A method for operating a hearing device and a hearing device

Abstract

A method for operating a hearing device (1) is disclosed. Said hearing device (1) comprises an internal energy source (12) and a receiver (6) configured to be worn inside an ear canal of a user and to generate airborne sound by use of a receiver coil. The method comprises activating a drying mode for the receiver (6), feeding within the drying mode a drying voltage (Ud) at a drying voltage value of up to 10 V to the receiver coil, and heating the receiver (6) by way of resistance heating with the receiver coil fed with the drying voltage (Ud).

Description

[0001] Specification

[0002] A method for operating a hearing device and a hearing device

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing device, especially a hearing aid. Further, the invention relates to such a hearing device.

[0004] Nowadays, hearing devices and, in particular hearing aids that serve for providing a person having a hearing loss with acoustic signals, are usually worn by their users close to the body, especially on the head in the area of an ear or directly in the ear canal (auditory canal). Due to body heat, to body perspiration and, especially within the ear canal, also due to the presence of cerumen, the air in the immediate vicinity of the body usually has a comparatively high humidity. This humidity can condense on the hearing device and especially on electromechanical and electrical components exposed to the environment of the hearing device. Such components are, for example, a loudspeaker, which is provided for converting electrical signals into sound signals and is often also referred to as a "receiver", or microphones for recording ambient sound and converting it into electrical signals. Condensation of moisture is recognized to be favored if the hearing device or at least the electrical component has a lower temperature than the air near the body. Moisture condensed on electrical components of the hearing device can impair the function of the electrical component or even lead to its failure.

[0005] This problem occurs particularly frequently with hearing devices whose receiver is located directly in the ear canal. It is recognized that the ear canal itself is usually at body temperature and particularly humid. Such hearing devices are in view of hearing aids, for example, so-called in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids or in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, which are arranged at least for the most part in the ear canal, or so-called RIC hearing aids (Receiver-In-Canal), in which the microphones and the associated signal processing electronics are usually worn in a separate housing behind the ear and the loudspeaker is connected via a cable. In that case, also the contact to the humid cerumen itself leads to a humidification or even humid contamination of the receiver. However, that problems occur also in hearing devices such as earphones, headsets, wearables that have a receiver component worn in the ear of the user.

[0006] Up to now, hearing devices, especially hearing aids, have usually been dried by means of a drying agent. Such drying agents are, for example, ("hydrophilic") substances (e.g. silica gel, zeolite or the like) that remove moisture from their environment by chemical bonding or adsorption. For this purpose, the hearing aids usually have to be sealed for a period of usually several hours in a can that also contains the drying agent. Alternatively, electrically operated drying devices are also known for drying hearing aid devices, which usually have a heating element.

[0007] By means of this heating element (comparable to a drying oven), the hearing aid is heated so that the condensed humidity evaporates again.

[0008] The disadvantage of these drying processes, however, is that drying takes place from the outside of the hearing aid to the inside. Another solution has been shown by DE 10 2015206 926 A1 wherein an inductive heating of metallic parts of the hearing device is used for warming und, thus, drying of the hearing device.

[0009] The object of the invention is to further improve drying of a hearing device component.

[0010] That object is solved according to the invention by a method for operating a hearing device according to claim 1 . Additionally, that object is solved according to the invention by a hearing device according to claim 9. Further expedient and inventive embodiments and developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following specification.

[0011] The method according to the invention is for operating a hearing device. That hearing device comprises an internal energy source and a receiver configured to be worn inside an ear canal of a user and to generate airborne sound by use of a receiver coil. According to the method, a drying mode for the receiver is activated and within that drying mode a drying voltage at a drying voltage value of up to 10 V (i.e. , to a maximum of 10 V) is fed to the receiver coil. Thereby, i.e. by way of resistance heating with the receiver coil fed with the drying voltage, the receiver is being heated.

[0012] Such heating enables a warming of the receiver starting from its internals and, thereby, an effective drying of the receiver’s interiors. Additionally, such warming from inside to outside enables a driving force of humidity to the outside.

[0013] Depending on the temperature value that may be reached by such heating, an at least partial disinfection may also be possible, at least by deprivation or reduction of humid substrate for germs.

[0014] According to an expedient embodiment of the method, a DC voltage is used as the drying voltage. A DC voltage would not lead to a repeated dislocation (or movement) of a receiver membrane that is usually driven by an AC voltage fed to the receiver coil (thereby inducing an alternating magnetic field that causes an armature of the receiver to move and, thus, repeatedly dislocate the membrane).

[0015] However, according to an alternative embodiment of the method, an AC voltage is used as the drying voltage. However, the frequency of that AC voltage is very low, preferably. Especially, the frequency of that drying voltage is below 100 Hz, preferably at or below 50 Hz, most preferred at or below 30 Hz, e.g. around 10 Hz (+ / - 5Hz). Feeding an AC voltage as the drying voltage has the advantage that a ventilation of the receiver’s interior may be reinforced due to the slow but repeated stroke of the membrane. Such frequencies usually do not cause sounds that are hearable to normal hearing persons.

[0016] In order to avoid overheating, the drying voltage value (for alternating current “AC”), according to an expedient variant of the method, is limited to 7 V. More preferred the drying voltage value is limited to 5 V and most preferred to below 3 V. In particular, the drying voltage applied is limited to 1 ,5 V. A DC voltage of 1 V has been shown to cause a receiver warming of around 30 °C, a SC voltage fo 2 V a warming of about 40 °C. That could lead already to a drying effect.

[0017] According to another expedient variant of the method, the feeding of the receiver coil with the drying voltage is controlled in a closed loop manner by measuring a temperature of the receiver and respecting a predefined upper temperature limit of the receiver. In particular, the feeding of the receiver coil is controlled such that said upper temperature limit is not exceeded or reached. Expediently, in that case a temperature probe is used at or even within the receiver.

[0018] According to a further expedient variant of the method, the drying voltage value is chosen or controlled such that a maximum temperature value given for the receiver is not reached. E.g., the drying voltage value is chosen empirically, i.e. , based on several tests that give a temperature value reached by applying a distinct drying voltage value. Alternatively, the closed loop control is based on that maximum temperature value, which may be manufacturer-supplied. Thus, a risk of malfunctioning, damaging or premature aging of the receiver may be reduced.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the internal energy source of the hearing device comprises a secondary (battery) cell (i.e., a rechargeable battery cell) that is especially integrated into the hearing aid such that it could be recharged by coupling the hearing device to a charging device via a “main” power input interface of the hearing device. In that case, the drying mode is preferably activated automatically when the hearing device is being coupled to a charging device (especially by means of the main power input interface). Such connection (or coupling, and, thus, the main power input interface) may be wireless, e.g. inductively, or by galvanic connectors. Alternatively or additionally, a user input may be necessary to activate the drying function. However, an automatic activation without further user input has the advantage that the user cannot forget the drying mode.

[0020] In the above case that the drying mode is activated during the charging of the hearing device’s secondary cell, according to an optional embodiment, the power for the drying mode is fed from the charging device but driven through the secondary cell.

[0021] Alternatively, in order to convey higher power (i.e. , a higher drying voltage) to the receiver than the secondary cell could provide, the hearing device comprises an additional power input interface, e. g. galvanic contacts or even an additional inductive power reception port, that is configured to feed the drying voltage from the charging device to the receiver. Eventually, a drying power electronics module (configured to adjust the delivered power to the drying power needed for the receiver) is connected in between such power input interface and the receiver. Optionally, such additional power input interface may also be provided internally within the hearing device, such that only the main power input interface for connection with the charging device is present. The additional power input interface and / or the drying power electronics module are, in that case, preferably connected to that main power input interface. The drying power electronics module as well as a charging power module may in that case derive the respective power for drying and charging via that one main power input interface.

[0022] According to a further expedient embodiment, a thermistor is attached to the receiver for measuring the receiver’s temperature and for controlling feeding the receiver coil with the drying voltage. That thermistor may be part of the hearing device, or alternatively, part of the charging device. In the later case there is a mechanical interface that holds the receiver of the hearing device (e. g. in the case of a hearing device with an external receiver) or the hearing device’s part accommodating the receiver tight to the thermistor to allow for good thermal coupling.

[0023] According to a further expedient embodiment, the charging device comprises an element that guarantees drying and / or sufficient ventilation. E.g., that element is a fan that forces air through a trough or other kinds of interior of the charging device wherein the hearing device or at least the receiver is positioned during drying mode. Thus, moist and warm air may be carried away from the receiver. Optionally, the drying mode is activated only in predefined intervals, i.e. , not at every coupling with the charger. That may be advantageous especially when the hearing device is a hearing aid. The battery capacity of hearing aids is, due to the miniature size, usually such small that charging has to be conducted every day. In that case, the drying mode may be activated e.g., only every second, third or fourth charging. That may be sufficient for a regular build-up of humidity within the receiver and may also be life-time saving in terms of reducing heat caused aging of the receiver.

[0024] According to an optional variant of the method, the drying mode will be deactivated automatically after a predefined period, e. g. three, five or eight hours, after its activation. That period is preferably chosen such that a sufficient drying effect is expected (or determined empirically) and may also add to reduce the risk of heat caused aging.

[0025] However, there may also be an option for a quick drying mode which would last only for e.g. one hour of even only 30 minutes. During such quick drying mode, the drying voltage may be chosen slightly higher than for normal drying (e.g., 3 V instead of only 1 or 1 ,5 V) such that the temperature value is increased and drying time reduced. Preferably, such quick drying mode need a separate activation by a user, e.g., by using a remote control or the like.

[0026] Expediently, especially if the drying mode is activated when the hearing device is coupled to the charging device, the drying mode is deactivated when (as soon as) the hearing device is decoupled from the charging device, preferably automatically.

[0027] The hearing device according to the invention comprises (as already mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention) an internal energy source, a receiver configured to be worn inside an ear canal of a user and to generate airborne sound by use of a receiver coil and a controller configured to execute the method described before. In other words, the controller is preferably configured to activate the drying mode for the receiver, within the drying mode to feed the drying voltage at the drying voltage value of up to 10 V to the receiver coil, and to heat the receiver by way of resistance heating with the receiver coil fed with the drying voltage.

[0028] Thus, the hearing device according to the invention comprises in corresponding embodiments like features as described above in the context of the method, and, therefore, shares the benefits of the above-described method. Vice versa, the method described above also comprises features described here and in the following for the hearing device according to the invention.

[0029] Especially, the hearing device is configured as a hearing aid, in particular an in- the-ear (“ITE”) hearing aid or a hearing aid with a housing to be worn behind the ear and a receiver separated from that housing and to be worn in the ear canal (“RIC” or receiver in canal hearing aid).

[0030] Preferably, the internal energy source of the hearing device comprises the secondary cell.

[0031] According to an expedient embodiment, the hearing device comprises a voltage transformer that is configured to supply a DC voltage or an AC voltage at a frequency below 100 Hz, preferably below 50 Hz, most preferred below 30 Hz, to the receiver.

[0032] According to a further expedient embodiment, the controller is configured to detect whether the hearing device is coupled to a charging device and to activate the drying mode automatically when that coupling is detected. Expediently, the controller is also configured to deactivate the drying mode when the hearing device is decoupled from the charging device.

[0033] In the following, an embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Therein, the single figure Fig. 1 schematically shows a hearing device and a charging device. Fig. 1 schematically shows a hearing device which is designed as a RIC hearing aid, short “RIC 1”, having a housing 2 that is to be worn behind the concha of an ear of a user and an earpiece 4 that houses a receiver 6 to be worn in the ear canal. The RIC 1 comprises two microphones 8, a controller 10 and a secondary cell 12 (i.e., a rechargeable battery) that are located inside the housing 2. The secondary cell 12 that serves as an internal energy source and that is part of a power module 14 that is configured to receive charging power via inductive coupling with a charging device 16 (schematically indicated by double headed arrow 18).

[0034] The receiver 6 is of a balanced armature receiver type. Such receiver type comprises a membrane to which a plunger is connected. The plunger in turn is connected to an armature which is driven due to an alternating magnetic field caused by a receiver coil. However, a moving coil receiver type could be used, also.

[0035] The power module 14 is configured to charge the secondary cell 12 with the inductively received charging energy. Also, the power module 14 is configured to supply an operating voltage llo at an operating voltage value at least to the controller 10 during normal operation of the RIC 1.

[0036] The controller 10 is configured to receive pickup signals Sp from the microphones 8, subject these pickup signals Sp to signal processing (e.g. filtering, attenuation and / or amplification) to derive an output signal So. That output signal So is fed to the receiver 6 that converts the output signal So to an acoustic airborne signal which during intended operation is output to the hearing of the user.

[0037] Since the receiver 6 is to be worn inside the ear canal of the user, the receiver is subject to humidity due to sweat and / or cerumen. That humidity may lead to malfunctioning of the receiver 6. In order to dry at least the receiver 6 from humidity, the controller 10, further, is configured to commence a drying mode according to a method described in the following.

[0038] According to the embodiment described herewith, the controller 10 is configured to detect whether the RIC 1 is coupled to the charging device 16. If the RIC 1 is coupled to the charging device 16, the controller 10 activates said drying mode. Within that drying mode, the controller 10 feeds a drying voltage lid to the receiver 6. The drying voltage value of the drying voltage lid is higher than the voltage value of signals fed to the receiver during normal operation of the RIC 1 . In the embodiment at hand, the drying voltage value is set to 3 V. Additionally, for the drying voltage lid an AC voltage with a low frequency of below 100 Hz, in the present case of 10 Hz is used. The comparably high drying voltage value and the resulting current through the receiver coil cause the receiver coil to heat up due to resistive heating.

[0039] The drying voltage value is chosen such that a temperature value of the receiver 6 that may be reached due to the drying voltage value stays beneath a predefined maximum temperature value.

[0040] The low frequency of the drying voltage lid causes (additionally to the heat buildup) a stroke of the receiver’s 6 membrane such that at least some air is forced out of the receiver. That reinforces the drying effect of the warmth alone by transporting warm humid air out of the receiver 6.

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown separately), the drying voltage lid is of a DC voltage type. In each case, the power module 14 is configured to supply - by means of a voltage transformer (not shown) - the respective kind and value of the drying voltage lid to the controller 10 or to the receiver 6 directly.

[0042] The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by the skilled person from the above description. List of reference signs

[0043] 1 RIC

[0044] 2 housing 4 ear piece

[0045] 6 receiver

[0046] 8 microphone

[0047] 10 controller

[0048] 12 secondary cell 14 power module

[0049] 16 charging device

[0050] 18 arrow

[0051] Sp pickup signal So output signal llo operating voltage lid drying voltage

Claims

Claims1 . Method for operating a hearing device (1 ), said hearing device (1 ) comprising an internal energy source (12) and a receiver (6) configured to be worn inside an ear canal of a user and to generate airborne sound by use of a receiver coil, the method comprising- activating a drying mode for the receiver (6),- feeding within the drying mode a drying voltage (lid) at a drying voltage value of up to 10 V to the receiver coil, and- heating the receiver (6) by way of resistance heating with the receiver coil fed with the drying voltage (lid).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein a DC voltage is used as the drying voltage (lid).

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein an AC voltage is used as the drying voltage (lid), wherein the frequency of the drying voltage (lid) is below 100 Hz, preferably at or below 50 Hz, most preferred at or below 30 Hz.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drying voltage value is limited to 7 V, especially to 5 V, most preferred to below 3 V.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the feeding of the receiver coil with the drying voltage (lid) is controlled in a closed loop manner by measuring a temperature of the receiver (6) and respecting a predefined upper temperature limit of the receiver (6).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drying voltage value is chosen or controlled such that a maximum temperature value given for the receiver (6) is not reached.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the internal energy source of the hearing device (1 ) comprises a secondary cell (12) and wherein the drying mode is activated automatically when the hearing device (1 ) is being coupled to a charging device (16).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the hearing device (1 ) comprises an additional power input interface and wherein the drying voltage (lid) is fed from the charging device (16) to the receiver (6).

9. Hearing device (1 ), comprising- an internal energy source (12),- a receiver (6) configured to be worn inside an ear canal of a user and to generate airborne sound by use of a receiver coil, and- a controller (10), configured to execute the method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Hearing device (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the internal energy source of the hearing device comprises a secondary cell (12).11 . Hearing device (1 ) according to claim 9, comprising a voltage transformer that is configured to supply a DC voltage or an AC voltage at a frequency below 100 Hz, preferably below 50 Hz, most preferred below 30 Hz to the receiver (6).

12. Hearing device (1 ) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the controller (10) is configured to detect whether the hearing device (1 ) is coupled to a charging device (16) and to activate the drying mode automatically when that coupling is detected.

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