In-ear hearing aid

Abstract

The in-the-ear hearing aid (2) comprises a housing (4) with a transmitting and receiving unit (12) arranged therein, as well as an arcuate antenna element (20) protruding from the housing (4) and forming at least part of a handle element (22) by means of which the hearing aid (2) can be removed from the ear by the user. The antenna element (20) comprises at least one helical conductor strand (30A, 30B) which serves to transmit or receive a signal and which is connected to the transmitting and receiving unit (12) arranged in the housing (4). This configuration creates an efficient, discrete antenna element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid, in particular a hearing aid, comprising a housing with a transmitting and / or receiving unit for electromagnetic waves arranged therein and with an arc-shaped antenna element protruding from the housing, which is at least part of a handle element with the aid of which the hearing aid can be removed from the ear by the user.

[0002] Such a hearing aid with a bow-shaped or loop-shaped antenna element integrated into a handle element can be found in EP 3 491 846 B1.

[0003] US 11 496 843 B2 also discloses such a hearing aid in which the antenna element is curved.

[0004] Hearing aids are portable hearing devices used to assist people with hearing loss or hearing impairment.

[0005] In-the-ear hearing aids (ITEs) are small hearing aids that consist of a housing that is placed in the user's ear, in which all the necessary electrical components (except for the antenna element) are housed. ITE hearing aids are available in various versions and can be worn, for example, on the outer ear or in the ear canal.

[0006] Due to the limited space available, it is advantageous to position the antenna element at least partially outside the housing and integrate it into the handle element. In conventional hearing aids, this handle element often protrudes from the user's ear, which is considered visually discreet.

[0007] The antenna element is usually designed as an RF antenna. This allows the hearing aid to be connected to a control element (remote control), an audio source, and / or another hearing aid. A Bluetooth connection is often used for this purpose. For space reasons, the same antenna element is usually used for transmitting and receiving signals.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing an ITE hearing aid with a compact, discreet and efficient antenna element.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by an in-the-ear hearing aid (ITE hearing aid) comprising a housing with a transmitting and receiving unit arranged therein, as well as an arcuate antenna element protruding from the housing, which is at least part of a handle element, wherein the hearing aid can be removed from the ear by the user with the aid of the handle element. The arcuate antenna element has at least one helical conductor strand, which is designed to transmit or receive a signal, in particular an RF (radio frequency) signal, and is connected to the transmitting and receiving unit.

[0010] A curved antenna element means that the antenna element itself extends along a curved element. The helical conductor strand is generally designed as a helix. This helix is also curved, i.e., it extends along a curved element. In other words, in addition to the windings of the conductor strand that form the helix, the conductor strand is also bent, giving it a curved shape.

[0011] The helical conductor strand increases the effective antenna length while maintaining a compact design. Combined with the curved design, this results in a very compact antenna with high efficiency and a visually appealing, unobtrusive design.

[0012] An RF signal is either received or transmitted via the helical conductor strand. During operation, the received signal is forwarded to the transmitting and receiving unit for processing. Conversely, for transmission, the transmitting and receiving unit couples a corresponding antenna signal (RF signal) into the helical conductor strand and radiates it.

[0013] The antenna formed by the antenna element is an RF antenna, i.e., an antenna designed to transmit or receive in a radio frequency band. Common frequency bands are in the megahertz range (e.g., 433 MHz, 800 MHz, 915 MHz) and, in particular, in the gigahertz range (e.g., 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz).

[0014] A hearing aid is generally a hearing aid device designed to compensate for user-specific hearing deficits.

[0015] The hearing aid has an input transducer, an amplifier, and an output transducer as essential electrical components within the housing. The input transducer is usually an acoustoelectrical transducer, such as a microphone. The output transducer is usually an electroacoustic transducer, such as a miniature loudspeaker (earpiece). The amplifier is typically integrated into a digital signal processing unit. This unit serves to convert an input signal into an output signal, particularly in a known manner such that user-specific hearing deficits are compensated. Power is typically supplied by a battery.

[0016] Some of these components, especially the signal processing device, the transmitting and receiving device and, for example, the microphone, are typically arranged on a so-called faceplate in the ITE hearing aid.

[0017] Generally, the antenna element has a number of helical conductor strands, the number being at least 1. According to a preferred embodiment, at least two helical conductor strands are formed, which are intertwined. This means that the individual turns of the two conductor strands are arranged alternately, i.e., viewed from above, an arcuate section of one conductor strand is arranged between two adjacent arcuate sections of the other conductor strand. The two helical conductor strands therefore form a double helix. Due to the fundamentally arcuate design, both conductor strands extend in an arcuate manner.

[0018] This design, with its intertwined (woven) conductor strands, achieves particularly good mutual coupling between the two conductor strands, resulting in high overall efficiency. In particular, the antenna's Q factor is improved at the antenna's resonant frequency, resulting in good efficiency.

[0019] By forming the coil as a double helix, i.e. basically as two intertwined coils with good mutual coupling, it is advantageously achieved that an effective (coil) inductance is four times higher than that of a simple coil arrangement.

[0020] Due to the double helix design described here, especially with interconnected conductor strands, the antenna as a whole can also be described as a folded (monopole) antenna. This allows for easier adjustment / adjustment of the impedance, for example, in the range of 50 ohms. This is significantly higher than with a simple coil with a short coil length.

[0021] The particularly good efficiency is achieved in particular in a design in which the (two) conductor strands are connected to each other and form a continuous conductor strand, as will be explained below.

[0022] In particular, one conductor strand extends from the beginning of the arc of the antenna element to the end of the arc of the antenna element, where it merges into the second conductor strand, which in turn extends from the end of the arc to the beginning of the arc.

[0023] The two helical conductor strands are, in particular, identically designed, meaning they have the same number of turns, are preferably made of the same material, and, for example, each have the same conductor thickness / width. The multiple conductor strands can improve the efficiency and performance of the antenna.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, one of these helical conductor strands is grounded (hereinafter also referred to as the grounded conductor strand). Therefore, next to the conductor strand through which the signal is transmitted or received, which is also referred to below as the active conductor strand, a ground strip is arranged running virtually parallel to the conductor strand, which has a positive effect on the efficiency of the antenna.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, this grounded conductor strand is directly connected to ground potential at one end. Alternatively, the ground connection is made indirectly via a passive component, such as a capacitive component, an inductive component, or even a (ohmic) resistor. For example, this grounded conductor strand is connected to a ground line formed on the previously described faceplate via a suitable ground connection.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, more than two helical conductor strands are formed. The properties of the antenna can be further adjusted to suit the requirements by varying the number of helical conductor strands.

[0027] Specifically, several conductor strands are grounded. This allows, for example, the area of the ground element formed by the multiple helical, grounded conductor strands to be adjusted appropriately, which in turn allows the antenna's properties to be adjusted as desired. The grounded conductor strands are connected to each other at least at one end.

[0028] The arc-shaped antenna element protruding from the housing generally extends outside the housing from a start to an end. The start forms an arc start and the end forms an arc end. Preferably, the at least one and in particular both / all helically wound conductor strands also extend in an arc from a first end at the start of the antenna element to a second end at the end of the antenna element. This means that the at least one helically shaped and curved conductor strand extends over the entire length of the arc-shaped antenna element. By extending the at least one helically wound conductor strand over the entire length, a high effective antenna length is achieved in a short installation space.

[0029] Because the conductor strand extends over the entire length of the arc, a very space-saving and compact antenna is achieved. Especially in combination with the double helix design with the two conductor strands, a highly miniaturized antenna with high efficiency is achieved.

[0030] The active conductor strand is connected, in particular, at its first end to the transmitting and receiving device.

[0031] In the case of at least one grounded conductor strand, its first end is preferably also connected to the ground potential.

[0032] According to a first embodiment, the at least one helical conductor strand is open at its second end, i.e. has a free end.

[0033] In the embodiment with at least two conductor strands, these are preferably open at the ends according to a preferred variant and therefore each have a free end.

[0034] According to an alternative and particularly preferred embodiment, the two conductor strands, i.e. in particular the active conductor strand and the grounded conductor strand, are directly connected to one another at their respective second ends and thus short-circuited, as already explained above.

[0035] Due to the design with the helically wound conductor strands, the antenna properties can be adjusted in a variety of ways in a compact installation space.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the number of helically wound conductor strands sets the impedance of the antenna element to a desired value, for example, 50 ohms. The impedance value varies, in particular, depending on the number of grounded conductor strands.

[0037] Furthermore, the number of turns of the at least one helically wound conductor strand (given a given diameter of the helix formed by the conductor strand) determines the effective antenna length and thus, in particular, the desired transmission and reception frequency. For example, the antenna element is tuned to one of the aforementioned transmission and reception frequencies, specifically to a frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the antenna element comprises a curved support around which the at least one conductor strand is wound helically. Preferably, all helically wound conductor strands are applied or attached to this support. This means that the conductor strands lie directly against this support. The support is therefore circular in cross-section. It is thus designed in the manner of a curved cylinder, for example, a curved round rod or a curved round tube. The support is made, in particular, of an insulating material, especially plastic.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one conductor strand and all conductor strands are formed by a metallization applied to the carrier, i.e., by a metal layer applied to the carrier. The individual conductor strands are therefore formed as flat conductor tracks bonded to the carrier.

[0040] Specifically, each conductor strand is formed by appropriate structuring, specifically by (direct) laser structuring. This is preferably done by first applying metallization, and thus a metal layer, to the entire surface of the carrier, particularly across its entire circumference and preferably along its entire length. Subsequently, portions of the applied metal layer are removed by structuring, specifically using a laser, thereby forming the helically wound conductor strands. These strands are then suitably contacted at their first end and connected, for example, by wire, to the transmitting and receiving unit or to a ground connection.

[0041] As an alternative to the design of the conductor strands in the manner of conductor tracks formed by metal layers, the conductor strands are formed by preferably bare, possibly also insulated wires, which are thus wound helically around the carrier.

[0042] The carrier generally forms a mechanically stable support structure for the antenna element, ensuring sufficient mechanical stability for its function as a handle element.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the antenna element is detachably attached to the housing via a coupling point. This coupling point is designed, in particular, in the manner of a plug-in coupling and, for example, as a socket. The antenna element is therefore preferably inserted at its beginning into a socket-shaped receptacle on the housing. Within this socket, for example, contact elements, in particular spring-loaded contact elements, are mounted, via which a respective conductor strand is electrically contacted and connected to the transmitting and receiving unit or to ground. The antenna element can preferably be locked in a suitable form-fitting manner, for example, by a bayonet lock.

[0044] Preferably, only one end, namely the beginning of the antenna element, is coupled to the housing and mechanically firmly connected. The opposite end of the arcuate antenna element, in contrast, is designed as a free end and is not connected to the housing.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the antenna element forms a semi-arc, thus extending over an angular range of approximately 180° (for example, over an angular range between 150° and 180°). The end of the antenna element is particularly directed toward the housing. This end is preferably only slightly spaced from the housing (maximum 5 mm, max. 3 mm). Overall, the antenna element only extends above a surface area formed by an end wall of the housing, and therefore does not protrude laterally beyond the housing. This end wall and thus the gripping element face away from the ear canal of the hearing aid wearer when worn. The semi-arc design advantageously creates an arc-shaped gripping element that is discreetly received within the user's ear and does not protrude. At the same time, this arc-shaped gripping element is easy for the user to grip.

[0046] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, which show, in partially simplified representations: FIG 1 shows an illustration of an ITE hearing aid with an arcuate antenna element having a plurality of helically wound conductor strands, FIG 2 shows the arcuate antenna element in a side view, and FIG 3 shows the arcuate antenna element in a perspective view.

[0047] One in the FIG 1 The ITE hearing aid 2 shown has a housing 4, shown here as transparent, which has an end wall 6 at one end and a sound outlet opening 8 at its opposite, tapered end.

[0048] The ITE hearing aid 2 is placed in the ear of a user, specifically in the outer ear.

[0049] A faceplate 10 is arranged within the housing 4, which is designed, for example, as a curved and / or folded circuit board. Several electrical components, in particular a transmitting and receiving unit 12 for transmitting and receiving RF signals, are mounted on this faceplate 10. In addition, a digital signal processing unit, a microphone, etc., are also arranged on this faceplate 10, although these are not explicitly shown here.

[0050] Furthermore, a battery 14 is mounted in the housing 4. A receiver 16, i.e., an electroacoustic output transducer, is arranged in the direction of the sound outlet opening 8 and in particular below the battery 14. The receiver 16 has a sound channel 18 at its end, which forms the sound outlet opening 8 at its end.

[0051] Attached to the front wall 6 is an arcuate antenna element 20 which protrudes from the housing 4, i.e., is arranged outside the housing 4, and which is also part of an arcuate handle element 22. The hearing aid 2 can be manually grasped by the user using this arcuate handle element 22 and is used, for example, to remove the hearing aid 2 from the normal wearing position.

[0052] The antenna element 20 is in FIG 2 and FIG 3 shown enlarged. The arcuate antenna element 20 extends generally from a beginning 24 to an end 26 of the formed arc. In particular, the antenna element 20 extends over the entire length of the handle element 22.

[0053] The antenna element 20 has a curved support 28, on which, in the exemplary embodiment, two helically wound conductor strands are mounted, namely an active conductor strand 30A and a grounded conductor strand 30B. The support 28 is shown transparent in the figures to clearly visualize the helical configuration of the conductor strands 30A, 30B. The two conductor strands 30A, 30B are intertwined, so that individual winding sections of the two conductor strands 30A, 30B run adjacent to one another.

[0054] Preferably, the two conductor strands 30A, 30B extend over the entire or at least almost the entire length (>90%) of the carrier 28.

[0055] Preferably, the conductor strands 30A, 30B extend from the beginning 24 to the end 26 of the arcuate antenna element 20.

[0056] The active conductor strand 30A serves to transmit or receive a signal, specifically an RF signal. This active conductor strand 30A is coupled to the previously described transmitting and receiving unit 12 and is connected in particular by an electrically conductive connection not shown in detail here.

[0057] The grounded conductor strand 30B is connected to ground potential, wherein the exemplary embodiment shows a variant in which the grounded conductor strand 30B is indirectly connected to the ground potential via a passive electrical component 32, such as a capacitor, a coil or an ohmic resistor.

[0058] As can be seen in particular from the FIG 3 As can be seen, the two conductor strands 30A, 30B are directly connected to one another at the end, ie at the end 26 of the antenna element 20, and are thus short-circuited.

[0059] The arcuate antenna element 20 is mechanically connected to the housing 4 at its beginning 24, and preferably only at its beginning 24. The opposite end 26, in contrast, is designed as a free end, which is arranged at least somewhat spaced from the housing 4 and, in particular, spaced from the end wall 6.

[0060] The housing 4 and in particular the end wall 6 have, particularly at an edge region, a coupling point designed as a socket 34, into which the antenna element 20 is inserted with its beginning 24. Preferably, this socket 34 enables a reversibly detachable fastening, so that the antenna element 20 designed as a handle element 22 can also be reversibly mounted on the housing. This is achieved, for example, via a bayonet lock.

[0061] Within the socket 34, in particular, contact elements are mounted, via which the conductor strands 30A, 30B are contacted. The socket 34 is, for example, attached to the faceplate 10 and electrically contacted in a suitable manner with conductor tracks formed on the faceplate 10.

[0062] As can be seen in particular from the FIG 1 As can be seen, the arcuate antenna element 20 extends from one edge section of the end wall 6 to an opposite edge section, so that the antenna element 20 spans the end wall in an arc shape.

[0063] The hearing aid 2 shown is, for example, a component of a binaural hearing device which has a second hearing aid 2, wherein the two hearing aids 2 exchange communication signals with each other via the respective antenna element 20.

[0064] Generally, the antenna element 20 with its associated transmitting and receiving unit is designed for Bluetooth communication with another Bluetooth device. Alternatively to the second hearing aid, the additional Bluetooth device can be a remote control and / or an audio device. In particular, it can be a smartphone, which functions, for example, as a remote control and / or audio source. List of reference symbols

[0065] 2Hearing aid 4Housing 6End wall 8Sound outlet 10Faceplate 12Transmitter and receiver unit 14Battery 16Receiver 18Sound channel 20Antenna element 22Handle element 24Start 26End 28Carrier 30AActive conductor strand 30BGrounded conductor strand 32Electrical passive component 34Socket

Claims

1. In-the-ear hearing aid (2) with a housing (4) with a transmitting and receiving unit (12) arranged therein and with an arc-shaped antenna element (20) protruding from the housing (4), which is at least part of a handle element (22) with the aid of which the hearing aid (2) can be removed from the ear by the user, characterized in that the arcuate antenna element (20) has at least one helical conductor strand (30A, 30B), which is also arcuate and serves to transmit or receive a signal and which is connected to the transmitting and receiving unit (12) arranged in the housing (4).

2. Hearing aid (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna element (20) has at least two intertwined, helical conductor strands (30A, 30B).

3. Hearing aid (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that which a helical conductor strand (30B) is earthed.

4. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that more than two helical conductor strands (30A, 30B) are formed, wherein preferably several of these conductor strands (30B) are earthed.

5. Hearing aid (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least two conductor strands (30A, 30B) are open at the ends.

6. Hearing aid (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in which at least two conductor strands (30A, 30B) are directly connected to one another at the ends and short-circuited.

7. Hearing aid (2) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that an impedance of the antenna element (20) is set by the number of helically wound conductor strands (30A, 30B), in particular to a value of 50 ohms.

8. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one helical conductor strand (30A, 30B) extends from a first end at a beginning (24) of the arcuate antenna element (20) to a second end at the end (26) of the arcuate antenna element (20).

9. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of turns of the at least one helically wound conductor strand (30A, 30B) is selected such that a desired transmission and reception frequency of in particular 2.4 GHz is set.

10. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna element (20) has a curved support (28) around which the at least one conductor strand (30A, 30B) is wound helically.

11. Hearing aid (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one conductor strand (30A, 30B) is formed by a metallization applied to the carrier (28).

12. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one conductor strand (30A, 30B) and preferably all conductor strands (30A, 30B) are formed by laser structuring.

13. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna element (20) is detachably attached to the housing (4) via a coupling point designed in particular as a socket (34).

14. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna element (20) forms a semi-arc, with one end (26) of the antenna element (20) again being oriented towards the housing (4).

15. Hearing aid (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the antenna element (20) extends only above a surface area formed by an end wall (6) of the housing (4) and does not project laterally beyond the housing (4).

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