Hearing aids using direct auditory nerve stimulation

Abstract

In a hearing aid device (100) having at least one acoustic sensor (111) for converting ambient sounds and noises into electrical vibrations and at least one vibration component (121) that can be placed in or near the user's ear and converts the electrical vibrations into auditory nerve impulses, the device can detect directional information of different sound sources from the user's environment by providing a plurality of acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) that can be placed in different locations in or near the user's ear, thereby detecting the directional information of different sound sources in the user's environment. Directional information of multiple different sound sources distributed throughout the ear is maintained while avoiding airborne interference noise, and due to their individual placement, the acoustic sensors receive sound waves from each sound source at a time offset from one another and generate corresponding electrical vibrations that are time offset from one another, and each of the acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113) is uniquely assigned an auditory nerve stimulation device (121, 122, 123, 124) that is located within the cochlea (210) of the target ear (200) and responds to the electrical signals.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hearing aid device comprising at least one acoustic sensor that converts ambient sounds or noises into electrical vibrations, and at least one vibrating component that can be placed in or near a user's ear and that converts the electrical vibrations into auditory nerve impulses. [Background technology]

[0002] Hearing aid devices of the aforementioned type are used in the state of the art to convert ambient sound waves captured via an acoustic sensor into electrical signals, which, after electronic amplification, are converted back into acoustic waves in corresponding vibrating components placed in or near the ear of the respective user, thereby increasing the intensity of the reconverted sound waves above the intensity of the original sound waves captured by the acoustic sensor, thereby facilitating hearing for hearing-impaired individuals. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] All known hearing aid devices exhibit the drawback that directional information of sound waves incident on the acoustic sensor is lost during conventional signal processing, which prevents users of conventional hearing aid devices from distinguishing between spatially distributed sound sources and consequently impairs their ability to focus their attention on a particular sound source.

[0004] Therefore, the spatial filtering of ambient sounds that is readily achieved by the functional human ear cannot be achieved, and as a result, users of conventional hearing aid devices experience unpleasant sounds, especially sounds that lack desired information content.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a hearing aid device that preserves directional information from multiple different sound sources spatially distributed around the user, thereby substantially preserving the natural hearing properties of the functional human ear. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the case of a hearing aid device of the first type, this object is achieved according to the present invention by providing a plurality of acoustic sensors positionable at different locations on or within the user's ear for the purpose of detecting directional information from different sound sources in the user's environment. Due to their respective locations, these sensors receive sound waves from the respective sound sources offset in time from one another and generate corresponding electrical vibrations offset in time from one another. Each acoustic sensor is uniquely assigned to an auditory nerve stimulation device within the cochlea of ​​the respective ear that responds to the electrical signals.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the elements of which serve to further improve the solution to the problem underlying the invention.

[0008] In the hearing aid device according to the present invention, a plurality of acoustic sensors are provided which can be placed at different locations in or near the user's ear in order to detect directional information from different sound sources in the user's environment, and due to their respective positions, these acoustic sensors receive sound waves from the respective sound sources with a time offset from one another and generate electrical vibrations which are accordingly offset from one another in time, and each acoustic sensor is uniquely assigned an auditory nerve stimulation device which responds to the electrical signals within the cochlea of ​​the respective ear. Through this combination of features, spatial filtering of ambient sounds is generally possible, thereby achieving the elimination of additional noise transmission in the air through direct stimulation of the hearing-sensitive areas within the cochlea of ​​the respective ear.

[0009] As a result, the user of a hearing aid device according to the present invention is able to perform spatial, three-dimensional separation of multiple ambient sounds and thereby focus their attention on sounds that carry desired information content.

[0010] The generation of directional information through the interference of waves with a predetermined phase shift is known, for example, from radar technology as phase-controlled antennas or "phased arrays" in English.

[0011] According to a first preferred embodiment of the hearing aid device according to the invention, four acoustic sensors and four auditory nerve stimulation devices are provided, all four auditory nerve stimulation devices being specifically assigned to individual hair cells.

[0012] All four auditory nerve stimulation devices are preferably positioned in the region of the basilar membrane of the ear.

[0013] Specifically, four acoustic sensors and four auditory nerve stimulation devices are provided, three of which are positioned in the region of the outer hair cells of the ear, and one of which is positioned in the region of the inner hair cells of each ear.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment, the fourth acoustic sensor is replaced by the accumulated electrical signal of an auditory nerve stimulation device.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, three auditory nerve stimulation devices are positioned in the region of the basilar membrane of the ear to stimulate the outer hair cells of the cochlea through the basilar membrane, while a fourth auditory nerve stimulation device is positioned proximally near the basilar membrane to stimulate the inner hair cells of the cochlea.

[0016] The auditory nerve stimulation device is, according to a simple embodiment of the invention, formed by an electrode inserted at least partially into the cochlear tissue of each ear.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention that can take into account the size and shape of the hearing-sensitive area inside the cochlea of ​​a user's ear, an auditory nerve stimulation device is formed by an electromagnetic wave source positioned inside the cochlea of ​​each ear, the intensity of which is modulated according to a uniquely assigned acoustic sensor located outside the ear, whereby specifically designated areas inside the cochlea are sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves by suitable chemicals.

[0018] The electromagnetic wave sources are preferably each positioned immediately adjacent to an assigned region within the cochlea of ​​each ear that is sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

[0019] According to an important preferred embodiment of the hearing aid device according to the invention, the source of electromagnetic waves is a light source, whereby the area sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves responds sensitively to light.

[0020] Preferably, but not necessarily, an arrangement of prisms and / or lenses can be provided for each light source to direct light from the light source to an assigned sensitized area.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the hearing aid device according to the invention, each area located inside the ear is stimulated by suitable chemicals to respond only to one specific color of light, so that the corresponding assigned light source only emits light of exactly this frequency.

[0022] Each light source is preferably formed by an LED.

[0023] Furthermore, signal transmission between the acoustic sensor and the auditory nerve stimulation device, which is responsive to electrical signals, can generally be accomplished via either analog or digital means.

[0024] The present invention also relates to an amplifier device having an input for an electrical signal and an output for an amplified electrical signal, which amplifier device is suitable for the hearing aid device of the above embodiment and is particularly suitable for reconstructing three-dimensional spatial direction information of one or more ambient sound sources.

[0025] In accordance with the present invention, the amplifier device includes three separate, independently controllable amplifier lines, each having the same structure and the same number of electronic amplifier components, whereby each amplifier line is assigned its own input as well as its own output of high frequency electrical signals.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the amplifier arrangement according to the invention is described in the dependent claim of independent patent claim 11, the elements of which serve to further improve the solution of the subject matter of this patent claim.

[0027] In the amplifier arrangement of the hearing aid device according to the invention, the reconstruction of three-dimensional spatial directional information of one or more ambient sound sources is possible through the interaction of sound generators placed at the output of each amplifier line. This is achieved by a unique combination comprising three separate and independently controllable amplifier lines, each having the same structure and the same number of electronic amplifier components, whereby each amplifier line is assigned its own input as well as its own output of high-frequency electrical signals.

[0028] According to a first preferred embodiment of the amplifier arrangement according to the invention, the amplifier components are formed from a semiconductor-based integrated circuit.

[0029] The integrated circuits are preferably embedded on an electronic chip, and the frequency range of each amplifier line is preferably on the order of 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz.

[0030] Each amplifier line is preferably assigned its own gain control as well as its own frequency adjuster, which makes it possible to realize a frequency adjustable high-pass filter and a frequency adjustable low-pass filter.

[0031] The input of each individual amplifier line for the electrical signal may be formed, for example, by a microphone, while the output for the electrical signal is preferably, but not necessarily, formed by an acoustic signal transducer having an integral diaphragm that can be placed in a human ear.

[0032] According to an important preferred embodiment of the amplifier device of the present invention, three microphones, each assigned to a different amplifier line, can be positioned in a stable, predefined spatial arrangement in close proximity to the human ear.

[0033] According to another important preferred embodiment of the amplifier device of the present invention, the three diaphragms, each assigned to a different amplifier line, can be positioned inside the human ear in the same stable, predefined spatial arrangement as three microphones positioned close to the human ear.

[0034] Three microphones positioned in a stable, predefined spatial arrangement in proximity to the human ears are spatially arranged to identify three-dimensional spatial arrangement or directional information of ambient sound sources located outside each of the human ears.

[0035] According to an important embodiment of the device of the present invention, the three diaphragms, each assigned to a different amplifier line, can be spatially positioned inside the human ear so as to reconstruct directional information of the ambient sound source identified by the three microphones through the interference of the sound waves generated by the three diaphragms.

[0036] According to another important preferred embodiment of the amplifier device according to the invention, each amplifier line is provided with a phase delay component which delays in time the output of each acoustic signal, the time delay being calibrated to bring about a targeted and predefinable change in the propagation direction of the sound waves generated by the interaction of the three diaphragms inside the human ear, thereby making it possible to adapt to the individual arrangement of the ear canal of the person using the device according to the invention and to optimize the incidence of the sound waves generated by the diaphragms on the eardrum of the person using the device.

[0037] The hearing aid device according to the invention will now be described on the basis of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] the external region of the human ear where the acoustic sensor was positioned and attached; [Figure 2] a first view of an interior region of a human ear with an auditory nerve stimulation device positioned and attached; [Figure 3] a second view of the interior region of a human ear with an auditory nerve stimulation device positioned and attached; [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of an amplifier device according to the invention inside a hearing aid device according to the invention;

[0039] The hearing aid device 100 of the present invention shown in Figures 1-3 includes a plurality of acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 that convert ambient sounds and noises into electrical vibrations, and a plurality of vibrating components 121 that can be placed in the user's ear 200 and convert the electrical vibrations into auditory nerve impulses.

[0040] To detect directional information from different sound sources in the user's environment, multiple acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 are provided that can be positioned at different locations on or within the user's ear 200. Due to their respective placement, the sensors receive sound waves from the respective sound sources at time offsets from one another and generate electrical vibrations that are time offset from one another in response. Each of the acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 is assigned to a corresponding auditory nerve stimulator 121, 122, 123, 124 within the cochlea 210 of the respective ear 200, and the auditory nerve stimulator responds to the electrical signals.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, four acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 and four auditory nerve stimulation devices 121, 122, 123, 124 are provided, with three auditory nerve stimulation devices 121, 122, 123, 124 positioned in the region of the outer hair cells 211, 212, 213, 214 of the ear 200 and one auditory nerve stimulation device 121, 122, 123, 124 positioned in the region of the inner hair cells 211, 212, 213, 214 of each ear 200.

[0042] The auditory nerve stimulation devices 121, 122, 123, 124 comprise a light source positioned within the cochlea 210 of each ear 200, the intensity of which is modulated according to uniquely assigned acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 positioned outside the ear 200, whereby specifically designated areas within the cochlea 210 are sensitized to light irradiation by suitable chemicals.

[0043] For this purpose, four light sources 151, 152, 153, 154, each formed by an LED, are positioned inside the cochlea 210 of each ear 200, each adjacent to an associated area inside the cochlea 210 that is sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

[0044] Each light source 151, 152, 153, 154 is further provided with a lens arrangement that specifically directs light from the respective light source 151, 152, 153, 154 to an associated sensitive region 251, 252, 253, 254. The light sources 151, 152, 153, 154 are positioned in the region of the auditory nerve stimulation device 121, 122, 123, 124. The sensitive region 251, 252, 253, 254 is also localized in the region of the auditory nerve stimulation device 121, 122, 123, 124.

[0045] Signal transmission between the acoustic sensors 111, 112, 113, 114 and the electrical signal responsive auditory nerve stimulation devices 121, 122, 123, 124 is via digital means.

[0046] The amplifier device 1000 according to the invention shown in FIG. 4 comprises inputs 1110, 1210, 1310 for electrical signals and outputs 1120, 1220, 1320 for amplified electrical signals, and three separate, independently controllable amplifier lines 1100, 1200, 1300 having identical structure and an equal number of electronic amplifier components 1101, 1201, 1301 are provided, each amplifier line 1100, 1200, 1300 being assigned its own input 1110, 1210, 1310 as well as its own output 1120, 1220, 1320 for high-frequency electrical signals.

[0047] Each amplifier component 1101, 1201, 1301 is formed from a semiconductor integrated circuit that is embedded on an electronic chip. Each amplifier line 1100, 1200, 1300 is designed to operate in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

[0048] Each amplifier line 1100, 1200, 1300 is assigned its own gain controller 1102, 1202, 1302 as well as its own frequency adjuster, thereby realizing a frequency adjustable high-pass filter 1103, 1203, 1303 and a frequency adjustable low-pass filter 1104, 1204, 1304, whereby the input 1110, 1210, 1310 of each individual amplifier line for the electrical signal is formed by a microphone and the output 1120, 1220, 1320 for the electrical signal is formed by an acoustic signal transducer with an integrated diaphragm 1120, 1220, 1320 that can be positioned in a human ear.

[0049] Three microphones 1110, 1210, 1301 assigned to different amplifier lines 1100, 1200, 1300, respectively, are positioned in a stable predefined spatial arrangement near the human ear, and three diaphragms 1120, 1220, 1320 assigned to different amplifier lines 1100, 1200, 1300, respectively, are located inside the human ear in the same stable predefined spatial arrangement as the three microphones 1110, 1210, 1310 positioned near the human ear.

[0050] Three microphones 1110, 12100, 131 are positioned in a stable, predefined spatial arrangement near the human ears, and are arranged at mutual distances and spatial orientations that allow them to identify the three-dimensional spatial arrangement or directional information of ambient sound sources located outside each of the human ears.

[0051] Three diaphragms 1120, 1220, 1320, each assigned to a different amplifier line 1100, 1200, 1300, can be placed inside a human ear, and through the interference of sound waves generated by the three diaphragms 1120, 1220, 1320, the directional information of the ambient sound sources identified by the three microphones 1110, 1210, 1310 is reconstructed.

[0052] Furthermore, each amplifier line 1100, 1200, 1300 is equipped with a delay component 1105, 1205, 1305 that delays the vibration phase in time when outputting an acoustic signal, and the time delay is adjustable to change the propagation direction of the sound waves generated by the interference of the three vibrating membranes 1120, 1220, 1320 inside the human ear.

[0053] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely intended to provide a better understanding of the teachings of the invention defined by the claims, and the teachings of such inventions are not limited to the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100 hearing aids 111, 112, 113, 114 Acoustic sensors 121, 122, 123, 124 Auditory nerve stimulation devices 130 Amplifier device 140 Auricle 141 External auditory canal 151, 152, 153, 154 Light source positioned near an auditory nerve stimulation device 200 ears 210 Cochlea 211, 212, 213 outer hair cells 214 Inner hair cells 220 basement membrane 230 Organ of Corti 251, 252, 253, 254 Sensitized areas corresponding to auditory nerve stimulation devices 1000 Amplifier 1110, 1210, 1310 Input, Microphone 1120, 1220, 1320 output, diaphragm 1100, 1200, 1300 amplifier lines 1101, 1201, 1301 Amplifier Components 1102, 1202, 1302 Gain controller 1103, 1203, 1303 high-pass filters 1104, 1204, 1304 low-pass filters 1105, 1205, 1305 Delay components

Claims

1. 1. A hearing aid device (100) having at least one acoustic sensor (111) that converts ambient sounds and noises into electrical vibrations, and at least one vibrating component that can be placed in or near a user's ear and that converts the electrical vibrations into auditory nerve impulses, characterized in that the hearing aid device is provided with a plurality of acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) that can be placed in different positions near or in the user's ear for the purpose of detecting directional information of different sound sources from the user's environment, and that due to their respective placement, receive sound waves of the respective sound sources with a time offset from one another and generate electrical vibrations that are time offset from one another in response, and each of the acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) is uniquely assigned an auditory nerve stimulation device (121, 122, 123, 124) that responds to electrical signals within the cochlea (210) of the respective ear (200).

2. 2. The hearing aid device (100) of claim 1, characterized in that four acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) and four auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123, 124) are provided, and all four auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123, 124) are specifically assigned to individual hair cells (211, 212, 213, 214).

3. 3. A hearing aid device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that all four auditory nerve stimulating devices (121, 122, 123, 124) are positioned in the region of the basilar membrane (220) of the ear (200).

4. 4. A hearing aid device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that four acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) and four auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123, 124) are provided, three auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123) being placed in the region of the outer hair cells (211, 212, 213) of the ear and one auditory nerve stimulation device (124) being placed in the region of the inner hair cells (214) of each ear (200).

5. 5. Hearing aid device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fourth acoustic sensor (114) is replaced by the summation electrical signal of the auditory nerve stimulator devices (121, 122, 123).

6. 6. A hearing aid device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that three auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123) are positioned in the region of the basilar membrane (220) of the ear (200) and stimulate the outer hair cells (211, 212, 213) of the cochlea (210) via the basilar membrane (220), and a fourth auditory nerve stimulation device (124) is positioned further closer to the basilar membrane (220) and stimulates the inner hair cells (214) of the cochlea (210).

7. 7. A hearing aid device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the auditory nerve stimulation devices (121, 122, 123, 124) are formed by electrodes at least partially inserted into the tissue of the cochlea (210) of each ear (200).

8. 7. A hearing aid device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the auditory nerve stimulation device (121, 122, 123, 124) is formed by an electromagnetic wave source positioned inside the cochlea (210) of each ear (200), the intensity of which is modulated in response to uniquely assigned acoustic sensors (111, 112, 113, 114) placed outside the ear, and specifically designated areas inside the cochlea (210) are sensitized to electromagnetic wave irradiation by suitable chemicals.

9. 9. The hearing aid device (100) of claim 8, wherein the electromagnetic wave sources are each positioned adjacent to an associated region (251, 252, 253, 254) in the cochlea (210) of each ear (200) that is sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

10. 10. A hearing aid device (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the source of electromagnetic waves is a light source (151, 152, 153, 154) and the areas (251, 252, 253, 254) sensitized to irradiation with electromagnetic waves respond sensitively to light.

11. 11. An amplifier device for a hearing aid device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an input (111) for an electrical signal and an output (102) for an amplified electrical signal, wherein three separate, independently controllable amplifier lines (1100, 1200, 1300) are provided having an identical structure and an equal number of electronic amplifier components (1101, 1201, 1301), whereby each amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) is assigned its own output (112, 122, 132) and its own input (111, 121, 131) for high-frequency electrical signals, the inputs (111, 121, 131) of the individual amplifier lines (1100, 1200, 1300) are adapted to receive electrical signals from the microphones (111, 121, 131); three microphones (111, 121, 131), each assigned to a different amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300), can be positioned in a stable, predetermined spatial arrangement close to the human ear; An amplifier device comprising:

12. 12. Amplifier arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the amplifier components (1101, 1201, 1301) are formed from semiconductor-based integrated circuits.

13. 13. Amplifier arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the integrated circuit is embedded on an electronic chip.

14. 14. Amplifier arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the frequency range of each amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) is dimensioned from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

15. 15. Amplifier arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that for each amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) a dedicated gain controller (1102, 1202, 1302) is provided.

16. 16. An amplifier arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that a separate frequency adjuster is provided for each amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300), thereby making it possible to realize a frequency adjustable high-pass filter (1103, 1203, 1303) and a frequency adjustable low-pass filter (1104, 1204, 1304).

17. 17. An amplifier arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the input access for each individual amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) comprises a jack plug having four metal sections separated by insulators and a corresponding matching socket.

18. 18. Amplifier arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the output (112, 122, 132) for the electrical signal is formed by an acoustic signal transducer having an integral diaphragm (112, 122, 123) designed to be positioned inside the human ear.

19. 19. An amplifier arrangement according to claims 11 and 18, characterized in that the three diaphragms (112, 122, 132) each assigned to a different amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) can be positioned inside the human ear in the same stable, predetermined spatial arrangement as the three microphones (111, 121, 131) positioned in the same stable, predetermined spatial arrangement close to the human ear.

20. 20. The amplifier device of claim 19, wherein three microphones (111, 121, 131) are stably placed in a predetermined spatial arrangement near the human ears and are arranged to identify three-dimensional spatial arrangement or directional information of ambient sound sources located outside each of the human ears.

21. 21. An amplifier device according to claim 11 and 20, characterized in that three diaphragms (112, 122, 132) respectively assigned to different amplifier lines (1100, 1200, 1300) can be placed inside a human ear and reconstruct directional information of ambient sound sources identified by the three microphones (111, 121, 131) through interference of sound waves generated by the three diaphragms (112, 122, 132).

22. 22. The amplifier arrangement of claim 21, wherein each amplifier line (1100, 1200, 1300) comprises a delay element (1105, 1205, 1305) that delays in time the output of the acoustic signal, the time delay being calibrated to cause a change in the propagation direction of the sound wave generated by the interference of the three diaphragms (112, 122, 132) inside the human ear.

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