Hearing device and method for operating a hearing device

Abstract

The invention provides a hearing device (6), in particular a RIC hearing device, having a receiver unit (8) with an earpiece (4) and a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected to the receiver unit (8) via two control lines (12a, 12b) in order to control the earpiece (4). Additionally, a further component (14), in particular a controllable vent element, is arranged in the receiver unit (8), which is likewise controlled via a control signal issued by the control unit via the control lines.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application date of May 22, 2020, the Chinese patent application number of 202010439932.1, and the patent application name of “Hearing device and method for operating a hearing device”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a hearing device receiver unit and a method for operating a hearing device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, hearing devices are preferably, but not exclusively, understood as hearing aids. Such hearing aids (in the following referred to as hearing devices) are portable hearing devices for providing hearing assistance to people with impaired hearing. In order to cater for a multitude of individual needs, different structural forms of hearing devices are provided, such as behind-the-ear hearing devices (HdO), hearing devices with external earpieces (RIC: receiver in the canal), and in-the-ear hearing devices (IdO), for example also external ear hearing devices or canal hearing devices (ITE, CIC). The exemplarily mentioned hearing devices are worn at the outer ear or in the ear canal. Furthermore, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable hearing aids or vibrotactile hearing aids are also provided on the market. Here, the stimulation of the impaired hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

[0004] In principle, a hearing device has an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer as main components. Typically, the input transducer is an acoustic receiver, for example a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for example an induction coil. Typically, the output transducer is implemented as an electroacoustic transducer, for example a microspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, for example a bone conduction earpiece. The amplifier is typically integrated in a signal processing unit. This principle structure is illustrated in Figure 1 for a behind-the-ear hearing device. One or more microphones 2 for receiving sound from the environment are mounted in a hearing device housing 1 for wearing behind the ear. A signal processing unit 3, which is likewise integrated in the hearing device housing 1, processes and amplifies the microphone signals. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. If necessary, the sound is transmitted to the eardrum of the device wearer via a sound hose, which is fixed in the ear canal with an ear mold. The energy supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is achieved by means of a battery 5, which is likewise integrated into the hearing device housing 1.

[0005] The matching of hearing devices to different hearing impairments and to different customer expectations, as well as the customer's requirement for small and minimal structural size, forces the hearing device manufacturer to offer a wide range of hearing devices with different performance levels and with different functional ranges. This results in a number of different sizes of hearing devices which can be individually matched to the hearing impairment and to the customer's expectations.

[0006] The RIC hearing device mentioned above is a multipart hearing device in which the earpiece is arranged in a separate receiver unit and the signal processing device is arranged in a separate unit from this. The two units are electrically connected to one another via a signal line in order to control the earpiece. SUMMARY

[0007] The technical problem addressed by the present application is therefore to provide a hearing device, in particular a RIC hearing device, with an expanded functionality, and a method for operating a hearing device.

[0008] According to the application, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by a hearing device having

[0009] - a receiver unit with an earpiece, and

[0010] - a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the receiver unit via two control lines in order to transmit control signals for controlling the earpiece,

[0011] - additionally, a further component in the receiver unit, which further component is likewise connected to the receiver unit via the two control lines and is controlled via the two control lines.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the further component is arranged in the receiver unit and the two units are jointly controlled via the control lines. The control lines are usually power supply lines which are provided with an insulating sheath. By jointly using the control lines for the two components, the connection outlay, in particular the cabling outlay, is low. At the same time, the functional range of the receiver unit is increased by the further (electrical) component.

[0013] Different operating modes are set via the control unit by different control of the components.

[0014] The hearing device is in particular a multi-part hearing device, wherein the receiver unit is a separate unit with a separate housing, which is arranged remotely from a further unit, which also has a separate housing. This further unit is also referred to below as the base unit. The two units are connected to one another via control lines, which are guided, for example, in a common hose. The original signal processing unit, the microphone and the mentioned control unit are usually arranged in the base unit. The control unit is, for example, part of the signal processing unit. The control lines are usually connected to the base unit via contact connectors, in particular plug connectors. Contact connection elements for electrical contact with the control lines are therefore arranged in the base unit. For this purpose, a base with electrical contacts is usually built on a circuit board.

[0015] The hearing device is preferably, but not obligatorily, a hearing aid, wherein the signal processing unit is built, for example, to compensate for a hearing impairment of a person by frequency-dependent amplification of a sound signal received by the microphone, which is matched to the hearing impairment.

[0016] The control unit preferably has or is built as an amplifier final stage. Not only the earpiece but also the further components are supplied with electrical power via the common amplifier final stage via the control lines. The amplifier final stage is usually used to amplify the electrical signal, which is converted into an acoustic sound signal, which is transmitted to the earpiece. No further components for amplifying the signal are usually arranged between the earpiece and the amplifier final stage. Here, the amplifier final stage is preferably built to provide an electrical power of at least 1 mW, preferably at least 10 mW and, for example, up to 20 mW or up to 30 mW. The earpiece and / or the further components are thus supplied with this power and also consume this power.

[0017] A particular advantage is thus achieved by this design, namely that the power provided by the amplifier final stage is not only used for the earpiece but also for the further components.

[0018] In particular, the hearing device is built as a receiver-in-canal hearing device (RIC hearing device). Alternatively, the hearing device is usually built as a device which generates a sound stimulus, which can be worn in or on the ear, for example as an (in-the-ear) earphone, a headphone or the like.

[0019] A RIC hearing device is understood to be a hearing device which is built to arrange the receiver unit with the earpiece in particular in the ear canal of a user when it is used, while preferably all further components, for example the control unit, the signal processing unit and the microphone for receiving the sound to be amplified, are arranged in a separate device unit outside the ear canal, for example behind the ear of the user. Here, the receiver unit and the device unit with the control unit, which is separate therefrom, are preferably connected to one another by means of a hose, in which the two control lines for controlling the earpiece arranged in the ear canal of the user are arranged.

[0020] Preferably, the further component is constructed as a controllable vent element. Constructing the further component as a controllable vent element is based on the idea that the coupling to the ear canal is usually implemented as an open fit. Here, an open fit is understood as meaning that the receiver unit is not seated in the ear canal in a sealed manner. This is particularly meaningful for mild and moderate hearing loss, since the user would feel the occlusion of the ear canal, i.e. a tight seal, and this is usually perceived as disturbing.

[0021] However, unlike in the case of low frequencies, which are usually not amplified and for which direct sound is sufficient as such, in the case of non-acoustic input signals, this low frequency is missing. In this regard, the tonality of such non-acoustic input signals is perceived as thin and high-pitched. This impairs the quality, in particular in the case of listening to music. Here, a non-acoustic input signal is preferably understood as meaning an electromagnetic input signal of the hearing device which is not received with a microphone. This includes, for example, signals which are received (wirelessly) by a corresponding receiving unit, for example a telecoil arranged in the hearing device. The telecoil is preferably used for a wireless connection of the hearing device, for example to a mobile phone of the user for telephony and / or to an audio device in a church or theatre. Furthermore, a non-acoustic input signal is also understood as meaning a wireless reception (WLS reception) by means of wireless short-range communication.

[0022] In particular for the last-mentioned case, i.e. the acoustic output signal of the hearing device is based on a non-acoustic input signal, the occlusion of the ear canal is advantageous for the quality improvement of the tonality, which is achieved with the controllable vent element. Furthermore, for the case in which the acoustic output signal is based on an acoustic input signal (input signal which has been received and converted by a microphone), the occlusion of the ear canal also proves to be advantageous. Here, in particular in the case of the presence of a so-called cocktail party scenario, the occlusion of the ear canal is advantageous for the user. Here, the cocktail party scenario is understood as meaning a (listening) scenario in which there are a plurality of acoustic signal sources in the environment of the user. Here, an acoustic signal source is understood as meaning, for example, a person speaking or a loudspeaker playing music.

[0023] Due to the different simultaneously active acoustic signal sources, this scenario is uncomfortable, in particular for persons with impaired hearing. By means of the hearing device, and in particular by means of the directivity of the microphone of the hearing device, it is possible to focus the user's attention on an acoustic signal source, for example on a single conversation partner. Here, if the ear canal is additionally occluded, an improved attenuation of the direct sound from further (in this case, disturbing) acoustic signal sources can be achieved.

[0024] The additional component is thus controlled via a control line, which is for example a valve, and in particular switched between two states (open - closed). The operating modes which can be set by the control unit are thus for example on the one hand an open fit (valve open) and on the other hand a closed fit (valve closed).

[0025] However, other design variants of the additional component are also conceivable. The additional component is thus not limited to being constructed as a controllable ventilation element.

[0026] In particular, the additional component has or is constituted by the aforementioned valve. Furthermore, the additional component preferably in particular has a magnetic switching unit. The switching unit can be switched between two switching states by means of a control signal transmitted via the control line. In particular, this is two stable switching states, so that the additional component thus remains stable in the respective additional switching state after the switching signal. In particular, the switching takes place on an electromagnetic path. Thus, in particular, a magnetic field is generated by the current supplied via the control signal, which acts on the magnetic switching unit and causes a switching of the magnetic switching unit. In particular, a mechanical adjustment movement of the adjustment element or the closure element is implemented here.

[0027] Preferably, the receiver unit is connected to the control unit only via two control lines, if necessary also via a further conductor line, which is referred to below as a selection line.

[0028] In conventional RIC devices, the receiver unit, and thus the earpiece, is usually connected only via two control lines. A further conductor line is provided in some implementation variants, which is for example connected to the ground potential. Thus, by virtue of the design variant chosen here, no changes to the connection wiring are necessary at least on the side of the control unit compared to the hitherto structure type.

[0029] The control signal is in particular a pulse control signal. The control unit is thus constructed for generating and feeding such a pulse control signal and in operation transmits such a control signal. The earpiece is controlled on the one hand and the additional component is controlled on the other hand via pulse modulation. Thus, the two components are preferably controlled via the modulation of the control signal.

[0030] The pulse modulation is for example a pulse width modulation.

[0031] A pulse density modulation is preferably used. In the pulse density modulation, a sequence of pulses of the same width at a high frequency is changed in correspondence with a basic low-frequency, for example acoustic, signal. Thus, the number of pulses per unit of time (density) is varied. The control of the earpiece is usually carried out by means of a signal which is pulse density modulated. Since the earpiece is sluggish and shows a low-pass effect by design, the earpiece automatically averages out the basic low-frequency signal from the sequence of pulses again.

[0032] In particular, for controlling the further component, lower frequencies are used compared to for controlling the earpiece, and as a result longer pulse durations are used in the pulse density modulated signal. In particular here, the earpiece is controlled with frequencies in the MHz range (pulse durations less than 1 μs).

[0033] Preferably, for controlling the further component, frequencies less than 1 kHz, and in particular less than 0.1 kHz, are used. As a result, the pulse duration corresponding thereto is preferably greater than 1 ms, for example 5 ms, and in particular greater than 10 ms or in the range of 10 ms (5 ms to 20 ms). As a result, for controlling the further component, quasi-static signals are considered.

[0034] The design is based on the consideration that, on the one hand, the function of the earpiece is ensured by the control with higher frequencies. At the same time, the further component is so sluggish that the higher frequencies do not affect the further component and do not change the state of the further component.

[0035] Furthermore, the low frequencies are selected such that, on the one hand, the earpiece and its function are thereby not affected or hardly affected. In particular, the membrane of the earpiece will maintain its state and will not emit an acoustic signal. But for this, the further component will react to the low frequencies or long pulse durations.

[0036] In particular in the preferred example here, in which the (magnetic) switching element switches between two states, the long pulse duration of, for example, 10 ms has a sufficiently high (magnetic) effect such that the switching can take place.

[0037] In a preferred extension, a filter is connected upstream of at least one of the two components selected from the earpiece and the further component, which filter filters out the (high-frequency or low-frequency) signal set for the further component, respectively. In particular, a high-pass filter is connected upstream of the earpiece and / or a low-pass filter is connected upstream of the further component. In particular here, the filter is arranged directly upstream of the respective component in the branch of the control line such that the filter only influences the control signal for the respective component. In particular, one or more filters are arranged in the receiver unit.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, a switching device is arranged in the receiver unit, which switching device is configured for connecting the earpiece and / or the further component. In particular here, in a first variant, control of the further component, in particular switching, is also possible during operation of the earpiece. According to a second variant, the switching device is configured such that either the earpiece is controlled or the further component is controlled.

[0039] In particular, the switching device is configured to electrically connect the earpiece to the control unit in the first operating mode and to electrically connect the further component to the control unit in the second operating mode in operation.

[0040] The switching device preferably has two switching elements. The switching elements serve to electrically connect either the earpiece or the further component to the control unit. Thereby, each switching element is arranged on one of the two control lines at the end side in order to electrically connect either the earpiece or the further component, which is preferably connected in parallel to the earpiece, to the control unit via the control lines depending on the selected operating mode.

[0041] Generally, independent of the switching device, one of the two control lines serves as output conductor and the other control line serves as return conductor to the control unit.

[0042] By means of the two switching elements, a simple alternative connection of either the earpiece or the further component to the control unit is achieved. Furthermore, it is possible here to dispense with a further control line for the further component, since the control line generally used for controlling the earpiece is also considered for controlling the further component.

[0043] In order to control the switching elements of the switching device, the switching device is preferably connected to the control unit via a further conductor, which is referred to below as the already mentioned selection line. The already existing ground connection or ground line, which preferably also serves as ground line for the further component, is preferably used as reference potential. The ground line connects the ground potential of the receiver unit to the base unit. Thereby, a separate ground line is not unambiguously required for the switching device. Thereby, the switching device is effectively connected to the control unit in particular with only one control line.

[0044] Preferably, the selection line is likewise arranged in the already mentioned hose, which connects the control unit to the receiver unit, and the two control lines are likewise arranged in the hose. Thereby, a control of the two switching elements is possible, while the number of conductors for controlling the earpiece and the further component is reduced compared to a separate control (as already mentioned previously). Here, a separate control is understood to mean that the earpiece and the additional component each have two separate control lines, so that thereby four control lines are guided from the control unit to the receiver unit, while according to the embodiment of the invention, only two or at most three control lines (two control lines, one selection line) are provided. Furthermore, the design with only two or three conductors according to the invention is advantageous, since the number of electrical contacts within the receiver unit and within the control unit is limited, especially in the case of RIC hearing devices.

[0045] Thereby, the receiver unit is preferably connected to the control unit via only two control lines and possibly complementarily also via the selection line.

[0046] As an alternative to the use of selection lines, the desired operating mode and switching state are extracted from the control signal by filtering the control signal. The switching device is thus constructed for a corresponding filtering of the signal and for the control of the switching elements.

[0047] In all embodiments, it is preferred that no active components for signal evaluation are provided in the receiver unit. In addition to the earpiece and further components, only passive components are preferably arranged in the receiver unit.

[0048] The control unit, in particular the previously mentioned amplifier final stage, preferably has a plurality of semiconductor switches which are connected in the manner of an H-bridge. The amplifier final stage usually forms a control element for controlling the receiver unit and is preferably also referred to as driver unit. With such a control element designed as an H-bridge, it is possible to achieve the generation of control signals with high current values and thus the provision of the required high power.

[0049] Furthermore, the control element designed as an H-bridge is constructed such that a current can flow through the earpiece or further components in two different directions. This polarity change of the current is also referred to as polarity change capability and this operation of the H-bridge is also referred to as "Push-Pull-Betrieb". The driver capability and the polarity change capability of the control element designed as an H-bridge are characteristic for such control elements which are used, for example, in RIC hearing devices.

[0050] Preferably, the control element which is connected and thus designed as an H-bridge is integrated on a chip. Due to the small construction size of the circuit board circuit which is advantageous in particular for hearing devices, such a design has proven to be advantageous.

[0051] It is purposeful that the control unit is configured to control the further components with the same control signal as the earpiece. Thus, by means of the control element of the control unit designed as an H-bridge, the further components are controlled with the control signal generated by the control element. In other words, in addition to possible amplitude conversion and / or frequency conversion, the control unit and in particular the control signal originally provided for the earpiece are considered for controlling the further components. In particular in the background of the design variant of the further components as controllable vent elements which require high currents, advantages in the control are thereby achieved.

[0052] Without being dependent on a particular embodiment variant, the design concept is based on the idea that the control unit is advantageously used to control further components. With regard to the provision of long current pulses to control the ventilation element, it has proven to be advantageous that a control unit is generally provided which controls the earpiece and has a final stage. Thus, a multiple use of the control unit is achieved without the need to arrange additional components in the hearing device. Additional components are understood here in particular as components which are only necessary for the control, i.e. for the provision of a control signal for the ventilation element. The design concept is, for example, also advantageous for ear canal hearing devices (ITE hearing devices).

[0053] Furthermore, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved according to the present application by a receiver unit for a previously described hearing device. Here, the receiver unit has an earpiece for connecting to a control unit of the hearing device. Preferably, the receiver unit is the receiver unit already mentioned previously in the context of the description of the hearing device.

[0054] Furthermore, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved according to the present application by a method for operating a hearing device having a receiver unit with an earpiece and a control unit, wherein the earpiece is controlled by the control unit. Furthermore, a further component is arranged in the receiver unit. The further component is likewise controlled via a common control line and by a control signal transmitted by the control unit via the common control line.

[0055] As described previously, the earpiece and the further component are preferably controlled by means of a modulated pulse control signal or, alternatively, by a switching device, in order to operate the hearing device in different operating modes. Here, in particular, the control signal is provided by an amplifier final stage, which thus provides both the power required for the earpiece and the power required for the further component.

[0056] Preferably, the further component is a controllable ventilation element, which is controlled by the control unit with the control signal. The control signal is formed by a current pulse having a sufficient duration. Depending on the current direction, the controllable ventilation element is opened or closed.

[0057] The advantages mentioned with regard to the hearing device and the preferred design concepts can be similarly transferred to the receiver unit and the method for operating a hearing device and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0058] Embodiments of the present application are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show in very simplified illustrations:

[0059] Figure 1 A schematic structure of a hearing device according to the prior art is shown,

[0060] Figure 2 a schematic circuit diagram of a hearing device according to a first variant is shown, and

[0061] Figure 3 a schematic circuit diagram of a hearing device according to a second variant is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A schematic circuit diagram of a hearing device 6 according to the application, which is built in particular as a RIC device, is shown in each case. Here, the hearing device 6 has a receiver unit 8 with an earpiece 4. Furthermore, the hearing device 6 has a base unit, which has a control unit 10 arranged in the base unit. The receiver unit 8 and the control unit 10 are placed in two separate units, each with a separate housing, which are not shown in detail here.

[0063] In an embodiment, the control unit 10 is connected to the receiver unit 8 and in particular to the earpiece 4 via two control lines 12a, 12b. The control lines 12a, 12b serve for controlling the earpiece 4 by means of the control unit 10. Usually, the control lines 12a, 12b are guided from the base unit to the receiver unit 8 in a common hose.

[0064] Furthermore, the receiver unit 8 also has a further component 14, which is built in an embodiment as a controllable ventilation element. In particular, the further component 14 is built in an embodiment as a (magnetic) valve, which can be switched between two states (open / closed). For this purpose, the valve has a corresponding switching unit 15.

[0065] In operation, the earpiece 4 and the further component 14 are controlled via the control lines 12a, 12b. In an embodiment, the earpiece 4 and the further component 14 are connected to one another in parallel. From a branching node on the end side of the respective control line 12a, 12b, a branch 13 leads to a respective connection of the earpiece 4 or the further component 14, respectively.

[0066] The control unit 10 has a control element, which is built in an embodiment as a (amplifier) final stage 22. The final stage 22 has a plurality of semiconductor switches 24, in an embodiment four semiconductor switches 24, which are connected in the manner of an H-bridge. The final stage 22 serves for providing control signals for the earpiece 4 and for the further component 14. The control signals are transmitted via the control lines 12a, 12b. Thus, via the common final stage 22, not only the earpiece 4 but also the further component 14 is supplied with the power required for operating the component.

[0067] Thus, via the control signal not only the earpiece 4 is controlled and operated, but also the further component 14. The end stage 22 is designed as an H-bridge, so that the current direction can be reversed and thus a push-pull control can be realized. In particular, the reversal of the current direction serves to open and close the further component 14, which is constructed as a controllable ventilation element. The current is provided from the battery 5. In particular, in an embodiment, depending on the direction of the current, the magnetic adjustment element of the switching unit 15 and thus of the magnetic valve is respectively switched from a (stable) end position, for example open, to a further (stable) end position, for example closed.

[0068] For the control of the receiver unit 8, different variants are provided:

[0069] According to Figure 2 a first variant shown in Fig. 1, the receiver unit 8 has a switching device 16. The switching device is configured to electrically connect the earpiece 4 with the control unit 10 in a first operating mode and to electrically connect the further component 14 with the control unit 10 in a second operating mode in operation. In other words, thereby depending on the operating mode, either the first operating mode or the second operating mode, the earpiece 4 or the further component 14 is electrically connected with the control unit 10 by means of the control lines 12a, 12b.

[0070] In the preferred design of the further component 14 as a ventilation element, since the control signal has to be applied to the further component only for the duration of the switching, only a brief interruption of the control of the earpiece 4 is required in order to switch the ventilation element between the two states.

[0071] For switching between the earpiece 4 and the further component 14, in an embodiment the switching device 16 has two switching elements 18. The switching elements 18 are respectively arranged at the end of the control lines 12a, 12b at the respective branch point from which the branch 13 branches off.

[0072] For controlling the switching elements 18, in an embodiment the switching device 16 is connected with the control unit 10 via a selection line 20. In addition, the receiver unit 8 is connected with the ground potential of the control unit as reference potential via a ground connection 21, which is schematically shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the ground connection 21 is also an electrical cable core, as is the case in the control lines 12a, 12b and the selection line 20. The individual cable cores are usually guided from the base unit to the receiver unit 8 within a hose. By means of the selection line 20, a switching signal, for example generated by the control unit 10, is transmitted to the switching elements 18 of the switching device 16 via the selection line 20 in operation. Figure 2

[0073] In particular, in Figure 2 ​In the variant shown in Fig. 2, in addition to the components shown, no further electrical components are provided.

[0074] Figure 3 In Fig. 3, a further variant is shown. In this variant, not only the earpiece 4 but also the further component 14 is permanently connected via the control lines 12a, 12b to the control unit 10. Therefore, here preferably no switching means are provided. Here, the selection of the operating mode, i.e. whether the earpiece and / or the further component 14 is controlled, takes place exclusively via the control signal itself. The control signal is constructed such that it either acts exclusively on the earpiece 4 (e.g. a signal with a high frequency) or exclusively on the further component 14 (e.g. a (quasi-)static signal).

[0075] Preferably, the control signal is constructed as a pulsed, modulated control signal. In particular, the control signal is constructed as a pulse density modulated control signal. The control unit 10 is constructed such that it is suitable for generating such a control signal.

[0076] For controlling the earpiece 4, in particular a signal with a high frequency (short pulse duration of the individual pulses) is provided, and for controlling the component 14, a signal with a significantly lower frequency (long pulse duration of the individual pulses) or a static or quasi-static signal is provided:

[0077] During operation, typically a control signal with a high frequency is provided for the operation of the earpiece 4, which the earpiece converts into the desired acoustic sound signal, in particular by a corresponding vibrational excitation of the membrane. For controlling the further component, for certain time segments, a control signal is provided via the control lines 12a, 12b with a significantly lower frequency and thus with a long pulse duration. Here, in particular, a long pulse duration is understood to be a pulse duration of, for example, more than 5 ms. In particular, the pulse duration is dimensioned such that it is sufficient for switching the further component 14.

[0078] Thereby, a switching between the two states (on / off) of the further component 14 takes place. After the switching, again a higher frequency control signal for controlling the earpiece 4 is provided.

[0079] This design is based on the consideration that the further component 14 is so sluggish that it does not change its state in the case of a signal with a higher frequency.

[0080] Conversely, in the case of a long pulse duration of, for example, more than 5 ms or more than 10 ms, the membrane of the earpiece 4 remains in its state and does not output an acoustic signal. For switching the further component 14, such a long pulse duration is required.

[0081] Figure 3In a preferred development, filter elements 25a, b are additionally provided, which are arranged at the input of the earpiece 4 and / or of the further component 14, respectively. Via the filter elements 25a, b, respectively, signal components that are not intended for the respective component 4, 14 are filtered out. The filter element 25a, which is connected upstream of the further component 14, is a low-pass filter, while the filter element 25b, which is connected upstream of the earpiece 4, is constructed as a high-pass filter. The suitable boundary frequencies of these low-pass and high-pass filters function to some extent as separate filters for the two components to be controlled. Preferably, the separation frequency lies in the range from 50 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0082] The upstream filter elements 25 thus filter the selective effect of the signal on the earpiece 4 or the further component 14.

[0083] The design described here has the advantage that existing components are used multiple times (control lines 12a, 12b, if necessary, the existing ground line as reference voltage for the selection line 20, control unit 10). At the same time, an extended functionality of the receiver unit 8 is achieved. In particular, fewer conductors are required for controlling the receiver unit 8 than if the earpiece 4 and the further component 14 were each controlled separately using two conductors.

[0084] The application is not limited to the embodiments described previously. Rather, further variants of the application can also be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the content of the application. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the content of the application.

[0085] List of reference signs

[0086] 1 housing of the hearing device

[0087] 2 microphone

[0088] 3 signal processing unit

[0089] 4 earpiece

[0090] 5 battery

[0091] 6 hearing device

[0092] 8 receiver unit

[0093] 10 control unit

[0094] 12 control line

[0095] 13 branch

[0096] 14 further component

[0097] 15 switch unit

[0098] 16 switching device

[0099] 18 switching element

[0100] 20 selection line

[0101] 21 ground connection

[0102] 22 control element

[0103] 24 semiconductor switch

[0104] 25a, b filter element

Claims

1. A hearing device (6) having - an earpiece unit (8) with an earpiece (4), and - a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected to the earpiece unit (8) via two control lines (12a, 12b) for transmitting control signals, wherein a further component (14) is arranged in the earpiece unit (8), which further component is likewise connected to the control unit (10) via the two control lines (12a, 12b), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to transmit pulse control signals via the control lines (12a, 12b) and to control the earpiece (4) and the further component (14) by pulse modulation, wherein the control unit (10) is constructed such that, for controlling the further component (14), frequencies smaller than the frequencies used for controlling the earpiece (4) are used, wherein a first filter element (25a) is arranged at the input of the earpiece (4) and a second filter element (25b) is arranged at the input of the further component (14), the first filter element (25a) filtering out control signal components not intended for the earpiece (4) and the second filter element (25b) filtering out control signal components not intended for the further component (14).

2. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein The control unit (10) has an amplifier final stage via which power supply to the earpiece (4) and the further component (14) takes place.

3. The hearing device (6) according to claim 2, wherein The hearing device is constructed as a RIC hearing device.

4. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein The further component (14) is constructed as a controllable ventilation element.

5. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein The further component (14) has a magnetic switch unit which is switched between two switching states by means of a control signal.

6. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein The control unit (10) is connected to the earpiece unit (8) exclusively via the two control lines (12a, 12b).

7. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein For the control, pulse density modulated control signals are used.

8. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein The control unit (10) is constructed such that, for controlling the further component (14), frequencies smaller than 1 kHz are set.

9. The hearing device (6) according to claim 1, wherein A high-pass filter is connected upstream of the earpiece (4) and a low-pass filter is connected upstream of the further component (14).

10. A method for operating a hearing device (6) having - an earpiece unit (8) with an earpiece (4), and - a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected to the earpiece unit (8) via two control lines (12a, 12b) for transmitting control signals, and wherein the earpiece (4) is controlled by the control unit (10) by means of the control signals, wherein a further component (14) is arranged in the earpiece unit (8), which further component is likewise controlled via the two control lines (12a, 12b) and by control signals from the control unit (10), wherein pulse control signals are transmitted via the control lines (12a, 12b) and the earpiece (4) and the further component (14) are controlled by pulse modulation, wherein, for controlling said further component (14), frequencies lower than those used for controlling said earpiece (4) are used, wherein, at the input of said earpiece (4), a first filter element (25a) is arranged which filters out control signal components not intended for said earpiece (4), and at the input of said further component (14), a second filter element (25b) is arranged which filters out control signal components not intended for said further component (14).

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