Method for adapting a hearing aid considering the position of head and corresponding hearing aid

0001The present invention relates to a hearing aid which at the spatial direction of an incoming sound signal adaptable is, with multiple microphones for receiving input signals and a computing means for calculating at least a direction from which a sound signal predeterminable arrives. Moreover, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for adapting a hearing device at least one spatial direction of sound incidence.

0002With the known methods of "blind source separation" (Blind source separation, BSS) multiple, simultaneously speaking, spatially distributed speaker separately and which emphasized the improvement in its clarity will. The BSS, with a signal from mixing by the Wearers highlighted desired useful sound can be described 1017253 A2 greater detail in the document EP. However, these or similar methods need Adaptation time of several seconds until the directions of Speakers are reliably estimated. Due to unavoidable Head movements that require a renewed adaptation every time these algorithms therefore currently for hearing aids only conditionally suitable.

0003The object of the present invention is thus, a source separation despite head movements in a reasonable To perform timeframe in hearing aids.

0004This object is achieved by a hearing aid, the to the spatial direction of an incoming sound signal is adaptable, with multiple microphones to record of input signals and a computing means for computing at least one direction from which a predeterminable Sound signal is received, on the basis of the input signals as well as a Position determining means for determining the current Position of the head of the hearing aid wearer, so that with to the help of the position of the head in the computing device is calculated at least one direction influenced.

0005In addition, the invention provides a method for adapting a hearing aid to at least one spatial Direction of an incoming signal to the hearing aid sound by accommodating a plurality of microphone input signals, calculating the at least one direction from which a predeterminable Sound signal arrives using the microphone input signals, Changing the position of the head of the hearing device and determining the current position of the head of the hearing aid and influencing the calculated or to be calculated at least one direction from which the sound arrives signal, based on the current position of the head.

0006By avoiding a re-adaptation process according to a head movement, the blind source separation in Hearing aids are used, which in certain situations The speech intelligibility can be dramatically increased.

0007Preferably, the instrument has binaural supply transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the Head position to the second hearing device. Thus it is sufficient if a hearing device with a positioning device for Determination of the head position is equipped. The transfer means is in many cases of binaural supply already provided in the hearing aid.

0008The position determining means can be designed to that the position of the head determined based on the earth's magnetic field becomes. This has the advantage that not only a relative but also determines an absolute position of the head could be.

0009Alternatively, the positioning device may configured be that the head position by means of an acceleration sensor is determined. This has the advantage, that a common technology used with robust components can be.

0010In a simple embodiment of the invention is a Head movement in the adapted state of the hearing aid into account. In a further development, the current head position is with the hearing aid even during the adaptation process considered. Thereby, the time for setting the be hearing further reduced.

0011The present invention will now reference to the accompanying explained drawings, which shows a block diagram of an inventive Hearing shows.

0012The following embodiment is described in detail illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention represent.

0013A hearing aid as shown in the drawing has have multiple microphones M1, Mn. The signals of the microphones picked up by a pre-processing VV. A Position Determination Entity PB returns the current head position also to the pre-processing VV. The preprocessed Signals the preprocessing VV are parallel to an adaptive processing and Entmischeinheit VE forwarded. As a result, the unit provides the signals VE the various sources Q1, Qk. Alternatively or additionally, , the head position of the locator unit PB also to the processing and Entmischeinheit VE to be delivered.

0014When positioning device PB are called "Head Tracker ", for example, the Earth's magnetic field to determine the position use commercially available. When required, are the head tracker continuously the current head position the preprocessing VV on. Preferably, in binaural supply this information wirelessly to the transferred hearing aid on the other side of the head.

0015In the pre-processing VV is the current position offset against the microphone signals such that in the event of Head movement, the change in direction of the microphones Due to the head movement is considered that no new adaptation must be carried out as long as the external Speaker or sound sources do not change their positions. If the head movement is already taking place during the adaptation, has the head movement registered accordingly time will. In this case, the adaptation process is the time dependence the signals to be considered.