EP1585361A1 - Headset with hearing aid functionality - Google Patents

Abstract

Headset to be carried on or in ear comprises headset module (1) releasably coupled earpiece (2a) of universally fitting type, with earpiece linked by snap closure. Earpiece may be coupled by bayonet link. Earpiece may contain annular holding parts for snap link of formation of headset module, between which and earpiece may be fitted adaptor, releasably connected to both headset module and earpiece.

Description

The invention relates to a portable on or in the ear headset with hearing aid functionality.

The prior art are headsets for communication devices and in particular for mobile phones, which is one of electrical or electromagnetic output to the communication device Convert signal into an acoustic signal and into the ear of the headset wearer. Often, such exist Headsets consist essentially of two handsets that are on the two ears of the headset wearer and the over a headband are connected together. It is, however Also known embodiments in which only one ear acoustic signal is supplied. A corresponding headset is fixed in or on the ear. Often exists Such a headset consists of two parts, one worn in front of the ear Part and a behind the ear grabbing holding part for fixing.

Headsets also have a microphone in addition to the handset receives a voice signal output from the headset carrier and converts it into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then - if necessary after further processing - forwarded to the communication device. The connection of the Headsets with the communication device can be wireless or be executed wired.

From DE 200 18 829 U1 is a Maß-Ohrpassstück for a Headphone set known. This includes a made to measure Otoplasty, which is detachable with the actual Hör-Sprech-Garnitur is connectable. The detachable connection was chosen to make the actual listening set as universal to be able to manufacture a suitable module, which then adapted to the respective user Otoplastik is connected to a unit.

From US 5,086,464 is a headset with two ear pieces, the are connected by a carrying handle, known. The headset includes an amplifier with adjustable gain. In addition, a microphone may be present on the headset be, which absorbs the ambient sound. The ambient sound is converted into an electrical signal, amplified, again converted back into an acoustic signal and supplied to the hearing of the headset wearer. This can do that Headset can be used as a hearing aid. The amplifier is adjusted so that a hearing loss of the headset wearer at least largely compensated.

Furthermore, pocket hearing aids are known from the prior art, the one from the actual pocket device and one with it connected listeners. To fix the receiver in the ear becomes one according to the individual circumstances of the hearing aid wearer manufactured earmold used. The earmould includes an annular holding part, preferably made of metal, in a correspondingly shaped shape of the listener according to Art a snap fastener connection can be snapped. A Otoplasty intended for this special purpose is also called "SE-Mulde" (Secret-Ear Mulde).

For a headset with a microphone, an amplifier and a listener in which an acoustic signal through the microphone recorded and converted into an electrical signal is that then amplified, in an audible signal converted back and over the handset in the ear canal of the headset wearer is delivered, so in a headset with hearing aid functionality, occur in terms of feedback the Same problems as hearing aids. These will be particular caused by the fact that the microphone and the handset have a relatively small distance from each other.

Object of the present invention is therefore, in a Headset with hearing aid functionality to avoid feedback.

This object is achieved by a portable on or in the ear Headset with hearing aid functionality, comprising a headset module and an ear piece detachably connected to the headset module.

Advantageous embodiments of the headset according to the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

A headset according to the invention comprises at least two detachable interconnected modules: a headset module and a Earpiece. The headset module includes the electronics of the Headsets, in particular a transmitting and receiving unit for data transmission between the headset and the communication device, a microphone and an amplifier. to Attached to the ear, the headset is detachable with an earpiece connected, which preferably rests against the concha of the ear and partially protrudes into the ear canal. The ear piece However, it may only be on the concha or only on the ear canal issue.

Due to the detachable connection of the two essential headset components (Headset module and ear piece) can be added to any headset module a variety of ear pieces provided which makes for each headset wearer a suitable earpiece can be selected, which depends on the required Reinforcement especially in hearing aid operation Ear canal seals in a suitable manner. Feedback occur namely, especially if that of the microphone received signal experiences a high gain before it Ear of the headset wearer is supplied. A high feedback tendency is thereby countered by the invention, that in a simple and fast way the ear canal especially good sealing ear piece can be chosen so that the feedback path from the listener to the microphone is interrupted becomes.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the ear piece designed as a universally fitting ear piece. Universal matching ear pieces can, in particular, with small gain and associated low feedback tilt be used. Nevertheless, the best possible seal to reach the auditory canal are preferably different universally fitting ear pieces, e.g. for close, middle and wide auditory canals offered.

To a required especially at high gain, good To achieve sealing, the ear piece is preferably as adapted to the ear canal of the headset wearer, individually molded earmold executed. The earmold is based on an ear impression of the headset wearer individually shaped and with connection means for detachable connection with provided the headset module. The connecting means preferably form a snap closure or a bayonet closure.

As with the headset and the language of the headset wearer recorded and forwarded to the communication device, should the microphone of the headset if possible to the mouth be aligned towards the headset wearer. These are the Connecting means for connecting the headset module with the Earpiece preferably annular, whereby the Headset module is rotatably attached to the earpiece. The am Ear-mounted headset can thus easily in the right one Direction to be rotated, without causing the seal of the ear canal deteriorates.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with rotatable together attached modules see stop means or detent positions before, the rotation to a certain angle range restrict or where the alignment of the two Parts locked relative to each other in certain locking positions.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that between the headset module and the earpiece an adapter piece is provided. This is with the headset module or the Earpiece, but preferably releasably connected to both. The adapter piece has the advantage that the ear piece at worn headset further into the ear canal and protrudes in addition to a standard connection (e.g. a SE-well) another, to the special circumstances and component dimensions adapted, releasable connection selected can be. Furthermore, by the adapter piece as well the possibility of connection with different ear pieces created by a specific manufacturer.

Fig. 1

ein Headset mit einem universellen Ohrstück,

Fig. 2

ein Headset mit einem universellen Ohrstück und einem Adapterstück,

Fig. 3

ein Headset mit einem individuellen Ohrpassstück und

Fig. 4

ein individuell geformtes Ohrpassstück mit einem ringförmigen Halteteil.

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a headset with a universal earpiece,

Fig. 2

a headset with a universal ear piece and an adapter,

Fig. 3

a headset with an individual earmold and

Fig. 4

an individually shaped earmold with an annular holding part.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic, highly simplified representation a headset with a headset module 1 and a detachable with this connected earpiece 2A. The headset module 1 comprises a transmitting and receiving unit 3, the wireless Data transmission between the headset and a communication device is connected to an antenna 4. For further processing and amplification of the received signals is a signal processing unit 5 available. The reinforcement takes place preferably as a function of the frequency of the to be transmitted Signals to compensate for a hearing loss of the headset wearer. The processed signals are finally in one Handset 9 turned into acoustic signals and over a Sound channel 7, which passes through the ear piece 2A, in the ear canal submitted the headset wearer. The headset module 1 comprises a microphone 8, through which one of the headset wearer Outgoing acoustic signal in an electrical Signal converted and via the transmitting and receiving unit. 3 and transmit the antenna 4 wirelessly to a communication device becomes.

The headset according to FIG. 1 can also be used as a hearing aid become. Here, a received from the microphone 8 and signal converted into an electrical signal is further processed and in particular depending on the signal frequency amplified to compensate for a hearing loss of the headset wearer. The amplified signal is via the handset 6 in the Auditory canal of the headset wearer delivered. Since the handset 6 and the microphone 8 are relatively close together a high feedback tendency. This will be beneficial prevented according to the invention in that the mouth of the Sound channel 7A acoustically opposite the microphone opening 8A is sealed. According to the invention this is done by an ear piece 2A reaches, the ear canal entrance as close as possible closes. Between the headset module and the earpiece 2A a closure 9 is provided which is a quick and easy to be solved connection between the headset module 1 and the Ear piece 2A creates. So it is possible that a variety of Ear pieces can be provided, wherein for the individual Headset wearer by trying a suitable earpiece is selected. Preferably, different ear pieces offered for small, medium and large auditory canal diameter.

In addition to the sealing of the ear canal, the earpiece serves 2A Furthermore, the attachment of the headset on the ear. For this the ear piece 2A is supported in the concha of the ear. To the Fixing the headset on the ear can also improve further attachment means may be present, e.g. one about the Pinna engaging holding part (not shown).

Another example of a detachable with the headset module 1 connectable earpiece 2B, Fig. 2. The ear piece 2B is provided with circumferential fins, which are used for sealing at the Auditory canal wall abut. Such shaped ear pieces are included Ear protection devices known and are referred to as "olive".

In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is located in the embodiment of FIG. 2 between the Earpiece 2B and the hearing aid module 1, an adapter piece 10th Preferably, both the connection between the adapter piece 10 and the headset module 1 as well as the connection between the adapter piece 10 and the earpiece 2B solvable. By the adapter piece 10 is the earpiece 2B with worn headset moved further into the ear canal. Furthermore can through the adapter piece 10 between the headset module. 1 and the adapter piece 10 a standardized closure. 9 used, for example, in the connection the handset of a pocket hearing device with a trough known is. The shutter 9A between the adapter piece 10 and the Ear piece 2A is then attached to the respective ear piece (e.g. specific manufacturer).

In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 becomes a particular one in the embodiment of FIG to the anatomical conditions of the headset wearer individually adapted earmold 2C used. This is determined by an ear impression or a measurement of the individually manufactured (laser scanning). Due to the very accurate, individual fit is a very good sealing achieved at the same time high wearing comfort and good attachment of the headset to the ear.

4 shows the earmold detached from the headset module 1 2C in plan view, in which the annular holding part 11 can be seen is. The eartip 2C is preferably made a plastic in which the metal, annular holding part 11 is poured or glued. The annular holding part 11 has two recesses 12A and 12B, into which a corresponding shaped nose of the in the annular holding part 11th gripping counterpart of the shutter 9 can engage. Thereby become relative to the rotation of the earmold 2C relative to the headset module 1 detent positions generated in which the earmold 2C locked relative to the headset module. An unintentional Twisting the modules relative to each other will thereby largely prevented.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the annular Holding part 11 also partially of a in the plastic material integrated groove 13 surrounded in the case of the connection of the earmold 2C with the headset module 1 on the headset module 1 molded nose engages. The two ends the groove 13 thereby form end stops which control the rotational movement of the earmold 2C relative to the headset module 1 on a restrict certain angle range. This prevents that the headset worn on the head in an unforeseen Position is rotated, e.g. a position in that Microphone 8 (see Fig. 1) to the rear, i. against the Viewing direction, is aligned.

Claims (8)

On or in the ear portable headset with hearing aid functionality, comprising a headset module (1) and a detachably connected to the headset module ear piece (2A, 2B, 2C), wherein the ear piece (2A, 2B, 2C) fits universally is executed. A headset according to claim 1, wherein the earpiece (2A, 2B, 2C) by means of a snap closure with the headset module (1) is connected. A headset according to claim 1, wherein the earpiece is by means of a Bayonet lock connected to the headset module (1) is. The headset of claim 2, wherein the earpiece is an annular one Holding part (11) for snapping a formation of the headset module (1). A headset according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein between the headset module (1) and the earpiece (2A, 2B, 2C) detachable with the headset module (1) and the ear piece (2A, 2B, 2C) connected adapter piece (10) is present. Headset according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the headset module (1) and the earpiece (2A, 2B, 2C) rotatable with each other are attached. Headset according to claim 6, wherein the headset module (1) and / or the earpiece comprises stop means which the Rotation of the earpiece relative to the headset module restrict a certain angle range. Headset according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one Detent position is present, in which the earpiece (2A, 2B, 2C) when rotated relative to the headset module.

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