Hearing aids and their control methods

Abstract

This invention discloses a hearing aid and its control method. The hearing aid includes a balanced armature driver and a main control circuit. The balanced armature driver includes a balanced armature coil and a diaphragm. The input terminal of the main control circuit is connected to the diaphragm, and the output terminal of the main control circuit is connected to the balanced armature driver. In this invention, a preset audio signal is played into the user's ear canal through the balanced armature driver. The diaphragm detects the vibration of the balanced armature coil and outputs a corresponding vibration detection signal. The main control circuit controls the balanced armature driver to output the preset audio signal. The main control circuit also calculates the difference between the preset audio signal and the input first vibration detection signal, adjusts the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and outputs it to the balanced armature driver to play the adjusted preset audio signal. This verifies the compensation parameters of the hearing aid, solving the problem of users needing to go to a specialized testing location for hearing aid fitting, making it easier and more convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hearing aid fitting technology, and in particular to a hearing aid and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] When a hearing aid is inserted into a user's ear canal, the sound it emits is reflected within the ear canal. However, due to differences in the diameter of each person's ear canal, its length, and its curvature, the frequency of the resonant peaks within each person's ear canal also differs. This can lead to situations where the sound is either too loud or unclear during hearing aid use. In actual fitting procedures, a probe can be inserted into the ear canal to collect the sound signal. This signal is then compared to the emitted reference tone signal, and the corresponding compensation function is adjusted. However, this fitting process requires a specialized testing environment, which is challenging and inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide a hearing aid that addresses the problem that the hearing aid fitting process requires a specialized testing facility, which is difficult and inconvenient.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a hearing aid, the hearing aid comprising:

[0005] The balanced armature unit includes a balanced armature coil and an excitation diaphragm, and is used to play a corresponding preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity;

[0006] The excitation diaphragm is used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil and output a corresponding vibration detection signal;

[0007] The main control circuit has its input terminal connected to the excitation diaphragm and its output terminal connected to the moving iron unit. The main control circuit is used to control the moving iron unit to output a preset audio signal.

[0008] The main control circuit is also used to calculate the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, adjust the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and output it to the moving iron unit to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the excitation diaphragm is further used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil and output a second vibration detection signal when the moving iron unit plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal.

[0010] The main control circuit is also used to compare the preset audio signal with the second vibration detection signal, and when the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, control the moving iron unit to play the calibration end signal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the hearing aid includes:

[0012] A trigger circuit, the output of which is connected to the main control circuit, is used to output a corresponding trigger signal when triggered by the user.

[0013] The main control circuit is used to control the moving iron unit to work according to the trigger signal in order to play the preset audio signal.

[0014] The present invention also proposes a method for controlling a hearing aid, the method comprising the aforementioned hearing aid, and the method comprising the following steps:

[0015] The system controls the balanced armature unit to play a preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity and collects the first vibration detection signal from the user's ear canal cavity.

[0016] Calculate the difference between the first vibration detection signal and the preset audio signal;

[0017] The parameters of the preset audio signal are adjusted according to the difference, and the balanced armature unit is controlled to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal.

[0018] In one embodiment, the specific steps for verifying the adjusted preset audio signal are as follows:

[0019] When the moving iron unit plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal, a second vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal is collected.

[0020] The preset audio signal is compared with the second vibration detection signal. When the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, the calibration is completed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the preset audio signal includes multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, and the specific steps for adjusting the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference are as follows:

[0022] The influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple different frequency bands of audio signals is determined based on the difference.

[0023] The parameters of the audio signals in different frequency bands are adjusted according to the influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple audio signals in different frequency bands.

[0024] In one embodiment, the audio signal is a chirp signal, a multi-point frequency signal, or a white noise signal.

[0025] The technical solution of this invention plays a corresponding preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity through a balanced armature unit. The balanced armature unit includes a balanced armature coil and a diaphragm. The diaphragm detects the vibration of the balanced armature coil and outputs a corresponding vibration detection signal. The main control circuit controls the balanced armature unit to output the preset audio signal. The main control circuit also calculates the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, adjusts the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and outputs it to the balanced armature unit to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the compensation parameters of the hearing aid. This solves the problem that users need to go to a special testing site to fit the hearing aid, making it easier and more convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is an overall block diagram of an embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a module of another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the hearing aid control method of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the control method for the hearing aid of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0032] label name label name 10 balanced armature unit 11 Moving iron coil 20 Main control circuit 12 Excitation diaphragm 30 Trigger circuit

[0033] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0036] When a hearing aid is inserted into a user's ear canal, the sound it emits is reflected within the ear canal. However, due to differences in the diameter of each person's ear canal, its length, and its curvature, the frequency of the resonant peaks within each person's ear canal also differs. This can lead to situations where the sound is either too loud or unclear during hearing aid use. In actual fitting procedures, a probe can be inserted into the ear canal to collect the sound signal. This signal is then compared to the emitted reference tone signal, and the corresponding compensation function is adjusted. However, this fitting process requires a specialized testing environment, which is challenging and inconvenient.

[0037] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a hearing aid.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the hearing aid includes:

[0039] The moving iron unit 10 includes a moving iron coil 11 and an excitation diaphragm 12. The moving iron unit 10 is used to play a corresponding preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity.

[0040] The excitation diaphragm 12 is used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil 11 and output a corresponding vibration detection signal;

[0041] The main control circuit 20 has its input terminal connected to the excitation diaphragm 12 and its output terminal connected to the moving iron unit 10. The main control circuit 20 is used to control the moving iron unit 10 to work and output a preset audio signal.

[0042] The main control circuit 20 is also used to calculate the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, adjust the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and output it to the moving iron unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal.

[0043] In this embodiment, the moving iron unit 10 contains a permanent magnet, an armature, a moving iron coil 11, and a diaphragm 12. An electrical signal is input through the moving iron coil 11, changing the magnetic field strength and causing the armature to vibrate the diaphragm 12 to produce sound, thus converting the electrical signal into a sound signal. Furthermore, the diaphragm 12 in the moving iron unit 10 can also be a sensing membrane for detecting the vibration of the moving iron coil 11, thereby detecting the vibration of the moving iron coil 11 and outputting a corresponding vibration detection signal. Compared to a microphone, the moving iron unit 10 is smaller in size, occupying less space, and can be placed deeper into the ear canal, allowing it to be closer to the eardrum without affecting the user's use, making it convenient for users to wear hearing aids for extended periods.

[0044] In this embodiment, the main control circuit 20 can be implemented using a main controller, such as an MCU, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or SOC (System on Chip). The preset audio signal includes multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, i.e., audio signals within different sound frequency ranges. It should be noted that the diameter, ear canal length, and ear canal tortuosity of each user's ear are different, and the frequency of the resonant peaks within each user's ear canal is also different. Therefore, the preset audio signal heard by each user is different. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the preset audio signal based on the actual feedback from the ear; that is, to adjust the compensation parameters of the audio signals in different frequency bands based on the actual feedback from the ear, so that the user can hear comfortable and clear sound. The compensation parameters include parameters such as sound intensity and sound quality. Understandably, when the hearing aid enters calibration mode, the main control circuit 20 controls the balanced armature unit 10 to work, playing a preset audio signal in the user's ear canal. At the same time, the excitation diaphragm 12 detects the vibration of the balanced armature coil 11 and outputs a first vibration detection signal to the main control circuit 20. The main control circuit 20 calculates the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, and determines the influence of the user's ear canal on the preset audio signal based on the difference. Then, based on the influence of the user's ear canal on the preset audio signal, it adjusts the compensation parameters of the audio signals in different frequency bands and outputs them to the balanced armature unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal. At the same time, the excitation diaphragm 12 detects the vibration of the balanced armature coil 11 and outputs a second vibration detection signal. The main control circuit 20 compares the preset audio signal with the second vibration detection signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal. When the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are consistent, the calibration ends. This allows for real-ear analysis using only the hearing aid itself, improving the user's comfort and clarity when using the hearing aid and making fitting more convenient.

[0045] The technical solution of this invention plays a corresponding preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity through a balanced armature unit 10. The balanced armature unit 10 includes a balanced armature coil 11 and a diaphragm 12. The diaphragm 12 detects the vibration of the balanced armature coil 11 and outputs a corresponding vibration detection signal. The main control circuit 20 controls the balanced armature unit 10 to work and output the preset audio signal. The main control circuit 20 also calculates the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, adjusts the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and outputs it to the balanced armature unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the compensation parameters of the hearing aid. This solves the problem that users need to go to a special testing site to fit the hearing aid, making it easier and more convenient.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, the excitation diaphragm 12 is also used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil 11 and output a second vibration detection signal when the moving iron unit 10 plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity.

[0047] The main control circuit 20 is also used to compare the preset audio signal with the second vibration detection signal, and when the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, control the moving iron unit 10 to play the calibration end signal.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the main control circuit 20 controls the moving iron unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal, the excitation diaphragm 12 detects the vibration of the moving iron coil 11 and outputs a second vibration detection signal to the main control circuit 20. The main control circuit 20 compares the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal. When the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, the main control circuit 20 controls the moving iron unit 10 to play a calibration end signal to remind the user that the calibration is successful. If the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are inconsistent, the main control circuit 20 needs to adjust the preset audio signal again and repeat the above process until the preset audio signal is the same as the vibration detection signal, that is, the calibration is over, thereby improving the clarity of the user's hearing aid.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 In one embodiment, the hearing aid includes:

[0050] A trigger circuit 30, the output terminal of which is connected to the main control circuit 20, is used to output a corresponding trigger signal when triggered by the user;

[0051] The main control circuit 20 is used to control the moving iron unit 10 to work according to the trigger signal so as to play the preset audio signal.

[0052] In this embodiment, the trigger circuit 30 can be implemented using any trigger circuit 30 that outputs a corresponding trigger signal when triggered, such as a touch button or a mechanical button. It is understood that when a user needs to calibrate the hearing aid, the user can trigger the trigger circuit 30, which will then output a corresponding trigger signal. The main control circuit 20 controls the moving iron unit 10 to operate according to the trigger signal, playing a preset audio signal to put the hearing aid into calibration mode, which is extremely convenient.

[0053] The present invention also proposes a control method for a hearing aid, which is applied to the hearing aid described above.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 In one embodiment, the method for controlling the hearing aid includes the following steps:

[0055] The control unit 10 plays a preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity and collects the first vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal cavity;

[0056] Calculate the difference between the first vibration detection signal and the preset audio signal;

[0057] The parameters of the preset audio signal are adjusted according to the difference, and the balanced armature unit 10 is controlled to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the compensation parameters of the hearing aid.

[0058] In this embodiment, the hearing aid calibration can be completed by the hearing aid itself to achieve real-ear analysis and improve the clarity of hearing aid use for the user. Specifically, when the hearing aid enters calibration mode, the main control circuit 20 first controls the balanced armature unit 10 to play a preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity and collects the first vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal cavity. The first vibration detection signal is the feedback signal of the preset audio signal in the ear canal cavity. Then, the main control circuit 20 calculates the difference between the first vibration detection signal and the preset audio signal, adjusts the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and controls the balanced armature unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal. The above process is repeated to verify the compensation parameters of the hearing aid and improve the clarity of hearing aid use for the user.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the specific steps for verifying the adjusted preset audio signal are as follows:

[0060] When the moving iron unit 10 plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity, it collects a second vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal cavity.

[0061] The preset audio signal is compared with the second vibration detection signal. When the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, the calibration is completed.

[0062] In this embodiment, the main control circuit 20 controls the moving iron unit 10 to play the adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity, and collects the second vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal cavity. The main control circuit 20 compares the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal. If the preset audio signal is inconsistent with the second vibration detection signal, the parameters of the preset audio signal are adjusted accordingly until the preset audio signal is the same as the vibration detection signal, and the calibration is completed, so as to improve the clarity of the user's hearing aid.

[0063] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4In one embodiment, the preset audio signal includes multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, and the specific steps for adjusting the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference are as follows:

[0064] The influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple different frequency bands of audio signals is determined based on the difference.

[0065] The parameters of the audio signals in different frequency bands are adjusted according to the influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple audio signals in different frequency bands.

[0066] In this embodiment, the preset audio signal includes multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, which may be chirp signals, multi-point frequency signals, or white noise signals. The main control circuit 20 can determine the influence of the user's ear canal on the multiple audio signals of different frequency bands based on the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal. The influence of the user's ear canal on the multiple audio signals of different frequency bands is caused by the different resonant frequencies of the user's ear canal, which may lead to excessively loud or unclear sound when the hearing aid is used. The main control circuit 20 then adjusts the compensation parameters of the audio signals of different frequency bands based on the influence of the user's ear canal on the multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, thereby realizing that the main control circuit 20 adjusts the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference.

[0067] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hearing aid, characterized in that, The hearing aid includes: The balanced armature unit includes a balanced armature coil and an excitation diaphragm, and is used to play a corresponding preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity; The excitation diaphragm is used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil and output a corresponding first vibration detection signal; The main control circuit has an input terminal connected to the excitation diaphragm for receiving a first vibration detection signal from the excitation diaphragm, and an output terminal connected to the moving iron unit for controlling the moving iron unit to output a preset audio signal. The main control circuit is also used to calculate the difference between the preset audio signal and the first vibration detection signal, adjust the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference, and output it to the moving iron unit to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal.

2. The hearing aid as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The excitation diaphragm is also used to detect the vibration of the moving iron coil and output a second vibration detection signal when the moving iron unit plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity; The main control circuit is also used to compare the preset audio signal with the second vibration detection signal, and when the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, control the moving iron unit to play the calibration end signal.

3. The hearing aid as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hearing aid includes: A trigger circuit, the output of which is connected to the main control circuit, is used to output a corresponding trigger signal when triggered by the user. The main control circuit is used to control the moving iron unit to work according to the trigger signal in order to play the preset audio signal.

4. A method for controlling a hearing aid, applied to the hearing aid as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method for controlling the hearing aid includes the following steps: The system controls the balanced armature unit to play a preset audio signal in the user's ear canal cavity and collects the first vibration detection signal from the user's ear canal cavity. Calculate the difference between the first vibration detection signal and the preset audio signal; The parameters of the preset audio signal are adjusted according to the difference, and the balanced armature unit is controlled to play the adjusted preset audio signal to verify the adjusted preset audio signal.

5. The control method for a hearing aid as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The specific steps for verifying the adjusted preset audio signal are as follows: When the moving iron unit plays an adjusted preset audio signal in the user's ear canal, a second vibration detection signal of the user's ear canal is collected. The preset audio signal is compared with the second vibration detection signal. When the preset audio signal and the second vibration detection signal are the same, the calibration is completed.

6. The control method for a hearing aid as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The preset audio signal includes multiple audio signals of different frequency bands, and the specific steps for adjusting the parameters of the preset audio signal according to the difference are as follows: The influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple different frequency bands of audio signals is determined based on the difference. The parameters of the audio signals in different frequency bands are adjusted according to the influence of the user's ear canal cavity on the multiple audio signals in different frequency bands.

7. The control method for a hearing aid as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The audio signal is a chirp signal, a multi-frequency signal, or a white noise signal.

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