HEARING INSTRUMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hearing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a rechargeable battery and a (magnetic) inductive transmitting and / or receiving coil.

[0002] The term "hearing instrument" generally refers to devices that capture ambient sound, modify it, and deliver a modified sound signal to the ear of a person wearing the instrument ("user"). A hearing instrument designed to provide hearing assistance to a user with hearing loss, and which processes, and in particular amplifies, ambient acoustic signals in such a way as to fully or partially compensate for the hearing loss, is referred to here and in the following as a "hearing aid." A hearing aid typically comprises an input transducer, for example, in the form of a microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier, and an output transducer. The output transducer is usually implemented as a miniature loudspeaker and is also called the "receiver."

[0003] In addition to hearing aids, there are also hearing instruments designed for people with normal hearing, either to protect the wearer's hearing or to support sound perception (e.g., speech understanding in complex noise environments) for specific purposes. These hearing instruments are often similar in design to hearing aids and include, in particular, the aforementioned components: input transducer, signal processing, and output transducer.

[0004] To meet the numerous individual needs, different designs of hearing aids are offered. With so-called BTE hearing aids (Behind-The-Ear, or BTE), a housing containing the input transducer, signal processing, and a battery is worn behind the ear. Depending on the design, the output transducer can be located directly in the ear canal (so-called receiver-in-canal, or RIC, hearing aids). Alternatively, the output transducer is located within the housing itself. In In this case, a flexible sound tube, also known as a "tube," conducts the acoustic output signals from the output transducer from the housing to the ear canal (sound tube hearing aids). With so-called ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, or ITE for short), a housing containing all functional components, including the input and output transducers, is worn at least partially in the ear canal. So-called CIC hearing aids (completely-in-canal) are similar to ITE hearing aids but are worn entirely in the ear canal.

[0005] Due to the increasing number of integrated functions, hearing instruments have a rising energy demand that cannot be satisfactorily met by the disposable batteries commonly used today.

[0006] The aim is therefore to use high-performance rechargeable batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion batteries), as a power source for hearing instruments. However, such rechargeable batteries generate parasitic magnetic fields and can therefore interfere with the inductive transmitting and / or receiving coils (e.g., telecoils or inductive transceivers for wireless communication between the hearing instrument and a peripheral device) that are frequently integrated into hearing instruments, especially hearing aids. The simultaneous and interference-free arrangement of a rechargeable battery and an inductive transmitting and / or receiving coil in a hearing instrument housing is therefore complicated and, in many cases, even impossible given the extremely limited space available in the housing of a hearing instrument.

[0007] A hearing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2016 / 0365751 A1.

[0008] US 2011 / 097609 A1 and US 2013 / 0162197 A1 each disclose rechargeable batteries, in particular lithium-ion batteries, which are layered and partly also designed as layer stacks.

[0009] In H. Malecki, et al., "Lithium Ion Cell / Batteries Electromagnetic Field Reduction in Phones for Hearing Aid Compliance", Batteries 2016, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 19, various types of lithium-ion batteries are described in connection with hearing aids.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of realizing a compact arrangement of both a high-performance rechargeable battery and an inductive transmitting and / or receiving coil in a hearing instrument, wherein unwanted influence of the transmitting and / or receiving coil by the battery is prevented or at least largely reduced.

[0011] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0012] The hearing instrument comprises, on the one hand, a rechargeable battery and, on the other hand, an inductive transmitting and / or receiving coil (hereinafter referred to as "coil"). According to the invention, the battery is designed in a so-called stacked configuration, i.e., as a stack of layers. In contrast to wound batteries, in which one or more layers of the battery are wound around an inner electrode, the stacked battery comprises a plurality of layers stacked on top of each other in a layering (or stacking) direction. The layering (or stacking) plane is defined as a plane that is orthogonal (i.e., at a right angle) to the layering direction. This layering plane is parallel to the interfaces where adjacent layers of the stacked battery abut each other.

[0013] The coil is positioned such that its axis is orthogonal to the layering direction (i.e., parallel to a layering plane) of the battery. This ensures that the parasitic magnetic fields generated by the battery during operation of the hearing aid do not interfere with the coil, or only to a very limited extent. This, in turn, allows for a particularly compact arrangement of the battery and coil within the hearing aid housing. In particular, the coil can be positioned very close to the battery without its function being disrupted. Depending on the design, magnetic shielding of the coil from the battery is either completely unnecessary and therefore omitted, or can at least be implemented in a relatively simple manner.

[0014] The battery is preferably in the form of a lithium-ion battery.

[0015] The coil in question is either a telecoil or an inductive transceiver. Telecoils are designed to receive alternating magnetic fields in the typical frequency range of audible sound waves (e.g., approximately 100 Hz to 10 kHz) and are used to receive acoustic information that has been directly converted into alternating magnetic fields (for example, by induction loops installed in churches or museums). Inductive transceivers are designed to transmit and / or receive alternating magnetic fields at higher frequencies, typically in the megahertz range. They are typically used for wireless communication between the hearing aid and a peripheral device, such as another hearing aid for the wearer's other ear, a remote control, an external audio interface device, or an external microphone.The coil can also be a component of a magnetic sensor, such as an electronic compass.

[0016] Preferably, the battery is arranged in the hearing aid housing such that the layering direction of the battery is aligned approximately with the wearer's line of sight when the hearing aid is worn in its intended position in or on the ear. The wearer's line of sight is defined here—regardless of the wearer's eye position—as the horizontal direction lying in the plane of symmetry of the head when the head is held upright, and thus also orthogonal to the transverse direction of the head (i.e., the straight line between the wearer's ears). This orientation of the battery is particularly advantageous because it allows for a favorable yet interference-resistant arrangement of the coil.The coil is arranged such that, in the intended wearing position of the hearing instrument in or on the ear, its axis is aligned both orthogonally to the layering direction and perpendicular to the surrounding space (i.e., at a right angle to the ground). The perpendicular orientation of the coil axis enables particularly good reception when the coil is designed as a telecoil. In an equally advantageous alternative embodiment, the coil is arranged such that, in the intended wearing position of the hearing instrument in or on the ear, its axis is aligned both orthogonally to the layering direction and parallel to the transverse direction of the head.The transverse orientation of the coil axis enables particularly efficient signal transmission, especially when the coil is designed as an inductive transceiver and is used for signal exchange with another hearing instrument worn on the other ear of the wearer.

[0017] In the conventional design, the battery has two electrical terminals (battery posts). The assembly formed by these two terminals is hereinafter also referred to as the "contact assembly." In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two terminals are arranged at a distance from each other that is small compared to the longitudinal extent of the battery. Longitudinal extent here refers to the length of the longest edge or dimension of the battery. In particular, the distance between the two terminals is at most one-third, preferably at most one-quarter, of the longitudinal extent of the battery. In a further advantageous embodiment, the two terminals are arranged side by side parallel to the axis of the coil (i.e., along a line parallel to the axis of the coil).

[0018] The coil is preferably positioned centrally with the contact arrangement when viewed transversely to its axis, in particular such that a geometric center of the coil is arranged equidistant from both terminal contacts of the battery.

[0019] In a practical design, the coil is located near the bottom of the battery, i.e., near a side of the battery facing away from the terminal contacts, since the current density within the battery and therefore the influence of the battery on the coil are particularly low in this area.

[0020] According to the invention, the battery generally has the form of a straight mathematical cylinder with round or polygonal end faces and at least one side wall perpendicular to these. The end faces are oriented perpendicular to the layering direction (parallel to the layering plane). In the cylindrical battery described above, the two terminal contacts are preferably arranged on one of the two end faces. In other words, both terminal contacts are arranged on the same end face.

[0021] According to the invention, the coil is arranged adjacent to the side wall (or one of possibly several side walls) of the battery. Each of the two connection contacts is located on the edge of an associated end face facing away from the battery. The connection contacts (which are again arranged on the same end face) are thus located particularly far from the coil, further reducing the probability of interference with the coil from the battery.

[0022] The invention described above is preferably used in a BTE hearing aid. In this case, the battery and the coil are arranged in a housing worn behind the ear. However, the invention can also be used in other types of hearing aids, in particular ITE hearing aids or (fully or partially) implanted hearing aids.

[0023] The hearing instrument is, in particular, a hearing aid – constructed as described above – for the use of a hearing-impaired user. In addition to the battery, coil, and housing, the hearing instrument preferably comprises at least one input transducer (for example, in the form of a microphone), a signal processing unit with a (particularly digital) signal processor and / or an amplifier, and an output transducer (particularly a receiver). The output transducer is optionally integrated into the housing or arranged in an earpiece separate from the housing.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 in schematic representation of a hearing instrument with a housing, an input transducer in the form of a microphone, a signal processing unit, an output transducer in the form of a receiver, as well as with a rechargeable battery and an inductive (transmit and / or receive) coil, Fig. 2 in perspective view an electronic frame of the hearing instrument arranged in the housing according to Fig. 1 as well as the cuboid-shaped battery and the coil in a first arrangement, Fig. 3 in top view of an end face of the battery carrying two terminal contacts, the arrangement of the battery and the coil according to Fig. 2 , Fig. 4in representation according to Fig. 2 the electronic frame as well as the also cuboid-shaped battery and the coil of the hearing instrument according to Fig. 1 in a second arrangement, Fig. 5 in representation according to Fig. 3 the arrangement of the battery and the coil according to Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 in perspective view the circular cylindrical battery and the coil positioned relative to this battery, and Fig. 7 in view according to Fig. 3 the arrangement of the battery and the coil according to Fig. 6 .

[0025] Corresponding parts and sizes are always marked with the same reference symbols.

[0026] In Fig. 1 The diagram roughly schematically depicts a hearing instrument 2 in the form of a (BTE) hearing aid.

[0027] The hearing instrument 2 comprises a housing 4 to be worn behind the ear of a hearing-impaired user, in which the main components are arranged: two input transducers 6 in the form of microphones, a signal processing unit 8 with a digital signal processor and / or a microcontroller, an output transducer 10 in the form of a receiver, and a rechargeable battery 12. The battery 12 is a lithium-ion battery. The hearing instrument 2 also includes a (magnetically) inductive coil 14 for transmitting and / or receiving alternating magnetic signals.

[0028] A large portion of the electrical and electronic components of the hearing instrument 2, in particular the input converters 6, the signal processing unit 8, and the output converter 8, are mounted on an electronics frame 16. The electronics frame 16 is a separate structure, preferably made of plastic, on which the aforementioned electrical and electronic components can be pre-assembled outside the housing 4. The battery 12 and / or the coil 14 are preferably also attached to or within the electronics frame 16. Specifically, the battery 12 and the coil 14 are inserted into a recess 18 of the electronics frame 16 such that they are fixed in a defined relative position to each other and to the housing 4.

[0029] During operation of the hearing device 2, an audio signal from the environment of the hearing device 2 is received by the input transducers 6 and output as an audio signal (i.e., as an electrical signal carrying sound information) to the signal processing unit 8. The signal processing unit 8 processes the received audio signal, in particular amplifying it in a frequency-dependent manner to compensate for the wearer's hearing impairment. The signal processing unit 8 outputs a modified audio signal resulting from this processing to the output transducer 10. This, in turn, converts the modified audio signal into an audio signal. This audio signal (modified compared to the ambient sound received) is first directed by the output transducer 10 through a sound channel 20 to a tip 22 of the housing 4, and from there through a sound tube (not explicitly shown) into the wearer's ear.

[0030] In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 The coil 14 is configured as an inductive transceiver for data exchange with a second hearing aid, which is worn on the wearer's other ear. For this purpose, the coil 14 is designed to transmit and receive alternating magnetic signals in the megahertz range (e.g., at a frequency of 3.3 MHz).

[0031] The battery 12 is constructed in a stacked configuration, i.e., as a layer stack 24. It therefore comprises a plurality of active layers 26, which are stacked on top of each other in a layering direction 28. The layers 26 of the battery 12 are adjacent to each other at interfaces 30 that are parallel to a (e.g., in the Fig. 2 and 3 The layering plane 32 (as shown) is aligned. This layering plane 32 is orthogonal to the layering direction 28 and is aligned in a way that is in the Fig. 2 and 3The coordinate system shown is spanned by two directions orthogonal to each other and to the layering direction 28, namely a longitudinal direction 34 and a transverse direction 36.

[0032] In the in the Fig. 1 bis 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 12 has the shape of a cuboid with two end faces 38 and 40, which are opposite each other in the layering direction 28. The two end faces 38 and 40 are each oriented orthogonally to the layering direction 28 (i.e., parallel to the layering plane 32) and are enclosed by four side walls, namely two opposing broad sides 42 and 44 ( Fig. 3 ) and two opposite narrow sides 46 and 48 connected.

[0033] The battery 12 has two electrical connection contacts 50, both arranged side by side on the end face 38. The assembly formed by the connection contacts 50 is also collectively referred to as the contact arrangement 52 ( Fig. 2 ) denoted. The connecting contacts 50 are arranged on an edge of the end face 38, which adjoins the narrow side 46 facing the tip 22 of the housing 4.

[0034] To avoid or at least minimize unwanted interference with the coil 14 by the parasitic magnetic fields generated by the battery 12 during operation of the hearing instrument 2, the coil 14 is arranged adjacent to the narrow side 48 of the battery 12 facing away from the tip 22 of the housing 4. The coil 14 is thus relatively far from the terminal contacts 50 of the battery 12. Furthermore, the coil 14 is oriented such that its axis 54 ( Fig. 3 ) is aligned parallel to the transverse direction 36, and thus orthogonal to the layering direction 28 (therefore parallel to the layering plane 32).

[0035] The influence of the battery 12 on the coil 14 is further reduced by arranging the two connection contacts 50 at a distance from each other that is small compared to the longitudinal extent of the battery 12 - in the example according to Fig. 1 bis 3 The distance between the terminal contacts 50, measured along a connecting line 56, corresponds only about one-seventh of the longitudinal extent of the battery 12, which here is formed by the length of the longitudinally extending edge 34 of the battery 12. Furthermore, the two terminal contacts 50 are arranged side by side parallel to the axis 54 of the coil 14. In other words, the connecting line 56 between the terminal contacts 50 is aligned parallel to the axis 54 of the coil 14. Finally, the coil 14—viewed transversely to its axis 54—is positioned centered with the contact arrangement 52, such that the geometric center 58 of the coil 14 is equidistant from both terminal contacts 50 of the battery 12, and a plane of symmetry 60 of the contact arrangement 52, orthogonal to the connecting line 56, intersects the coil 14 at its geometric center 58.Thus, the coil 14 is arranged in such a way that it is orthogonal and centered to the parasitic magnetic fields caused by circulating currents in the battery 12, thereby excluding or at least largely reducing interactions of these magnetic fields with the coil 14.

[0036] In In the intended wearing position of the hearing instrument 2 on the wearer's ear, the battery 12 is oriented such that its layering direction 28 is exactly or at least approximately parallel to the wearer's line of sight. The axis 54 of the coil 14, perpendicular to this, is oriented exactly or at least approximately transversely to the head, and thus towards the second hearing instrument worn on the wearer's other ear. This ensures effective data transmission between the two hearing instruments.

[0037] In the Fig. 4 and 5A second embodiment of the hearing instrument 2 is shown, in which the coil 14 is designed as a telephone coil. Due to the significantly larger size of the coil 14 here, as well as due to the desired orientation of the coil 14 in the wearing position of the hearing instrument 2, the coil 14 in the example is designed according to Fig. 4 and 5 The coil 14 is arranged adjacent to the broad side 44 of the battery 12. As in the preceding example, the axis 54 of the coil 14 is aligned orthogonally to the layering direction 28 (i.e., parallel to the layering plane 32). Furthermore, the distance between the connection contacts 50 is also small compared to the longitudinal extent of the battery 12 – here it corresponds to approximately one-fifth of the longitudinal extent of the battery 12.

[0038] Furthermore, the example also shows that Fig. 4 and 5The two connection contacts 50 are arranged side by side parallel to the axis 54 of the coil 14. Likewise, the coil 14 is positioned centrally with the contact arrangement 52 when viewed perpendicular to its axis (see figure). Fig. 5 ).

[0039] In the intended wearing position of the hearing instrument 2, the axis 54 of the coil 14, which is orthogonal to the layering direction 28 of the battery 12, is exactly or at least approximately perpendicular in space, and thus oriented towards the ground. This enables effective reception of alternating magnetic signals emitted by induction loops, which are usually laid in the ground.

[0040] In the Fig. 6 and 7A third embodiment of the hearing instrument 2 is shown, in which the battery 12 has a circular cylindrical shape. Here, the battery 12 again has two round end faces 62 and 64, which are opposite each other in the layering direction 28 and are connected to each other by a circumferential wall 66.

[0041] The two connection contacts 50 are arranged here at one edge of the end face 62. The coil 14 is arranged - opposite to the connection contacts 50 - adjacent to the circumferential wall 66, so that its axis 54 is again oriented perpendicular to the layering direction 28 of the battery 12.

[0042] As in the preceding examples, the example also shows that Fig. 6 and 7The two terminal contacts 50 are arranged side by side parallel to the axis 54 of the coil 14, with the distance between the terminal contacts 50 being small compared to the longitudinal extent of the battery 12 – here it corresponds to approximately one quarter of the longitudinal extent of the battery 12, where the longitudinal extent is given by the diameter. Likewise, the coil 14 is positioned centrally with the contact arrangement 52, viewed transversely to its axis 54 (see figure). Fig. 7 ).

[0043] As from Fig. 6As can be seen, the coil 14 is still positioned close to one end of the battery 12 (i.e., close to the end face 64 facing away from the connection contacts 50). In this area of ​​the battery 12, the current density is comparatively low during operation of the hearing instrument 2, which also results in a comparatively low strength of the parasitic magnetic fields emitted by the battery 12. For design reasons, however, the coil 14 is arranged symmetrically in most cases.

[0044] The invention becomes particularly clear with reference to the exemplary embodiments described above. However, it is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the description within the scope of the claims. Reference symbol list

[0045] 2 Hearing instrument 4 Housing 6 Input converter 8 Signal processing unit 10 Output converter 12 Battery 14 Coil 16 Electronic frame 18 Recess 20 Sound channel 22 Tip 24 Layer stack 26 Layer 28 Layering direction 30 Interface 32 Layering plane 34 Longitudinal direction 36 Transverse direction 38 Front side 40 Front side 42 Broad side 44 Broad side 46 Narrow side 48 Narrow side 50 Connection contact 52 Contact arrangement 54 Axis 56 Connection line 58 Center 60 Plane of symmetry 62 Front side 64 Front side 66 Circumferential wall

Claims

1. A hearing instrument (2) having a rechargeable battery (12) and an inductive transmitting and / or receiving coil (14), wherein the battery (12) is formed as a layer stack (24) and has a contact arrangement (52) having two electrical connection contacts (50), and wherein the battery (12) as the form of a generally right cylinder having two circular or polygonal end faces (38, 40, 62, 64) opposite to one another in the layering direction (28) and at least one side wall (42, 44, 46, 48, 66) perpendicular thereto, wherein - the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14) is arranged such that its axis (54) is aligned perpendicular to a layering direction (28) of the battery (12), and - wherein the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14) is arranged adjacent to the side wall (66) or one side wall (48) of multiple side walls (42, 44, 46, 48) of the battery (12), and characterized in that each of the two connection contacts (50) is arranged at an edge of an assigned end face (38, 62) facing away from the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14).

2. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (12) is arranged in a housing (4) of the hearing instrument (2) such that the layering direction (28) is aligned exactly or approximately parallel to the gaze direction of a person who wears the hearing instrument (2) in an intended wearing position in or on one of their ears.

3. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two connection contacts (50) are arranged at a distance to one another which is at most one- third, preferably at most one-fourth, of the longitudinal extension of the battery (12).

4. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two connection contacts (50) are arranged adjacent to one another parallel to the axis (54) of the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14).

5. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14), viewed transversely to its axis (54), is positioned centered with the contact arrangement (52).

6. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two connection contacts (50) are arranged on one of the two end faces (38, 40, 62, 64).

7. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, having a housing (4) to be worn behind the ear of a person, in which the battery (12) and the transmitting and / or receiving coil (14) are arranged.

8. The hearing instrument (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the battery (12) is a lithium-ion battery.