Hearing aid.

p0001The invention relates to a hearing aid with an actuation element for altering the acoustic amplification and with an operating mode switch for two or more operating modes.

p0002Known hearing aids have a volume control for altering the acoustic amplification and a multifunction switch (eg MTO switch). In switch position) O the hearing aid is turned off. In position M when the hearing aid amplifier with the microphone and T position is electrically connected when the hearing aid amplifier with the telecoil. Furthermore, the hearing aid with Anpaßstellern eg for setting the basic amplification, the frequency range setting (bass, treble), to limit the maximum output sound pressure may be provided.

p0003The invention has the object to improve a hearing aid of the type mentioned at no additional actuators in its capacity and expand.

p0004This object is achieved in that the actuating element for the acoustic amplification setting further adjustment functions Can be selected such that the actuating element except for the acoustic gain adjustment also for setting the contrast enhancement and / or noise suppression and / or to adjust the hearing aid to different sound environments or auditory situations by selecting various signal processing method is provided. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in claims 2 to ninth

p0005According to the invention an easy hearing aid is provided, wherein the actuator for changing the acoustic gain (volume control) with takes over the function of one or other adjustment elements or being transferable through a multi-function switch on the volume control further adjustment functions. Without additional actuators may be used in this way the volume control and the mode selector switch for controlling other hearing aid functions.

p0006In an advantageous embodiment has a mode switch of the inventive hearing aid, two or more operating positions, on the hearing aid wearer selects the signal processing of his hearing aid. Furthermore, as the volume control of the hearing aid is determined according to two or more different functions. In a first normal position M of the mode switch of the volume control is used, as known per se, for setting the acoustic amplification. In a second position S for Language of the mode switch, the contrast enhancement of the hearing aid can be adapted by means of the volume control eg. In this second operating position, the manual volume control is no longer needed because the processed sound signal is processed directly in the Resthörbereich of the hearing aid by the hearing aid fitting.

p0007Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. It shows:<ul><li>1 shows a known multi-function switch with the switch positions Switch position O for off position of the hearing aid, Switching position M for operating position Normal (microphone) Switching position S noise-suppression systems; </li><li>Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the basic components of a hearing aid according to the invention,</li><li>3 a the volume control and a multi-function switch bearing housing portion of a hearing aid, which according to the invention by the multi-function switch is in its second switch position S the volume control another, second adjustment function (adjustment of contrast enhancement) is Can be selected,</li><li>Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the effect of the actuating element 7 or VC, in the normal operating position M of the multi-function switch and upon actuation of the volume control VC, the increase in acoustic amplification over the actuating travel (arrow VG) of the volume control is marked, and wherein in the operating position S of the multi-function switch and upon actuation of the volume control VC, the case used to adjust the contrast enhancement, the influence of the regulator VC below the arrow VC is shown.</li></ul>

p0008Known hearing aids are equipped with a multifunction switch, whose switching element 1 is mounted according to figure 1 as the housing 2 of the hearing aid that it is accessible for manual actuation. The known multi-function switch has an O-position, in which the hearing aid is switched off. Further, the switch has two operating positions H and S, wherein the switch is in the normal operating position as M in the position S to set the noise suppression for acoustic amplification (as volume control) is used.

p0009In case of a hearing aid components for amplifying and adjusting the sound signals to the type and degree of hearing loss of a hearing-impaired are housed. Such components are usually a microphone 3, amplifier 4, a current source, in particular the battery 5 and a receiver 6 as well as a steep for adjusting the volume 7th

p0010In the figure 2, the basic components are shown as an example of a hearing aid according to the invention in a block diagram, wherein the microphone in addition to the intended amplifier 4, a further component 8 to the voice signal processing (Speech Enhancement) is connected in parallel.

p0011According to this embodiment (Figure 3), the hearing aid 9 according to the invention in addition to the volume control 7 a multifunction switch 10 with the switch position O (hearing aid off), switching position M (hearing aid in the normal operating position, the volume control 7 is used to adjust the acoustic gain) and switch position S (hearing aid in the operating position for better intelligibility of speech, and in this S-position for "lANGUAGE" the volume divider another function is transmitted, for example, as an adjusting element for adjusting the contrast enhancement) on.

p0012The following explains what changes due to a transfer of functions to the volume control on the hearing aid to the user.

p0013As with a hearing aid with noise suppression of the mode switch 10 has two positions M, S, with which the hearing aid wearer selects the signal processing. According to the invention, however, the volume control has 7 as two different functions. In normal position M of the switch 10 of Steep 7 is, as known per se, for setting the acoustic amplification. In S for "LANGUAGE" of the switch 10 can be adjusted by means of the actuator 7, the contrast enhancement of the hearing aid. In this operating position S manual volume control is no longer needed because the processed sound signal is processed directly in the Resthörbereich by the hearing aid fitting.

p0014On the basis of Figure 4, the influence of the volume control (VC) will be explained below. The effect of the gain adjuster, for example, volume control 7, in the operating position M of the switch 10 (arrow M) or in the operating position S of the switch 10 (arrow S) results from the schematic illustration in Figure 4. The horizontal direction of the arrow VC from left to right shows the range of rotation of the potentiometer of the actuator 7 with increasing effect to the right. In the vertical, the increase in acoustic amplification is upwards in direction of arrow M is applied (for the M-position of the switch 10). At maximum gain, point 11 of the diagram, a hearing aid users might notice alone in this hearing aid fitting: "I hear a loud, but I do not understand better."

p0015Therefore, the hearing device according to the invention, a further adjustment is provided for contrast enhancement. In the vertical downward direction of the arrow S (the S-position of the switch 10) is from left to right, applied according to the adjustment path of the potentiometer in direction of arrow VC, the increase in contrast enhancement in aufdrehendem gain controller VC, the task of reinforcing the Steller Steep 7 accepts. in case the maximum setting, in the figure by point 12, the hearing aid wearer could perhaps find a bit puzzled: "Now I understand all correctly, but the other party's voice seems to me changed." However, this change has lower priority than the improved speech understanding.