Hearing device

Abstract

To provide a hearing device for enabling an efficient use of a bone conduction speaker.SOLUTION: A hearing device 1 mainly includes an air conduction speaker part 3, a bone conduction speaker part 7, and a connection part 5 or the like. A control part of the hearing device 1 can control an amplifier with respect to an acoustic electric signal received in a communication section. The amplifier executes amplification and other processing with respect to the acoustic electric signals respectively suitable for the bone conduction speaker part 7 and the air conduction speaker part 3, and can transmit the signals to the bone conduction speaker part 7 and the air conduction speaker part 3. Namely, the amplifier can perform at least two channel outputs with respect to the acoustic electric signals received in the communication section, and can change the acoustic electric signals to be transmitted to the bone conduction speaker part 7 and the air conduction speaker part 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hearing device having a bone conduction speaker that allows a person to recognize sound by applying vibrations to bones. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices such as headphones and earphones (hereinafter referred to as hearing devices) have been widely used as a means of listening to music and conversations. There are two types of hearing devices: those that use air conduction and those that use bone conduction. Those that use air conduction convert the sound source input as an electrical signal into air vibrations, which are transmitted to the eardrum and vibrate it, and the vibrations of the eardrum pass through the middle ear deep inside the ear, transmitting sound information to the brain and being recognized.

[0003] On the other hand, hearing devices that use bone conduction convert acoustic signals input as electrical signals into mechanical vibrations, transmit the vibrations to the bones from an appropriate position, and allow the user to recognize the sound through bone-conducted sound transmitted by the vibrations. This hearing device that uses bone conduction does not need to be inserted into the ear canal like headphones or earphones, and is safe to wear because ambient sounds enter the ear without being blocked. In addition, because it does not use vibrations of the eardrum, even people with hearing loss can recognize sounds, and its use in hearing aids and the like is also being promoted (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 02-62199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, bone conduction speakers and air conduction speakers each have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to listening to sounds. For example, bone conduction speakers are advantageous for low-frequency sounds, while air conduction speakers are advantageous for high-frequency sounds. Air conduction speakers are also advantageous for small sounds, while bone conduction speakers have the advantage of little sound leakage even at high volumes. For this reason, it is necessary to use both speakers appropriately depending on the usage situation and the target.

[0006] In addition, bone conduction speakers that use bone conduction can hear sound by placing the vibrating part in an appropriate position. Suitable positions include the temples and the area called the mastoid process. In this way, bone conduction speakers allow you to hear sound without blocking your ears, so you can listen to music and the like through the bone conduction speaker while listening to surrounding environmental sounds and people's voices with your ears.

[0007] However, for example, when a hearing-impaired person uses a bone conduction speaker as a hearing aid, the hearing-impaired person hears environmental sounds collected by a microphone through the bone conduction speaker. Therefore, in order to simultaneously listen to music from a mobile device and surrounding environmental sounds, the music must first be played in the space around the user through the mobile device's speaker, and the surrounding environmental sounds must be collected by the microphone along with the music. Therefore, when a hearing-impaired person needs to hear environmental sounds or people's voices, such as on a train or in a public place, they cannot simultaneously listen to music from a mobile device.

[0008] In addition, many users who use bone conduction speakers for the first time feel a sense of discomfort compared to conventional air conduction speakers. This is thought to be because, as mentioned above, the sound transmission routes of air conduction speakers and bone conduction speakers are completely different for sound transmission via air vibration and sound transmission without air vibration, and users hear the sound in different ways even when the sound source is the same.

[0009] On the other hand, the inventors have found that if a user uses a bone conduction speaker continuously for a certain period of time, the discomfort felt at the beginning is reduced due to the so-called "habituation," and the user is able to hear sounds with better sound quality. For this reason, a hearing device that causes as little discomfort as possible from the initial use until the user becomes accustomed to it is desired.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a hearing device that can more efficiently utilize a bone conduction speaker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a hearing device comprising a bone conduction speaker unit that converts an acoustic electric signal into vibration and outputs the vibration, and an air conduction speaker unit that vibrates the air with the acoustic electric signal to output sound, and is characterized in that it is possible to change the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit.

[0012] It may be possible to change the output level of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit.

[0013] It may be possible to change the frequency band of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit.

[0014] It may be possible to change the temporal phase of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit.

[0015] The device may have a plurality of amplifiers, and a sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit may be different from a sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the air conduction speaker unit.

[0016] The device may further include a microphone, and the sound source of one of the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit may be a sound source obtained by the microphone.

[0017] According to the present invention, since it has both a bone conduction speaker unit and an air conduction speaker unit and it is possible to change the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit, it is possible to compensate for the weak points of the bone conduction speaker with the air conduction speaker, thereby enabling listening to sounds under better conditions.

[0018] For example, if it is possible to change the output level of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit, it is possible to adjust the volume heard through the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit. Therefore, for example, at the beginning of use, the volume from the bone conduction speaker unit can be reduced and the ratio of the air conduction speaker unit can be increased to alleviate the discomfort felt by the user, and as the user becomes accustomed to the sound, the ratio of the bone conduction speaker unit can be increased, allowing the user to hear the sound at an appropriate ratio.

[0019] Furthermore, if it is possible to change the frequency band of the acoustic electrical signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit, the bone conduction speaker unit can be used as the main speaker for low-frequency sounds with the air conduction speaker unit as an auxiliary, and the air conduction speaker unit can be used as the main speaker for high-frequency sounds with the bone conduction speaker unit as an auxiliary.

[0020] Furthermore, if it is possible to change the temporal phase of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit, it is possible to listen to the sound of the same sound source with a slight shift in sound. This makes it possible to reproduce reverberation, etc. In this case, by using the air conduction speaker unit, which is particularly advantageous for quiet sounds, to handle the reverberation, it is possible to listen to the sound with an effect suited to its characteristics.

[0021] In addition, by using multiple amplifiers and making the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit different from the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the air conduction speaker unit, it is possible, for example, to listen to music on one side while making a phone call on the other.

[0022] Furthermore, if a microphone is further provided, for example, one of the air conduction speaker unit and the bone conduction speaker unit can be used as a hearing aid for hearing surrounding environmental sounds and human voices, while the other can be used to listen to music. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, a hearing device capable of more efficiently utilizing a bone conduction speaker can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the listening device 1. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams showing a state in which a user wears the hearing device 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a hearing device 1a, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a user wears the hearing device 1a. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a hearing device 1b, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a user wears the hearing device 1b. [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a hearing device 1c, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a user wears the hearing device 1c. [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a hearing device 1d, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a user wears the hearing device 1d. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hearing device 1. The hearing device 1 is mainly composed of an air conduction speaker unit 3, a bone conduction speaker unit 7, a connecting unit 5, etc. The air conduction speaker unit 3 can be a conventional air conduction type speaker that vibrates air with an acoustic electric signal to output sound. The bone conduction speaker unit 7 can be a conventional bone conduction type speaker that converts an acoustic electric signal into vibration, outputs the vibration, and transmits the vibration directly to a target part by contacting the target part.

[0026] For example, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 contains a vibration unit, which converts an acoustic signal input as an electric signal into mechanical vibration and outputs the vibration. Incidentally, converting an acoustic electric signal into vibration means converting an acoustic electric signal input from the outside into mechanical vibration, for example, by vibrating a diaphragm or the like with the acoustic electric signal, the acoustic electric signal is converted into mechanical vibration that is transmitted to the bone. Incidentally, in the present invention, the vibration method in the vibration unit is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient to convert an acoustic electric signal into mechanical vibration, and conventional methods such as piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and super magnetostrictive can be adopted. In addition, the air conduction speaker unit 3 may be a general electromagnetic type, a balanced armature type, a piezoelectric type, etc., and converts an input acoustic signal into mechanical vibration and converts it into vibration that moves air. Incidentally, the vibration directions of the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 may be the same axial direction or different axial directions. In addition, the air conduction speaker unit 3 may include multiple speakers to enhance the acoustic effect.

[0027] In this embodiment, the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 are disposed facing each other with a predetermined distance between them, and are connected by a connecting unit 5. The connecting unit 5 is an elastic body, and can maintain the distance between the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 with a predetermined force.

[0028] In the hearing device 1, a battery, a circuit board, etc. are housed inside the bone conduction speaker unit 7. The detailed configuration of the hearing device 1 will be described later. The connecting unit 5 houses wiring and the like for transmitting electric signals and power from the bone conduction speaker unit 7 to the air conduction speaker unit 3. The battery, the circuit board, etc. may be disposed on the air conduction speaker unit 3 side, or on both. The operation unit may be disposed on either the bone conduction speaker unit 7 or the air conduction speaker unit 3, and a touch sensor or the like may be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the connecting unit 5 to serve as the operation unit.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the hearing device 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hearing device 1. Note that the battery and the operation unit are omitted. The hearing device 1 has a control unit 11, a communication unit 13, an amplifier 15, etc. Note that, as described above, the control unit 11, the communication unit 13, the amplifier 15, etc. may be housed in the bone conduction speaker unit 7, may be housed in the air conduction speaker unit 3, or may be distributed and arranged in each.

[0030] 1 shows an example in which the communication unit 13 receives an acoustic electric signal from the outside via a wired connection (cable 9), but it is also possible to perform short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) that can wirelessly receive an acoustic electric signal from another terminal, etc. In addition, in the case of a wired connection, the control unit 11, communication unit 13, amplifier 15, etc. (including a battery, an operation unit, etc.) may be separate entities and connected by cable 9. In other words, the cable 9 is used as necessary.

[0031] The control unit 11 can control the amplifier 15 for the acoustic electric signal received by the communication unit 13. The amplifier 15 processes the acoustic electric signal suitable for the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, respectively, and can transmit the signal to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3. In other words, the amplifier 15 can output at least two channels for the same acoustic electric signal received by the communication unit 13, and can change the acoustic electric signal to be transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3.

[0032] Here, changing the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 means, as described above, that for an acoustic electric signal from the same sound source, for example, the output level (voltage), frequency band, and temporal phase can be changed. It also includes the case where acoustic electric signals from a plurality of sound sources can be transmitted separately to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3. In other words, this does not include the case where the acoustic electric signals transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 are completely the same.

[0033] Next, a method of using the hearing device 1 will be described. FIG. 3(a) is a front conceptual diagram showing the state in which the hearing device 1 is worn, and FIG. 3(b) is a side conceptual diagram showing the state in which the hearing device 1 is worn. The hearing device 1 may be used in one ear, or may be used as a set for the right and left ears. In this case, the communication units of the pair of hearing devices 1 may be connected by wire, or may be connected wirelessly via a short-range magnetic induction method or the like, or wirelessly via another terminal. In this way, by using a pair of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, it is possible to listen to, for example, stereo signals.

[0034] In this case, as described above, being able to change the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 does not mean that the acoustic electric signal is changed between the R channel and the L channel for a pair of hearing devices 1, but means that the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 for the same R channel or L channel is different. In other words, the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 is different for each of the R channel and the L channel (for each of the hearing devices 1 for the right ear and the left ear).

[0035] The hearing device 1 according to this embodiment is worn with a gap between the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, and with the auricle sandwiched between the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3. In this case, the air conduction speaker unit 3 is inserted, for example, into the ear canal and transmits sound due to air vibrations to the inside of the ear canal. Note that the air conduction speaker unit 3 does not necessarily need to be inserted into the ear canal, and may be placed in the vicinity of the ear canal.

[0036] On the other hand, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is abutted against the back side of the auricle. At this time, the vibration transmission surface of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 becomes the back side of the auricle or the head behind the auricle. At this time, the elastic force of the connecting part 5 presses the bone conduction speaker unit 7 against the back side of the auricle or the head behind the auricle. In this embodiment, since the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is substantially cylindrical, the vibration transmission surface is configured as a curved surface, but it may be a flat surface, and the shape of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is not particularly limited.

[0037] Here, in order to efficiently transmit vibration from the bone conduction speaker unit 7 to the bone (including cartilage), it is desirable to use a vibrator with a size of, for example, 10φ or less. In this way, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 can be placed in a small space.

[0038] In addition, the ear canal insertion portion of the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the vibration transmission surface of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 are made of a material that does not cause pain or discomfort when worn, since they come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic resin and synthetic rubber, and it is preferable that they are made of a material that is flexible and soft.

[0039] Next, a control method by the control unit 11 will be described. In this embodiment, for example, the output level can be arbitrarily adjusted for an acoustic electric signal from the same sound source. That is, the output levels (volumes) of the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 can be arbitrarily adjusted. For this reason, for a user who uses a bone conduction speaker for the first time, the output level of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is relatively lowered and the output level of the air conduction speaker unit 3 is relatively raised, thereby reducing the discomfort felt at the initial use of the bone conduction speaker. In addition, by gradually relatively raising the output level of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 according to the usage time, the discomfort felt by the bone conduction speaker can be suppressed by getting used to it. The output level may be changed automatically according to the usage time, or may be adjusted by the user's operation.

[0040] It is preferable to ultimately listen to sound with an appropriate output level balance between the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, rather than setting the output level of the air conduction speaker unit 3 to 0. Also, instead of or in addition to changing the output levels of the acoustic electric signals transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, the frequency bands of the acoustic electric signals transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 may be changed. Changing the frequency band refers to changing the balance of the output levels of each frequency band.

[0041] Comparing a general bone conduction speaker with an air conduction speaker, it is considered that the bone conduction speaker is more advantageous in the low range (low frequency band), and the air conduction speaker is more advantageous in the high range (high frequency band). For this reason, sound quality can be improved more efficiently by using the bone conduction speaker unit 7 as the main for the low range with the air conduction speaker unit 3 as the auxiliary, and using the air conduction speaker unit 3 as the main for the relatively high range with the bone conduction speaker unit 7 as the auxiliary. In other words, for the bone conduction speaker unit 7, the output level of the low range can be relatively increased and the output level of the high range can be relatively decreased, and for the air conduction speaker unit 3, the output level of the low range can be relatively decreased and the output level of the high range can be relatively increased.

[0042] Also, the temporal phase of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 may be changed. By slightly shifting the time between the sounds emitted by the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, it is possible to create a reverberant sound. Furthermore, since the transmission of vibrations by bone conduction is solid conduction through the bones and is transmitted at a speed much faster than that of air conduction, when an acoustic electric signal from the same sound source is added, a time difference occurs between the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3, causing an uncomfortable feeling. This uncomfortable feeling can be eliminated by shifting the time between the sounds emitted by the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3.

[0043] In this case, when a similar method is used to produce reverberant sounds using normal earphones, etc., a slightly delayed sound is superimposed on the original sound, and the synthesized sound is heard through the same medium. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the original sound and the reverberant sound can be heard through different media, making it possible to produce a more realistic sound. Since the reverberant sound is quieter than the original sound, the air conduction speaker unit 3, which is advantageous for quiet sounds, takes charge of the reverberant sound, allowing it to be heard with an effect more suited to its characteristics.

[0044] It should be noted that the form of the hearing device is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing a hearing device 1a. In the following description, the same components as those in the hearing device 1 are given the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 3, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0045] The hearing device 1a has a configuration similar to that of the hearing device 1, but differs in that it is provided with an ear hook part 17. Like the connecting part 5 described above, the ear hook part 17 has the function of connecting and integrating the air conduction speaker part 3 and the bone conduction speaker part 7, and can also be hooked above the auricle.

[0046] Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing the hearing device 1a in use. Like the hearing device 1, the hearing device 1a has the air conduction speaker unit 3 placed inside the ear canal (close to the ear canal) and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 placed on the back side of the auricle. At this time, the ear hook unit 17 is hooked onto the upper part of the auricle. This more reliably prevents the bone conduction speaker unit 7 from shifting, and allows it to be held in a specified position.

[0047] 5(a) is a diagram showing a hearing device 1b. The hearing device 1b has a configuration similar to that of the hearing device 1, but is different in that a clip 19 is provided. The bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 are connected by a cable 9a. In this manner, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 may be integrated by the cable 9a. In the following description, the cable 9 used for connection to a sound source, etc. is not shown.

[0048] The clip 19 is disposed so as to face the bone conduction speaker unit 7. The clip 19 can be held in an open state and a closed state by, for example, a spring or the like. Note that the shape and position of the clip 19 are not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0049] Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing the hearing device 1b in use. As with the hearing device 1, the air conduction speaker unit 3 of the hearing device 1b is disposed inside the ear canal (close to the ear canal). Meanwhile, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is attached to the earlobe with a clip 19. That is, the hearing device 1b is capable of transmitting vibrations to the vicinity of the earlobe (or the recess in the upper part of the earlobe). In this way, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 may transmit vibrations to the front side of the auricle.

[0050] 6(a) is a diagram showing a hearing device 1c. The hearing device 1c has a configuration similar to that of the hearing device 1, but two hearing devices (two pairs of air conduction speaker units 3 and a bone conduction speaker unit 7) are connected by a headband 21.

[0051] Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing the hearing device 1c in use. When the hearing device 1c is worn on the head, the air conduction speaker unit 3 is placed inside the ear canal (close to the ear canal), and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is placed behind the auricle. The air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 are connected by an elastic body, similar to the above-mentioned connecting unit 5. Therefore, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is pressed against the back surface of the auricle or the head behind the auricle, and vibrations can be efficiently transmitted to the target area.

[0052] 7(a) is a diagram showing a hearing device 1d. The hearing device 1d is in the form of glasses, and a bone conduction speaker unit 7 and an air conduction speaker unit 3 are arranged on an ear hook unit 23. The air conduction speaker unit 3 is connected to the ear hook unit 23 (or the bone conduction speaker unit 7) by a cable 9a. The control unit, battery, etc. are arranged in a main body unit 25 at the tip of the ear hook unit 23.

[0053] Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing the hearing device 1d in use. When the hearing device 1d is worn on the head, the air conduction speaker unit 3 is placed inside the ear canal (close to the ear canal), and the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is placed close to the temples. The bone conduction speaker unit 7 is connected to the ear hook unit 23 by an elastically deformable member. Therefore, the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is pressed against the vicinity of the temples, and vibrations can be efficiently transmitted to the target area.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, since it has both the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7, it is possible to hear more effectively by appropriately controlling the acoustic electrical signal according to the characteristics of each.

[0055] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram of a hearing device. The following embodiment is applicable to any of the above-mentioned hearing devices. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 7, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0056] In this embodiment, a plurality of communication units 13a, 13b and a plurality of amplifiers 15a, 15b are provided. For example, one of the communication units 13a, 13b may be wireless communication and the other may be wired (cable 9). Alternatively, both may be wireless communication without using the cable 9. The control unit 11 sends an acoustic electric signal received by one communication unit 13a to the amplifier 15a, and sends an acoustic electric signal received by the other communication unit 13b to the amplifier 15b. The amplifier 15a is connected to the air conduction speaker unit 3, and the amplifier 15b is connected to the bone conduction speaker unit 7. That is, the sound received by the communication unit 13a can be heard by the air conduction speaker unit 3. On the other hand, the sound received by the communication unit 13b can be heard by the bone conduction speaker unit 7.

[0057] In this manner, in this embodiment, a plurality of amplifiers 15a, 15b are used, and the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the bone conduction speaker unit 7 is different from the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to the air conduction speaker unit 3. For example, it is possible to listen to music on one side while listening to voice of a telephone call on the other side. In this case, by balancing the respective volumes of the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7, and by switching to appropriate frequency bands for music and telephone calls, it is possible to listen to sounds under optimal conditions according to the user.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 9, a microphone 27 may be used instead of one of the communication units. That is, the microphone 27 is connected to the communication unit 13b shown in Fig. 8, and one of the sound sources of the bone conduction speaker unit 7 and the air conduction speaker unit 3 becomes the sound source obtained by the microphone 27. For example, one can listen to music while the other can listen to environmental sounds or voices. That is, the other can be used as a hearing aid while listening to music.

[0059] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment. In this way, the hearing device does not necessarily need to use the same sound source, and acoustic electric signals from different sound sources may be transmitted to the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7, respectively.

[0060] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0061] For example, as described above, when transmitting different acoustic electric signals to the air conduction speaker unit 3 and the bone conduction speaker unit 7, the content and the degree of the signals may be appropriately selected and adjusted by the user using the operation unit. Furthermore, the number of air conduction speaker units 3 and the bone conduction speaker units 7 does not necessarily have to be the same. For example, there may be two air conduction speaker units 3 on the left and right, and one or three or more bone conduction speaker units 7. Furthermore, the air conduction speaker unit 3 may be provided with a noise canceling function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d... Listening device 3. Air conduction speaker section 5……Connection part 7. Bone conduction speaker 9, 9a………Cable 11...Control unit 13, 13a, 13b……Communication Department 15, 15a, 15b...Amplifier 17………Ear hook 19………Clip 21………Headband 23………Ear hook 25...Main body 27………Mike

Claims

1. 1. A listening device comprising: a bone conduction speaker unit that converts an acoustic electric signal into vibration and outputs the vibration; an air conduction speaker unit that vibrates air with an acoustic electric signal to output sound; Equipped with 10. A hearing device, characterized in that it is possible to change the acoustic electric signals transmitted to said bone conduction speaker unit and said air conduction speaker unit.

2. 2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the output levels of the acoustic electric signals transmitted to said bone conduction speaker unit and said air conduction speaker unit can be changed.

3. 2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency bands of the acoustic electric signals transmitted to said bone conduction speaker unit and said air conduction speaker unit can be changed.

4. 2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the temporal phase of the acoustic electric signals transmitted to said bone conduction speaker unit and said air conduction speaker unit can be changed.

5. 2. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of amplifiers, wherein the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to said bone conduction speaker unit is different from the sound source of the acoustic electric signal transmitted to said air conduction speaker unit.

6. Further equipped with a microphone, 6. The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein the sound source of one of the bone conduction speaker unit and the air conduction speaker unit is the sound source obtained by the microphone.

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