Abstract:
The invention relates to a modular behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE) with a variably small size. The BTE can be designed for different performance levels and a different range of functions for manufacturing and maintaining the BTE easily and cheaply. The modular behind-the-ear hearing aid can be assembled from two units, wherein the first unit is a base unit which provides the behind-the-ear hearing aid with a basic range of functions of a particular series of the behind-the-ear hearing aid, and the second unit is a plug-in unit which can be plugged into the base unit and which provides the behind-the-ear hearing aid with an additional range of functions in accordance with customers&#39; wishes, wherein the basic range of functions of the base unit only forms an operational behind-the-ear hearing aid in conjunction with the additional range of functions of the plug-in unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of German application No. 10 2006 029 958.2 filed Jun. 29, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a modular behind-the-ear hearing aid. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The adaptation of hearing aids to different types of hearing impairment by means of different performance levels and the demand for ever smaller hearing aids is forcing hearing aid manufacturers to come up with a wide range of hearing aids of different sizes for different performance levels. This is resulting in particular in a modular structure for a hearing aid. Modular hearing aids are known in which the modules are situated inside the hearing aid and are surrounded by a casing. 
         [0004]    EP 0 337 195 A2 discloses a hearing aid, in particular a behind-the-ear hearing aid, made up of four casing modules, each of which can be preinstalled individually. Each module here is designed for a respective required performance level of the hearing aid, as a result of which series of hearing aids can be implemented which are suitable for different requirements. The hearing aid here has a microphone module, an earpiece module, an amplifier module and a power supply module, which when assembled together form the hearing aid. 
         [0005]    WO 00/79834 A1 discloses a behind-the-ear hearing aid and a plug-in module therefor. This means that the range of functions of the fully operational hearing aid can be upgraded by means of the plug-in module. To this end, a connector of the plug-in module is plugged into a battery compartment of the hearing aid and is thereby connected electrically and mechanically to the behind-the-ear hearing aid. In this hearing aid upgraded with the plug-in module the battery is situated in the plug-in module. The plug-in module provides, for example, an interface for wireless signal transmission, a programming unit, a further audio input, a larger battery compartment and/or a mechanical control unit. 
         [0006]    A disadvantage of such hearing aids in accordance with the prior art is that nothing can be done to influence their size. In other words, their size cannot be adapted to a different level of hearing impairment, and hence people with only a slight hearing impairment nevertheless have to wear a comparatively large hearing aid. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the invention is to create a behind-the-ear hearing aid—referred to in the following as a BTE—which can be designed for different performance levels and a different range of functions in combination with a variably small size. The BTE should here be easy and cost-effective to manufacture and maintain, it additionally being possible to adapt the BTE subsequently, when used as a hearing aid, to increased requirements on the part of the wearer or to newly developed technical possibilities. 
         [0008]    The object of the invention is achieved by a modular BTE consisting of just two mutually separable units—a base unit and a plug-in unit which can be provided on the base unit, with just these two units together forming an operational BTE. The base unit here preferably provides a basic range of functions for a particular series of the BTE. The plug-in unit accordingly provides, for example, an additional range of functions in accordance with customers&#39; wishes or needs and/or a level of hearing impairment to be treated. 
         [0009]    The combination of interchangeable plug-in units with the same base unit means that BTEs in a series can be manufactured on an automated basis, it being possible for the BTEs to have a different range of functions and at the same time to satisfy the aesthetic needs of wearers. According to the invention it is possible to implement a BTE of minimal size for a particular hearing impairment with a particular range of functions. Compared to the prior art, fewer tools are needed during manufacture for the same range of functions of the BTE series, which cuts the cost of tools and hence of manufacturing. 
         [0010]    According to the invention the base unit for all devices in a BTE series contains a basic, identical range of functions, while the BTE contains an additional variable range of functions thanks to the plug-in unit which can be plugged in to the base unit. This variable range of functions relates to, for example, an amplifier, a maximum service life of the BTE with an energy store, quality of signal processing, a volume control, an upgrade to bidirectional reception for the BTE and/or a program selection switch. Furthermore, a telecoil is preferably accommodated in the plug-in unit. 
         [0011]    The plug-in unit is used in particular to upgrade the BTE by means of a second microphone. As a result, a correspondingly installed signal processor—likewise preferably accommodated in the plug-in unit—can easily distinguish e.g. wind noise in a wide, low-contrast spectrum from music containing peaks in the frequency spectrum, or from the human voice on the basis of its dynamic range. The signal processor also selects a corresponding hearing program for the wearer of the BTE and correspondingly controls the earpiece of the BTE. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the battery or accumulator of the BTE is preferably accommodated in the plug-in unit, since this varies in size depending on the capacity and requires a comparatively large amount of space within the BTE. From the customer&#39;s perspective it is not advantageous to wear a comparatively large BTE, which because of a minor hearing impairment on the part of the wearer has only a low amplification performance at the same time as a long service life with just one battery. Preferably the BTE is smaller and the service life with just a single battery is limited. Thus because for cosmetic reasons the BTE should be as small as possible, it is possible in accordance with the invention to use as small a battery as possible, e.g. for brief use of the BTE or in the case of a slight hearing impairment, so that as little space as possible is needed with the inventive plug-in unit. In other words, a minimum space for a particular hearing aid application can be found. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the amplifier and a corresponding signal processor are preferably situated in the plug-in unit of the BTE, and in turn are adjusted to the range of functions and a maximum acoustic amplification of the BTE, so that as a result the plug-in unit can be designed to be as small as possible, depending on the degree of hearing impairment and corresponding customer requirements. 
         [0014]    According to the invention, the base unit mainly contains the acoustic components of the BTE, with an earpiece and a connector for a support hook with an acoustic tube. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the base unit preferably contains at least an ambient microphone. Thanks to an additional ambient microphone in the plug-in unit, directional reception of the BTE can be implemented with the plug-in microphone. In contrast to the prior art, the single ambient microphone already present is not replaced by a pair of microphones, but the existing ambient microphone is supplemented by the second microphone in the plug-in unit, which together form the pair of microphones for directional reception. 
         [0016]    By dividing the range of functions of a BTE into functions which are common to all devices in a series, and into functions which can be adjusted to customers&#39; needs, and by a corresponding assignment of these functions to a base unit and a plug-in unit, it is now possible for each customer to implement the smallest BTE for him or her and nevertheless to guarantee efficient manufacture and maintenance of the BTE. 
         [0017]    The inventive BTE opens up a multitude of possibilities, particularly as regards the design and color-scheme. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the plug-in unit fits snugly into the base unit; these are continuously in contact over the whole surface and together form a unit with a uniform appearance. It is of course possible for the plug-in unit to be in a contrasting color. 
         [0018]    The plug-in unit is electrically and mechanically connected to the base unit. An electrical connection occurs e.g. via electrical wires and/or an electrical connection system, for example plug-in or spring contacts. A mechanical connection can be effected e.g. by screwing, latching, snap-locking or what is known as a “slide and lock” mechanism. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is possible according to the invention to use, for each base unit, a plurality of plug-in units for a single wearer, which for their part are adapted to different circumstances. Thus by using a plug-in unit it is possible to implement as small as possible a BTE when the latter is worn in public, whereas for private purposes a larger plug-in unit with a longer battery service life is more expedient. Also conceivable, for example, are different plug-in units for night-time (many hearing aid wearers wear this even while they are asleep), sport, attending a concert, etc. Plug-in units ergonomically adjusted to habits and circumstances are expedient especially for night-time and for sport. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the invention relates to a modular BTE with an attached support hook, as well as a modular BTE with a support hook and an otoplastic provided thereon. 
         [0021]    Other preferred embodiments of the inventive BTE emerge from the additional dependent claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention is explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  a side view of a base unit of an inventive modular behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE); 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  the base unit from  FIG. 1  with a support hook provided thereon; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  a side view of a second embodiment of an inventive plug-in unit; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  a side view of a third embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  a full BTE according to a first embodiment of the invention with a support hook connected thereto; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  a BTE according to a second embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  a BTE according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    In the following a BTE (behind-the-ear hearing aid) is understood to be a base unit with a plug-in unit non-detachably connected thereto. In other words, the BTE does not have a support hook, an acoustic tube or an otoplastic. Furthermore, the inventive BTE should not be restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, but very generally relate to a two-part BTE, the first component of which provides a basic range of functions for a particular series of BTEs, and the second component of which provides an additional range of functions in accordance with customers&#39; requirements, with only the common range of functions of the two components providing an independently operational BTE. 
         [0031]    The demands on a BTE are numerous and in part contradictory, so that a good compromise between function range/performance range and the size of the BTE must always be found. The demands on a BTE are especially conflicting as regards the cosmetic aspect of miniaturization and an average service life of the BTE with a single energy store. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, there are a multitude of different degrees of hearing impairment to which the BTE has to be adjusted. Thus for example for a slight hearing impairment a smaller acoustic amplification is necessary than for a major hearing impairment, which impacts considerably for example on the power supply and the amplification and thus also on the size of the BTE. In the case of a major hearing impairment, for example, the service life of the BTE drops compared to a slight hearing impairment with the same battery capacity. To achieve this same service life, it is thus necessary to use a larger battery, i.e. simultaneously also a larger BTE. These demands also affect the earpiece (loudspeaker), which depending on the degree of hearing impairment has to emit more or less acoustic energy, which impacts on the size and design. 
         [0033]    In addition it is necessary to be able to provide different support hooks on the BTE, in order to be able to provide as many customers as possible with a BTE. In other words, it should be possible for children, as well as for men and women with and without glasses, to wear the BTE. Furthermore, operating elements such as a volume control, a program selection switch and an on/off switch are required. The question also arises of whether the BTE with just one microphone should include omnidirectional reception or the BTE with two or more microphones should include directional reception and a corresponding further processing of the signals, and how the amplifier and the processor unit used are configured and what range of functions they should possess. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  now shows an inventive base unit  100  of an inventive BTE  1  (see  FIG. 5 to 7 ), the base unit  100  essentially consisting of a base element  140  and a shoulder  120  formed thereon. The base unit  100  provides the BTE  1  with a basic range of functions for e.g. a particular series of BTEs. For this the base unit  100  has at least an earpiece (not shown in the drawing) and a connector  110  for a support hook  300  (see  FIG. 2 ). Furthermore, the base unit  100  preferably also has an ambient microphone (not shown in the drawing). 
         [0035]    Depending on the flexibility and range of functions of the inventive BTE  1  a base unit  100  can preferably have one or more of the following components (not shown in the drawing): an auditory canal microphone, an on/off switch, a program selection switch, a battery or accumulator and/or a volume control. In addition it is also possible to partially integrate functions into the base unit  100  which in fact are reserved to an inventive plug-in unit  200  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), in order thus to make available a BTE  1  with less flexibility as regards customers&#39; wishes but which nonetheless offers the benefit of a lower-cost BTE  1 . As regards the corresponding functions, see the parallel paragraph for the plug-in unit  200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a first  270  (but connected to a base unit  100 ) and  FIG. 3 and 4  a second  280  and a third  290  embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit  200 . A general form of the plug-in unit  200  has a plug-in element  240 , a transition section  230  extending away therefrom and an adjoin piece  220  provided on the free end of the transition section  230 . The plug-in element  240 , the transition section  230  and the adjoin piece  220  merge continuously into one another and in the assembled state of the plug-in unit  200  with the base unit  100  form the BTE (see  FIG. 5 to 7 ). 
         [0037]    The plug-in unit  200 ;  270 ,  280 ,  290  includes an additional range of functions for the BTE  1  in accordance with customers&#39; wishes and needs. Preferably the plug-in unit  200 ;  270 ,  280 ,  290  has a second ambient microphone for the BTE  1 , a battery or an accumulator and/or an amplifier. Furthermore, the plug-in unit  200  can include one or more of the following components: a signal processing unit, a telecoil, a volume control, an on/off switch, an auditory canal microphone and/or a program selection switch. 
         [0038]    In particular the plug-in unit  200  contains and fixes in position the amplifier or the amplifier circuit located on a PCB, in order to adjust the BTE  1  depending on the nature and degree of a customer&#39;s hearing impairment. The plug-in unit  200  preferably has openings for the volume control and/or the program selection switch, which in this case can be provided on the base unit  100  (regulators and/or switches of such a BTE  1  project through the plug-in unit  200  in the assembled state of the two units  100 ,  200 ) or on the plug-in unit  200 . Preferably the plug-in unit  200  has a second ambient microphone which together with a first ambient microphone—which is preferably located in the base unit  100 , but can also be located in the plug-in unit  200 —make directional reception possible for the BTE  1  and thus enable directional hearing for the wearer of the BTE  1 . 
         [0039]    The second embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  of the inventive plug-in unit  280  is fitted with a program selection switch  202 , in order to make different bearing programs available to the BTE  1 . This is implemented by a corresponding signal processing unit and the amplifier inside the plug-in unit  280 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows the third embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit  290 , supplemented by a volume control  204  in contrast to the second embodiment. The third embodiment hereby makes available an extended range of functions, as a result of which it is possible to set a volume of the BTE  1  manually. 
         [0041]    In preferred embodiments of the invention the plug-in unit  200  contains an energy store which supplies the BTE  1  with electrical power. Especially as a result of this it is possible to design the size of the BTE  1  with a single energy store on the basis of its service life. If a long service life is required, a correspondingly large battery and a correspondingly large plug-in unit  200  are selected; if a long service life is forgone or if the wearer&#39;s corresponding hearing impairment is only slight, the plug-in unit  200  can be selected to be smaller, since a correspondingly smaller battery or accumulator can be used. In this case the battery or accumulator is situated in the plug-in element  240  of the plug-in unit  200 . The same applies for the amplifier, which depending on the degree of hearing impairment can be designed differently. In addition, different demands are placed on a signal processing unit of a BTE  1 , which must process the information from two or more microphones, than on a BTE  1  with just one ambient microphone. This range of functions is hence preferably implemented by the plug-in unit  200 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows the first basic embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit  270  in the assembled state on a base unit  100 . A volume control and a program selection switch can be provided in concealed form with such an embodiment. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6 and 7  respectively show the second  280  and third  290  embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit  200 , likewise in the assembled state of the BTEs  1 . In particular the third embodiment of the inventive plug-in unit  290  has a larger battery compared to the other two embodiments. 
         [0044]    With the inventive BTE  1  the plug-in unit  200  and base unit  100  can be configured such that the battery or accumulator partially projects from the plug-in unit  200 , as a result of which the section of the projecting battery/accumulator is housed in a corresponding compartment in the base unit  100  in the assembled BTE  1 . This could be the case for example in embodiments according to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, it is preferable that a battery charger of the BTE  1  is held in its closed position by plugging the plug-in unit  200  in to the base unit  100 . 
         [0045]    In all embodiments of the invention, the plug-in unit  200  closely abuts the base unit  100  and together they produce a compact uniform external appearance. In particular the adjoin piece  220  of the plug-in unit  200  rests on the shoulder  120  of the base unit  100  and together they form a common surface which has a continuous transition. Furthermore, the transition section  230  and the plug-in element  240  lie on the base element  140  of the base unit  100 .