Hearing device with active vent click compensation

Abstract

The invention provides a hearing device with active vent click compensation, having an ear plug for insertion into the ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear plug comprises a vent having vent valve means configured to open or close the vent. The hearing device is configured to obtain a predetermined audio signal representing a sound emitted by the vent when the vent valve means is manipulated. In addition, a signal processor is configured to output an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with the manipulation of the vent valve means, thereby cancelling the sound of the vent. The predetermined audio signal can be obtained during manufacturing of the hearing device or can be picked up by an in-ear microphone, e.g. during fitting of the hearing device. In this way, the unpleasant sound of the vent opening or closing is reduced or eliminated when the user wears the hearing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to hearing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to hearing devices having a controllable vent. Background Technology

[0002] Hearing devices are small electronic devices adapted to provide sound to a person or reduce hearing loss. This is typically achieved by amplifying nearby sounds picked up by one or more microphones in the hearing device according to a prescription, and acoustically reproducing the sound by a small speaker in the hearing device, which acts as a receiver. The prescription is used to adjust the amplification of the hearing device to reduce hearing loss in a way that amplifies frequencies imperceptible to a person to a level above their hearing threshold at those frequencies.

[0003] Current hearing aids have the capability to amplify signals in the digital domain by sampling analog signals from a microphone and converting them into digital signals using an analog-to-digital converter. The digital signals are then fed into a digital signal processor within the hearing aid for processing, whereby the processed digital signals are converted into electrical signals suitable for driving the receiver, reproducing sound. Processing signals in the digital domain offers several advantages, primarily that the physical size of the electronics in the hearing aid can remain very small, regardless of the device's power and capabilities. Desired changes in the operation of the hearing aid (e.g., changes in instructions) are simply a matter of loading and executing different programs or altering key processing parameters in the signal processor. Signal processing that might be difficult or impossible to perform in the analog domain (e.g., feedback suppression) is also relatively easy to perform in the digital domain. An additional benefit of digital signal processing is easy access to logic on / off operations, for example, for temporarily activating or pausing selected parts of the hearing aid during use.

[0004] Recent advancements in the inclusion of wireless communication in hearing devices have enabled remote control of these devices. This typically utilizes digital communication protocols suitable for short-range, low-power communication to deliver wireless streams of audio signals from external sources such as cellular phones or televisions. Remote control allows for adjustment of the hearing device's amplification to suit specific situations and allows users to select specific operating modes (e.g., modes suitable for conversation, concerts, outdoor activities, etc.). Some hearing devices capable of receiving streaming audio may not provide indication of amplification.

[0005] Most hearing devices include an earplug, formed as a plug or housing, which is manufactured, for example, by molding the earplug according to an impression made of the ear canal or by manufacturing the earplug as a dome of a general shape made of an elastic material (such as a silicone-based elastomer), to fit snugly into the user's ear canal. For comfort, stability, and hygiene reasons, earplugs are typically made of a plastic material with a smooth outer surface. In one type of hearing device, the receiver is mounted in a housing worn behind the user's ear and connected to the earplug fitted into the ear canal via a short tube that conducts sound from the receiver in the housing to an outlet in the ear canal for reproduction. This type is called a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing device. In a related type of hearing device, the receiver is alternatively mounted inside the earplug and connected to the hearing device housing via a wire. This type is called an in-the-ear (RIE) hearing device. In another type of hearing device, electronics and a microphone are manufactured small enough to be placed entirely within the earplug itself, forming a single unit for placement in or completely within the ear canal. These devices are called in-the-ear (ITE) or completely in-the-canal (CIC) hearing devices. The purpose of fitting the earplug tightly into the ear canal is partly to ensure that the earplug is comfortable and securely positioned in the ear canal during use, and partly to prevent amplified sound from the receiver from reaching the hearing device's microphone, which could cause unpleasant feedback or "howling".

[0006] However, the tight fit of earplugs in the ear canal also presents some problems. The earplugs form a closed cavity in the ear canal, causing moisture to accumulate. This can damage the electronics in hearing devices and can be uncomfortable for the user. The closed cavity also produces an effect known as occlusion or "plugging-in" effect, which can be particularly uncomfortable because it significantly alters the user's perception of their own voice. Both of these problems can be mitigated by placing a narrow, through-hole (represented by a vent) in the earplug during the manufacturing process of hearing devices, allowing air and moisture to flow from the ear canal to the outside of the earplug. The size of the vent is typically adjusted to accommodate the type and severity of hearing loss compensated for by the hearing device.

[0007] As mentioned above, vents in hearing aids reduce obstruction and increase comfort. The trade-off is the reduced performance in terms of directionality and low-frequency reproduction, especially when listening to music, both of which have a significant impact on the sound quality of hearing aids. While this can be mitigated to some extent by special feedback suppression algorithms executed by the hearing aid's signal processor, vents can also impair the hearing aid's feedback path. Therefore, it is beneficial to enable the vents in the earbuds to be switched from open to closed according to the user's direct needs—for example, closing the vent if the user wants to listen to music and opening it if the user wants to engage in conversation.

[0008] In some hearing devices, earplugs are replaced by domes made of elastic material that conform to the ear canal during use. These domes are significantly lighter and more comfortable than earplugs. The domes can have an open or closed configuration; the open configuration provides a vent in the earplug, while the closed configuration provides the function of a closed earplug without a vent.

[0009] In recent years, some hearing aid manufacturers have proposed active ventilation ports (i.e., by providing a user-operated electrically operated ventilation valve device) that can open or close the ventilation port of the earbud or dome during use of the hearing aid. Some proposed active ventilation valve devices are designed as bistable ventilation valve devices. When current is applied through the ventilation valve device in one direction, the bistable ventilation valve device typically opens the channel in the ventilation port; when current is applied through the ventilation valve device in the opposite direction, the bistable ventilation valve device closes the channel in the ventilation port. A signal is applied to the ventilation valve device as a short-duration (e.g., a few milliseconds) current of sufficient intensity to change the position of the ventilation valve device. Therefore, such a ventilation valve device requires an electrical signal only when the ventilation valve device switches from an open state to a closed state, and vice versa; thus, current is drawn from the hearing aid battery only when the state of the ventilation valve device changes. Flexible domes that can be opened or closed electrically in a similar manner have also been proposed. Further details regarding the mechanism for electrically opening or closing the vent valve are beyond the scope of this application.

[0010] Existing technology

[0011] EP2835987-B1 discloses the ability to change the acoustic impedance of a vent in a hearing device by opening or closing a vent valve. By using a user-operable electromagnetic actuator, the vent can be positioned as needed in a closed, partially open, or open position; that is, the vent valve is a tristable device. However, EP2835987-B1 does not mention the rate at which the vent valve can change its acoustic impedance, nor does it disclose any compensation device for reducing any auditory discomfort to the user when the vent is open or closed.

[0012] Because the valve mechanism moves quite rapidly, and due to the corresponding rapid pressure changes within the ear canal caused by the venting valve, the activation of the venting valve typically produces a noticeable clicking sound in the user's ear canal whenever the vent opens or closes. This clicking sound can be very uncomfortable for the user and may also draw attention to the blockage experienced when the venting valve closes. Therefore, it is desirable to provide some compensation for the clicking sound produced by the venting valve when the vent opens or closes. In this application, the concepts of "sound" and "sound wave" are used interchangeably to describe pressure changes in a volume of air, in this case, where the air is trapped within the ear canal by the earplug of the hearing device. Summary of the Invention

[0013] According to a first embodiment, a hearing device is designed having an earplug for insertion into the ear canal of a user. The hearing device includes a first microphone, a signal processor, a memory, a controller, and a receiver. The earplug includes a vent and a vent valve device configured to open or close the vent. The controller is configured to electrically operate the vent valve device to a first position or a second position based on a first signal from the signal processor. The hearing device is configured to obtain a predetermined audio signal representing the sound emitted from the vent when the vent valve device is operated between the first and second positions, and to store the predetermined audio signal in the memory. The signal processor is configured to access the predetermined audio signal in the memory and output an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with the operation of the vent valve device.

[0014] In this way, vent click compensation is provided by utilizing the receiver of the hearing device to compensate for pressure changes caused by the movement of the vent valve. Specifically, the receiver septum moves synchronously with the movement of the vent valve by the same amount in the opposite direction, generating sound waves of opposite polarity that cancel out the sound emitted from the vent. Therefore, when the vent valve moves a certain distance in one direction, the receiver moves substantially simultaneously by the same amount in the opposite direction, thus moving a similar amount of air in the opposite direction to compensate for the instantaneous over / undervoltage caused by the movement of the vent valve. The end result is that the sum of the contribution from the movement of the vent valve and the contribution from the receiver, which generates an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal, is zero or close to zero. When vent click is compensated in this way, other sounds reproduced by the receiver are unaffected. The active vent is controlled by a signal processor, and therefore advantageously, the vent click compensation signal is also generated by the signal processor.

[0015] It is a well-known principle to cancel a given sound wave by simultaneously providing another sound wave with the same shape and amplitude but in opposite phase. Essentially, when the sound from the vent is reproduced in its opposite phase while the vent is being operated, the sound emitted from the vent at that moment will be canceled. The term "essentially simultaneously" is defined here as meaning that the opposite sound wave occurs within 1 ms before or after the sound emitted from the vent when the vent is operated, preferably within 100 μs, and more preferably within 10 μs.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the hearing device, the inverted version of the predetermined audio signal output by the signal processor when the vent valve is actuated to a first position is different from the inverted version of the predetermined audio signal output by the signal processor when the vent valve is actuated to a second position. This has the advantage that the sound generated by the receiver is different for the two possible positions of the vent valve; that is, a first sound is generated when the vent valve is actuated from the open position to the closed position, and a second sound is generated when the vent valve is actuated from the closed position to the open position. The difference between the first and second sounds may include: the second sound having a different phase, a different (e.g., inverted) amplitude, or different spectral components than the first sound. The sound signal representing the sound of actuating the vent valve to the first position can be referred to as the first sound signal. The sound of actuating the vent valve to the second position can be referred to as the second sound signal. For example, when the first position of the vent valve device is the closed position and the second position of the vent valve device is the open position, a first sound signal representing the sound of the vent valve device being operated from the open position to the closed position and a second sound signal representing the sound of the vent valve device being operated from the closed position to the open position are advantageously stored together in the hearing device memory.

[0017] In some embodiments, the receiver is disposed within the earpiece of the hearing device. These embodiments may be in-ear receiver (RIE) or in-ear (ITE) type hearing devices. In this document, such hearing devices offer the advantage of placing the receiver very close to the vent, thereby simplifying the transmission of a predetermined, out-of-phase audio signal to the receiver to simultaneously compensate for the synchronicity of the vent click sound.

[0018] Conversely, in some BTE hearing devices, the receiver is typically housed within the BTE housing, and sound output is provided via a tube between the outlet in the BTE housing behind the ear and the earpiece. Due to the finite speed of sound and the fact that the vent is located within the earpiece, the length of the tube affects the timing of the predetermined, inverted audio signal emitted by the receiver, which is used to cancel out the sound emitted from the vent when the vent is operated. The variation in timing of the inverted predetermined audio signal is approximately 30 μs per centimeter of the distance between the receiver and the sound outlet of the earpiece.

[0019] In some implementations, an inverted version of a predetermined audio signal is adapted to substantially cancel out the sound emitted by the vent valve device whenever the vent valve device is actuated. This requires that the inverted version of the predetermined audio signal be closely matched with the sound emitted by the vent valve device in terms of amplitude, timing, and phase alignment. This task is advantageously handled by a signal processor that generates a first signal to the controller for actuating the vent valve device and a predetermined audio signal for a receiver that emits an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to cancel out the sound of the vent valve device emitted from the vent. As previously mentioned, when the sound emitted from the vent is canceled out in this way, the user may not even notice that the vent is being opened or closed, except for the simple effect of the vent being opened or closed.

[0020] In one implementation, a predetermined audio signal is obtained during the manufacture of the hearing device and stored in a memory accessible by the signal processor of the hearing device. This has the advantage that vent click compensation is fully functional from the moment the hearing device is put into use. For example, the sound of the vent valve device can be determined by measurement in an acoustic coupler in a soundproof chamber in a soundproof laboratory; this measurement can be performed during the product development of the hearing device, and the sound emitted from the vent when the vent valve device is operated can be recorded and stored in the hearing device's memory. The hearing device is then configured to emit an inverted version of these sounds via a receiver whenever the vent valve device is operated.

[0021] In most cases, obtaining the intended audio signal during the manufacture of hearing devices provides sufficient compensation for the vent click, but in some situations, it may be beneficial, such as having a healthcare professional assist in obtaining the intended audio signal on-site. Some hearing devices have a second microphone adjacent to a receiver located within the earpiece, for purposes such as active noise cancellation, hearing device anti-feedback systems (DFS), or blockage cancellation. In-ear microphones can be advantageously used and configured to pick up sound emitted from the vent when the vent valve is operated.

[0022] In some embodiments, the earplug includes a second microphone adjacent to the receiver. The second microphone is configured to pick up sound emitted from the vent when the vent valve is operated, and the hearing device is configured to store the sound picked up by the second microphone as a predetermined audio signal in a memory accessible by the hearing device's signal processor. When the earplug is positioned in the ear, the sound of the operated vent valve can be recorded during the fitting phase, for example, by a healthcare professional, using an in-ear microphone directed towards the user's eardrum for this purpose. The generated sound can then be stored as a predetermined audio signal in the hearing device's memory for reproduction by the hearing device's receiver as an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal. The sound of the vent valve operated to the open position can be recorded separately from the sound of the vent valve operated to the closed position, so that the hearing device can distinguish between the two cases and the corresponding inverted version of the predetermined audio signal can be reproduced by the hearing device's receiver.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the hearing device includes a wireless transceiver for receiving wireless remote control signals for operating the hearing device. The hearing device preferably includes several selectable hearing programs suitable for different hearing purposes (e.g., quiet environment, traffic noise, conversation, music listening, etc.). Various programs are selectable due to the presence of a wireless remote control device for generating and transmitting the remote control signals required by the user. The wireless remote control device can be a dedicated wireless remote control device or, for example, a remote control application running on a smartphone or similar consumer device. The wireless remote control signal can be, for example, a program selection command or a volume change command, or it can be a command to open or close a vent valve device in the earpiece of the hearing device. Each command activates a set of predefined instructions executed by the hearing device's operating system. If the received command is a command to change to a specific program, the predefined instruction set can be configured to change various parameters in the signal processor of the hearing device, or configured to turn certain functions (e.g., feedback cancellation) on or off.

[0024] Some program selection commands may inherently include instructions to manipulate the vent valve when a particular program is selected. For example, since an open vent is considered beneficial in this case, a hearing program tailored for conversation purposes may include instructions to open the vent by manipulating the vent valve to the open position, while another hearing program tailored for music listening may instead include instructions to close the vent by manipulating the vent valve to the closed position, thus providing the user with the benefit of a closed vent when the program is selected. Of course, commands to simply open or close the vent upon request may also be available to the user.

[0025] According to a second aspect, a method for operating a hearing device is provided, the hearing device including a first microphone, a signal processor, a memory, a receiver, and a controller for manipulating the position of a venting valve device located within a vent formed in the earpiece of the hearing device. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a predetermined audio signal representing sound from the vent when the venting valve device changes position; storing the predetermined audio signal in the memory; providing a first signal from the signal processor to the controller to manipulate the venting valve device; and outputting an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with manipulating the venting valve device. In this way, the hearing device can compensate for sound emitted from the vent when the venting valve device is manipulated.

[0026] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining a representation of the sound from the vent when the vent valve device changes position from the open to the closed position is separate from the step of obtaining a representation of the sound from the vent when the vent valve device changes position from the closed to the open position. When the vent valve device is closed, the air pressure in the ear canal typically increases suddenly. Due to an inverted version of a predetermined audio signal, the receiver provides a corresponding sudden drop in air pressure when the vent valve device is closed to compensate for the sound emitted from the vent. However, when the vent valve device is open, the air pressure in the ear canal typically decreases suddenly, in which case the receiver provides a corresponding sudden increase in air pressure when the vent valve device is open to compensate for the sound emitted from the vent. In this way, the hearing device advantageously provides compensation for the sound emitted from the vent when the vent valve device is open and when the vent valve device is closed.

[0027] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the ventilator when its position is changed is performed during the manufacture of the hearing device and includes the following steps: determining the sound of the ventilator when its position is changed; converting the determined sound into a representation suitable for storage; and storing the representation in a non-volatile memory accessible by the signal processor of the hearing device. This has several advantages. Obtaining a representation of the sound of the manipulated ventilator as a sound record is performed in a controlled manufacturing environment before being digitized and stored in the readily available memory of the hearing device (possibly simultaneously with storing the operating system and / or initial settings of the hearing device in the hearing device's memory). This allows for unobtrusive vent click compensation during fitting and use of the hearing device, without healthcare professionals needing to worry about incorrect settings, and the user not even noticing the sound emanating from the vent when the ventilator is opened or closed.

[0028] The sound representation of the vent valve mechanism obtained during the manufacture of hearing devices may be sufficient for most hearing device users. However, in some cases, the actual vent valve mechanism operated in a particular hearing device may produce a sound that deviates too much from the "standard" vent click compensation stored in the hearing device, thus producing a less than ideal compensated sound. This may be the case, for example, if the ear canal has an unusual size or shape that deviates too much from the "ideal" conditions recorded for the hearing device during manufacturing.

[0029] To provide vent click compensation in these situations, in some embodiments, the step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the vent valve device when it changes position is performed during the fitting of the hearing device, and includes the following steps: providing a second microphone adjacent to the receiver; manipulating the vent valve device to change position using a controller; picking up the sound of the vent valve device changing position using the second microphone; converting the sound from the second microphone into a representation suitable for storage; and storing the representation in non-volatile memory accessible by the signal processor of the hearing device. This allows healthcare professionals to instruct the hearing device to manipulate the vent valve device on-site and record the resulting sound using the second microphone and signal processor of the hearing device itself. The healthcare professional then stores the recording in the hearing device's memory (preferably using a special mode provided by the hearing device, which is typically only accessible via the fitting software), and the resulting vent click compensation sound can thus be perfectly matched to the actual sound of the vent valve device on-site, resulting in more accurate vent click compensation.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method includes a wireless transceiver incorporated in the hearing device, comprising the steps of: receiving via the wireless transceiver an instruction to operate a vent valve device; generating from a signal processor to a controller a first signal for operating the vent valve device; and generating to a receiver a predetermined audio signal an inverted version of the sound of the vent valve device indicating a change in position. This provides the advantage of using a signal processor to operate the vent while simultaneously providing a vent click compensation signal. This results in a simple and reliable method for providing vent click compensation when operating the vent valve device. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The hearing device will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 Existing hearing devices with active ventilation ports are shown;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a hearing device with vent click compensation is shown.

[0034] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the provision of antiphase sound in a hearing device is shown;

[0035] Figure 4a and Figure 4b It is a timing diagram showing the concurrent occurrence of vent sound and anti-phase sound.

[0036] Figure 5a A longitudinal sectional view of an earplug with an active vent in the open position is shown, and

[0037] Figure 5b A longitudinal sectional view of an earplug with an active vent in the closed position is shown.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 1. Earplugs

[0040] 2 receivers

[0041] 3 Earwax protection device

[0042] 4 Vents

[0043] 5. Receiver wires

[0044] 6. Vent valve device

[0045] 8 External microphones

[0046] 9. Internal microphone

[0047] 10. Vent valve device controller

[0048] 20 Part of the outer ear

[0049] 21 A / D converter

[0050] 22 Signal Processors

[0051] 23 Wireless transceivers

[0052] 24 antennas

[0053] 50 Receiver housing

[0054] 51 Solenoid Coil

[0055] 52 Ring magnets

[0056] 53 Receiver output tube

[0057] 54 Ventilation Inlet

[0058] 55 Ventilation outlet

[0059] 56 Flange

[0060] 301 Start

[0061] 302 Store sound

[0062] 303 Check the location of the vent.

[0063] 304 Close; Receive instruction to open vent

[0064] 305 Close; Open the vent and play the sound of the vent opening.

[0065] 306 Open; Receive instruction to close the vent.

[0066] 307 Open; close the vent and play a sound indicating that the vent is closed. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Figure 1 An earplug 1, representing prior art for a hearing device, is shown, having a receiver 2 for reproducing sound for a user. The receiver 2 has a replaceable earwax protection device 3 installed in an opening (not shown) at the front of the receiver 2. The purpose of the earwax protection device 3 is to prevent earwax and moisture from entering the earplug 1 from the user's ear canal, thereby potentially damaging the receiver 2. Adjacent to the receiver 2 is a vent 4 with a vent valve device 6. The vent valve device 6 can change the acoustic impedance of the vent 4 by taking one of two positions: one position corresponds to an open vent, and the other position corresponds to a closed vent. Preferably, the position of the vent valve device 6 is electrically operated. The receiver 2 is connected to the hearing device ( ) via a receiver wire 5 for receiving electrical signals. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), this electrical signal represents the sound that will be acoustically reproduced by receiver 2.

[0068] In use, in the first example, the vent valve device 6 can be positioned corresponding to the open vent. This provides the user with both the advantages and disadvantages of hearing devices with vents. In some cases, such as when listening to music, as previously mentioned, the vent may be disadvantageous to the user, for example, due to poor low-frequency reproduction associated with the vent. In this case, the user can advantageously instruct the hearing device to move the vent valve device 6 to the position corresponding to the closed vent, advantageously by selecting a hearing device program from several available hearing device programs, the selected program including an internal instruction to close the vent 4 by moving the vent valve 6 to the position corresponding to the closed vent. In another case, the user may wish for the vent 4 to be open and therefore select another hearing device program that includes an internal instruction to move the vent valve device 6 to the position corresponding to the open vent. Such a program can be advantageously customized so that the hearing device performs optimally in situations such as conversation (where, for example, the obstruction effect associated with the closed or absent vent may cause problems for the user).

[0069] While having an active vent in hearing devices has significant advantages, it also presents at least one drawback: whenever the vent valve 6 is opened or closed due to an inherent, instantaneous change in air pressure within the user's (wearing a hearing device with an earplug 1 placed in the user's ear canal) ear canal, the vent valve 6 generates a pressure wave, i.e., sound. This sound can manifest as a popping or clicking sound when the vent valve 6 opens or closes, which is very uncomfortable for the user wearing the hearing device.

[0070] Figure 2An earplug 1 is schematically shown as an embodiment of an ITE hearing device. This hearing device is adapted to reduce the clicking sound produced by a vent valve device when it is opened or closed. During use, the ITE hearing device is placed in the user's ear canal and is fixed partially by the shape of a portion of the user's outer ear 20 and partially by the shape of the ear canal itself. The earplug 1 includes: an external microphone 8 for picking up acoustic signals from the surrounding environment and converting the acoustic signals into electrical signals. The external microphone 8 is connected to an A / D converter 21 that converts the electrical signals from the external microphone 8 into digital signals. The digital signal output from the A / D converter 21 is sent to a first input of a signal processor 22. The signal processor 22 is adapted to amplify the signal picked up by the external microphone 8 according to a hearing loss indication, in order to reduce the user's hearing loss by performing various computational operations on the digital signal from the A / D converter 21. The amplified signal is converted into a form suitable for presentation to a receiver 2 (which is configured to convert the amplified signal into an acoustic signal for the user to hear). The wireless transceiver 23 is configured to receive wireless signals picked up by the antenna 24 and convert the wireless signals into electrical signals that are fed to a second input of the signal processor 22. The wireless signals may be, for example, remote control signals or audio stream signals for reproduction by an ITE hearing device.

[0071] For the reasons discussed above, the vent 4 is embedded in the earplug 1. The vent 4 forms a through channel in the body of the earplug 1 and provides an acoustic path for the ITE hearing device from the outside of the earplug 1 to the portion residing in the user's ear canal during use. The vent 4 has a vent valve device 6 capable of closing or sealing the acoustic path provided by the vent 4. The vent valve device 6 is activated by a vent valve device controller 10, which is controlled by a dedicated electrical output signal from the signal processor 22. Preferably, the vent valve device controller 10 is a two-state device capable of manipulating the vent valve device 6 to one of two possible positions (open or closed). This has an inherent advantage: the vent valve device controller 10 only draws power from the hearing device battery when the vent valve device 6 is opened or closed. Figure 2 (Not shown) draws current to save power when operating the vent valve device 6. In some embodiments, the vent valve device controller 10 detects information about the current position of the vent valve device 6 and then transmits the information about the current position of the vent valve device 6 to the signal processor 22.

[0072] The signal processor 22 controls the vent valve device 6 by applying a suitable electrical signal to the vent valve device controller 10, thereby closing the vent valve device 6 when it is in the open position, or opening the vent valve device 6 when it is in the closed position. Figure 2As shown, when the ventilation valve device 6 is operated in this manner, sound is emitted from the ventilation port 4 due to the instantaneous change in air pressure in the ear canal. To cancel out the sound emitted by operating the ventilation valve device 6, the signal processor 22 is configured to simultaneously emit a predetermined audio signal that is approximately the same as the sound emitted from the ventilation port 4 but has an opposite phase. The two sounds cancel each other out. Therefore, ideally, when the air pressure contribution from the ventilation port 4 increases, the air pressure contribution from the receiver 2 decreases accordingly, and vice versa.

[0073] The final result of emitting a predetermined sound in opposite phase from the receiver 2 while opening or closing the vent valve device 6 is that the combined contribution of the air pressure changes from the vent 4 and the receiver 2 respectively adds up to zero in the user's ear canal. Therefore, the sound emitted from the vent 4 is reduced or eliminated during the opening or closing of the vent valve device 6.

[0074] The predetermined sound is stored in the hearing device memory accessible to the signal processor 22. Figure 2 (not shown in the image), and in some embodiments, software code executed by the signal processor 22 can be embedded during the manufacture of the hearing device. This can be achieved via a wireless transceiver 23, for example, from a wireless remote controller of the hearing device (…). Figure 2 The result of receiving a wireless command (not shown) is typically the opening or closing of the ventilation valve device 6, executed by the hearing device's operating system. This command can be a direct command instructing the ventilation valve device controller 10 to manipulate the ventilation valve device 6, or it can be a command to select a different program in the hearing device than the currently executed program, requiring the ventilation valve device 6 to take another position based on its current position—that is, to open if the ventilation valve device 6 is closed, and vice versa. In both cases, the signal processor 22 is configured to obtain a predetermined sound from the hearing device's memory and output an inverted version of the predetermined sound to the receiver 2, simultaneously with the signal processor 22 sending an activation signal to the ventilation valve device controller 10. Preferably, the predetermined sound is a first predetermined sound at the vent 4 when the ventilation valve device 6 is open and a second predetermined sound at the vent 4 when the ventilation valve device 6 is closed.

[0075] In an alternative implementation, no predetermined sound is stored in the hearing device memory of the signal processor 22 during manufacturing. Instead, a healthcare professional instructs the ventilation valve device controller 10 to open and close the ventilation valve device 6 respectively during hearing device fitting, causing the ventilation port 4 to emit sound in either case. This instruction can be given, for example, by activating a special mode in the hearing device, preferably an option in fitting software used by a healthcare professional to fit the hearing device to the user's hearing loss and other needs. Figure 2As shown by the curves representing "sound from the receiver" and "sound from the vent," respectively, when the vent valve device 6 is opened or closed, the sound emitted from the vent 4 is then picked up by the internal microphone 9 of the hearing device and subsequently stored in the hearing device's memory as a representation of a predetermined sound. This is used by the receiver 2 to reproduce the sound as an inverted acoustic signal whenever the vent valve 6 is operated. This has the added advantage of allowing the predetermined sound to be adapted to various configurations of the earplug 1, the size and shape of the vent 4, and the corresponding size of the user's ear canal. In this way, it is ensured that the inverted version of the predetermined sound generated by the receiver 2 is individually optimized for the sound emitted from the vent 4.

[0076] Now refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The steps for compensating for the sound of the active vent 4 in the earplug 1 are described in more detail. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates a method (e.g., an algorithm) in the signal processor 22 of a hearing device of the type shown for applying inverted sound to reduce or eliminate sound emitted from the active vent 4. In step 301 of the algorithm, the hearing device is activated, instructions for mitigating hearing loss are loaded into the signal processor 22, and a default program is selected. In step 302, data indicating the sound emitted from the vent 4 each time the vent valve device 6 is operated is stored in the hearing device memory. It should be noted that in some embodiments, step 302 may be performed during the manufacture of the hearing device; that is, the data may already exist in the hearing device memory when the hearing device is put into use.

[0077] In step 303, the current position of the vent valve device 6 is determined. If the vent valve device 6 is in the closed position, the method or algorithm branches to step 304, where the signal processor 22 expects an instruction to open the vent 4. When the instruction to open the vent 4 is received, the method or algorithm proceeds to step 305, where the signal processor 22 sends a signal to the vent valve device controller 10 and simultaneously emits a predetermined sound that is the opposite phase to the sound of the vent valve device 6 opening. Then, the method or algorithm returns to step 303 to update the open position of the vent valve device 6 to the current state.

[0078] If the vent valve device 6 is determined to be in the open position in step 303, the method or algorithm branches in reverse to step 306, where the signal processor 22 expects an instruction to close the vent 4. Upon receiving the instruction to close the vent 4, the method or algorithm proceeds to step 307, where the signal processor 22 sends a signal to the vent valve device controller 10 and simultaneously emits a predetermined sound that is the opposite phase to the sound of the vent valve device 6 closing. The method or algorithm then returns to step 303 to update the closed position of the vent valve device 6 to the current state.

[0079] Reference Figure 2 The implementation method shown, Figure 4a This is a timing diagram illustrating an example of the sound emitted from vent 4 when vent valve device 6 closes the vent. The timing diagram has time marked along the x-axis and air pressure marked along the y-axis. Figure 4a and 4b In this context, the scaling factor of the x-axis can be arbitrarily chosen, but can be, for example, 1 ms / mark or 100 ms / mark, preferably 10 ms / mark. When the signal to close vent 4 is issued at t=0, the vent valve device 6 exhibits a delay primarily due to mechanical limitation before it begins to move, and as a result, the air pressure contribution from vent 4 increases until it reaches a local maximum at time t=T1, where it begins to decrease again. At time t=T2, the air pressure contribution from vent 4 has significantly decreased below the nominal air pressure, reaching a local minimum. Then, before stabilizing at the nominal air pressure at t=T3, the air pressure contribution from vent 4 fluctuates several times in the form of damped oscillations.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 The implementation method shown, Figure 4b This is a timing diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined, inverted sound emitted by receiver 2 to cancel out the sound emitted by vent 4 when vent valve device 6 is closed. For clarity, the timing diagram is compared with... Figure 4a Align the timing diagram in the diagram, and use units that are consistent with the timeline. Figure 4a The units are the same. At t=0, the delay of the vent valve device 6 is simulated by delaying the predetermined sound from the receiver 2 by a corresponding period before moving the partition of receiver 2 in the opposite direction to the vent valve device 6. Therefore, the air pressure contribution from receiver 2, which reproduces the predetermined sound in the opposite phase, decreases until it reaches a local maximum at time t=T1, where it begins to rise again. At time t=T2, the air pressure contribution from receiver 2 has risen significantly above the nominal air pressure, reaching a local maximum. Then, before stabilizing at the nominal air pressure at t=T3, the air pressure contribution from receiver 2 continues to follow the opposite movement of the vent valve device 6.

[0081] Since both the outlet of vent 4 and the outlet of receiver 2 are confined within the closed volume of the user's ear canal, the contributions from air pressure changes from vent 4 and receiver 2 cancel each other out. Therefore, as previously stated, this eliminates or at least greatly reduces unpleasant sounds that the user may experience when operating the vent valve device 6, while retaining the advantages of an active vent.

[0082] Figure 5a and 5b A longitudinal section is shown through a receiver housing 50 having an active vent, according to one embodiment. The receiver housing 50 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes: a receiver 2, connected at the distal end of the receiver housing 50 via a receiver wire 5 to a hearing device circuit (not shown), and connected at the proximal end of the receiver housing 50 to one end of a receiver output tube 53. The other end of the receiver output tube 53 is secured by a vent outlet 55. The active vent includes a solenoid coil 51 mounted on a vent valve assembly 6 and a permanent magnet 52. The magnet 52 may be a ring magnet. A plurality of vent inlets 54 are distributed in the receiver housing wall between the solenoid coil 51 and the vent outlet 55. The vent outlet 55 is implemented as a ring or bushing that limits the inner diameter of the proximal end of the receiver housing 50. A flange 56 is provided at the proximal end of the receiver housing 50. The purpose of the flange 56 is to allow the receiver housing to, for example, be... Figure 1 When installed in the earbud as shown, a seal is formed between the earbud (not shown) and the receiver housing 50.

[0083] Vent valve device 6 is configured to be in Figure 5a The first opening position shown is... Figure 5b The device moves between the first open position and the second closed position. The vent valve 6 and the permanent magnet 52 are mounted together on the receiver output tube 53 in a manner that facilitates the sliding movement of the vent valve 6 between the first open position and the second closed position. The sliding movement is initiated by applying a current to the solenoid coil 51 to generate a magnetic field that attracts or repels the permanent magnet 52. A current flowing through the solenoid coil 51 in one direction attracts the permanent magnet 52, thereby opening the vent, while a current flowing through the solenoid coil 51 in the opposite direction repels the permanent magnet 52, thereby closing the vent.

[0084] exist Figure 5a In the first open position of the venting valve device 6 shown, the solenoid coil 51 attracts the permanent magnet 52 toward the distal end of the receiver housing 50, thereby creating a channel for air to flow between the plurality of venting inlets 54 and venting outlets 55. Due to the seal between the earplug (not shown) and the receiver housing 50, this channel is the only way for air to escape from the ear canal (not shown) when the earplug and receiver housing 50 are installed in the intended position in the ear canal.

[0085] exist Figure 5b In the second closed position of the vent valve device 6 shown, the solenoid coil 51 repels the permanent magnet 52 towards the proximal end of the receiver housing 50, thereby closing the passage between the plurality of vent inlets 54 and vent outlets 55. When the edge of the vent valve device 6 is adjacent to the edge of the vent outlet 55, the vent valve device 6 and the vent outlet 55 form a seal that traps air from the outside into the ear canal.

[0086] When the vent valve device 6 reaches the point where Figure 5b In the second closed position shown, a first clicking sound is emitted when the end stop is struck. According to several embodiments, the first clicking sound can be compensated for by having the signal processor of the hearing device (not shown) simultaneously provide a predetermined first sound signal to the receiver 2, thereby canceling the clicking sound of the vent valve device 6.

[0087] When the vent valve device 6 reaches the point where Figure 5a When the device is in the first open position, a second click is emitted when the edge of the vent 55 is struck. According to several embodiments, the second click can be compensated for by having the signal processor of the hearing device simultaneously provide a predetermined second sound signal to the receiver 2, thereby canceling the second click of the vent valve device 6.

[0088] In this way, a hearing device was designed that can compensate for the clicking sound emitted by the active vent whenever the active vent is operated.

Claims

1. A hearing device having an earplug for insertion into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device, the hearing device comprising: The earplug comprises a vent having vent valve means configured to open or close the vent, the controller is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve means to a first position or a second position based on a first signal from the signal processor, wherein the hearing device is configured to obtain a predetermined audio signal representing a sound emitted by the vent when manipulating the vent valve means between the first position and the second position, and the hearing device is configured to store the predetermined audio signal in the memory, and wherein the signal processor is configured to access the predetermined audio signal in the memory and output an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with manipulating the vent valve means, wherein substantially simultaneously means that the inverted sound wave occurs less than 1 ms before or after the sound emitted by the vent when manipulating the vent valve means.

2. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein, The inverted version of the predetermined audio signal output by the signal processor when manipulating the vent valve means to the first position is different from the inverted version of the predetermined audio signal output by the signal processor when manipulating the vent valve means to the second position.

3. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The receiver is provided in the earplug.

4. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first position of the vent valve means is an open position and the second position of the vent valve means is a closed position.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first position of the vent valve means is a closed position and the second position of the vent valve means is an open position.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inverted version of the predetermined audio signal is adapted to cancel the sound emitted by the vent valve means whenever the vent valve means is manipulated.

7. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The predetermined audio signal is obtained during manufacturing of the hearing device and the predetermined audio signal is stored in a memory accessible by a signal processor of the hearing device.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The earplug comprises a second microphone adjacent to the receiver, characterized in that the second microphone is configured to pick up the sound emitted by the vent when manipulating the vent valve means, and the hearing device is configured to store a representation of the sound picked up by the second microphone in a memory accessible by a signal processor of the hearing device as the predetermined audio signal.

9. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hearing device comprises a wireless transceiver for receiving wireless remote control signals.

10. The hearing device of claim 9, wherein, The wireless transceiver is configured to receive at least one instruction from an external device by a wireless signal, the instruction initiating the signal processor to send the first signal to the controller for manipulating the vent valve means and to output the inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with manipulating the vent valve means.

11. A method of operating a hearing device, the hearing device comprising a first microphone, a signal processor, a memory, a receiver and a controller for manipulating a position of vent valve means located within a vent formed in an earplug of the hearing device, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined audio signal representing the sound of the vent when the vent valve arrangement is changed in position; storing the predetermined audio signal in the memory; providing a first signal from the signal processor to the controller for operating the vent valve arrangement; and outputting an inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially simultaneously with operating the vent valve arrangement, wherein substantially simultaneously in the substantially simultaneously with operating the vent valve arrangement means that the inverted sound wave occurs less than 1 ms before or after the sound is emitted by the vent when operating the vent valve arrangement.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the vent when the vent valve arrangement is changed from an open position to a closed position is separate from the step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the vent when the vent valve arrangement is changed from a closed position to an open position.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the vent when the vent valve arrangement is changed in position is performed during manufacturing of the hearing device and comprises the steps of determining the sound of the vent valve arrangement being changed in position, converting the determined sound to a representation suitable for storage, and storing the representation in a non-volatile memory accessible by a signal processor of the hearing device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, The step of obtaining a representation of the sound of the vent when the vent valve arrangement is changed in position is performed during fitting of the hearing device and comprises the steps of providing a second microphone adjacent to the receiver, operating the vent valve arrangement to be changed in position using the controller, picking up the sound of the vent valve arrangement being changed in position using the second microphone, converting the sound from the second microphone to a representation suitable for storage, and storing the representation in a non-volatile memory accessible by a signal processor of the hearing device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method comprises the steps of receiving an instruction to operate the vent valve arrangement by the wireless transceiver, generating the first signal from the signal processor to the controller for operating the vent valve arrangement, and generating a predetermined audio signal representing an inverted version of the sound of the vent valve arrangement being changed in position to the receiver. The method comprises the steps of receiving an instruction to operate the vent valve arrangement by the wireless transceiver, generating the first signal from the signal processor to the controller for operating the vent valve arrangement, and generating a predetermined audio signal representing an inverted version of the sound of the vent valve arrangement being changed in position to the receiver.

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