Hearing aid and method for operating same

Abstract

A hearing aid (6), in particular a RIC hearing aid, is described, comprising a receiver unit (8) with a receiver (4) and a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected to the receiver unit (8) via two control lines (12a, 12b) for controlling the receiver (4). Additionally, a further component (14), in particular a controllable ventilation element, is arranged in the receiver unit (8), which is also controlled via the control lines by a control signal emitted by the control unit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hearing aid and a method for operating a hearing aid.

[0002] In this context, hearing aids are preferably, but not exclusively, understood to mean hearing aids. Such hearing aids, hereinafter referred to as hearing aids, are portable hearing devices used to care for people with hearing impairments. To meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids are available, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), hearing aids with an external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal), and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, e.g., concha hearing aids or in-canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC). The hearing aids listed as examples are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction, implantable, or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. In these cases, the impaired hearing is stimulated either mechanically or electrically.

[0003] Hearing aids generally have an input transducer, an amplifier, and an output transducer as their essential components. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, e.g., a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g., an induction coil. The output transducer is usually implemented as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g., a miniature loudspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g., a bone conduction receiver. The amplifier is usually integrated into a signal processing unit. This basic structure is described in FIG 1 illustrated using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. One or more microphones 2 for picking up ambient sound are built into a hearing aid housing 1 for wearing behind the ear. A signal processing unit 3, which is also integrated into the hearing aid housing 1, processes and amplifies the microphone signals. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or receiver 4, which emits an acoustic signal. The sound is transmitted to the wearer's eardrum, if necessary, via a sound tube that is fixed in the ear canal with an earmold. The hearing aid, and in particular the signal processing unit 3, is powered by a battery 5, which is also integrated into the hearing aid housing 1.Adapting hearing aids to different hearing impairments through different performance levels and to differing customer preferences, as well as customer demands for small and extremely small sizes, forces hearing aid manufacturers to offer a wide range of hearing aids with different feature sets for different performance levels. This results in a multitude of different sized hearing aids that can be individually adapted to hearing impairments and customer preferences.

[0004] CN 109 756 830 A describes a hearing aid in which, in addition to the receiver, another component is located in the receiver unit. The receiver and the additional component are connected to a control unit via shared cables.

[0005] The aforementioned RIC hearing aids are multi-component hearing aids in which the receiver is located in a separate receiver unit and the signal processing is located in a separate unit. The two units are electrically connected to each other via signal lines to control the receiver.

[0006] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of specifying a hearing aid, in particular a RIC hearing aid with an extended function, and a method for operating a hearing aid.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a hearing aid having the features of claim 1.

[0008] It is particularly important that an additional component is located in the receiver unit, and that both units are controlled jointly via the control lines. The control lines are typically electrical supply wires with an insulating sheath. By using the control lines for both components, the connection effort, especially the wiring effort, is reduced. At the same time, the additional (electrical) component increases the functionality of the receiver unit.

[0009] The control unit sets different operating modes by controlling the components in different ways.

[0010] The hearing aid is specifically a multi-part hearing aid in which the receiver unit is a standalone unit with its own housing, located away from another unit that also has its own housing. This additional unit is also referred to below as the base unit. The two units are connected to each other via the control lines, which are routed, for example, in a common tube. The actual signal processing unit, a microphone and the aforementioned control unit are typically located in this base unit. The control unit is, for example, part of the signal processing unit. The control lines are typically connected to the base unit via a contact connector, specifically a plug-in connector. A contact connection element for making electrical contact with the control lines is therefore located in the base unit.For this purpose, a socket with electrical contacts is often formed on a printed circuit board.

[0011] The hearing aid is preferably, but not necessarily, a hearing aid in which the signal processing unit is designed to specifically compensate for a person's hearing impairment, for example by means of a frequency-dependent amplification of a sound signal picked up by the microphone that is adapted to the hearing impairment.

[0012] The control unit preferably has an amplifier output stage or is designed as such. Via this shared amplifier output stage, both the earpiece and the further component are supplied with electrical power via the control lines. The amplifier output stage is regularly used to amplify an electrical signal which is transmitted to the earpiece by converting the electrical signal into an acoustic sound signal. Typically, no further components for amplifying the signal are arranged between the earpiece and the amplifier output stage. Preferably, the amplifier output stage is designed to provide an electrical power of at least 1 mW, preferably of at least 10 mW and, for example, of up to 20 mW or up to 30 mW. The earpiece and / or the further component are therefore supplied with and also consumed by such power.

[0013] This design therefore provides the particular advantage that the power provided by the amplifier output stage is available to both the listener and the other component.

[0014] In particular, the hearing aid is designed as a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid. Alternatively, the hearing aid is generally designed as a device that can be worn in or on the ear and produces a sound stimulus, for example, as (in-ear) headphones, a headset, or the like.

[0015] A RIC hearing aid is a hearing aid designed so that, during use, the receiver unit with the receiver is specifically positioned in the user's ear canal, while preferably all other components, such as the control unit, a signal processing unit, and a microphone for recording sound to be amplified, are located outside the ear canal in a separate device unit, for example, behind the user's ear. The receiver unit and the separate device unit with the control unit are preferably connected to each other by means of a tube in which the two control lines for controlling the receiver located in the user's ear canal are arranged.

[0016] Preferably, the additional component is designed as a controllable ventilation element. The design of the additional component as a controllable ventilation element is based on the idea that the connection to the ear canal is often implemented as an open fitting. An open fitting means that the receiver unit does not sit tightly in the ear canal. This is particularly useful for mild to moderate hearing losses, since an occlusion—i.e., a tight closure—of the ear canal is perceived by the user and is usually perceived as disturbing.

[0017] Unlike low frequencies, where amplification is usually not required and direct sound is therefore sufficient, this is lacking with non-acoustic input signals. The sound of such non-acoustic input signals is therefore perceived as thin and high-frequency heavy. This impairs the quality, which is particularly noticeable when listening to music. Non-acoustic input signals are generally understood to be electromagnetic input signals from the hearing aid that are not picked up by the microphone. These include, for example, signals received (wirelessly) by a corresponding receiving unit, for example a telecoil arranged in the hearing aid. The telecoil is preferably used for a wireless connection between the hearing aid and, for example, a mobile phone of the user for making phone calls and / or for example a wireless connection to an audio system in a church or theater.Furthermore, the non-acoustic input signal also includes wireless reception (WLS reception) by means of wireless short-range communication.

[0018] Particularly in the latter case, where the acoustic output signal of the hearing aid is based on a non-acoustic input signal, closing the ear canal is beneficial in improving the quality of the sound, which is achieved with the controllable ventilation element. Furthermore, closing the ear canal has also proven advantageous in the case where the acoustic output signal is based on an acoustic input signal (input signal that was picked up and converted by a microphone). Closing the ear canal is particularly advantageous for the user in a so-called cocktail party situation. A cocktail party situation is understood to be a (listening) situation for the user in which there are several acoustic signal sources in their environment. The acoustic signal sources in this case are, for example, people talking or a loudspeaker playing music.

[0019] Due to the various simultaneously active acoustic signal sources, such a situation is unpleasant, especially for a hearing-impaired person. The hearing aid, and in particular the directional effect of the hearing aid microphone, allows the user to "focus" on one acoustic signal source, for example, a single conversation partner. If the ear canal is also closed, improved attenuation of direct sound from other, in this case disturbing, acoustic signal sources is achieved.

[0020] The ventilation element, which is a valve, for example, is controlled via the control line and, in particular, switches between two states (open-closed). The operating modes that can be set by the control unit are, for example, an open adjustment (valve open) and a closed adjustment (valve closed).

[0021] However, other configurations of the additional component are also conceivable. The additional component is therefore not limited to a design as a controllable ventilation element.

[0022] The further component in particular has the aforementioned valve or is formed by it. Furthermore, the further component preferably has a switching unit, in particular a magnetic one. The switching unit can be switched between two switching states by means of the control signal transmitted via the control lines. In particular, these are two stable switching states, so that the further component remains stable in the other switching state after a switching signal. The switching takes place in particular by electromagnetic means. In particular, the electric current provided via the control signal generates a magnetic field which acts on the magnetic switching unit and causes it to switch. In particular, a mechanical actuating movement of an actuating element or a closure element takes place here.

[0023] Preferably, the receiver unit is connected to the control unit exclusively via the two control lines. In an example not covered by the subject matter of the invention, the receiver unit is connected via a further line, which is referred to below as the selection line. Typically, in conventional RIC devices, the receiver unit and thus the handset are connected via only two control lines. In some embodiments, a further line is provided, which is connected to a ground potential, for example. Due to the design chosen here, no change in the connection wiring is necessary, at least on the control unit side, compared to previous designs.

[0024] According to the invention, the control signal is a pulsed control signal. The control unit is therefore designed to generate and feed such a pulsed control signal, and such a control signal is transmitted during operation. The earpiece, on the one hand, and the other component, on the other hand, are controlled via pulse modulation. Therefore, both components are preferably controlled via the modulation of the control signal.

[0025] Pulse modulation, for example, is pulse width modulation.

[0026] Pulse density modulation is preferred. In this case, the sequence of pulses of equal width at a high frequency changes according to the underlying low-frequency signal, e.g., acoustic signal. The number of pulses per unit of time (density) therefore varies. Headphones are often controlled via a pulse-density modulated signal. Since headphones are inherently slow and exhibit a low-pass filter effect, they automatically average out the underlying low-frequency signal from the sequence of pulses.

[0027] To control the other component, a lower frequency and thus, in the case of a pulse-density modulated signal, a longer pulse duration is used than that used to control the earpiece. The earpiece is controlled, in particular, with a frequency in the MHz range (pulse duration less than 1 µs).

[0028] In particular, a frequency of less than 1 kHz, and especially less than 0.1 kHz, is used to control the additional components. The corresponding pulse duration is therefore greater than 1 ms, for example, 5 ms, and especially greater than 10 ms or in the range of 10 ms (5 ms to 20 ms). A quasi-static signal is therefore used to control the additional components.

[0029] This design is based on the idea that, on the one hand, the earpiece's function is ensured by driving it with the higher frequencies. At the same time, the other component is so inert that the higher frequencies do not influence the other component and do not change its state.

[0030] Furthermore, the low frequencies are selected in such a way that the earpiece and its function are not, or only minimally, affected. Specifically, one earpiece membrane will remain in its current state and not emit an acoustic signal. However, the other component will respond to these low frequencies or long pulse durations.

[0031] In particular, in the preferred example of switching a (magnetic) switching element between two states, the long pulse durations of, for example, 10 ms cause a sufficiently high (magnetic) effect so that switching can take place.

[0032] Furthermore, at least one of the two components, selected from the earpiece and the additional component, is preceded by a filter which filters out the (higher-frequency or lower-frequency) signal intended for the other component. Specifically, a high-pass filter is preceded by the earpiece and / or a low-pass filter is preceded by the additional component. The filters are arranged in particular directly upstream of the respective component in a branch of the control line, so that the filter only influences the control signal for the respective component. The filter or filters are therefore arranged in particular in the receiver unit.

[0033] Additionally, a switching device can be arranged in the receiver unit, which is designed to connect the handset and / or the additional component. In a first variant, this allows the additional component to be controlled, specifically switched, while the handset is in operation. According to a second variant, the switching device is designed such that either the handset or the additional component is controlled.

[0034] The switching device is in particular configured to electrically connect the handset to the control unit in a first operating mode or to electrically connect the further component to the control unit in a second operating mode.

[0035] The switching device preferably has two switching elements. The switching elements serve to electrically connect either the handset or the additional component to the control unit. Thus, one switching element is arranged at each end of each of the two control lines in order to electrically connect either the handset or the additional component, preferably connected in parallel to the handset, to the control unit via the control lines, depending on the selected operating mode.

[0036] Generally - regardless of the switching device - one of the two control lines serves as the forward conductor, while the other control line serves as the return conductor to the control unit.

[0037] The two switching elements allow for easy connection of either the handset or the additional component to the control unit. Furthermore, additional control lines for the additional components are eliminated, as the control lines that normally serve to control the handset are also used to control the additional component.

[0038] In order to control the switching elements of the switching device, in a further example, which does not fall under the subject matter of the invention but contributes to explaining the invention, the switching device is preferably connected to the control unit via a further line, which is referred to below as the aforementioned selection line. An existing ground connection or ground line is preferably used as the reference potential, which preferably also serves as a ground line for other components. The ground line connects the receiver unit to a ground potential of the base unit. Thus, a separate ground line is not explicitly required for the switching device. Thus, the switching device is effectively connected to the control unit, in particular, with just one control line.

[0039] The selection line is preferably also arranged in the aforementioned tube, which connects the control unit to the receiver unit and in which the two control lines are also arranged. This enables control of the two switching elements, while - as already mentioned - the number of lines for controlling the handset and the additional component is reduced compared to separate control. Separate control here means that both the handset and the additional component each have two separate control lines, so that four control lines lead from the control unit to the receiver unit, whereas according to the embodiment of the invention only two or a maximum of three control lines (two control lines, one selection line) are provided.In addition, the inventive design with only two or three lines is advantageous in that the number of electrical contacts is limited, particularly in RIC hearing aids, within the receiver unit and within the control unit.

[0040] Thus, the receiver unit is preferably connected to the control unit exclusively via the two control lines and possibly additionally via the selection line.

[0041] As an alternative to using a selection line, the desired operating mode and switching state are extracted from the control signal by filtering it according to the present invention. The switching device is therefore designed to filter the signal accordingly and control the switching elements.

[0042] In all design variants, no active component for signal evaluation is provided in the receiver unit. In addition to the earpiece and the other component, only passive components are arranged in the receiver unit. The control unit, in particular the previously mentioned amplifier output stage preferably has a plurality of semiconductor switches that are connected in the manner of an H-bridge. This amplifier output stage generally forms a control element for controlling the receiver unit and is preferably also referred to as a driver unit. With such a control element designed as an H-bridge, it is possible to generate a control signal that has a high current value and can therefore provide the required high power.

[0043] Furthermore, the control element, designed as an H-bridge, is configured to allow the electrical current to flow in two different directions through the earpiece or the other component. Such current reversal is also referred to as polarity reversal capability, and such H-bridge operation is referred to as "push-pull operation." Both the drive capability and the polarity reversal capability of the control element, designed as an H-bridge, are characteristic of such control elements, which are used, for example, in RIC hearing aids.

[0044] The control element, configured as an H-bridge, is preferably integrated on a chip. This type of design has proven advantageous due to the compact dimensions of printed circuit boards, which are particularly advantageous for hearing aids.

[0045] The control unit is expediently configured to control the additional component with the same control signal as the earpiece. The additional component is thus controlled by the control element of the control unit, which is configured as an H-bridge, using the control signal generated by the latter. In other words, the control unit, and specifically the control signal actually intended for the earpiece, is used to control the additional component, with the exception of any amplitude and / or frequency conversion. This provides an advantage in control, particularly given that the additional component is configured as a controllable ventilation element, which requires a high current.

[0046] The idea behind this design – regardless of the specific variant – is that the control unit is advantageously used to control the other component. The control unit, which usually controls the receiver and has the output stage, has proven advantageous with regard to providing high current pulses for controlling the ventilation element. This allows multiple use of the control unit without the need to arrange additional components in the hearing aid. The additional components here specifically refer to components that would only be necessary for control, i.e. for providing a control signal for the ventilation element. This design is also advantageous, for example, for in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE hearing aids).

[0047] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a hearing aid with the features of claim 10. The hearing aid has a receiver unit with a receiver and a control unit, wherein the receiver is controlled by the control unit. A further component is also arranged in the receiver unit. This component is also controlled via the shared control lines and the control signal transmitted via these lines from the control unit.

[0048] As previously described, the receiver and the other components are controlled by a modulated, pulsed control signal to operate the hearing aid in different operating modes. The control signal is provided primarily by the amplifier output stage, which thus provides the required power for both the receiver and the other components.

[0049] The additional component is preferably the controllable ventilation element, which is controlled by the control unit with the control signal. The control signal is generated by a current pulse of sufficient duration. Depending on the current direction, the controllable ventilation element is opened or closed.

[0050] The advantages and preferred embodiments listed with regard to the hearing aid are to be transferred analogously to the method for operating the hearing aid and vice versa.

[0051] Examples of embodiments are explained in more detail below using the figures, which show, in some cases, highly simplified representations: Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a hearing aid according to the prior art, Fig. 2 shows a sketched circuit diagram of a hearing aid according to a first variant which does not fall within the scope of protection of claim 1, and Fig. 3 shows a sketched circuit diagram of a hearing aid according to a second variant.

[0052] In Fig. 2 as well as Fig. 3 Each of these diagrams shows a schematic circuit diagram of a hearing aid 6 according to the invention, which is designed in particular as a RIC device. The hearing aid 6 has a receiver unit 8 with a receiver 4. Furthermore, the hearing aid 6 has a base unit with a control unit 10 arranged therein. The receiver unit 8 and the control unit 10 are housed in two separate units (not shown in detail here), each with its own housing.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment, the control unit 10 is connected to the receiver unit 8 and specifically to the handset 4 via two control lines 12a, 12b. The control lines 12a, 12b serve to control the handset 4 via the control unit 10. The control lines 12a, 12b are typically routed in a common tube from the base unit to the receiver unit 8.

[0054] The receiver unit 8 also has a further component 14, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a controllable ventilation element. Specifically, the further component 14 in the exemplary embodiments is designed as a (magnetic) valve that can be switched between two states (open / closed). For this purpose, the valve has a corresponding switching unit 15.

[0055] Both the handset 4 and the additional component 14 are controlled during operation via the control lines 12a, 12b. In the exemplary embodiment, the handset 4 and the additional component 14 are connected in parallel. Starting from a distribution node at the end of each control line 12a, 12b, branches 13 lead to a respective connection of the handset 4 or the additional component 14.

[0056] The control unit 10 has a control element, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as an (amplifier) output stage 22. The output stage 22 has a plurality of semiconductor switches 24, in the exemplary embodiment four semiconductor switches 24, which are connected in the manner of an H-bridge. The output stage 22 serves to provide the control signal for the handset 4 and for the additional component 14. The control signal is transmitted via the control lines 12a, 12b. The power required to operate these components is therefore provided to both the handset 4 and the additional component 14 via the shared output stage 22.

[0057] Therefore, both the earpiece 4 and the additional component 14 are controlled and operated via the control signal. The design of the output stage 22 as an H-bridge enables a reversal of the current direction and thus push-pull control. The reversal of the current direction serves in particular to open and close the additional component 14 designed as a controllable ventilation element. The electrical current is provided by the battery 5. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, depending on the direction of the current, a magnetic actuating element of the switching unit 15 and thus of the magnetic valve is transferred from one (stable) end position, e.g. open, to another (stable) end position, e.g. closed.

[0058] There are different variants available for controlling the receiver unit 8: According to a first variant, which is described in the Fig. 2 As shown, the receiver unit 8 has a switching device 16. This is configured to electrically connect the handset 4 to the control unit 10 in a first operating mode and to electrically connect the further component 14 to the control unit 10 in a second operating mode. In other words, depending on an operating mode (either the first operating mode or the second operating mode), the handset 4 or the further component 14 is electrically connected to the control unit 10 by means of the control lines 12a, 12b.

[0059] In the preferred embodiment of the further component 14 as a ventilation element that can be switched between two states, only a short interruption in the control of the handset 4 is required, since the control signal only needs to be present at the further component for the duration of the switching.

[0060] To switch between the handset 4 and the further component 14, the switching device 16 in the exemplary embodiment has two switching elements 18. The switching elements 18 are each arranged at one end of the control lines 12a, 12b at the respective distribution node, from which the branches 13 branch off.

[0061] To control the switching elements 18, in the exemplary embodiment the switching device 16 is connected to the control unit 10 via a selection line 20. In addition, the receiver unit 8 is connected to the control unit 10 via a Fig. 2 The schematically illustrated ground connection 21 is connected to a ground potential of the control unit as a reference potential. The ground connection 21 is, in particular, just like the control lines 12a, 12b and the selection line 20, an electrical wire. The individual wires are typically routed within a hose from the base unit to the receiver unit 8. During operation, a switching signal generated, for example, by the control unit 10 is transmitted via the selection line 20 to the switching elements 18 of the switching device 16.

[0062] At the Fig. 2 In the variant shown, no further electrical components are provided apart from the components shown.

[0063] In the Fig. 3 A further variant is shown. In this variant, both the handset 4 and the further component 14 are permanently connected to the control unit 10 via the control lines 12a, 12b. Therefore, no switching device is preferably provided. The selection of the operating mode, i.e. whether the handset and / or the further component 14 is controlled, is carried out exclusively via the control signal itself. The control signal is designed such that it either acts only on the handset 4 (e.g., a high-frequency signal) or only on the further component 14 (e.g., a (quasi-)static signal).

[0064] The control signal is preferably embodied as a pulsed, modulated control signal. In particular, it is embodied as a pulse-density modulated control signal. The control unit 10 is suitably configured for generating such a control signal.

[0065] To control the earpiece 4, in particular a signal with a high frequency (short pulse duration of the individual pulses) is provided and to control 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: During operation, a high-frequency control signal is regularly provided for the operation of the earpiece 4, which converts this high-frequency control signal into a desired acoustic sound signal, in particular by a corresponding vibration excitation of a membrane. To control the further component, the control signal is provided for a certain period of time via the control lines 12a, 12b with a significantly lower frequency and thus with a long pulse duration. A long pulse duration is understood in particular to mean a pulse duration of, for example, greater than 5 ms.In particular, the pulse duration is dimensioned such that it is sufficient for switching the further component 14.

[0066] This switches between the two states (open / closed) of the further component 14. After switching, the higher-frequency control signal is again provided to control the earpiece 4.

[0067] This design is based on the consideration that the further component 14 is so inert that the further component 14 does not change its state in the case of a signal with a higher frequency.

[0068] Conversely, at a long pulse duration of, for example, more than 5 ms or more than 10 ms, the membrane of earpiece 4 remains in its current state and does not emit an acoustic signal. Such long pulse durations are required for switching the other component 14.

[0069] In the Fig. 3According to the invention, filter elements 25a, b are provided, each arranged at the input of the earpiece 4 and / or the further component 14. These filter elements 25a, b filter out the signal components not intended for the respective component 4, 14. The filter element 25a connected upstream of the further component 14 is a low-pass filter, and the filter element 25b connected upstream of the earpiece 4 is designed as a high-pass filter. Suitable cutoff frequencies of these pass filters act as a separation filter for the two components to be controlled. The cutoff frequency is preferably in the range of 50 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0070] The upstream filter elements 25 therefore filter the selective effect of the signal on the earpiece 4 or the further component 14.

[0071] The advantage of the embodiments described here lies in the multiple use of existing components (control lines 12a, 12b, possibly using an existing ground line as a reference voltage for the selection line 20, control unit 10). At the same time, an expanded functionality of the receiver unit 8 is achieved. In particular, this achieves that—compared to a separate control of the handset 4 and the additional component 14 with two lines each—fewer lines are required to control the receiver unit 8.

[0072] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiment can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention as defined in the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0073] 1 Hearing aid housing 2 Microphone 3 Signal processing unit 4 Receiver 5 Battery 6 Hearing aid 8 Receiver unit 10 Control unit 12 Control line 13 Branch 14 Other component 15 Switching unit 16 Switching device 18 Switching elements 20 Selection line 21 Ground connection 22 Control elements 24 Semiconductor switch 25a,b Filter elements

Claims

1. A hearing aid (6) comprising: - a receiver unit (8) having a receiver (4) and - a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected via two actuation lines (12a, 12b) for transmitting a control signal to the receiver unit (8), wherein - in addition a further component (14) is arranged in the receiver unit (8), - the receiver (4) and the further component (14) are connected via the two actuation lines (12a, 12b) to the control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is configured - to transmit a pulsed control signal via the control lines (12a, 12b) and to actuate the receiver (4) and the further component (14) via a pulse modulation, - a frequency is used to actuate the further component (14) which is lower than a frequency used to actuate the receiver (4), - wherein a filter element (25a, 25b), which filters out the control signal intended for the respective other component, is connected upstream from at least one of the components selected from the receiver (4) and the further component (25).

2. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the control unit (10) comprises an amplifier output stage (22), via which a power supply of the receiver (4) and the further component (14) takes place.

3. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein it is designed as an RIC hearing aid.

4. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further component (14) is designed as a controllable venting element.

5. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further component (14) comprises a switching unit (15), which is magnetic in particular and which is switched by means of the control signal between two switching states.

6. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (10) is exclusively connected via the two actuation lines (12a, 12b).

7. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pulse density-modulated control signal is used for the actuation.

8. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is designed such that a frequency less than 1 kHz is set to actuate the further component (14).

9. The hearing aid (6) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a high pass filter is connected upstream from the receiver (4) and a low pass filter is connected upstream from the further component (14).

10. A method for operating a hearing aid (6), which comprises - a receiver unit (8) having a receiver (4) and - a control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is connected via two actuation lines (12a, 12b) for transmitting a control signal to the receiver unit (8) and wherein the receiver (4) is actuated by the control unit (10) by means of the control signal, wherein - in addition a further component (14) is arranged in the receiver unit (8), which is also actuated via the two actuation lines (12a, 12b) and the control signal by the control unit (10), wherein for this purpose - a pulsed control signal is transmitted via the control lines (12a, 12b) and the receiver (4) and the further component (14) are actuated via a pulse modulation, - a frequency is used to actuate the further component (14) which is lower than a frequency used to actuate the receiver (4), - wherein a filter element (25a, 25b), which filters out the control signal intended for the respective other component, is connected upstream from at least one of the components selected from the receiver (4) and the further component (25).

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