Sound-emitting device, probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions, and hearing aid

Abstract

A sound-generating device for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for a hearing aid is disclosed, comprising a sound-generating module (12) designed to be inserted into a human ear canal (14). The sound-generating module (12) has at least one first sound transmitter (20) that emits a first sound field (24) distally, which exhibits a first sound pressure that is location-dependent. When inserted into the ear canal (14), the sound-generating module (12) is not airtight with respect to the ear canal (14), so that a reflected portion (27) of the first sound field (24) can penetrate into a proximal far field (46) and generate a first far-field sound pressure there.The sound generation module (12) has at least one second sound transmitter (38) which emits a second sound field (40) which has a second sound pressure that is dependent on location and generates a second far-field sound pressure in the proximal far field (46), wherein the second sound field (40) is adjusted such that in the proximal far field (46) the second far-field sound pressure is essentially the same as the first far-field sound pressure, but out of phase with it, so that in the proximal far field (46) the reflected part (27) of the first sound field (24) generated by the first sound transmitter (20) and the second sound field (40) largely cancel each other out.

Description

The invention relates to a sound-emitting device for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for a hearing aid. The invention further relates to a probe for measuring the otoacoustic emissions of a human ear with such a sound-emitting device. Finally, the invention relates to a hearing aid with such a sound-emitting device. Otoacoustic emission refers to the sound radiation from the inner ear, caused by the outer hair cells. In hearing diagnostics, measurements of evoked otoacoustic emissions are used, meaning emissions stimulated by sound stimuli. Measuring otoacoustic emissions allows for a selective examination of the inner ear, specifically the outer hair cells, and thus provides insights into a person's hearing ability. The test is objective, meaning it does not require any input from the patient and is therefore particularly suitable for diagnosing hearing disorders in children. A hearing aid is a device that compensates for a functional deficit of the auditory organ and thus serves to improve, or even largely restore, hearing ability. The sound-emitting device according to the invention is suitable both for use in a probe for measuring otoacoustic emission and for use in a hearing aid. When measuring evoked otoacoustic emissions, problems with masking the evoked emissions by the excitation sound pressure increasingly arise at high excitation sound pressures above approximately > 65 dB SPL (SPL: Sound Pressure Level). These problems cannot always be adequately solved by applying suitable filtering methods. Current probes for measuring otoacoustic emissions have a microphone opening for endaural sound pressure measurement at their distal end, which seals the ear canal with a reasonably airtight, replaceable elastic earplug or foam plug. They also have one or two openings for the miniature loudspeakers located in the probe, which generate the evoked sound pressure. One problem with hearing aids is unwanted feedback between the speaker and microphone. The invention is based on the objective of providing a sound-emitting device for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emission or for a hearing aid, with which the above-mentioned technical problems are solved. It is particularly an object of the present invention to provide a sound-emitting device which, when used in a probe for measuring otoacoustic emission, enables reliable measurement of the evoked otoacoustic emission even at higher excitation sound pressures. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a sound-emitting device which, when used in a hearing aid, enables sufficient suppression of feedback between loudspeaker and microphone. According to the invention, a sound-generating device for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for a hearing aid is provided, comprising a sound-generating module designed to be inserted into a human ear canal, wherein the sound-generating module has at least one first sound emitter which emits a first sound field distally, which has a first sound pressure that is dependent on location, wherein the sound-generating module, when inserted into the ear canal, is not airtight with respect to the ear canal, so that a reflected part of the first sound field can reach a proximal far field and generate a first far-field sound pressure there, and wherein the sound-generating module has at least one second sound emitter which emits a second sound field which has a second sound pressure that is dependent on location and generates a second far-field sound pressure in the proximal far field.wherein the second sound field is adjusted such that in the proximal far field the second far-field sound pressure is essentially the same as the first far-field sound pressure, but out of phase with it, so that in the proximal far field the reflected part of the first sound field generated by the first sound transmitter and the second sound field largely cancel each other out. The sound-emitting device according to the invention comprises a sound-generating module having at least one first sound emitter and at least one second sound emitter. When the sound-generating module is inserted into the ear canal of a patient or user, the air in the ear canal (between the eardrum and the sound-generating module) is in contact with the air proximal to the sound-generating module, for example, via an air gap. The at least one second sound emitter is preferably located in the proximal region of the sound-generating module. The at least one second sound emitter emits a second sound field whose sound pressure in the far field ("second far-field sound pressure") is essentially the same as the sound pressure generated in the far field by the reflected part of the sound field emitted by the at least one first sound emitter ("first far-field sound pressure"), but with a phase that is out of phase with the first far-field sound pressure. For example,Since the first sound pressure is positive (overpressure), the second sound pressure is negative (underpressure), and vice versa. The first sound field, emitted by at least one sound source and reflecting proximally, and the second sound field superimpose proximal to the sound-generating module and largely cancel each other out in the far field. The far field can be located a few millimeters proximal to the sound-generating module. The far field can lie outside the ear canal. It is understood that in the present description, the term 'far field' does not necessarily refer to an infinite half-space, as is usually the case in acoustic literature, but typically refers to a cylindrical volume in which essentially only one mode can propagate, as in the ear canal. It follows that the diameter of the volume is preferably on the order of 8 mm, because then, as in the ear canal, this condition is largely met in the frequency range of hearing up to about 16 kHz. When the sound-emitting device according to the invention is used for a probe to measure otoacoustic emission, the approximate cancellation or suppression of the excitation sound (first sound field) has the advantage that the evoked otoacoustic emission can be reliably measured with a microphone arranged in the far field, e.g. outside the ear canal, because the excitation sound is attenuated to such an extent by antiphase suppression in the far field that a metrological separation of the evoked emissions from the evoking sound pressure by filters is considerably facilitated. In the case of using the sound-emitting device according to the invention for a hearing aid, the advantage arises that feedback between the first sound transducer, located in the ear canal and applying the ambient sound picked up by the microphone to the eardrum, and the microphone, which is typically located proximally, just inside or outside the ear canal, can be eliminated or at least reduced, since the sound emitted by the first sound transducer and reflecting proximally is eliminated by the out-of-phase second sound field in the area of ​​the microphone. The invention thus makes it possible to realize a hearing aid suitable for so-called open fitting, in which the ear canal is not hermetically sealed by the part of the hearing aid located in the ear canal.Open fitting offers several advantages, including improved comfort for the hearing aid user, as it reduces perspiration by ventilating the ear canal. It is understood that the sound generation module can have several primary sound emitters and several secondary sound emitters. At least one primary sound emitter and at least one secondary sound emitter can be designed as miniature loudspeakers. Before using the sound-emitting device according to the invention for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emission or for a hearing aid, it must be determined at least once, as part of a calibration measurement, how large and with what phase the sound pressure of the at least one second sound emitter must be in order to achieve the desired cancellation. Preferred embodiments of the sound-emitting device according to the invention are described below. In a preferred embodiment, the sound-generating device has a tubular housing designed to be inserted into the user's ear canal, the housing having a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end, the sound-generating module being arranged in the housing, and an air gap being present between the sound-generating module and an inner wall of the housing. The sound-generating module can be used as an in-the-ear module with or without the aforementioned housing. The housing, which preferably completely surrounds the sound-generating module, has the advantage that a defined air gap, which can be, for example, annular, can be easily created between the inner wall of the housing and the outer surface of the sound-generating module to ensure the air patency of the in-the-ear module, particularly for open fitting. Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned design, the sound-generating module can have one or more air passages, for example in the form of bores or the like. This measure also contributes to the air permeability of the sound-emitting device. In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one first sound transmitter is arranged in the region of a distal end of the sound generation module and the at least one second sound transmitter is arranged in the region of a proximal end of the sound generation module. When using the sound-generating device for a probe to measure otoacoustic emissions, the at least one first sound transducer emits the excitation sound. Due to the distal arrangement of the at least one first sound transducer, the first sound field can be emitted unidirectionally distally when the sound-generating module is inserted in a patient's ear canal. The evoking sound pressure is thus generated spatially separate within the ear canal from the measurement of the evoked otoacoustic emission, which is measured outside or at the entrance of the ear canal. Preferably, the at least one first sound emitter emits distally, and the at least one second sound emitter preferably emits proximally. In a further preferred embodiment, at least one proximal sound sensor is arranged in the proximal far field of the sound generation module, which is configured to measure temporarily or permanently the sound pressure resulting from the superposition of the first and second far field sound pressure. This design has the advantage that, by means of at least one proximal sound sensor, it can be checked whether the signal sent by at least one first sound transmitter is suppressed as much as possible in the proximal far field. In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the sound-emitting device has an electronic unit which is configured to compare signals from the sound receiver with signals from the first sound transmitter. The electronic unit can be positioned outside the ear canal. It can communicate with at least one primary sound transmitter and at least one proximal sound receiver, such as a microphone, via signal cables or wirelessly. The electronic unit can also be integrated into the sound-emitting device. Comparing the signals from the receiver with those from the primary sound transmitter can be achieved by correlating sufficiently long segments of the time signal, possibly taking into account the signal's travel time from the primary sound transmitter to the receiver. In a further preferred embodiment, a distal sound sensor is arranged distal to the sound generation module, which is configured to measure the first sound pressure temporarily or permanently. This design has the advantage that it allows verification of whether the parameters measured during calibration of the sound generation module are still present when the sound generation module is inserted into the ear canal of a user or patient. In this context, it is preferred if the sound-emitting device includes an electronic unit configured to determine whether the signal detected by the distal sound sensor differs from a signal measured during calibration of the sound-generating module with a defined acoustic termination impedance in the region of the distal end of the sound-generating module, and optionally to calculate the actual acoustic termination impedance present in the region of the distal end of the sound-generating module from this difference. The aforementioned electronic unit may be identical to the electronic unit mentioned above. The result of the calculation can then be used, for example, to change the control of at least one second sound emitter in order to adjust the second sound field so that it cancels out the reflected part of the first sound field. If, as in one embodiment described above, the sound-emitting device has a housing, it is further preferred that the housing be provided with one or more sealing elements which, when the housing is inserted into the ear canal, seal the first opening of the housing against the ear canal wall. This embodiment is suitable for using the sound-emitting device with a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions. When using the sound-emitting device with a hearing aid, the sealing element is advantageous for ensuring high impedance stability across the air gap between the housing and the sound-generating element in the connection between the endaural and proximal sound chambers. Such a sealing element can be made of foam or an elastic plastic, for example, in the form of an elastic plastic dome or foam sealing pieces. The sealing element simply seals the housing against the wall of the ear canal. When the sound-generating device is used with a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions, the sealing element has the advantage that the otoacoustic emissions are channeled proximally, where they can then be measured with a sound transducer. If the sound-generating device does not have a housing, in another embodiment the sound-generating module itself can be provided with one or more elastic support elements, e.g. in the form of fins, which, when inserted into the ear canal, support the sound-generating module against the ear canal wall and ensure air passage. The sound-generating device can therefore also be implemented by using the ear canal, either wholly or partially, as its outer boundary. This means that the device only comprises the sound-generating module, which can be inserted into the ear canal, ensuring sound transmission as described above within the framework of an open fitting. In this embodiment, a housing is not required. According to the invention, a probe for measuring an otoacoustic emission of a human ear is further provided, with a sound-generating device according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the first sound field emitted by the at least one first sound generator serves to evoke an otoacoustic emission, and with at least one sound transducer for measuring the evoked otoacoustic emission, which is arranged in the proximal far field of the sound-generating module. Due to the properties of the sound-emitting device according to the invention described above, the probe according to the invention for measuring evoked otoacoustic emission has the advantage that the otoacoustic emission to be measured can be detected from inside the ear canal to the sound transducer, which is preferably arranged outside the ear canal, in isolation from interfering influences of the stimulating sound field. The sound transducer can be designed as one or more microphones, e.g., a microphone array. In a preferred embodiment of the probe, the sound-emitting device is connected to a headphone or hearing protection capsule to be worn on the user's ear, in which at least one sound sensor for measuring otoacoustic emission is arranged. In this design, at least one sound sensor is advantageously isolated from disturbing ambient noise, so that the probe can also be used in noisy environments. If the sound-emitting device has a housing in which the sound-generating module is arranged, as provided in an optional embodiment described above, the sound sensor can also be housed in an extended area of ​​the housing, with the housing being closed at its proximal end. Furthermore, according to the invention, a hearing aid is provided, comprising a sound-emitting device according to one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments and a sound receiver for receiving ambient sound, wherein the at least one first sound transmitter emits the ambient sound received by the sound receiver as the first sound field. The hearing aid according to the invention, which has a sound-emitting device according to the invention, has the advantage that, due to the properties of the sound-emitting device according to the invention, feedback between the at least one first sound emitter and the preferably externally arranged microphone, which picks up the ambient sound, is largely suppressed. Further suppression of feedback can be achieved if the sound-emitting device according to the invention is used with a so-called hearing contact lens, i.e. a sound transmitter, for example a piezoelectric element, which is applied directly to the eardrum. If the sound-emitting device has no housing, the sound transducer can be positioned at a sufficient distance from and connected to the sound-generating module. This configuration is particularly suitable when using the sound-emitting device for a hearing aid, but is not limited to this application. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawing. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a sound-emitting device with additional elements for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for use as a component of a hearing aid. Fig. 1 schematically shows a sound-emitting device designated with the general reference numeral 10. As will be described later, the sound-emitting device 10 can be used for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for a hearing aid. The sound-emitting device 10 has a sound-generating module 12. The sound-generating module 12 is designed and dimensioned to be inserted into the ear canal 14 of a patient or user, as shown schematically in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 illustrates the tympanic membrane 16 of the user or patient. In the illustrated embodiment, the sound generation module 12 is arranged in a housing 18 of the sound-emitting device 10. The sound generation module 12, with or without the housing 18, is hereinafter also referred to as the ear canal module. The sound-generating module 12 has a first sound transmitter 20, which is located in a distal region, for example, at the distal end 22 of the sound-generating module 12. The term "distal" means facing the interior of the ear canal 14, i.e., towards the tympanic membrane 16. The term "proximal," on the other hand, means facing away from the interior of the ear canal 14 or from the tympanic membrane 16. While only a first sound transmitter 20 is shown in Fig. 1, two or more such sound transmitters can also be present. The sound transmitter 20 can, for example, be a miniaturized loudspeaker. The first sound transmitter 20 emits a first sound field 24 primarily distally. The first sound field 24 exhibits a location-dependent first sound pressure, which is indicated by the symbol '+' in Fig. 1. The '+' signifies, for example, a momentary overpressure compared to the ambient pressure. The sound-generating module 12, when inserted into the ear canal, does not create an airtight seal against the ear canal 14. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, this is achieved by an air gap 28 between the sound-generating module 12 and the housing 18, which is, for example, annular in shape. This allows air exchange between the ear canal 14 and the surrounding environment of the user's or patient's ear via a distal first opening 30, the air gap 28, and a proximal second opening 32. The sound-generating device 10 can also be implemented by having the ear canal serve wholly or partially as the outer boundary of the sound-generating device 10, meaning that the sound-generating device 10 comprises only the sound-generating module 12, which can be inserted into the ear canal 14. In this embodiment, the housing 18 is omitted. When the sound-generating module 12 is used without the housing 18, the sound-generating module 12 itself can be air-permeable, or the sound-generating module 12 can be supported on the ear canal wall 34 by means of non-air-sealing support elements (not shown). As described above, air permeability from distal to proximal and vice versa can also be achieved by the sound-generating module 12 having one or more air passages (not shown). Due to the non-air-sealing arrangement of the sound-generating module 12 in the ear canal 14, a portion 27 of the first sound field 24 can travel back in a proximal direction into the proximal region of the sound-generating module 12, either directly or, for example, due to reflection at the tympanic membrane 16 or the ear canal wall 34. The reflected portion 27 of the first sound field 24 generates a first far-field sound pressure in a proximal far field 46. The sound-generating module 12 has at least one second sound transmitter 38 in its proximal region, for example at a proximal end 36 of the sound-generating module 12, which may be designed as a miniaturized loudspeaker. Several second loudspeakers may also be present. The second sound transmitter 38 emits a second sound field 40, which is preferably emitted unidirectionally proximally. The second sound field 40 has a location-dependent second sound pressure. The second sound field 40 generates a second far-field sound pressure in the far field 46, which is equal to the first far-field sound pressure of the reflected part 27 of the first sound field 24, i.e., when the latter has reached the proximal far field 46, but is out of phase with the first far-field sound pressure. The second sound pressure is indicated in Fig. 1 by the symbols ''. The symbol '-' means, for example,A momentary negative pressure relative to ambient pressure is indicated by the symbol '+', while a momentary positive pressure is indicated by the symbol '+'. The + / - symbols indicate sound in the condensation or relaxation phase of the acoustic excitation. The reflected portion 27 of the first sound field 24 and the second sound field 40 begin to superimpose in a proximal near field 44 of the sound-generating module 12. Due to the antiphase of the first far-field sound pressure with respect to the second far-field sound pressure, the first far-field sound pressure and the second far-field sound pressure cancel each other out in the proximal far field 46. The far field 46 forms from a distance of approximately one millimeter from the proximal end 36 of the sound-generating module 12 for frequencies in the audible range, assuming a radiating diameter of 8 mm. The second sound transmitter 38 replicates the time course and frequency content of the signal for the first sound transmitter 20. The amplitude and phase of the sound pressure emitted by the second sound transmitter 38 can be determined by means of a calibration measurement in order to achieve the desired cancellation of the first and second far-field sound pressure in the proximal far field 46. A proximal sound sensor 60 can be arranged in the proximal far field 46, which temporarily or permanently measures the resulting sound pressure of the superposition of the first and second far-field sound pressures in this area. This measurement can determine whether the signal emitted by the first sound transmitter 20 is largely canceled out in the proximal far field 46. This test can be performed by an electronic unit 50, which compares signals from the sound sensor 60 with signals from the first sound transmitter 20. The electronic unit 50 can be integrated into the sound-emitting device 10 or arranged externally. Furthermore, a distal sound sensor 52 can be arranged in the region of the distal opening 30 of the housing 18, which measures the initial sound pressure temporarily or permanently. Based on the signals detected by the distal sound sensor 52, the electronic unit 50 can determine whether the signal detected by the distal sound sensor 52 differs from a signal measured during calibration of the sound generation module 12 with a defined acoustic termination impedance in the region of the distal end of the sound generation module 12. From this difference, the electronic unit 50 can calculate the actual acoustic termination impedance present in the region of the distal end of the sound generation module 12. The device 10 can have a sealing element 54 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is fixed to the housing 18 or monolithically connected to it and seals the distal opening 30 of the housing 18 against the ear canal wall 34 around its entire circumference 56. The sealing element 54 can be made of a foam or an elastic plastic and be in the form of a dome. When the device 10 is used for a probe to measure otoacoustic emissions, the sealing element 54 has the function of channeling the otoacoustic emission signal originating from the inner ear and directing it to the proximal end of the sound-generating module, without it being canceled out by the second sound field 40 due to the completely different frequency (in the case of distortion product otoacoustic emissions) or due to the different time dependence (in the case of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions).Likewise, the sealing element 54 channels the reflected part 27 of the first sound field 24 and directs it into the air gap 28, whose impedance is known. If the device 10 does not have a housing such as the housing 18, the sound-generating module 12 may have one or more support elements (not shown), e.g. in the form of fins, which support the sound-generating module 12 against the wall 34 of the ear canal 14 when inserted into the ear canal 14 and ensure air permeability. The following describes a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions, comprising the device 10. The probe additionally includes a sound transducer 60, which can be the sound transducer 60 already mentioned above or an additional sound transducer, for example, a microphone, that can be positioned outside the ear canal 14 near the auricle 62, which is only indicated in Fig. 1. The sound transducer 60 can be located in a headphone earpiece or earmuff (not shown) that can be attached to the auricle 62. Alternatively, the sound transducer 60 can be housed in an extended section (not shown) of the casing 18, which is closed at its proximal end. In an otoacoustic emission measurement, the first sound transmitter 20 emits the first sound field 24, which generates a sound pressure distally, i.e., towards the tympanic membrane 16, thus eliciting the otoacoustic emission. The reflected portion of the first sound field 24 generates a far-field sound pressure in the proximal far field 46, which, as described above, is largely canceled out in the proximal far field 46, so that the sound sensor 60 registers the excitation sound pressure with at least 30 to 40 dB SPL attenuation. In contrast, the otoacoustic emission signal is transmitted largely undamped through the air gap 28 into the air space outside the ear canal 14 and is measured, for example, in the far field 46 by the sound sensor 60. In this way, the signal-to-noise ratio between the excitation sound pressure and the otoacoustic emission is significantly increased.Thus, the device 10 is suitable for use as a probe for measuring otoacoustic emission, especially at high excitation sound pressures, for example, about > 65 dB SPL. The device 10 can also be used for a hearing aid in other applications. In the case of a hearing aid, the sound transducer 60, which can be worn, for example, in a small housing behind the ear, but in the case of an in-the-ear hearing aid can also be located at the entrance of the ear canal, serves as a sound transducer for capturing ambient sound. Via signal transmission and, if necessary, after signal processing (e.g., amplification), the signal from the sound transducer 60 is transmitted to the sound generation module 12, whereby the first sound transmitter 20 emits the signal from the sound transducer 60, possibly amplified, as a sound field 24 towards the eardrum 16.Feedback of the sound emitted by the first sound transmitter 20 with the sound receiver 60 is at least significantly reduced by the property of the sound generation module 12 already described above, since any reflected sound emitted by the first sound transmitter 20 is largely or completely canceled out in the far field 46 by the second sound emitted by the second sound transmitter 38. The device 10 is particularly suitable for so-called "open fitting," in which the ear canal 14 remains in contact with the external environment of the ear due to the air permeability of the device 10. Open fitting is often preferred because it results in less perspiration in the ear canal, and also because sounds that can still be heard clearly reach the ear unhindered and are not amplified by the hearing aid, so that a relatively natural hearing impression is created despite the hearing system.It is understood that for complete hearing aid functionality, the necessary electronics including power supply may be housed in the behind-the-ear part in the case of a behind-the-ear hearing aid, while in the case of an in-the-ear hearing aid it may be housed in the sound generation module 12 or in the ear canal module 18.

Claims

Sound-generating device for a probe for measuring otoacoustic emissions or for a hearing aid, comprising a sound-generating module (12) designed to be inserted into a human ear canal (14), wherein the sound-generating module (12) has at least one first sound transmitter (20) emitting a first sound field (24) distally, which has a first sound pressure that is location-dependent, wherein the sound-generating module (12) is not airtight with respect to the ear canal (14) when inserted into the ear canal (14), so that a reflected part (27) of the first sound field (24) can reach a proximal far field and generate a first proximal far field sound pressure there, and wherein the sound-generating module (12) has at least one second sound transmitter (38) emitting a second sound field (40) which has a second sound pressure that is location-dependent and generates a second sound pressure in the proximal far field (46). Far-field sound pressure is generated,wherein the second sound field (40) is adjusted such that in the proximal far field (46) the second far field sound pressure is essentially the same as the first far field sound pressure, but out of phase with it, so that in the proximal far field (46) the reflected part (27) of the first sound field (24) generated by the first sound transmitter (20) and the second sound field (40) largely cancel each other out. Sound-emitting device according to claim 1, comprising a tubular housing (18) designed to be inserted into the user's ear canal (14), the housing (18) having a first opening (30) at a distal end and a second opening (32) at a proximal end, the sound-generating module (12) being arranged in the housing (18), and an air gap (28) being provided between the sound-generating module (12) and an inner wall (34) of the housing (18). Sound-emitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound-generating module (12) has one or more air passages. Sound-emitting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one first sound transmitter (20) is arranged in the region of a distal end of the sound-generating module (12) and the at least one second sound transmitter (38) is arranged in the region of a proximal end of the sound-generating module (12). Sound-emitting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one proximal sound sensor (60) is arranged in the proximal far field (46) of the sound-generating module (12), which is configured to measure the sound pressure temporarily or permanently. Sound-emitting device according to claim 5, comprising an electronic unit (50) configured to compare signals from the proximal sound sensor (60) with signals from the first sound transmitter (20). Sound-emitting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a distal sound sensor (52) is arranged distal to the sound-generating module (12), which is configured to measure the first sound pressure temporarily or permanently. Sound-emitting device according to claim 7, comprising an electronic unit (50) configured to determine whether the signal detected by the distal sound sensor (52) differs from a signal measured during calibration of the sound-generating module (12) with a defined acoustic termination impedance in the region of the distal end of the sound-generating module (12), and optionally to calculate the actual acoustic termination impedance present in the region of the distal end of the sound-generating module (12) from the difference. Sound-emitting device according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 8, insofar as it refers back to claim 2, wherein the housing (18) is provided with one or more sealing elements (54) which, in the state of the housing (18) being inserted into the ear canal (14), seal the first opening (30) of the housing against an inner wall (34) of the ear canal (14). Sound-emitting device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing element (54) is made of a foam or an elastic plastic. Sound-generating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sound-generating module (12) is provided with one or more sealing elements which, in the state of the sound-generating module (12) being inserted into the ear canal (14), seal its distal end against an inner wall (34) of the ear canal (14). Probe for measuring an otoacoustic emission of a human ear, comprising a sound-generating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first sound field (24) emitted by the at least one first sound transmitter (20) serves to evoke an otoacoustic emission, and comprising at least one sound sensor (60) for measuring the evoked otoacoustic emission, which is arranged in the proximal far field (46) of the sound-generating module (12). Probe according to claim 12, wherein the sound-emitting device (10) is connected to a headphone or hearing protection capsule to be worn on an ear cup of the user, in which the at least one sound sensor (60) for measuring the otoacoustic emission is arranged. Probe according to claim 12, wherein the sound-generating device (10) has a housing (18) in which the sound-generating module is arranged, wherein the sound sensor (60) is housed in an extended area of ​​the housing (18), wherein the housing (18) is closed at its proximal end. Hearing aid, comprising a sound-emitting device according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a sound receiver (60) for receiving ambient sound, wherein the at least one first sound transmitter (20) emits the ambient sound received by the sound receiver (60) as a first sound field (24).

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