this case, it is arranged in the housing of the hearing instrument such that it is deformed by pressure being applied to the housing, in particular by a user's finger. In this embodiment, the capacitance of the electrode arrangement is changed not only by the approach of the finger to the electrode arrangement, but also by the deformation of the electrode arrangement caused by the applied pressure. This amplifies the change in the response signal measured by the capacitive transmitter, which is used to recognize a user command, thereby reducing the probability of an unintended false triggering of the capacitive transmitter.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The figures in the drawing show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view of a hearing instrument designed as an ITE device with a housing intended to be worn in the ear of a user, in which a wireless communication device for RF signal transmission with a transmitter and receiver unit and an electrically connected antenna, and a capacitive command transmitter with a control and evaluation circuit and an electrically connected electrode arrangement are arranged, wherein the antenna of the wireless communication device is identical to the electrode arrangement of the capacitive command transmitter, Fig. 2 in a schematically simplified cross-section II-II according to Fig. 1 the hearing instrument there, Fig. 3 in a schematically simplified cross-section III-III according to Fig. 1The hearing instrument there, Fig. 4 in perspective view, an embodiment of the antenna in which it is designed in the form of a double spiral, the two spiral arms of which are mounted on a dome-shaped antenna support, wherein the two spiral arms are used as different electrodes of the electrode arrangement, Fig. 5 in representation according to Fig. 4 the antenna there without the antenna support, Fig. 6 in a schematically simplified top view the antenna made of Fig. 4 , Fig. 7 in schematic representation of the communication device and the capacitive control transmitter of the hearing instrument when using the antenna from Fig. 4 for RF signal transmission, Fig. 8 in representation according to Fig. 7 the communication device and the capacitive control unit of the hearing instrument when using the antenna Fig. 4 as electrode arrangement of the capacitive command transmitter, Fig. 9 in representation according to Fig. 7the communication device and the capacitive control transmitter of the hearing instrument in an alternative circuit of the transceiver and the sensor control with the antenna, Figs. 10 to 12 each in representation according to Fig. 6 three variants of the antenna there, and Fig. 13 in schematic representation an alternative version of the antenna, in which it is designed as a butterfly antenna.

[0024] Corresponding parts and sizes are always marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0025] The Figs. 1 to 3 Figure 2 shows a roughly schematic representation of a hearing instrument 2, which is exemplified as a hearing aid, i.e., a hearing instrument designed to support the hearing ability of a hearing-impaired user. In the embodiment shown here, the hearing instrument 2 is designed as an ITE device. It therefore comprises a housing 4, which is intended to be worn in one ear of a user.

[0026] Inside the housing 4, the hearing instrument 2 has the following components: at least one microphone 6 as an input converter, at least one loudspeaker (listener 8) as an output converter, a (particularly flexible) circuit board 10 with a (particularly digital) signal processor 12, a battery 14, a wireless communication device 16 with an (RF) antenna 18 and an electrically connected transmitting and receiving unit (transceiver 20), and a capacitive command transmitter 22, which is formed from an electrode arrangement 24 and an electrically connected control and evaluation circuit (sensor control 26).

[0027] In normal operation of the hearing instrument 2, the at least one microphone 6 picks up sound from the environment of the hearing instrument 2. The microphone(s) 6 convert the sound into an (input) audio signal, i.e., an electrical signal that contains information about the picked-up sound. The respective input audio signal is fed within the hearing instrument 2 to the signal processor 12, which modifies this input audio signal to support the user's hearing, in particular by frequency-selectively amplifying it to compensate for any hearing loss the user may have.

[0028] The signal processor 12 outputs an audio signal, which is again an electrical signal containing information about the processed and thus modified sound, to the receiver 8. The receiver 8 converts the audio signal into sound waves and delivers them into the user's ear canal via a sound channel 28 integrated into the housing 4.

[0029] The signal processor 12 and all other electrical or electronic components of the hearing instrument 2 are supplied with a direct current voltage, referred to as the operating voltage, from the battery 14.

[0030] The wireless communication device 16 serves for (wireless) signal exchange (in particular data exchange) between the hearing instrument 2 and at least one electronic peripheral device that interacts with the hearing instrument 2 during its operation. The at least one peripheral device is, for example, another hearing instrument for the user's other ear or a mobile computer, in particular a smartphone belonging to the user, on which a software application (operating app) for programming and / or remotely controlling the hearing instrument 2 is installed.

[0031] The wireless communication device 16 of the hearing aid 2 and a corresponding wireless communication device of the peripheral device are generally designed for the exchange of radio frequency (RF) signals. An RF signal (also radio signal or radio wave) is defined as electromagnetic radiation with a radio frequency fRF of more than 100 MHz. Preferably, data transmission between the hearing aid 2 and the peripheral device is based on the Bluetooth standard, with a radio frequency fRF of 2.4 GHz. For transmission, the transceiver 20 applies an alternating current electrical signal (here in the form of an alternating voltage URF) oscillating at the radio frequency fRF to the antenna 18. For reception, the transceiver 20 detects corresponding alternating voltage electrical signals that are induced in the antenna 18 by externally generated electromagnetic fields.

[0032] The capacitive transmitter 22 serves – for example, instead of an electromechanical transmitter such as a switch, push button, or rotary knob – to detect an operating command transmitted by the user through a manual action (e.g., finger tap). The capacitive transmitter 22 uses the antenna 18 as its electrode arrangement 24. The antenna 18 is also electrically connected to the sensor control 26 of the capacitive transmitter 22. The sensor control 26 drives the antenna 18, which serves as the electrode arrangement 24, with an alternating voltage, referred to as the sensor voltage Us, whose alternating voltage frequency (sensor frequency fs) lies between 20 kHz and 10 MHz and is, for example, 100 kHz. The sensor voltage Us is thus spectrally spaced between the operating voltage generated by the battery 20 on the one hand and the alternating voltage U RF of the wireless communication device 16 on the other.

[0033] The signal processor 12, the transceiver 20, and the sensor controller 26 are each optionally formed by a programmable circuit (e.g., a microprocessor) with installed software, by a non-programmable circuit (e.g., in the form of an ASIC), or by a combination of at least one programmable subunit and at least one non-programmable subunit. As shown in Fig. 1 As indicated by way of example, the transceiver 20 and the sensor controller 26 are preferably integrated together with the signal processor 12 on the circuit board 10. The signal processor 12, the transceiver 20 and the sensor controller 26 are optionally integrated in a common electronic component or designed as separate circuits.

[0034] In the Figs. 4 to 6The antenna 18, also used as electrode arrangement 24, is shown in more detail. As can be seen from these illustrations, the antenna 18 is designed here as a double spiral. It therefore comprises two antenna segments 30, 32 in the form of two intertwined spiral arms, which on the one hand cooperate within the communication device 16 for sending and receiving RF signals, and on the other hand form different electrodes 34 and 36 of the electrode arrangement 24 of the capacitive control transmitter 22. The shape of the antenna 18 preferably corresponds at least approximately to an Archemenid spiral. However, the shape of the antenna 18 can also correspond to or resemble another mathematical spiral shape, e.g., a logarithmic spiral (also referred to as an "equiangular spiral" or "self-similar spiral"). In addition, the spiral arms can optionally have a constant or varying width.

[0035] The two antenna segments 30 and 32 meet at the center of the spiral. In the example according to Figs. 4 to 6 The two antenna segments 30 and 32 are each widened in this center to form a semicircular disk-shaped central structure (central surface 38 or 40, respectively). The central surfaces 38 and 40 primarily serve to increase the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the antenna segments 30 and 32 (or electrodes 34 and 36). They are arranged in the center of the spiral shape such that they complement each other to form a circular disk. Preferably, however, the two central surfaces 38 and 40 are galvanically separated from each other by a thin slit. In other words, the two central surfaces 38 and 40 are electrically unconnected, so that no transfer of electrons between them is possible.

[0036] For the use of the antenna 18 for transmitting RF signals within the framework of the communication device 16, the transceiver 20 specifies according to Fig. 6 and 7 The alternating voltage URF is applied to the outer end of antenna segment 30, while the outer end of antenna segment 32 is connected to the ground potential GNDRF of the communication device 16, which is formed, for example, on the circuit board 10. Under the influence of the alternating voltage URF applied to antenna segment 30, the antenna in the Figs. 4 to 6 The antenna 18 shown emits an electromagnetic field approximately symmetrical about the axis 42 of the spiral shape, the electric component of which is E RF. Fig. 7 This is indicated. The galvanic isolation between the two central surfaces 38 and 40 acts as a high-pass filter and is therefore permeable to the high-frequency alternating voltage U RF.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment (not shown in detail), the antenna 18 is centrally fed. In this case, the supply lines for applying the alternating voltage U RF and the ground potential GND RF are each connected to the inner end of the antenna segment 30 and the antenna segment 32, respectively.

[0038] In order to use the antenna 18 as an electrode arrangement 24 for the capacitive command transmitter 22, the sensor control 26 is configured according to Fig. 8 The outer end of the antenna segment 30 (used here as electrode 34) is electrically connected via a control output 44, and the sensor voltage Us is applied to the antenna segment 30 (or electrode 34) via this connection. The other antenna segment 32, used as electrode 36, is connected via the circuit board 10 to a measurement input 46 of the sensor controller 26. As in Fig. 8As indicated, an electric sensor field Es is formed under the influence of the sensor voltage Us between the antenna segments 30 and 32 (or the electrodes 34 and 36), and especially between the central surface 38 and the central surface 40.

[0039] Antenna segments 30 and 32 (or electrodes 34 and 36) thus interact to form a capacitor. The sensor controller 26 measures the current flowing between antenna segments 30 and 32 (or electrodes 34 and 36) via the measurement input 46 as a response signal A, where this response signal A is characteristic of the (electrical) capacitance of the capacitor formed by electrodes 34 and 36. The capacitive command transmitter 22 is therefore, in this example, as described above. Figs. 4 to 8 It is designed as a so-called "mutual capacity sensor". In this configuration, antenna segment 30 acts as the "transmitting electrode" and antenna segment 32 as the "receiving electrode".

[0040] In this embodiment, the function of the capacitive control transmitter 22 is based on the fact that body structures of the user arranged close to the antenna 18 (in particular a [missing information]) Fig. 8 (Finger schematically indicated 47) due to the alternating current conductivity of the human body and the indirect electrical connection of the body to the sensor control 26 via ground M, act as an interference potential, which reduces the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the sensor electrodes 34 and 36, and thus the value of the measured response signal A, the closer the body structure is to the antenna 18. The sensor control 26 is designed to detect an operating command from the user when the response signal A or the capacitance derived from it falls below a predetermined threshold value for a time interval within specified limits (e.g., 1 to 2 seconds).

[0041] The communication device 16 and the capacitive transmitter 22 are preferably operated in parallel (i.e., simultaneously). The antenna 18 thus acts not only for transmitting and receiving RF signals but also as an electrode arrangement 24 for the capacitive transmitter 22. Mutual interference between the communication device 16 and the capacitive transmitter 22 is avoided by the spectral separation of the sensor frequency fs from the radio frequency fRF. To decouple the sensor control 26 from high-frequency signals, a frequency-selective electrical filter (here in the form of an electrical low-pass filter 48) is connected at least between the antenna section 32 and the measurement input 46. This filter is transparent to the sensor voltage Us but blocks high-frequency electrical signals in the frequency range of the radio frequency fRF.Preferably, such a filter is also connected between the antenna section 30 and the control output 44.

[0042] In one version according to Fig. 9 The measuring input 46 of the sensor control 26 differs from Fig. 6 and 7The sensor control 26 is not connected to the circuit board 10, but (bypassing the circuit board 10) directly to a connection point 49 at the peripheral end of the antenna segment 32 via the low-pass filter 48. To further decouple the sensor control 26 electrically from the circuit board 10, a high-pass filter 50 (shown here as a capacitor) is interposed between the connection point 49 and the circuit board 10. This high-pass filter is transparent to high-frequency electrical signals in the frequency range of the radio frequency fRF, but blocks signals in the spectral range of the sensor frequency fs. This prevents any potentially interfering influence of the circuit board 10 on the capacitance measured by the sensor control 26.Additionally or alternatively, a further high-pass filter 51 is connected upstream of the transceiver 20. This filter is also permeable to high-frequency electrical signals in the frequency range of the radio frequency fRF, but blocks signals in the spectral range of the sensor frequency fs. The high-pass filter 51 serves to protect the transceiver 20 from low-frequency interference.

[0043] As especially from the Fig. 2 , 4 and 5 As can be seen, the spiral antenna 18 in the example shown is mounted on a dome-shaped (antenna) support 52.

[0044] Inside the housing 4 of the hearing instrument 2, the carrier 52 equipped with the antenna 18 is arranged according to Figs. 1 to 3 The carrier 52 is arranged directly below an end face 53 of the housing 4, which, in the intended wearing state of the hearing instrument 2, faces outwards in the user's ear canal. The carrier 52 rests in a correspondingly shaped recess of the end face 53.

[0045] In one embodiment of the hearing instrument 2, the carrier 52 is optionally made of an elastically deformable material, in particular a (preferably hollow) elastomer body. In this embodiment, the end face 53, or at least its bulge, is also preferably made of an elastically deformable material, so that when a finger presses on the bulge, both the bulge and the underlying carrier 52 are deformed. As a result of this deformation of the carrier 52 and the electrode arrangement 24 attached to it, the capacitance difference measured by the capacitive transmitter 22 is further amplified by the approach of the finger.Preferably, the capacitive control transmitter 22 is designed as a selective pressure sensor that detects a user command only when the user presses in the protrusion of the front surface 53 with their finger (and thus does not merely bring their finger close to the front surface 53). This reduces the probability of an unintentional false triggering of the control transmitter, e.g., due to an involuntary hand movement by the user.

[0046] In Fig. 10 is a variant of the spiral antenna 18 according to Figs. 4 to 6 shown. The variant according to Fig. 10This variant differs from the embodiment described above in that the antenna segments 30 and 32, instead of the semicircular central disk surfaces 38 and 40, each have several fanning arms 54 and 56, respectively, which interlock like a comb to form the central structure of the spiral. With regard to its function as antenna 18 of the communication device 16 and electrode arrangement 24 of the command transmitter 22, this variant corresponds to the embodiment described in the Figs. 4 to 6 .

[0047] In Fig. 11 is another variant of the spiral antenna 18 according to Figs. 4 to 6 shown. The variant according to Fig. 11 This embodiment differs from the one described above in that the two spiral arms of the antenna segments 30 and 32 have a width that increases from the periphery of the spiral towards the center. Conversely, the distance between the spiral arms decreases from the periphery of the spiral towards the center.

[0048] In Fig. 12 is another variant of the spiral antenna 18 according to Figs. 4 to 6 As shown. In this variant, the distance between the spiral arms increases, especially at the periphery of the spiral.

[0049] Both configurations result in the following: when antenna 18 is used as the electrode arrangement 24 of the capacitive control transmitter 22 (and thus when antenna 18 is used as a capacitor), the contribution of the center of the spiral to the (undisturbed) total capacitance of the electrode arrangement 24 is increased, while the capacitance contribution of the spiral's periphery is reduced. This increases the sensitivity of the capacitive control transmitter 22 to the intended operating event, in particular the approach of a user's finger to the electrode arrangement 24. Conversely, the sensitivity of the capacitive control transmitter 22 to interfering factors, such as any accumulations of water or cerumen near the electrode arrangement 24, is reduced, since such interfering factors are particularly likely to be found near the spiral's periphery (especially at the edges of the dome-shaped bulge in the Figs. 1 to 3to be expected (shown frontal surface 53).

[0050] In Fig. 13 Another embodiment is shown in which the antenna 18 is designed as a "butterfly antenna" ("bowtie antenna"). In this embodiment, the antenna 18 has two antenna segments 58 and 60, which are galvanically isolated from each other and have a width that increases with increasing distance from the respective other antenna element 60 or 58. For example, the two antenna segments 58 and 60 each have a triangular shape (as shown in Figure 1). Fig. 13The antenna segments are shaped as shown (in the diagram) or alternatively as teardrop- or circular-segment-shaped, and each has a tapered end facing the other. The two antenna segments 58 and 60 are each fed at this end (facing the other antenna element 60 or 58, respectively). For this purpose, antenna segment 58 is connected to the transceiver 20 to supply the alternating voltage URF, while antenna segment 60 is connected to the ground potential GNDRF of the communication device 16.

[0051] The sensor control 26 of the capacitive command transmitter 22 is in turn connected via the control output 44 to the antenna segment 58 and via the measurement input 46 to the antenna segment 60, wherein the measurement input 46 and - preferably - the control output 44 are connected analogously to the embodiment according to Fig. 7 and 8 Each of these is preceded by a low-pass filter 48. In According to its mounting position in the housing 4 of the hearing instrument 2, the antenna 18 Fig. 13again located close to the front surface 53.

[0052] Another embodiment of antenna 18 (not explicitly shown) is formed from a combination of a spiral antenna and a butterfly antenna. In In this embodiment, the two antenna segments 30 and 32 are each formed from a spiral arm of a double spiral antenna, the outer end of which widens outwards in the manner of a wing of a butterfly antenna to form, for example, a triangular, teardrop-shaped or circular segment-shaped surface.

[0053] The invention becomes particularly clear in the embodiments described above, but is by no means limited thereto. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the claims and the preceding description. Reference symbol list

[0054] 2 Hearing instrument 4 Housing 6 Microphone 8 Receiver 10 Circuit board 12 Signal processor 14 Battery 16 (Wireless) communication device 18 (RF) antenna 20 Transceiver 22 (Capacitive) command transmitter 24 Electrode assembly 26 Sensor control 28 Sound channel 30 Antenna segment 32 Antenna segment 34 Electrode 36 Electrode 38 Central surface 40 Central surface 42 Axis 44 Control output 46 Measurement input 47 Finger 48 Low-pass filter 49 Connection point 50 High-pass filter 51 High-pass filter 52 (Antenna) support 53 End face 54 Arm 56 Arm 58 Antenna segment 60 Antenna segment f RF radio frequency f S sensor frequency A response signal E RF electrical component (of the electromagnetic field of antenna 18) ES sensor field GND RF ground potential (of the communication unit 16). M ground U RF alternating voltage Us sensor voltage

Claims

1. Hearing instrument (2) with a housing (4) wearable behind or in the ear of a user, wherein the housing (4) contains - a wireless communication device (16) with a transmitting and receiving unit (20) and an electrically connected antenna (18), and - a capacitive command transmitter (22) with a control and evaluation circuit (26) and an electrically connected electrode arrangement (24), wherein the antenna (18) of the wireless communication device (16) is identical to the electrode arrangement (24) of the capacitive command transmitter (22).

2. Hearing instrument (2) according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit (26) of the wireless communication device (22) is for generating and receiving a first alternating current electrical signal (Us) with a first frequency (f RF) is set up, wherein the control and evaluation circuit (26) of the capacitive command transmitter (22) is used to generate and detect a second alternating current electrical signal (Us) with a second frequency (f s ) is set up, with the first frequency (f RF ) is at least a factor of 10, preferably at least a factor of 100 higher than the second frequency (fs).

3. Hearing instrument (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna (18) comprises two antenna sections (30, 32; 58, 60) which are galvanically isolated from each other, wherein the two antenna sections are electrically connected separately to the control and evaluation circuit (26) of the capacitive command transmitter (22) as different electrodes (34, 36) of the electrode arrangement (24).

4. Hearing instrument (2) according to claim 3, wherein the control and evaluation circuit (26) of the capacitive command transmitter (22) is configured to apply the second alternating current signal (Us) to one of the two sensor electrodes (34) and to measure a response signal (A) characteristic of the capacitance of the electrode arrangement at the other sensor electrode (36).

5. Hearing instrument (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antenna (18) has the form of a multiple spiral with at least two intertwined spiral arms.

6. Hearing instrument (2) according to claim 5, wherein the spiral arms widen in a center of the spiral, in particular to form a semi-circular disk-shaped or comb-shaped central structure.

7. Hearing instrument (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna (18) is designed as a butterfly antenna.

8. Hearing instrument (2) according to one of claims 1 or 7, wherein the antenna (18) is mounted on a convex antenna carrier (52), preferably elastically deformable by applying pressure to the housing (4).

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