In-the-ear hearing aid device, hearing aid, and electroacoustic transducer

Abstract

The present application discloses an in-ear hearing aid device, a hearing aid and an electroacoustic transducer. The in-ear hearing aid device includes: at least one electroacoustic transducer, an elastic dome and at least one sensor; wherein the at least one electroacoustic transducer includes a capsule surrounding the active sound sensing part of the transducer and the transducer air cavity; wherein at least a part of the at least one sensor is disposed inside the elastic dome; wherein the at least one sensor includes a thermometer disposed on the inner side of the elastic dome, the thermometer being connected to a signal processor disposed in the transducer air cavity, the connection being between a first contact piece mounted on the elastic dome or the thermometer and a second contact piece mounted on the capsule, and wherein the second contact piece is electrically connected to the signal processor.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 201910117211.6, titled "In-the-Ear Hearing Aid Device, Hearing Aid and Electroacoustic Transducer", filed on February 13, 2019. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to hearing aids having an in-the-ear hearing aid device including an electroacoustic transducer / transducer, such as a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid. Background Art

[0003] An in-the-ear hearing aid device includes an external housing (of its in-the-ear unit) and an electroacoustic output transducer provided in the external housing. The electroacoustic output transducer is called a receiver and converts an electrical audio signal into an acoustic sound signal. The electrical audio signal can be provided by a sound processor. The sound processor can receive an electrical audio input signal and process the electrical audio input signal to generate a processed electrical audio signal that will be fed to the output transducer. The sound processor can be provided in the behind-the-ear (BTE) unit of the hearing aid. The electrical audio input signal can be received from an electroacoustic input transducer. The electroacoustic input transducer can be provided in the in-the-ear unit or can be provided in the BTE unit. The electroacoustic input transducer is called a microphone and converts an acoustic sound signal into an electrical audio signal.

[0004] In a RITE hearing aid, the sound processor is usually provided in the BTE unit and is connected to the electroacoustic output transducer (and the electroacoustic input transducer) by means of conductive wires provided in a connecting element (connecting tube), and the connecting element mechanically connects the in-the-ear unit to the behind-the-ear unit.

[0005] Recently, there have been development solutions for placing sensors and additional electronic components in the in-the-ear unit.

[0006] However, with the addition of sensors and / or additional electronic components to the in-the-ear unit, the size (the outer appearance) of the in-the-ear unit increases, which results in the resulting in-the-ear unit no longer being able to be placed in the user's ear or ear canal, or placing it therein at least causes discomfort to the user. In addition, this also prevents the in-the-ear unit from entering the deep part of the ear canal, where the posterior auricular artery or the deep auricular artery is located within the user's head.

[0007] US2014205122AA discloses an example of a hearing aid assembly including a first part and a second part. The first part is a behind-the-ear part and includes a DSP, and the second part is an in-the-ear part and includes an electronic-assist-function-unit and a receiver. The electronic-assist-function-unit includes a microcontroller and is configured to store an identification string representing the receiver, and the DSP is configured to request the identification string from the microcontroller and adjust audio processing for the receiver based on the received identification string. In US2014205122AA, the electronic assist function unit is disposed outside the receiver, and the disadvantage of this solution is that the size of the in-the-ear part increases due to the multiple components disposed therein.

[0008] Therefore, a solution is needed that solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides at least an alternative to the prior art.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-the-ear hearing aid device. The in-the-ear hearing aid device includes at least one electroacoustic transducer. The in-the-ear hearing aid device further includes at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component. At least one electroacoustic transducer includes a capsule surrounding the transducer sound active sensing part and the transducer air cavity (air chamber / air volume). Further, the transducer air cavity is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and is in fluid connection with the transducer sound active sensing part. Further, at least a part of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component is provided within the transducer air cavity.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-the-ear hearing aid device. The in-the-ear hearing aid device includes at least one electroacoustic transducer. The in-the-ear hearing aid device further includes at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component. At least one electroacoustic transducer includes a capsule surrounding the transducer sound active sensing part and the transducer air cavity. Further, the transducer air cavity is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and is in fluid connection with the transducer sound active sensing part. Further, at least a part of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component is provided within the capsule and within the transducer air cavity.

[0012] The advantage of providing or disposing at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component within the capsule and within the transducer air cavity is that, compared to the known prior art (where at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component is placed outside the capsule, i.e., within the housing of the in-the-ear hearing aid device but not within the capsule of at least one electroacoustic transducer including a diaphragm), the size of the in-the-ear hearing aid device will not increase or will not increase significantly.

[0013] An in-the-ear hearing aid device may include one or more signal processors or microcontrollers configured to receive physiological information or biometric signals from a user's body or an electroacoustic transducer of the in-the-ear hearing aid device. The one or more signal processors may be configured to process the physiological information or biometric signals into processed signals that can be used for monitoring the user's health, environmental monitoring metrics, and for treatment.

[0014] Preferably, the transducer air cavity may be an air cavity surrounded by the bladder and fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer and to the bladder.

[0015] At least a part of the bladder may form an outer housing of the in-the-ear hearing aid device, thereby forming the outer contour of the in-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0016] The bladder may form a housing of at least one electroacoustic transducer.

[0017] The bladder may include a receiver outlet of the in-the-ear hearing aid device, wherein a passage through the receiver outlet is fluidly connected to an outlet opening in the housing of at least one electroacoustic transducer, and wherein the outlet opening is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer.

[0018] The bladder may include an elastic dome of the in-the-ear hearing aid device for mounting in a user's ear canal, wherein a passage through the elastic dome is fluidly connected to the receiver outlet. The elastic dome may be connected to the bladder.

[0019] The bladder may include a connecting tube of the in-the-ear hearing aid device, wherein a passage through the connecting tube is fluidly connected to an opening in the housing of at least one electroacoustic transducer, and wherein the opening is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer.

[0020] The passage through the connecting tube may be fluidly connected to an opening in the housing of a behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0021] The bladder may include a microphone inlet of the in-the-ear hearing aid device, wherein a passage through the microphone inlet is fluidly connected to an inlet opening in the housing of the at least one electroacoustic transducer, and wherein the inlet opening is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer.

[0022] At least one electroacoustic transducer may be one of a microphone and a receiver.

[0023] The active sound sensing part of the transducer may include at least one of the following: a membrane, a diaphragm, an electromagnetic mechanism, and a sound vibrating unit.

[0024] At least a portion of the at least one sensor and at least a portion of the at least one active electronic component may be provided within the transducer air cavity, wherein the line of sight between the portion of the at least one sensor and the portion of the at least one active electronic component is blocked by a portion of the electroacoustic transducer.

[0025] At least a portion of a first sensor and at least a portion of a second sensor may be provided within the transducer air cavity, wherein the line of sight between the portion of the first sensor and the portion of the second sensor is blocked by a portion of the electroacoustic transducer or the portion of the at least one active electronic component.

[0026] In addition, the shielding may be provided by guiding means, wherein a first guiding means is configured to guide a biometric signal, i.e., a signal generated by a user's body in response to a signal generated by the at least one active electronic component, to the sensor. A second guiding means may be configured to guide an emitted signal, such as an optical signal, from the at least one active electronic component to the user's body, such as the user's ear canal. The guiding means may be an optical fiber or a hollow plastic or metal tube.

[0027] The bladder may include at least one measurement opening. In this case, the at least one measurement opening may be provided with electromagnetic fibers, which are configured to prevent electromagnetic waves having frequencies lower than a predetermined noise shielding frequency from entering the bladder through the at least one measurement opening.

[0028] The electromagnetic fibers may include at least one of a mesh or a light-transmissive material.

[0029] The predetermined noise shielding frequency may be any inaudible frequency.

[0030] The at least one sensor may include at least one of the following: a temperature sensing element, a light sensing element, a sound sensing element, a humidity sensor, a moisture sensing element, a blood oxygen sensor including at least two light emitting elements and a light sensing element, a blood pressure sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a pulse sensor, a hydration sensor, a galvanic skin response electrode, an electroencephalogram electrode, and an electrooculogram electrode.

[0031] The at least one sensor may be a footstep sensor, a heart rate sensor, a pulse sensor, an ECG sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor, or a biosensor. The biosensor may include a pulse oximeter and / or a temperature sensor, a blood alcohol level sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a bilirubin sensor, a blood pressure sensor, an electroencephalogram sensor, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) sensor, a lactate sensor, a hemoglobin sensor, a hematocrit sensor, or other biosensors. The electroacoustic transducer may further include a chemical sensor. The electroacoustic transducer may further include at least one inertial sensor. The inertial sensor may be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a gyro sensor, a magnetometer, or other sensors.

[0032] An in-ear hearing aid or electroacoustic transducer may include at least one footstep sensor configured to sense the footsteps of a user wearing the electroacoustic transducer or in-ear hearing aid and generate a footstep signal in response to the sensed footsteps. One or more signal processors included in the in-ear hearing aid and / or electroacoustic transducer may be configured to receive physiological signals and footstep signals from one or more sensors provided in the air cavity of the transducer. The signal processor may be configured to process the physiological signals to generate at least one processed signal containing purer physiological information of the person using the footstep signals. The signal processor may be configured to process the footstep signals to generate at least one processed footstep signal containing purer information about the person's footsteps. In one example, the physiological information may be similar to a biometric signal.

[0033] The in-ear hearing aid or electroacoustic transducer can be used in the field of personal health and environmental monitors, for example, for measuring overall health and metabolism during exercise, athletic training, eating, activities of daily living, illness, and physical therapy.

[0034] The detection or monitoring of neuropsychiatric abnormalities such as depressive and anxiety disorders, e.g., PTSD, is achieved by the in-ear hearing aid device or electroacoustic transducer. In this example, a set of sensors is provided in the air cavity of the transducer, where the set of sensors may include a blood pressure sensor and a heart rate sensor. A signal processor configured to receive physiological information (or biometric signals) from the blood pressure sensor and the heart rate sensor may detect and monitor the increase in the heart rate and blood pressure of a user wearing the in-ear hearing aid device or electroacoustic transducer. A first rate of increase in the heart rate may be higher than a first threshold, and a second rate of increase in the blood pressure may be higher than a second threshold, and in this case, the user may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The detection or monitoring of PTSD can be further improved by wirelessly or wiredly connecting the in-ear hearing aid device or electroacoustic transducer to an external device, where the external device provides information about what the user is seeing to the signal processor. The signal processor may be placed in the in-ear hearing aid device or electroacoustic transducer, or the signal processor may be configured to transmit the processed physiological information, i.e., blood pressure and heart rate, to another signal processor in the external device. Another signal processor or the signal processor may be configured to combine the measurements of blood pressure and heart rate with the information about what the user is seeing to detect PTSD. The information about what the user is seeing may be generated by a camera, virtual reality glasses, a monitor, or any type of device configured to provide an image containing information about what the user is seeing.

[0035] Information about what the user is seeing can also be replaced by or combined with what the user is hearing. The user can receive acoustic sounds from an electroacoustic transducer, from an external device, or from another electroacoustic transducer within the hearing aid device. Thus, the detection or monitoring of PTSD can be further improved by a signal processor configured to combine measurements of blood pressure and heart rate with information about what the user is hearing.

[0036] The portable monitoring device includes a hearing aid device having a housing, at least one microphone for receiving ambient sounds, an audio signal processor configured to process signals from the microphone, and an electroacoustic transducer. The portable monitoring device further includes an EEG monitoring system for monitoring the EEG signals of a person using the hearing aid, and wherein the EEG monitoring system can be partially disposed in the transducer air cavity of the transducer. The EEG monitoring system includes

[0037] - the at least one sensor configured to measure one or more EEG signals from a person wearing the EEG monitor. The at least one sensor can be a plurality of electrodes that are partially or fully disposed on the outer surface of the capsule of the electroacoustic transducer or the outer wall of the capsule partially or fully includes the at least one sensor; and

[0038] - an EEG signal processing device for analyzing the one or more EEG signals. The audio signal processing device is adapted to identify or predict a specific biological onset of the person based on the EEG signals. The audio signal processing device includes a decision-making device for determining when an alarm or information must be provided to the person based on the analyzed EEG signals. The acoustic signal processing device is disposed in the housing; and the housing includes means for providing an alarm or information to an external device through the output transducer or via a wireless link.

[0039] For many hearing-impaired people using hearing aids, it may be difficult to handle this small high-tech product. This is especially a problem for the elderly. If these people are also equipped with an EEG monitoring system, which also requires proper handling to function properly, the risk of incorrect handling of at least one of these two devices will most likely be greatly increased. This results in a risk of missing an alarm for an impending biological onset, such as hypoglycemia or not having the best possible hearing.

[0040] Therefore, equipping the elderly with a hearing aid and an EEG monitoring system will generally be a problem, as both are devices that they must pay attention to and handle in specific different ways to obtain the benefits of these devices. Similarly, having more devices on the body increases the risk of neglecting one. In addition, hearing aid users typically require two hearing aids.

[0041] The above problem has been solved by disposing the EEG monitoring system in the transducer air cavity of the electroacoustic transducer.

[0042] Furthermore, the advantage of arranging the EEG monitoring system in the transducer air cavity is that the size of the electroacoustic transducer does not increase, because the EEG monitoring system utilizes the air cavity (air volume) that is not occupied by other electronic components.

[0043] Thus, compared to an in-ear hearing aid device with a conventional electroacoustic transducer without an EEG monitoring system, if the electroacoustic transducer is placed in the in-ear hearing aid device, the user will not feel more discomfort when wearing the in-ear hearing aid device.

[0044] The portable monitoring device includes an adjustment device for adjusting the sound level of the sound message according to the acoustic background noise level so that the sound message can be clearly distinguishable compared to the background noise.

[0045] The external device can be a smart phone configured to display an alarm or play a sound message. This is particularly advantageous when the parents or adults of the user of the portable monitoring device want to receive an alarm or message. Thus, the parents or adults can monitor the user's health from a distance.

[0046] The biological onset can be hypoglycemia.

[0047] The EEG monitoring system can be adapted to be wirelessly connected to an EEG processing unit that includes an EEG signal processing device and is part of the EEG monitoring system.

[0048] The EEG monitoring system can include an electronic module, and the electronic module can be connected to at least one sensor and further connected to a communication device for transmitting the EEG signal to the EEG processing unit.

[0049] At least one active electronic component can include at least one of the following: a light-emitting diode, a preprocessor, a digital sound processor, an amplifier, a preamplifier, an AD converter, a DA converter, a sensor processing circuit, a sensor fusion circuit, a digital speaker communication bus, a bus controller circuit, a memory, and a microcontroller.

[0050] The transducer air cavity can be divided into a first transducer air cavity and a second transducer air cavity that is not fluidly connected to the first transducer air cavity.

[0051] In this case, the volume of the first transducer air cavity is larger than that of the second transducer air cavity. Additionally, in this case, at least a part of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component may be provided within the first transducer air cavity. The first transducer air cavity is fluidly connected to the cavity / volume outside the housing of the at least one electroacoustic transducer via the outlet opening and / or via the inlet opening. Thus, the volume of the first transducer air cavity is actually the sum of the first transducer air cavity within the housing and the cavity outside the housing. Therefore, placing at least a part of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component within the first transducer air cavity will not result in an increase in the volume of the housing, since the acoustic performance of the at least one active electronic component is not affected by the volume occupied by at least a part of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component.

[0052] At least a part of at least one further sensor and / or at least one further active electronic component may be provided within the second transducer air cavity. The second transducer air cavity is smaller than the first transducer air cavity. However, placing a limited number of at least a part of at least one further sensor and / or at least one further active electronic component within the second transducer air cavity has a minor impact on the acoustic performance of the at least one electroacoustic transducer. This impact is not noticeable (not perceivable) to the user of the transducer.

[0053] As an alternative, at least a part of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component may be provided within the second transducer air cavity.

[0054] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hearing aid. The hearing aid includes an in-the-ear hearing aid device of any form as discussed above. The hearing aid further includes a behind-the-ear hearing aid device. The hearing aid further includes a connecting element configured to mechanically and / or electrically connect the in-the-ear hearing aid device and the behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electroacoustic transducer. The electroacoustic transducer includes at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component. The electroacoustic transducer further includes a capsule surrounding the sound active sensing part of the transducer and a transducer air cavity. The transducer air cavity is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and fluidly connected to the sound active sensing part of the transducer. At least a part of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component is provided within the transducer air cavity.

[0056] At least a part of at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component occupies a part of the air cavity within the electroacoustic transducer, and the size of the electroacoustic transducer does not increase. Thus, an intelligent electroacoustic transducer can be produced without increasing the size of the electroacoustic transducer. Therefore, the electroacoustic transducer is suitable for placement in small spatial regions, such as the ear canal, smart phones, smart watches, hearing devices such as earphones, headphones, or any type of electronic device with size limitations.

[0057] Preferably, the transducer air cavity can be an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and fluidly connected to the sound actively sensing part of the transducer and the capsule.

[0058] At least one electroacoustic transducer can be one of a microphone and a receiver.

[0059] The sound actively sensing part of the transducer can include at least one of a membrane, a diaphragm, an electromagnetic mechanism, and a sound vibration unit.

[0060] At least a part of at least one sensor and at least a part of at least one active electronic component can be provided within the transducer air cavity, wherein the line of sight between the part of the first sensor and the part of the at least one active electronic component is blocked by a part of the electroacoustic transducer or the part of the at least one active electronic component.

[0061] In addition, the shielding can be provided by guiding means, wherein a first guiding means is configured to guide a biometric signal, i.e., a signal generated by the user's body in response to a signal generated by the at least one active electronic component, to the sensor. A second guiding means can be configured to guide an emitted signal, such as an optical signal, from the at least one active electronic component to the user's body, such as the user's ear canal. The guiding means can be an optical fiber or a hollow plastic or metal tube.

[0062] At least a part of a first sensor and at least a part of a second sensor can be provided within the transducer air cavity, wherein the line of sight between the part of the first sensor and the part of the second sensor is blocked by a part of the electroacoustic transducer.

[0063] The capsule can include at least one measurement opening provided with electromagnetic fibers, which are configured to prevent electromagnetic waves having a frequency lower than a predetermined noise shielding frequency from entering the capsule through the at least one measurement opening.

[0064] The advantage of having electromagnetic fibers such as an EMI mesh is that light can pass through the mesh while filtering EM noise. Thus, a light-emitting sensor can be placed within the capsule without causing EM noise to the electroacoustic transducer.

[0065] At least one sensor may include at least one of the following: a temperature sensing element, a light sensing element, a sound sensing element, a moisture sensing element, a blood oxygen sensor including at least two light emitting elements and a light sensing element, a blood pressure sensor, a blood glucose sensor, an insulin sensor, a pulse sensor, a hydration sensor, a galvanic skin response electrode, an electroencephalogram electrode, and an electrooculogram electrode. Additionally, at least one sensor may be one or more biosensors configured to measure and quantify the ketone level in human blood.

[0066] At least one active electronic component may include at least one of the following: a light emitting diode, a preprocessor, a digital sound processor, an amplifier, a preamplifier, an AD converter, a DA converter, a sensor processing circuit, a sensor fusion circuit, a digital speaker communication bus, a bus controller circuit, a memory, and a microcontroller.

[0067] The transducer air cavity may be partitioned into a first transducer air cavity and a second transducer air cavity that is not fluidly connected to the first transducer air cavity. Then the volume of the first transducer air cavity is larger than that of the second transducer air cavity, and a portion of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component is provided in the first transducer air cavity. The first transducer air cavity is fluidly connected via the outlet opening to the cavity / volume outside the bladder of the at least one electroacoustic transducer. Thus, the volume of the first transducer air cavity is actually the sum of the first transducer air cavity within the bladder and the cavity outside the bladder. Therefore, placing at least a portion of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component in the first transducer air cavity will not result in an increase in the volume of the bladder because the acoustic performance of the at least one active electronic component is not affected by the volume occupied by at least a portion of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component.

[0068] The transducer air cavity is partitioned by a transducer sound active sensing portion into a first transducer air cavity and a second transducer air cavity. Additionally, a first set of one or more sensors may be placed in the first transducer air cavity, and a second set of multiple sensors may be placed in the second transducer air cavity, and vice versa, and wherein the first set and the second set are arranged such that the sensors of the two sets are arranged in a triangular structure configured to generate biometric signals, such as including step detection.

[0069] In an example where the electroacoustic transducer is located in the ear canal, the position of the at least one sensor and / or the at least one active electronic component is suitable for obtaining an optimal detection of physiological information, i.e., biometric signals, from the user's body, i.e., the signal-to-noise ratio of the biometric signals or physiological information is sufficient to obtain reliable physiological measurement results, such as heart rate, pulse, blood glucose, insulin, blood pressure, EEG, oxygen saturation, PTSD measure, and / or body temperature, etc.

[0070] The capsule has a first end and a second end, where an outlet opening or an inlet opening is positioned closest to the first end. At least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component can be arranged closest to the first end. At least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component arranged closest to the first end or arranged at the first end is positioned deep into the user's ear canal. The advantage obtained is a better signal-to-noise ratio of physiological information or biometric signals. In an optical system, where at least one sensor is a photodetector and at least one active electronic component is one or more light-emitting diodes, an improved signal-to-noise ratio is obtained due to less stray light from the environment interfering with the measurement of physiological information or biometric signals.

[0071] The capsule can place at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component partly in the transducer air cavity and on the inner surface of the wall of the capsule, or on the outer surface of the wall of the capsule, where the wiring to at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component enters the transducer air cavity. The inner surface of the wall and the outer surface of the wall can have corners and edges. Additionally, at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component can be arranged at or near the corners and / or at or near the edges. Thus, when the electroacoustic transducer is placed in the ear canal, for example when the electroacoustic transducer is included in an in-ear hearing aid device, the distance between the ear canal skin and at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component is minimized. The advantage of this minimized distance is that the quality of physiological information or biometric signals is improved.

[0072] In another example, the inner surface of the wall of the capsule or the outer surface of the wall of the capsule can have a central axis, where at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component can be arranged around the central axis. The advantage of doing so is that the manufacture of the electroacoustic transducer becomes simpler.

[0073] Near the ear canal, several main arteries are located within the human head, namely the superficial temporal artery, the anterior auricular artery, the maxillary artery, the posterior auricular artery, the internal carotid artery, and the external carotid artery. The ear canal has a longitudinal axis extending from the opening of the ear canal towards the eardrum of the ear canal. The ear canal has a transverse axis extending orthogonally or partially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis and the transverse axis cross each other within the ear canal to form a central point in the ear canal. The position of each main artery relative to the ear canal is as follows:

[0074] - The external carotid artery or the internal carotid artery is located below the ear canal and within the perspective line formed by guiding from the central point in the ear canal along the transverse axis, and this perspective line is between 45 degrees and 120 degrees, between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and between 35 degrees and 160 degrees;

[0075] - The internal carotid artery is partly located below and above the ear canal and within the perspective line formed by guiding from the central point in the ear canal along the transverse axis or the longitudinal axis into the ear canal, and this perspective line is between 45 degrees and 120 degrees, between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and between 35 degrees and 160 degrees;

[0076] - The posterior auricular artery is located below the ear canal and within the perspective line formed by guiding along the transverse axis from the central point in the ear canal, and the perspective line is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees;

[0077] - The superficial temporal artery is located above the ear canal and within the perspective line formed by guiding along the transverse axis and in the forward direction towards the user's face from the central point in the ear canal, and the perspective line is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees; and

[0078] - The anterior auricular artery and the maxillary artery are located within the perspective line formed by guiding along the transverse axis and in the forward direction towards the user's face from the central point in the ear canal, and the perspective line is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees.

[0079] The bladder enclosing the transducer air cavity may include a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the bladder extends parallel or partially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ear canal, and wherein the transverse axis of the bladder extends parallel or partially parallel to the transverse axis of the ear canal.

[0080] At least one sensor may have a first line of sight and / or at least one active electronic component may have a second line of sight. At least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component may be disposed within the transducer air cavity such that the first line of sight and / or the second line of sight is directed towards one or more main arteries.

[0081] At least one sensor may be arranged such that the first line of sight is directed towards one or more main arteries within the perspective line.

[0082] In one example, at least one active electronic component may be arranged such that the second line of sight is directed towards one or more main arteries within the perspective line.

[0083] The inlet opening or the outlet opening may have a mechanical interface configured to receive the earphone / earpiece. Generally, the mechanical interface is symmetric in all directions, that is, there is a possibility that the user of the in-ear hearing aid device installs the earphone onto the mechanical interface such that at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component is mispositioned within the user's ear canal.

[0084] The mechanical interface may have one or more axes of symmetry, wherein the number of possible angles for installing the earphone onto the mechanical interface has been reduced to one or two ways. Thus, the usability has been improved because the possibility of placing the earphone such that at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component is misaligned within the ear canal has been significantly reduced. In the case of having only one axis of symmetry, it is impossible for the user to misinstall the earphone onto the mechanical interface.

[0085] The bladder may have an outlet opening and an inlet opening, wherein the electroacoustic transducer may be a microphone and a receiver.

[0086] An electroacoustic transducer may include an optical system, which includes at least one sensor that may be a photodetector and at least one active electronic component that may be one or more light-emitting diodes. Several problems may occur in the optical system. For example, light from the outside may disrupt the measurement of at least one sensor. The light from the light-emitting diodes may be visible from the outside when the user is in the dark. There may be reflections from the skin surface of the ear canal, and light from the outside may pass through the ear canal skin and enter at least one sensor. To address one or more of these problems, the capsule may include an outer guiding device for at least one sensor and at least one active electronic component, where the outer guiding device may be mounted on the outer surface of the wall of the capsule or implemented within the earphone provided on the mechanical interface. The outer guiding device may include a light-guiding material. Different solutions to one or more of the mentioned problems may be to provide an earphone to the mechanical interface or the capsule, where the shape of the earphone is configured to prevent light from us from interfering with the measurement of at least one sensor. Another earphone may be provided to the capsule, where at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component may be disposed between the other earphone and the first earphone.

[0087] The sensor may also be capable of measuring or monitoring changes in the user behavior of a hearing aid including the sensor. Information collected by the sensor in an in-ear hearing aid may be passed to a prediction algorithm included in the processor of the hearing aid, and enable better services to be provided to the end user, such as better remote fitting services. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, these drawings are schematic and simplified, showing only the details necessary for understanding the present invention and omitting other details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. Each feature of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of other aspects. These and other aspects, features, and / or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0089] Figure 1 An in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0090] Figure 2 The in-ear portion (unit) of the in-ear receiver-type hearing aid is shown.

[0091] Figure 3 The in-ear portion (unit) of the in-ear receiver-type hearing aid is shown.

[0092] Figure 4 The in-ear portion (unit) of the in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0093] Figure 5 Shows the active transducer sound sensing part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Figure 6 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 7 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 8 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 9 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 10 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Figure 11 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Figure 12 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Figure 13 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 14 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Figure 15 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Figure 16 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 17 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Figure 18 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Figure 19Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Figure 20 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Figure 21 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] Figure 22 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Figure 23 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Figure 24 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] Figure 25 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Figure 26 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Figure 27 Shows an in-ear receiver type hearing aid in a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Figure 28 Shows the aorta in the ear canal and within the user's head.

[0117] Figure 29 Shows different positions of at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component within the transducer air cavity.

[0118] Figure 30 Shows different positions of at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component within the transducer air cavity.

[0119] Figure 31 Shows the capsule or the mechanical interface of the in-ear hearing aid device.

[0120] Figure 32 Shows an in-ear hearing aid device including an optical system.

[0121] Figure 33 Shows an in-ear hearing aid device having earphones.

[0122] Figure 34Shows different examples of earphones.

[0123] Figure 35 Shows additional different examples of earphones.

[0124] Figure 36 Shows different examples of guiding devices.

[0125] Figure 37 Shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0126] The following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings serves as a description of various different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the various different concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and method are described by means of various different blocks, functional units, modules, elements, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on a particular application, design constraint, or other reason, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, a computer program, or any combination thereof.

[0127] The electronic hardware may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various different functions described in this specification. A computer program should be construed broadly as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, programs, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0128] A hearing device or a hearing aid device may be a hearing assistance device adapted to improve or enhance a user's hearing ability by receiving an acoustic signal from the surroundings of the user, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal, and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. A "hearing device" may also refer to a device such as an earphone or a headset adapted to electronically receive an audio signal, possibly modify the audio signal, and provide the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. These audible signals may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user's outer ear, or as an acoustic signal transmitted through the bone structure of the user's head and / or through the middle ear portion of the user to the user's inner ear as a mechanical vibration, or as an electrical signal transmitted directly or indirectly to the user's cochlear nerve and / or auditory cortex.

[0129] The hearing aid device is adapted to be worn in any known manner. This can include i) a hearing aid device unit arranged behind the ear and having a tube for introducing an air-borne acoustic signal into the ear canal, or having a receiver / speaker arranged close to or in the ear canal, such as in a behind-the-ear hearing aid, and / or ii) arranging the hearing aid device fully or partially in the user's auricle and / or ear canal, such as in an in-the-ear hearing aid or an in-the-canal / fully-in-the-canal hearing aid, or iii) arranging a unit of the hearing aid device attached to a fixture implanted in the skull, such as in a bone-anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant, or iv) arranging a unit of the hearing aid device as a fully or partially implanted unit, such as in a bone-anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant.

[0130] A "hearing system" refers to a system including one or two hearing aid devices, and a "binaural hearing system" refers to a system including two hearing aid devices, wherein the devices are adapted to provide audio signals to the two ears of the user in a cooperative manner. The hearing system or binaural hearing system may also include an auxiliary device that communicates with at least one hearing aid device, and the auxiliary device affects the operation of the hearing aid device and / or benefits from the operation of the hearing aid device. A wired or wireless communication link is established between at least one hearing aid device and the auxiliary device, enabling the exchange of information (such as control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between at least one hearing aid device and the auxiliary device. These auxiliary devices may include at least one or a combination of a remote control, a remote microphone, an audio gateway device, a mobile phone, a public address system, a car audio system, or a music player. The audio gateway is adapted to receive a large number of audio signals from entertainment devices such as a TV or a music player, telephone devices such as a mobile phone, or a computer, a PC. The audio gateway is also adapted to select and / or combine a suitable one (or a combination of signals) from the received audio signals for transmission to at least one hearing aid device. The remote control is adapted to control the functions and operations of at least one hearing aid device. The functions of the remote control may be implemented in a smart phone or other electronic device, and the smart phone / electronic device may run an application for controlling the functions of at least one hearing aid device.

[0131] Generally, the hearing aid device includes i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal from the surroundings of the user and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and / or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving the input audio signal. The hearing aid device also includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user based on the processed audio signal.

[0132] The input unit may include a plurality of input microphones, for example, for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. Such a directional microphone system is adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a large number of acoustic sources in the user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (e.g., adaptively detect) from which direction a particular portion of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved by using methods known in the art. The signal processing unit may include an amplifier adapted to apply a frequency-dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may also be adapted to provide other relevant functions such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output transducer such as a speaker / receiver for transcutaneously or percutaneously providing an airborne acoustic signal to the skull, or a vibrator for providing a structure-borne or fluid-borne acoustic signal. In some hearing aid devices, the output unit may include one or more output electrodes such as in a cochlear implant for providing an electrical signal.

[0133] The electroacoustic output transducer may include a driver such as a diaphragm or a moving magnetic armature that moves in accordance with an electrical audio signal to drive the electroacoustic output transducer to generate an air movement that can be perceived as an acoustic sound. In this specification, the driver is also referred to as the transducer sound active sensing part. The driver of the electroacoustic output transducer is disposed in an air-filled cavity. The air-filled cavity may include, for example, cavities on both sides of the diaphragm of the driver of the output transducer. At least a portion of the air-filled cavity on which the driver acts is in fluid connection with the sound outlet of the in-ear hearing aid. The sound outlet is formed by an opening in the housing surrounding the electroacoustic output transducer.

[0134] Figure 5 The transducer sound active sensing part according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0135] The electroacoustic output transducer schematically shown in the figure includes a driver configured to drive the air next to the driver to generate sound waves. The driver may include a diaphragm 41 driven by an electromagnetic actuator 51, and the electromagnetic actuator includes an electric coil 52 and a magnet 53. The electric coil 52 and the magnet 53 are configured to enable relative movement between each other in response to an electrical signal that causes a magnetic flux in the coil 52. Thus, the electromagnetic actuator 51 can convert an electrical audio signal into a mechanical vibration that can generate acoustic sound waves. Thus, the electrical audio signal can be converted into an acoustic sound signal by means of the electromechanical actuator 51 and the diaphragm 41. A known type of electroacoustic output transducer is a balanced armature speaker. An air-filled (inflated) acoustic cavity is provided next to the diaphragm 41 or other moving part of the electroacoustic output transducer, which contains the air driven by the driver when the driver operates. The air-filled acoustic cavity may be in fluid connection with the sound outlet of the housing of the in-ear hearing aid device.

[0136] A similar structure may exist in an electroacoustic input transducer (i.e., a microphone), where the part that receives air movements that can be perceived as acoustic sounds and converts them into electrical audio signals corresponds to the transducer sound active sensing part of the electroacoustic output transducer.

[0137] Typically, the electroacoustic output transducer is arranged in a transducer capsule that encapsulates the electroacoustic output transducer and forms an inflated cavity on which the driver acts.

[0138] Now refer to Figure 1 , which shows an in-ear receiver type hearing aid device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] According to Figure 1 , the in-ear receiver type hearing aid 10 includes an in-ear hearing aid device 11, a connecting tube 12, and a behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13. The behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13 is surrounded by a housing 13a of the behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13.

[0140] As mentioned above, recently, there have been development solutions for placing sensors and additional electronic components in the in-ear unit (specifically, in the ear canal of a user wearing the corresponding hearing aid). However, while adding sensors or other electronic components requires space, the user's ear canal still only has the same size. Therefore, the sensors / components will be accommodated in an in-ear hearing aid device that is approximately the same size as the earlier devices.

[0141] Now refer to Figure 2 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of the in-ear receiver type hearing aid.

[0142] Specifically, in Figure 2 , the in-ear hearing aid device 11 is shown as including an (elastic) dome 11a for mounting in the user's ear canal. The in-ear hearing aid device 11 also includes a transducer 21 and a sensor / component 22.

[0143] The option of implementing the sensor / component 22 in the in-ear hearing aid device is to fill these standard sensors into the in-ear hearing aid device housing (speaker unit housing), while using a box-shaped acoustic transducer / speaker 21. Here, the sensor and the acoustic transducer each have an air cavity in and around them.

[0144] Now refer to Figure 3 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of the in-ear receiver type hearing aid.

[0145] Specifically, Figure 3 shows the in-ear hearing aid device 11 as shown in Figure 2 , and in addition, a microphone (input transducer) 31 and another sensor / component 32 are provided.

[0146] Reference is now made to Figure 4 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid.

[0147] As shown in Figure 4 , the sensor / component 42 is placed in the transducer air cavity, which is surrounded by the capsule 40 and is in fluid connection with the sound active sensing part 41 of the transducer.

[0148] In other words, the sensor / component is integrated in the acoustic cavity of the acoustic transducer.

[0149] In this way, the empty air cavity around the transducer can be utilized (at least) twice. Only the actual volume of the solid material in the sensor needs to be added to the acoustic cavity. Thus, the clearance for tolerances, the distance for optical focusing, and the cavity for wires are all greatly reduced, making the sensor-enabled speaker unit (the in-ear hearing aid device 11) close to the same size as a general speaker unit.

[0150] Given that a rather large air cavity is usually maintained by the electro-acoustic transducer, the influence of at least one sensor on the acoustic characteristics of the transducer is not obvious to the user.

[0151] The integration of the "naked" electro-acoustic transducer mechanism can be accompanied by more details of the speaker unit housing corresponding to the capsule 40 of the in-ear hearing aid device 11.

[0152] In this way, the speaker unit (the in-ear hearing aid device 11) housing does not have a double wall thickness, but can only consist of the capsule 40 of the in-ear hearing aid device 11.

[0153] Since the speaker and microphone acoustic cavities are integrated in the housing / capsule, the ear-shaped speaker unit (the in-ear hearing aid device 11) can be improved and have the same (or improved) performance.

[0154] That is to say, when omitting the standard housing of the microphone and instead embedding the "inside" of the microphone separately in the capsule of the in-ear hearing aid device 11, for example, the usually protruding corners can be avoided, and even a larger acoustic cavity can be provided for the microphone while the outer shape of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 (its capsule 40) can still be improved to meet the needs of the ear canal.

[0155] At least a part of the electro-acoustic transducer may protrude into the elastic dome 11a. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the electro-acoustic transducer may be surrounded by the elastic dome 11a.

[0156] The capsule 40 having an integrated acoustic transducer chamber and sensor / component chamber can be made of injection-molded plastic, or it can be made of metal (even thinner and thus smaller).

[0157] The metal can be coated to prevent ESD problems.

[0158] The metal can be, for example, a CNC-milled, deep-drawn sheet metal, an MIM-molded or die-cast part.

[0159] The metal can be, for example, stainless steel, aluminum or titanium, but is not limited to such materials.

[0160] Thus, the in-ear hearing aid device 11 (its acoustic transducer) can be integrated with (other) sensors. Any sensor can be integrated (hydration, blood pressure, temperature, galvanic skin response, electroencephalogram (EEG), etc., each considering the corresponding needs).

[0161] The sensor 42 disposed in the transducer air cavity is preferably a temperature sensor.

[0162] That is, many physical conditions and diseases affect body temperature over a certain period of time. The general body temperature measurement result is a snapshot at that temperature, for example, in the morning or evening. At the same time, the permanent body temperature measurement result can reveal the temperature development and thus, for example, enable the distinction between sudden and continuous temperature changes.

[0163] By continuously monitoring body temperature, any unusual physical condition can be immediately detected. In addition, for example, hypothermia during outdoor activities in winter or hyperthermia during physical activities in summer can be detected.

[0164] Blood sugar, etc. also affect body temperature. For the elderly, body temperature needs to be monitored especially frequently. Body temperature is also a valuable parameter to know in common health monitoring.

[0165] The ear canal is a good place for continuous body temperature measurement. Since the hearing aid is always on the ear and is usually used by the elderly, the ear is the preferred place for body temperature measurement while providing advantages related to an immediate response to health deterioration in health monitoring.

[0166] Preferably, a thermistor is provided near the front of the electroacoustic transducer (the innermost position in the ear canal) because the temperature at this point is closest to the body temperature (especially when wearing closed-back earphones).

[0167] By having a thermometer on the inner side of the elastic dome 11a of the in-ear hearing aid device 11, the body temperature can be monitored very accurately.

[0168] In the example where the thermometer is provided on the inner side of the elastic dome 11a, the thermometer is connected to a signal processor disposed in the transducer air cavity 43. The connection can be between a first contact piece mounted on the elastic dome or the thermometer and a second contact piece mounted on the capsule, and the electrical connection is between the second contact piece and the signal processor. The first contact piece and the second contact piece can be replaced by a galvanic connection. The first contact piece and the second contact piece can be in contact with each other.

[0169] Thus, it is advantageous to place a temperature sensor in an in-ear hearing aid, because the ear is a preferred place to monitor temperature throughout the day, which is a good sign of health status. The temperature drops a bit before you get sick. Such measured temperature can provide a sign of metabolism, which can affect the dosage administered on the current day.

[0170] Generally, the temperature sensor provided in the in-ear hearing aid can be used to sense body temperature, for health purposes, to provide a temperature monitoring display (e.g., for relatives, medical experts), for health research, for health monitoring in clinical disease situations, to sense whether the hearing instrument is on the ear or not, for wearing monitoring, i.e., to test how long the hearing instrument has been on the ear every day, for automatic shutdown / energy saving control (e.g., shutdown if the temperature drops a certain amount after the instrument has been above 36 degrees), for recharge control (e.g., sense overheating during recharge, which is most suitable for IIC), for general testing when the device overheats. In addition, information about the temperature (history) can also be a user confirmation guarantee situation, e.g., by checking whether the device has been stored under too hot conditions.

[0171] As a temperature sensor, a thermistor can be utilized, which is a resistor with known temperature behavior. A typical such thermistor is PT1000.

[0172] Thermistors are a good way to measure the temperature in the ear canal because they can be small, accurate, give a simple output signal and use very low power.

[0173] In addition, a temperature sensor integrated in an integrated circuit can be utilized.

[0174] In addition, a temperature transistor (e.g., by evaluating its base-emitter voltage) can be used as such a temperature sensor.

[0175] Finally, a temperature diode can also be used as the temperature sensor to be arranged in the transducer air cavity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0176] Infrared temperature measurement devices can also be utilized, but these devices use more power, give more complex signals and are significantly larger, thus making it a serious challenge to be in the ear with the speaker unit at the same time.

[0177] However, although the sensor 42 arranged in the transducer air cavity is preferably a temperature sensor, sensors related to determining pulse, blood glucose, blood pressure, electrooculogram, oxygen saturation can also be preferred.

[0178] Subsequently, several options for placing sensors or other electronic components are introduced, and each option provides specific advantages corresponding to the specific needs of the corresponding sensor / component.

[0179] Now refer to Figure 6 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0180] As Figure 6 shown, at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component 42 is placed within the transducer air cavity 43. The transducer air cavity 43 is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule 40 (at least surrounding the active sound sensing part 41 of the transducer) and is in fluid connection with the active sound sensing part 41 of the transducer (and preferably can be in fluid connection with the capsule).

[0181] Here, "within" means directly within the transducer air cavity (i.e., in contact with and surrounded by the transducer air cavity), or having a housing within the transducer air cavity (i.e., in contact with and surrounded by the transducer air cavity). In addition, "within" also includes protruding into the transducer air cavity (a part, or its housing). In other words, at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component or its housing at least protrudes into the transducer air cavity.

[0182] The sensor / component is connected to the transducer (i.e., its electronic / active sound sensing part) and / or to the connecting tube 12 (the wire enclosed therein) via a stranded wire and / or via a printed circuit board and / or via a flexible flat cable and / or via laser direct structuring (LSD / MID) on plastic. The connection of the sensor / component 42 is not limited to the mentioned options.

[0183] Now refer to Figure 7 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0184] As Figure 7 shown, the sensor / component 42 can protrude into the capsule 40 while still being within the transducer air cavity 43.

[0185] Now refer to Figure 8 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0186] As Figure 8 shown, the sensor / component 42 can be almost embedded in the capsule 40 while still being within the transducer air cavity 43.

[0187] Now refer to Figure 9 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0188] As Figure 9 shown, the sensor / component 42 can penetrate into the capsule 40 while still being within the transducer air cavity 43. The capsule may have a groove 91 at the position where the sensor / component 42 penetrates into the capsule 40.

[0189] Now refer to Figure 10 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0190] As Figure 10 shown, the sensor / element 42 can penetrate the capsule 40 while still being within the transducer air cavity 43. The sensor / element 42 can be covered by a cover element 101 at the position where the sensor / element 42 penetrates the capsule 40. The cover element can have characteristics that facilitate or at least allow the function of the sensor / element 42. For example, the cover element 101 can be translucent and / or translucent while protecting the sensor / element 42 from mechanical impact forces. The characteristics of the cover element 101 are not limited to the examples mentioned.

[0191] Now refer to Figure 11 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0192] As Figure 11 shown, the sensor / element 42 can be provided on the back side of the electroacoustic transducer rather than its front side.

[0193] The sensor / element 42 can be provided anywhere within the capsule as long as it is within the transducer air cavity.

[0194] Now refer to Figure 12 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0195] As Figure 12 shown, the elastic dome 11a can have a channel passing through it. The capsule 40 formed by surrounding the transducer air cavity can include the elastic dome. The channel passing through the dome can be in fluid connection with the receiver outlet of the in-ear hearing aid device 11, while the receiver outlet of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 is in fluid connection with the transducer sound active sensing part.

[0196] Therefore, the sensor (or active electronic element) can be provided within the transducer air cavity and within the channel of the elastic dome 11a.

[0197] Thus, when worn by the user, the user's ear canal can be in fluid connection with the transducer sound active sensing part.

[0198] Now refer to Figure 13 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0199] As Figure 13As shown, the connecting tube 12 can be connected to a behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13, in particular to the housing 13a of the unit 131 (such as a processor) that houses the behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13. The cavity in the connecting tube that is in fluid connection with the cavity of the sound active sensing part of the transducer and thus in fluid connection with the sound active sensing part of the transducer can also accommodate a sensor (or active electronic component) 42.

[0200] Now referring to Figure 14 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0201] Specifically, Figure 14 Schematically shown is a possible electrical layout design of an in-ear hearing aid device 11 including a sound active sensing part 41 of the transducer (which may also include a transducer electronic circuit driven by an input signal) and additional elements 42 such as a sensor (preferably a temperature sensor) or active electronic components. Both the sound active sensing part 41 of the transducer and the additional elements 42 are surrounded by the capsule 40 of the transducer. Specifically, the additional elements 42 are placed inside the transducer air cavity 43.

[0202] Both the sound active sensing part 41 of the transducer and the additional elements 42 are connected to a wiring 141, which can pass through the connecting tube and be connected to the above-mentioned behind-the-ear hearing aid device and its specific electronic components such as a sound processor and / or a sensor control part.

[0203] The transducer electronic circuit / sound active sensing part 41 of the transducer can belong to an output transducer (receiver) that is in fluid connection with an outlet opening or can belong to an input transducer (microphone) that is in fluid connection with an inlet opening.

[0204] In other words, the additional elements 42 can be placed in the transducer air cavity 43 of an electroacoustic output transducer (receiver, speaker) or can be placed in the transducer air cavity 43 of an electroacoustic input transducer (microphone).

[0205] Now referring to Figure 15 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0206] That is to say, in addition to the sensors in the acoustic cavity, the transducer air cavity can also be used for a pre-processor (digital signal processor, DSP), a pre-amplifier, and an AD / DA converter (AD: analog-to-digital; DA: digital-to-analog), for example, for electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes, galvanic skin response electrodes, electrooculogram (EOG) electrodes, a digital speaker communication bus to the behind-the-ear unit, etc.

[0207] Figure 15 Schematically shown is a possible electrical layout design of an in-ear hearing aid device 11 with digital and analog connections to a possible behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0208] That is, in Figure 15 , while the electroacoustic transducer 41 is connected via an analog connection, other components can be connected via a digital connection. Specifically, a digital bus, for example, includes wiring for power supply, ground, I 2 C clock and I 2 C data of the I 2 C bus, where at least three different states of the bus are applied in different time slots. The first state is power transmission, the second state is signal transmission from the behind-the-ear hearing aid device to the in-the-ear hearing aid device, and the third state is signal transmission from the in-the-ear hearing aid device to the behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0209] When power transmission and data transmission are separated in time, the risk of noise problems is reduced. The term "different time slots" means that power transmission and data or signal transmission in both directions are separated in time. At the same time, the present invention contributes to a two-wire bus without the need for any additional electrical wires.

[0210] The bus should be understood here as a digital communication line, which can be set up for communication between different units and is suitable for carrying signals in more than one direction. The bus is a serial data bus and should also be understood here as being able to transmit power.

[0211] In an embodiment of the hearing aid, a fourth state of the bus is added, which is set low, i.e., set to "0", so that the first power transmission state starts with a leading edge. Such a leading edge, which appears at a known place in the sequence, is important for interpreting the signals on the bus.

[0212] The first power transmission state occupies at least 50% and preferably at least 70% of the time on the bus. This has been found to result in a small enough power loss and not too large a capacitor for providing power during the remaining time.

[0213] The electroacoustic transducer in the in-the-ear hearing aid device is connected such that it does not consume any power during the time when it transmits data on the bus, but only during the time when power is transmitted. This can be achieved by short-circuiting the receiver during data transmission. The advantage of this is that the receiver does not need to consume power from the electroacoustic transducer or the capacitor in the behind-the-ear hearing aid device during the time when no power is transmitted from the behind-the-ear hearing device. This means that the electroacoustic transducer or the capacitor in the in-the-ear hearing aid device can be made very small because it will only need to supply power to the electronic circuit in the ear-insertion part. The smaller capacitor will also have a smaller physical size, whereby the electroacoustic transducer or the in-the-ear hearing aid device can be made smaller. There are possible variations of this embodiment, for example, the receiver consumes power during a smaller part of the time when data is transmitted.

[0214] Additional elements placed in the transducer air cavity may for example include sensors, preferably a temperature sensor 42, connected via an AD converter 153; other sensors 151 (such as electrodes for EEG measurement or galvanic skin response measurement, optical sensors for pulse or blood oxygen measurement, microphones, humidity sensors, capacitive touch sensors); preamplifiers 152 associated with the respective other sensors; an AD converter 153; a RITE detection element 154; and a sensor fusion circuit 155; wherein at least a part of the additional elements is connected via the sensor fusion circuit 155 to the mentioned digital bus.

[0215] At least one electroacoustic transducer 41 and at least one sensor 42 and / or at least one active electronic element (151 - 154) are connected via a multiplexer 155 to a wire 141. For example, the sensor signal can be merged with the audio signal passed to the electroacoustic transducer 41 and transmitted via the same wire 141, by transmitting the sensor signal outside the passband of the electroacoustic transducer 41, for example below 100 Hz and above 10 kHz.

[0216] Now referring to Figure 16 which shows the in - ear part (unit) of an in - ear receiver - type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0217] Figure 16 Schematically shows a possible electrical layout design of an in - ear hearing aid device 11 with a digital connection to a possible behind - the - ear hearing aid device.

[0218] That is, while the electroacoustic transducer 41 is connected via an analog connection in Figure 15 , in Figure 16 , both the additional elements and the electroacoustic transducer 41 can be connected via digital connections, specifically via a digital bus, for example an I 2 C bus including wiring for power, ground, I 2 C clock and I 2 C data.

[0219] Additional elements placed in the transducer air cavity may thus for example include: sensors, preferably a temperature sensor 42, connected via an AD converter 153; other sensors 151 (such as electrodes for EEG measurement or galvanic skin response measurement, optical sensors for pulse or blood oxygen measurement, microphones, humidity sensors, capacitive touch sensors); preamplifiers 152 associated with the respective other sensors; an AD converter 153; a RITE detection element 154; a DA converter 161 and an amplifier 162 for driving the electroacoustic transducer 41; and a sensor fusion circuit 155; wherein at least a part of the additional elements is connected via the sensor fusion circuit 155 to the mentioned digital bus.

[0220] Parts of other components, such as the preamplifier 152, the AD converter 153, the RITE detection component 154, the DA converter 161, the amplifier 162, and the sensor fusion circuit 155, may be integrated in an integrated circuit IC.

[0221] Now refer to Figure 17 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0222] Figure 17 Schematically shows a possible electrical layout design of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 with a digital connection to a possible behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

[0223] Similar to Figure 16 , in Figure 17 , the other components and the electroacoustic transducer 41 are all connected via digital connections, specifically, via a digital bus, such as an I 2 C clock and an I 2 C data wiring of the I 2 C bus.

[0224] In addition to Figure 16 the other components shown placed in the transducer air cavity of the in-ear hearing aid device 11, Figure 17 the in-ear hearing aid device 11 of

[0225] may further include a digital sensor 171 directly connected to the sensor fusion circuit 155 and a memory 172 that stores calibration data related to the electroacoustic transducer and / or sensors or other active electronic components placed in the transducer air cavity 43, for example.

[0226] Now refer to Figure 18 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0227] As Figure 18 shown, the transducer air cavity 43 of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 may be divided into two transducer air cavities that are not fluidly connected to each other: a first transducer air cavity 43A and a second transducer air cavity 43B.

[0228] The two transducer air cavities may be separated from each other by a separating part 182. The separating part 182 may be at least a part of the active sound sensing part of the transducer. For example, the separating part may be a membrane (diaphragm) of the electroacoustic output transducer.

[0229] In Figure 18 , the transducer air cavity 43 is divided into an upper transducer air cavity (such as a first transducer air cavity) and a lower transducer air cavity (such as a second transducer air cavity). However, the two transducer air cavities are not limited to being arranged one above the other. On the contrary, the two transducer air cavities may also be arranged side by side or in any other relationship with each other, as long as they are surrounded by the capsule 40 and are not fluidly connected to each other. However, for ease of illustration and understanding, the upper and lower transducer air cavities are referred to below, but the corresponding explanations can also be applied to the two transducer air cavities in any other relationship mentioned above.

[0230] One of the two transducer air cavities may be fluidly connected to the (sound) inlet / outlet 183 of the in-ear hearing aid.

[0231] The elements 181 of the transducer, such as magnets and coils, may be arranged in one of the two separate transducer air cavities.

[0232] At least one sensor (or active electronic component) 42 may be placed in one of the two separate transducer air cavities.

[0233] In Figure 18 , at least one sensor (or active electronic component) 42 is placed in the upper transducer air cavity.

[0234] Now refer to Figure 19 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0235] Specifically, Figure 19 shows Figure 18 another view of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 shown in

[0236] The elements 181 of the transducer may be grouped together as a set of elements 191 of the transducer. This set of elements may be surrounded by a corresponding housing, as shown in Figure 19 , but is not limited to such an implementation.

[0237] Now refer to Figure 20 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0238] As shown in Figure 20 , more than one sensor (or active electronic component) 42 may be placed in the upper transducer air cavity.

[0239] For a specific measurement application, at least a transmitting device and a receiving device are necessary.

[0240] In Figure 20In the example shown, two transmitting devices 42 (such as light emitting diodes) and one receiving device 201 (such as a light receiving element) are arranged to measure any property of the object 202 being measured, for example using light reflected from the object 202 being measured (indicated by the arrow in Figure 20 . The measurement can be achieved through an opening or a specially configured wall of the capsule. Such an arrangement is not required for the measurement application.

[0241] Now referring to Figure 21 , which shows the in-ear portion (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0242] In contrast to Figure 18 , in Figure 21 , at least one sensor (or active electronic component) 42 is placed in the down-converter air cavity.

[0243] At least one sensor can be placed in the larger of two separate converter air cavities. In this case, since at least one sensor is arranged in the larger of the two converter air cavities, the influence of at least one sensor on the acoustic communication of the converter will not be noticed by the user.

[0244] Now referring to Figure 22 , which shows the in-ear portion (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0245] Specifically, Figure 22 shows another view of the in-ear hearing aid device 11 as shown in Figure 21 .

[0246] Now referring to Figure 23 , which shows the in-ear portion (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0247] As shown in Figure 23 , more than one sensor (or active electronic component) 42 can be placed in the up-converter air cavity.

[0248] For a specific measurement application, at least a transmitting device and a receiving device are necessary.

[0249] However, the output of at least one transmitting device may interfere with the reception performance of at least one receiving device. Thus, in Figure 23In the example shown, the line of sight between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device is blocked. This line of sight can be blocked by a part of the electroacoustic transducer, such as the set of elements 191 described above or its corresponding housing. However, the blocking can also be achieved by other elements, such as by any additional sensor (or active electronic component) 42. The blocking is not limited to the lower converter air cavity. That is, such blocking can also occur when the elements necessary for the measurement are arranged in the upper converter air cavity. In addition, one of at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device can be placed in the upper converter air cavity, while the other of at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device is placed in the lower converter air cavity. In this way, the blocking can be achieved by the separating part 182.

[0250] In Figure 23 the example shown, two transmitting devices 42 (such as light-emitting diodes) and one receiving device 201 (such as a light-receiving element) are arranged in the lower converter air cavity to measure any property of the object 202 to be measured, such as using the light reflected from the object 202 to be measured (indicated by the arrow in Figure 23 ). The receiving device 201 can be made large by being provided on the surface or part of the capsule. The measurement can be achieved through an opening or a specially constructed wall of the capsule. Such an arrangement is not required for the measurement application.

[0251] Now refer to Figure 24 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0252] Specifically, Figure 24 shows the opening or specially constructed wall of the capsule 40 of the in-ear hearing aid device 11.

[0253] As Figure 24 shown, the capsule 40 can include an opening 241 corresponding to the expected effective direction / range of the transmitting device and the receiving device arranged in the converter air cavity 43 surrounded by the capsule 40.

[0254] To protect the interior from the impact force from the outside of the in-ear hearing aid device 11, instead of providing the opening 241 in the capsule 40, the area of the capsule (of the corresponding wall) can have properties that allow the expected action of the transmitting device and the receiving device arranged in the converter air cavity 43. For example, the capsule 40 can be provided with a light-transmitting area 241.

[0255] The region 241 of the capsule having the characteristic of the expected action of the transmitting and receiving devices that are allowed to be arranged in the transducer air chamber 43 can have the function of shielding the interior of the capsule (such as the coil and magnet of the electroacoustic transducer) from electromagnetic waves in a specified wave range to avoid any interference with the acoustic performance of the electroacoustic transducer. For example, the region 241 can be designed such that electromagnetic waves having a frequency lower than a predetermined noise shielding frequency are blocked from entering the capsule through these regions, while light, for example, is still allowed to leave and enter the capsule through these regions 241.

[0256] As Figure 24 shown, such a region 241 can be provided by an optically transparent material.

[0257] Now refer to Figure 25 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0258] As Figure 25 shown, such a region 241 can be provided by a mesh that ensures that electromagnetic waves having a frequency lower than a predetermined noise shielding frequency are blocked from entering the capsule through these regions while light, for example, is still allowed to leave and enter the capsule through these regions 241.

[0259] Now refer to Figure 26 , which shows the in-ear part (unit) of an in-ear receiver type hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0260] As Figure 26 shown, additional elements can be distributed across the upper and lower (first and second) transducer air chambers.

[0261] For example, while the measurement setup described in Figure 23 is provided in the lower transducer air chamber, additional sensors and / or active electronic components 261 can be provided in the upper transducer air chamber. However, the positioning of the measurement setup, additional sensors and / or active electronic components 261 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 26 .

[0262] If sensors / components are placed in both cavities (i.e., the upper and lower transducer air chambers), the wiring between the components / sensors in the two cavities can be guided through the separating part 182 (such as a diaphragm) or can be guided through the outer surface of the capsule. For example, the wire can leave the second cavity through the wall of the capsule and then enter the first cavity through the wall of the capsule. The wire outside the capsule can be guided through a guiding part (a tube or any type of hollow part). The guiding part can be mounted on the outer surface of the capsule or can be built into the wall of the capsule. The guiding part can also be placed inside the capsule and through the separating part 182 (such as a diaphragm).

[0263] Now refer to Figure 27, which shows an in-ear receiver type hearing aid in a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0264] As Figure 27 shown in Figure 1 and further described in connection with any of the preceding figures, the in-ear receiver type hearing aid can be configured to communicate (preferably wirelessly) with an external device 271.

[0265] The external device can be, for example, a smart phone. The communication part of the in-ear receiver type hearing aid configured to communicate with the external device can be provided, for example, in the in-ear hearing aid device 11 or the behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13, and can include, for example, a transmitting and / or receiving control circuit and an antenna. While preferably providing the communication part in the behind-the-ear hearing aid device 13 to keep the in-ear hearing aid device 11 as small as possible, it is also possible to integrate the communication part with a sensor (such as a temperature sensor) provided in the in-ear hearing aid device 11. At least, the sensor (such as a temperature sensor) provided in the in-ear hearing aid device 11 is connected to the communication part.

[0266] With the help of the communication part, the sensor (such as a temperature sensor) can be connected to the external device, for example, via a wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth Low Energy, Nearlink or other technologies, and can wirelessly share the temperature (generally, the measurement result) with the external device. The connection between the sensor and / or the active electronic component and the external device can be initiated by the sensor and / or the active electronic component or by the external device.

[0267] The connection can be established by a signal processor provided in the transducer air cavity or the hearing aid device based on a security signal provided by a security device. The security device can receive a request signal from the external device, where the request signal includes an identification code for identifying the external device. If the identification (ID) code is the same as the ID code stored in the volatile memory / non-volatile memory provided in the transducer air cavity or the hearing aid device, the security device can accept the request signal.

[0268] Thus, the analyzed measurement results can be transmitted via the Internet to other devices, and / or can be displayed on the external device or a separate device.

[0269] The measurement results can thus also be analyzed with known online or offline health applications provided by an external device or any server connected to the Internet. For example, the measurement results can be shared with an (online) public health system.

[0270] The measurement results can thus also be shared with relatives or with medical experts such as doctors.

[0271] On the one hand, the functions can be stored on a tangible computer-readable medium or encoded as one or more instructions or codes on a tangible computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium suitable for storing a computer program including program code, which when the computer program runs on a processing system, causes the data processing system to execute at least part (such as most or all) of the steps of the method described above, detailed in the "Detailed Description" and defined in the claims.

[0272] By way of example and not limitation, the foregoing computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to execute or store the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, a disk includes a compact disk (CD), a laser disk, an optical disk, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a floppy disk, and a Blu-ray disk, where these disks typically magnetically reproduce data, while these disks can optically reproduce data using a laser. Combinations of the above disks should also be included within the scope of the computer-readable medium. In addition to being stored on a tangible medium, a computer program can also be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a wired or wireless link or network such as the Internet and loaded into the data processing system so as to run at a location different from the tangible medium.

[0273] On the one hand, a data processing system includes a processor suitable for running a computer program that causes the processor to execute at least part (such as most or all) of the steps of the method described above.

[0274] Figure 28 A shows the main arteries located near the ear canal 301, namely, the superficial temporal artery 303, the anterior auricular artery 304, the maxillary artery 305, the posterior auricular artery 306, the internal carotid artery 307 (not shown in this figure), and the external carotid artery 308. Figure 28 B shows that the ear canal 301 has a longitudinal axis 309 extending from the opening of the ear canal 301 towards (312B) the eardrum of the ear canal 301. The ear canal 301 has a transverse axis 310 extending orthogonally or partially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 309. The longitudinal axis 309 and the transverse axis 310 intersect with each other within the ear canal 301 to form a center point 302 in the ear canal 301. The position of each main artery (304, 305, 306, 307, 308) relative to the ear canal 301 is as follows:

[0275] - The external carotid artery 308 or the internal carotid artery 307 is located below the ear canal 301 and within the viewing line 311 formed by guiding from the center point 302 in the ear canal 301 along the transverse axis 310, and the viewing line 311 is between 45 degrees and 120 degrees, between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and between 35 degrees and 160 degrees;

[0276] - The 307 part of the internal carotid artery is located below and above the ear canal 301 and within the viewing angle line 311 formed by guiding from the center point 302 in the ear canal 301 along the horizontal axis 310 or the vertical axis 309 into the ear canal 301 (312B), and the viewing angle line 311 is between 45 degrees and 120 degrees, between 90 degrees and 110 degrees, and between 35 degrees and 160 degrees;

[0277] - The posterior auricular artery 306 is located below the ear canal 301 and within the viewing angle line 311 formed by guiding from the center point 302 in the ear canal 301 along the horizontal axis 310, and the viewing angle line 311 is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees;

[0278] - The superficial temporal artery 303 is located above the ear canal 301 and within the viewing angle line 311 formed by guiding from the center point 302 in the ear canal 301 along the horizontal axis 310 and in the forward direction towards the user's face, and the viewing angle line 311 is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees; and

[0279] - The anterior auricular artery 304 and the maxillary artery 305 are located within the viewing angle line 311 formed by guiding from the center point 302 in the ear canal 301 along the horizontal axis 310 and in the forward direction towards the user's face, and the viewing angle line 311 is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and between 90 degrees and 110 degrees.

[0280] Figure 29 The different positions of at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 within the transducer air cavity 43 are shown. The capsule 40 or the in-ear hearing aid device 11 has a first end 314 and a second end 315, where the outlet opening or the inlet opening 183 is located at the position closest to the first end 314. Figure 29 A shows that at least one sensor 22, 42 and at least one active electronic component are arranged within the transducer air cavity 43 and on the inner surface or the outer surface of the wall of the capsule 11, 40, and the wiring to at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 enters the transducer air cavity 43. Figure 29 B shows that at least one sensor 22, 42 and at least one active electronic component 22, 42 are arranged closest to the first end 314. Figure 29 C shows another example, where at least one sensor 22, 42 and two active electronic components 22, 42 are arranged closest to the first end 314.

[0281] At least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 may be partially placed within the transducer air cavity 43 and on the inner surface of the wall of the capsule 11, 40 or on the outer surface of the wall of the capsule 11, 40, wherein the wiring to at least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 enters the transducer air cavity 43.

[0282] Figure 30 Different positions of at least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 within the transducer air cavity 43 are shown. The inner surface of the wall and the outer surface of the wall of the capsules 11, 40 may have corners and edges. Figure 30 A shows that at least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 is arranged at a corner or an edge of the capsule 11, 40, such that the sensor and / or the active electronic component 22, 42 is placed near the skin 313 of the ear canal 301.

[0283] Figure 30 B shows the central axis 316 of the wall of the capsules 11, 40. At least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 may be arranged around the central axis 316.

[0284] Figure 31 The mechanical interface 318 of the capsule 40 or the in-ear hearing aid device 11 is shown. The inlet opening 183 or the outlet opening 183 may have a mechanical interface 318 configured to receive the earpiece 11a. Generally, the mechanical interfaces 183, 318 are symmetric in all directions, i.e., there is a possibility that the user 40 of the in-ear hearing aid device mounts the earpiece 11a to the mechanical interface 318 such that at least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 is mispositioned within the user's ear canal 301.

[0285] Figure 31 A shows that the mechanical interface 318 has two symmetry axes 320A, 320B, wherein the number of possible angles for mounting the earpiece 11a to the mechanical interface 318 has been reduced to one or two ways. The shape of the mechanical interface 318 provides two symmetry axes 320A, 320B. Thus, the usability has been improved because the possibility of placing the earpiece 11a such that at least one of the sensors 22, 42 and / or at least one of the active electronic components 22, 42 is mispositioned within the ear canal 301 has been significantly reduced.

[0286] In addition, Figure 31 A shows that the capsules 11, 40 have an outlet opening 183 and an inlet opening 183.

[0287] Figure 31 B shows the mechanical interface 318 having one symmetry axis 320A.

[0288] Figure 31 C shows another example of a mechanical interface 318 having two symmetry axes 320A and 320B.

[0289] Figure 31 D shows another example of a mechanical interface 318 having two symmetry axes 320A and 320B.

[0290] Figure 32 An in-ear hearing aid device 11 is shown including an optical system that includes at least one sensor 22, 42 that can be a photodetector and at least one active electronic element 22, 42 that can be one or more light-emitting diodes. Several problems can occur in the optical system, such as light from the outside may disrupt the measurement of at least one sensor (P1), light from the light-emitting diodes may be visible from the outside when the user is in the dark (P2), reflection from the skin surface 313 of the ear canal 301 (P3), and light from the outside exits through the skin of the ear canal 301 and enters at least one sensor (P4).

[0291] Figure 33 An in-ear hearing aid device 11 with earphones 11A is shown. The earphones 11A include receiving means 320 configured to connect to a mechanical interface 318 of the in-ear hearing aid device 11. The earphones 11A include a soft part 321 configured to surround the in-ear hearing aid device 11, and the earphones 11A include a sealing part 322 connected to the soft part 321, wherein the sealing part 322 is configured to seal around the connecting tube 12 or around the second end 315 of the bladder 40 or around the in-ear hearing aid device 11. The sealing part 322 is configured to prevent light from the environment from reaching the sensors 22, 42.

[0292] The soft part 321 can be made of a flexible material, such as foam, memory foam, silicone, or any type of flexible material suitable for the in-ear hearing aid device 11.

[0293] The soft part 321 can include a first section 321A that is colored so that any light is blocked from entering the cavity 323 surrounded by the earphones 11A. The color of the first section 321A can be black. The soft part 321 can include a second section 321B that is colored so that light emitted from the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 22, 42, i.e., at least one active electronic element 22, 42, can pass through the earphones 11A to the user's body. In addition, the second section 321B is also configured to enable body information and / or biometric signals generated based on the light emitted by the LEDs 22, 42 to pass through the earphones 11A and reach the sensors 22, 42.

[0294] The earphone 11A may include a first vent 324 and a second vent 325, where the first vent 324 has an outward-facing line of sight and the second vent 325 has an inward-facing line of sight. The vents 324, 325 are configured to reduce or eliminate the occlusion effect.

[0295] When the earphone 11A is in the ear canal 301, the first vent 324 is exposed to unwanted light because it points outside, and the second vent 325 is not exposed to unwanted light, such as light from the sun, because it points inside, e.g., towards the eardrum of the ear canal 301. Thus, if the first vent 324 is a straight hole, the unwanted light from the sun will not be blocked from entering the cavity 323 surrounded by the soft part 321. Therefore, the first vent 324 may have an obstacle 326 configured to block light from entering the first vent.

[0296] Figure 34 Different examples of the earphone 11A are shown. Figure 34 A shows an earphone connected to a mechanical interface 318 of an in-ear hearing aid device 11 or to the capsule 40 of an electroacoustic transducer. The earphone 11A includes a soft part 321 configured to apply a force to the skin 313 of the ear canal 301, thereby forcing the capsule 40 or the in-ear hearing aid device 11 towards the skin 313 of the ear canal 301. The distance between at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 is minimized.

[0297] Due to the soft part 321, the line of sight of at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 through the surface of the capsule 40 it is directed to is set close to the skin 313 of the ear canal 301. The soft part 321 may be shaped as a semi-dome. In this example, at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 is positioned within the transducer air cavity 43 and closest to the said surface. The earphone 11A may also include a second part 327 applied to the surface of the capsule 40. The second part 327 is arranged such that the distance between the said surface and the skin 313 of the ear canal 301 is approximately equal to the thickness of the second part 327. The second part 327 may include at least two guiding means 328 configured to guide the signals transmitted by at least one active electronic component 22, 42 and received by at least one sensor 22, 42. In Figure 34 B, the earphone includes a combination Figure 34The soft part described in A, but not including the second part. In this example, at least one sensor and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 are disposed outside the transducer air cavity, but the signal processor or wires connected to the sensors 22, 42 and / or components 22, 42 are disposed within the transducer air cavity 43. At least one side of at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 is coated with an opaque material configured to prevent unwanted light from interfering with the physiological information or biometric signals generated by at least one sensor 22, 42.

[0298] Figure 34 C shows the earphone 11A that is dome-shaped and provided to the mechanical interface 318. The second earphone 11B is disposed closest to the second end 315, wherein the second earphone 11B is configured to prevent unwanted light from interfering with the physiological information or biometric signals generated by at least one sensor 22, 42.

[0299] In one example, the first earphone may be transparent while the second earphone may be opaque.

[0300] Figure 34 D shows the earphone 11A that partially surrounds the capsule 40 or the in-ear hearing aid device 11. The earphone 11A may be made of a foam material, and wherein the earphone includes a guiding device.

[0301] Figure 35 Shows different examples of the earphone 11A. Figure 35 A shows the earphone as a conventional dome shape, and wherein a lens 329 is provided in front of at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42. The lens 329 is configured to optically focus the light emitted by at least one active electronic component 22, 42 and / or the light received by at least one sensor 22, 42.

[0302] Figure 35 B shows the capsule 40 and / or the in-ear hearing aid device 11 having the earphone 11A and another earphone 11B, wherein at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 are located between the two earphones 11A, 11B, and wherein at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42 are located on the reverse side of the earphone 11A. In Figure 35 In C, the earphone is replaced by a separator 330, which is configured to separate at least one sensor 22, 42 and / or at least one active electronic component 22, 42.

[0303] Figure 36 Shows different examples of the guiding device 328. In Figure 36 In A, the guiding device 328 is formed by a skirt that guides the light emitted by at least one active electronic component 22, 42 and forces the light into the skin 313 of the ear canal 301. InFigure 36 In B, the guiding device 328 is formed by a hose.

[0304] The guiding device can be made of non-transparent material.

[0305] Figure 37 An in-ear hearing aid device 11 is shown, in which an EEG monitoring system 42 is partially disposed in a transducer air cavity 43, in this example, the first transducer air cavity 43A. At least sensors 22, 151, which include one or more electrodes in this example, are disposed outside and on the capsule 40. The EEG signal processor is part of the EEG monitoring system.

[0306] When appropriately replaced by corresponding processes, the structural features of the devices described above, detailed in the "Detailed Description" and / or defined in the claims, can be combined with the steps of the method of the present invention.

[0307] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the singular forms "a", "the" used herein are meant to include the plural forms (i.e., having the meaning of "at least one"). It should be further understood that the terms "having", "including" and / or "comprising" used in the specification indicate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. It should be understood that unless explicitly stated otherwise, when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to other elements, or there can be intervening elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed related items. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in exactly the order disclosed.

[0308] It should be realized that throughout this specification, the recitation of "an embodiment" or "embodiments" or "an aspect" or features "that may" be included means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0309] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but should conform to the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, where, unless so specifically stated, the singular recitation of an element is not intended to mean "one and only one", but rather "one or more". Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" means one or more.

[0310] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An in-ear hearing aid device, comprising: At least one electroacoustic transducer; And At least one sensor or at least one active electronic component; Wherein the at least one electroacoustic transducer includes a capsule surrounding the active sound sensing part of the transducer and the transducer air cavity, wherein the active sound sensing part of the transducer includes at least one of an electromagnetic mechanism and a sound vibration unit, and the transducer air cavity is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer; Wherein at least a part of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component is provided within the capsule and the transducer air cavity; The capsule forms the housing of the at least one electroacoustic transducer; And The capsule includes a connecting tube of the in-ear hearing aid device, and a passage passing through the connecting tube is fluidly connected to an opening in the housing of the at least one electroacoustic transducer, wherein the opening is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer.

2. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the capsule forms the outer housing of the in-ear hearing aid device, thereby forming the outer contour of the in-ear hearing aid device.

3. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a receiver outlet of the in-ear hearing aid device, and a passage passing through the receiver outlet is fluidly connected to an outlet opening in the housing of the at least one electroacoustic transducer, wherein the outlet opening is fluidly connected to the active sound sensing part of the transducer.

4. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the passage passing through the connecting tube is fluidly connected to an opening in the housing of a behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

5. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electroacoustic transducer is one of a microphone and a receiver.

6. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the at least one sensor and at least a part of the at least one active electronic component or at least a part of a first sensor and at least a part of a second sensor are provided within the transducer air cavity, and the line of sight between the part of the at least one sensor and the part of the at least one active electronic component or between the part of the first sensor and the part of the second sensor is blocked by a part of the electroacoustic transducer.

7. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensing element, a light sensing element, a sound sensing element, a moisture sensing element, a blood oxygen sensor including at least two light emitting elements and a light sensing element, a blood pressure sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a pulse sensor, a hydration sensor, a galvanic skin response electrode, an electroencephalogram electrode, and an electrooculogram electrode; and / or the at least one active electronic component includes at least one of the following: a light emitting diode, a pre-processor, a digital sound processor, an amplifier, a pre-amplifier, an AD converter, a DA converter, a sensor processing circuit, a sensor fusion circuit, a digital speaker communication bus, a bus controller circuit, a memory, and a microcontroller.

8. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer air cavity is separated by the transducer sound actively sensing part into a first transducer air cavity and a second transducer air cavity that is not fluidly connected to the first transducer air cavity, the volume of the first transducer air cavity is larger than that of the second transducer air cavity, and at least a part of the at least one sensor or the at least one active electronic component is provided in the first transducer air cavity.

9. The in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein at least another part of at least another sensor or at least another active electronic component is provided in the second transducer air cavity.

10. A hearing aid, comprising the in-ear hearing aid device according to claim 1, a behind-the-ear hearing aid device, and a connecting element configured to mechanically and / or electrically connect the in-ear hearing aid device and the behind-the-ear hearing aid device.

11. An electroacoustic transducer, comprising at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component, a capsule surrounding the transducer sound actively sensing part and the transducer air cavity, wherein the transducer sound actively sensing part includes at least one of an electromagnetic mechanism and a sound vibration unit, wherein the transducer air cavity is an air cavity surrounded by the capsule and fluidly connected to the transducer sound actively sensing part, and at least a part of at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component is provided in the capsule and the transducer air cavity; The capsule forms the housing of the electroacoustic transducer; and The capsule includes a connecting tube of the in-ear hearing aid device, and a channel passing through the connecting tube is fluidly connected to an opening in the housing of the electroacoustic transducer, wherein the opening is fluidly connected to the transducer sound actively sensing part.

12. The electroacoustic transducer according to claim 11, further comprising at least one active electronic component, wherein the at least one electroacoustic transducer is one of a microphone and a receiver; and / or the transducer sound actively sensing part includes at least one of an electromagnetic mechanism and a sound vibration unit; and / or at least a part of at least one sensor and at least a part of at least one active electronic component or at least a part of a first sensor and at least a part of a second sensor are provided in the transducer air cavity, and the line of sight between the part of the at least one sensor and the part of the at least one active electronic component or between the part of the first sensor and the part of the second sensor is blocked by a part of the electroacoustic transducer; and / or The capsule includes at least one measurement opening provided with electromagnetic fibers configured to prevent electromagnetic waves having frequencies lower than a predetermined noise shielding frequency from entering the capsule through the at least one measurement opening; and / or The at least one sensor includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensing element, a light sensing element, a sound sensing element, a moisture sensing element, a blood oxygen sensor including at least two light emitting elements and a light sensing element, a blood pressure sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a pulse sensor, a hydration sensor, a galvanic skin response electrode, an electroencephalogram electrode, and an electrooculogram electrode; and / or The at least one active electronic component includes at least one of the following: a light-emitting diode, a pre-processor, a digital sound processor, an amplifier, a pre-amplifier, an AD converter, a DA converter, a sensor processing circuit, a sensor fusion circuit, a digital speaker communication bus, a bus controller circuit, a memory, and a microcontroller; and / or The transducer air chamber is partitioned into a first transducer air chamber and a second transducer air chamber that is not fluidly connected to the first transducer air chamber, The volume of the first transducer air chamber is larger than that of the second transducer air chamber, and The at least one sensor or the portion of the at least one active electronic component is provided in the first transducer air chamber.

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