EP0246970A1 - Hearing aid devices - Google Patents

Hearing aid devices Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0246970A1
EP0246970A1 EP87401130A EP87401130A EP0246970A1 EP 0246970 A1 EP0246970 A1 EP 0246970A1 EP 87401130 A EP87401130 A EP 87401130A EP 87401130 A EP87401130 A EP 87401130A EP 0246970 A1 EP0246970 A1 EP 0246970A1
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Prior art keywords
signal
sounds
compensation
frequencies
hearing aid
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EP87401130A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0246970B1 (en
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Jean-Claude Lafon
Tijani Gharbi
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Universite de Franche-Comte
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Universite de Franche-Comte
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
    • H04R25/353—Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression

Definitions

  • the invention relates to hearing aid devices intended for the deaf and in which the sounds emitted in at least a portion of the acute spectrum, sounds normally inaudible to said deaf people, are transposed into other "compensating" sounds situated in the low zone. audible of the acoustic spectrum.
  • the object of the invention is, above all, to make the devices of the kind in question such that the sounds transposed by them in the low region of the spectrum include information relating not only to the height and the intensity of the sound signals to be perceived, but also to the tones or laryngeal components of these signals.
  • the hearing aid devices of the above kind also comprise, in a manner known per se, transducer means for transforming the acoustic signals to be processed into electrical signals, means for taking at least one particular slice x i of order i , of each of these electrical signals, included in a predetermined range of high frequencies, that is to say corresponding to acute sounds, frequencies between between f i min and f i max , i being a integer between 1 and 3 and increasing in the same direction as the frequencies of the slices considered, means for developing from each of these slices x i a compensation signal S i included in a range of low frequencies, ie ie corresponding to low sounds, frequencies between F i min and F i max , the low ranges corresponding to the different compensation sounds S i being distinct from each other, means for adding the different signals compensation ows S i as well and transduction means to transform the sum signal thus obtained into a signal applicable to the deaf to be treated so as to be perceptible by him.
  • transducer means
  • the hearing aid devices are characterized in that the means for producing each compensation signal S i comprise means for multiplying the corresponding signal slice x i by a signal x ⁇ i which is either identical to this portion of signal x i or else deduced therefrom by amplitude equalization, so as to form a product signal X i , and means for taking, from this product signal X i , using a bandpass filter, the portion of said product signal whose low frequency is in the frequency range F i min to F i max , which portion constitutes the desired compensation signal S i .
  • the product signals X i considered comprise such portions at low frequency due to the properties relating to the products of the trigonometric lines.
  • each of the signals x i can be decomposed into a Fourier series, that is to say into a multitude of sinusoidal components of the type a cos 2 ⁇ ft + b sin 2 ⁇ ft (1), formula in which a and b denote constants and f , the oscillation frequency of the component considered, frequency between the two limits f i min and f i max .
  • a second component understood by the same signal x i and defined by the formula a ⁇ cos 2 ⁇ f ⁇ t + b ⁇ sin 2 ⁇ f ⁇ t (2), in which a ⁇ and b ⁇ still denote two constants and f ⁇ , the frequency of this second component, understood as f between the two limits f i min and f i max , and if we multiply these two components one by the other , the product reveals not only terms in cos 2 ⁇ (f + f ⁇ ) t and sin 2 ⁇ (f + f ⁇ ) t but also terms in cos 2 ⁇ (f + f ⁇ ) t and sin 2 ⁇ (f-f ⁇ ) t.
  • the product signal X i shows sinusoidal components oscillating at almost all frequencies of the type f-f ⁇ corresponding to differences of any two frequencies included in the range from f i min to f i max .
  • the number n of the high frequency signal slices x i which are taken from the electrical signals to be processed is equal to two, the first slice being between 1500 and 3500 Hz and the second between 5000 and 7000 Hz, - in a device according to the preceding paragraph, the ranges of low frequencies chosen for the compensation sounds S1 and S2 are respectively from 800 to 1000 Hz and from 1050 to 1200 Hz, - in a device according to the paragraph preceding the previous one, the low frequency ranges chosen for the compensation sounds S1 and S2 are respectively from 800 to 1200 Hz and from 1250 to 1900 Hz.
  • the invention includes, apart from these main provisions, certain other provisions which are preferably used at the same time and which will be more explicitly discussed below.
  • the device considered comprises, in a manner known per se: a microphone 1 suitable for transforming each of the acoustic signals A which it receives into an electrical signal E whose amplitudes and frequencies are proportional to those of said signal A, a bandpass filter 2 allowing the entire portion S o of said signal E to pass, the frequency of which is between a first very low frequency F o min of the order of 60 Hz and a second frequency F o max which depends on the degree of deafness to be treated and which is generally between 500 and 1200 Hz, being for example 800 Hz, - n electrical channels V i mounted in parallel on the filter 2 and capable of each producing an electrical compensation signal S i , the number n being an integer between 1 and 3 and the index i , an integer between 1 and n , limits included, - an adder 3 suitable for summing S of the signals S o and S i , - and a loudspeaker 4 capable of transforming the signal electric S into an acoustic signal B
  • the channels V i each comprise: a band-pass filter 5 i suitable for taking, from the electrical signal E, a slice x i of the acute spectrum inaudible to the deaf, all of these slices x i comprising the portions, of speech, most useful for l intelligibility of this word, - And means for developing compensation signals S i from these slices x i , signals included respectively in distinct ranges of low frequencies corresponding to sounds audible by the deaf.
  • Said means essentially comprise, for each channel V i : - a multiplier 6 i suitable for multiplying the slice x i by itself or by a refined signal x ⁇ i obtained from x i by amplitude equalization, which gives a product signal X i , - And a bandpass filter 7 i crossed by the single portion, of the product signal X i , which is between two low frequencies F i min and F i max .
  • Each of these low frequencies is both greater than F o max and included in the range of frequencies audible by the deaf person to be processed.
  • each time F i max ⁇ F (i + 1) min is chosen.
  • the amplitude equalization indicated above consists in making the coefficients a, b, a ⁇ and b ⁇ of formulas (1) and (2) above equal to 1.
  • the compensation signals S i can be amplified so as to take into account the fact that the low frequency range which defines the filter band of each of them s' extends over only a small portion of the entire acoustic spectrum: this is how the range of said range is for example of the order of 200 to 500 Hz while the acoustic spectrum considered is of the order of 8000 Hz.
  • the compensation signals S i produced by the above-mentioned multiplication and filtering can only be harmonics of the signals x i which gave them birth.
  • the high sampling frequencies of the two sections x1 and x2 are then advantageously included, respectively, in the range 1500 Hz (f 1 min ) to 3500 Hz (f 1 max ) and in the range 5000 Hz (f 2 min ) to 7000 Hz (f 2 max ).
  • the compensation sounds S1 and S2 are for example included respectively in the range 800 Hz (F 1 min ) to 1000 Hz (F 1 max ) and in the range 1050 Hz (F 2 min ) to 1200 Hz (F 2 max ), which corresponds to a deep deafness for which the deaf is able to perceive only the sounds whose frequency is lower than 1200 Hz.
  • the compensation sounds S1 and S2 sounds respectively included in the range 800-1200 Hz and in the range 1250-1900 Hz.
  • the sonogram a at the top of figure 2 corresponds to normal hearing.
  • the middle sonogram b corresponds to what is heard by a deaf person not equipped with a prosthesis, that is to say to the portion, of the acoustic message considered, which is filtered above 800 Hz.
  • the lower sonogram c corresponds to what a patient affected by severe deafness means equipped with a prosthesis according to the invention.
  • the vertical stripes represent the transients of the laryngeal components of sounds, or "timbres" of these sounds.
  • the invention makes it possible to incorporate into the artificially reconstituted bass sounds perceptible by the deaf, not only the “whistles” or acute components of the speech (corresponding in particular to the sounds in "z” or in “s”), but also the timbres of the vowels.
  • the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more especially envisaged; on the contrary, it embraces all variants, in particular those in which the hearing aid devices considered would be arranged so as to correspond to each sound processed a signal still perceptible by the deaf to assist, but not necessarily acoustic, in particular a signal impulse applicable to said deaf person in any desirable manner perceptible to him, this application being for example carried out electrically on his auditory nerve, or even mechanically on his skin using an appropriate vibrator.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
  • Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)
  • Stereophonic System (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid device in which the slices (s1, x2) of the electrical signal corresponding to each acoustic signal comprised respectively between 1500 and 3500 Hz and between 5000 and 7000 Hz, are transposed into compensation signals (S1, S2) comprised within two coupled ranges of separate low frequencies above the range 60 to 800 Hz, alone preserved without compensation. To preserve the timbres of the transposed sounds, the compensation signals are obtained by multiplying each slice (x1, x2) by itself or by a signal (x'1, x'2) deduced from this slice by amplitude equalization.

Description

L'invention est relative aux dispositifs de pro­thèse auditive destinés aux sourds et dans lesquels les sons émis dans une portion au moins du spectre aigu, sons normalement inaudibles auxdits sourds, sont trans­posés en d'autres sons de "compensation" situés dans la zone grave audible du spectre acoustique.The invention relates to hearing aid devices intended for the deaf and in which the sounds emitted in at least a portion of the acute spectrum, sounds normally inaudible to said deaf people, are transposed into other "compensating" sounds situated in the low zone. audible of the acoustic spectrum.

Certains dispositifs de ce genre ont été propo­sés par les brevets France no 1 382 916 et no 2 494 988.Some such devices have been proposed by France patents No. 1,382,916 and No. 2,494,988.

L'invention a pour but, surtout, de rendre les dispositifs du genre en question tels que les sons transposés par eux dans la zone grave du spectre com­prennent des informations relatives non seulement à la hauteur et à l'intensité des signaux sonores à perce­voir, mais aussi aux timbres ou composantes laryngées de ces signaux.The object of the invention is, above all, to make the devices of the kind in question such that the sounds transposed by them in the low region of the spectrum include information relating not only to the height and the intensity of the sound signals to be perceived, but also to the tones or laryngeal components of these signals.

A cet effet, les dispositifs de prothèse auditi­ve du genre ci-dessus comprennent encore, d'une façon en soi connue, des moyens transducteurs pour transformer les signaux acoustiques à traiter en des signaux élec­triques, des moyens pour prélever au moins une tranche particulière xi d'ordre i, de chacun de ces signaux électriques, comprise dans une gamme prédéterminée de fréquences élevées, c'est-à-dire correspondant à des sons aigus, fréquences comprises entre entre fi min et fi max, i étant un entier compris entre 1 et 3 et crois­sant dans le même sens que les fréquences des tranches considérées, des moyens pour élaborer à partir de cha­cune de ces tranches xi un signal de compensation Si compris dans une gamme de fréquences basses, c'est-à-­dire correspondant à des sons graves, fréquences compri­ses entre Fi min et Fi max, les gammes basses corres­pondant aux différents sons de compensation Si étant distinctes les unes des autres, des moyens pour addi­tionner les différents signaux de compensation Si ainsi élaborés et des moyens de transduction pour transformer le signal-somme ainsi obtenu en un signal applicable au sourd à traiter de façon à être perceptible par lui.To this end, the hearing aid devices of the above kind also comprise, in a manner known per se, transducer means for transforming the acoustic signals to be processed into electrical signals, means for taking at least one particular slice x i of order i , of each of these electrical signals, included in a predetermined range of high frequencies, that is to say corresponding to acute sounds, frequencies between between f i min and f i max , i being a integer between 1 and 3 and increasing in the same direction as the frequencies of the slices considered, means for developing from each of these slices x i a compensation signal S i included in a range of low frequencies, ie ie corresponding to low sounds, frequencies between F i min and F i max , the low ranges corresponding to the different compensation sounds S i being distinct from each other, means for adding the different signals compensation ows S i as well and transduction means to transform the sum signal thus obtained into a signal applicable to the deaf to be treated so as to be perceptible by him.

Selon l'invention, les dispositifs de prothèse auditive ainsi définis sont caractérisés en ce que les moyens pour élaborer chaque signal de compensation Si comprennent des moyens pour multiplier la tranche de signal xi correspondante par un signal xʹi qui est ou bien identique à cette tranche de signal xi ou bien dé­duit de cette dernière par égalisation d'amplitude, de façon à former un signal-produit Xi, et des moyens pour prélever, dans ce signal-produit Xi, à l'aide d'un fil­tre passe-bande, la portion dudit signal-produit dont la fréquence basse est comprise dans la gamme de fréquences Fi min à Fi max, portion qui constitue le signal de com­pensation Si désiré.According to the invention, the hearing aid devices thus defined are characterized in that the means for producing each compensation signal S i comprise means for multiplying the corresponding signal slice x i by a signal xʹ i which is either identical to this portion of signal x i or else deduced therefrom by amplitude equalization, so as to form a product signal X i , and means for taking, from this product signal X i , using a bandpass filter, the portion of said product signal whose low frequency is in the frequency range F i min to F i max , which portion constitutes the desired compensation signal S i .

Les demandeurs ont en effet découvert que les signaux-produits Xi considérés comportent de telles por­tions à fréquence basse en raison des propriétés affé­rentes aux produits des lignes trigonométriques.The applicants have in fact discovered that the product signals X i considered comprise such portions at low frequency due to the properties relating to the products of the trigonometric lines.

Il se trouve en effet que chacun des signaux xi peut être décomposé en une série de Fourier, c'est-à-­dire en une multitude de composants sinusoïdaux du type
ª cos 2πft + b sin 2πft (1),
formule dans laquelle ª et b désignent des constantes et f, la fréquence d'oscillation du composant considéré, fréquence comprise entre les deux limites fi min et fi max.It turns out that each of the signals x i can be decomposed into a Fourier series, that is to say into a multitude of sinusoidal components of the type
ª cos 2πft + b sin 2πft (1),
formula in which ª and b denote constants and f , the oscillation frequency of the component considered, frequency between the two limits f i min and f i max .

Si l'on considère, en plus du composant qui vient d'être défini, un second composant compris par le même signal xi et défini par la formule
aʹ cos 2πfʹt + bʹ sin 2πfʹt (2),
dans laquelle aʹ et bʹ désignent encore deux constantes et fʹ, la fréquence de ce second composant, comprise comme f entre les deux limites fi min et fi max, et si l'on multiplie ces deux composants l'un par l'autre, le produit fait apparaître non seulement des termes en cos 2 π (f+fʹ)t et sin 2π (f+fʹ)t mais également des termes en cos 2π (f+fʹ)t et sin 2π (f-fʹ)t.If we consider, in addition to the component which has just been defined, a second component understood by the same signal x i and defined by the formula
aʹ cos 2πfʹt + bʹ sin 2πfʹt (2),
in which aʹ and bʹ still denote two constants and fʹ, the frequency of this second component, understood as f between the two limits f i min and f i max , and if we multiply these two components one by the other , the product reveals not only terms in cos 2 π (f + fʹ) t and sin 2π (f + fʹ) t but also terms in cos 2π (f + fʹ) t and sin 2π (f-fʹ) t.

Plus généralement, si l'on multiple le signal xi par lui-même, le signal-produit Xi fait apparaitre des composants sinusoïdaux oscillant à quasiment toutes les fréquences du type f-fʹ correspondant à des diffé­rences de deux fréquences quelconques comprises dans la gamme de fi min à fi max.More generally, if we multiply the signal x i by itself, the product signal X i shows sinusoidal components oscillating at almost all frequencies of the type f-fʹ corresponding to differences of any two frequencies included in the range from f i min to f i max .

Parmi les innombrables différences de fréquences ainsi définies, un certain nombre se trouvent nécessai­rement dans les gammes de basses fréquences désirées pour les sons graves de compensation, et c'est ce qui permit d'obtenir de tels sons graves, sons respectant intégralement les formes temporelles des sons aigus à représenter.Among the innumerable differences in frequencies thus defined, a certain number are necessarily in the low frequency ranges desired for the bass compensation sounds, and this is what made it possible to obtain such bass sounds, sounds fully respecting the temporal forms. high-pitched sounds to represent.

Ce respect des formes temporelles permet de transposer vers les graves non seulement les hauteurs et intensités des tranches aiguës prélevées, mais aussi leurs timbres, ce qui accroit considérablement l'intel­ligibilité des sons traités.This respect for temporal forms makes it possible to transpose to the bass not only the heights and intensities of the acute slices sampled, but also their timbres, which considerably increases the intelligibility of the sounds processed.

Dans des modes de réalisation avantageux, on a recours en outre à l'une et/ou à l'autre des disposi­tions suivantes :
- le nombre n des tranches de signal xi à fréquence élé­vée qui sont prélevées dans les signaux électriques à traiter est égal à deux, la première tranche étant comprise entre 1500 et 3500 Hz et la seconde, entre 5000 et 7000 Hz,
- dans un dispositif selon l'alinéa précédent, les gam­mes de fréquences graves choisies pour les sons de compensation S₁ et S₂ sont respectivement de 800 à 1000 Hz et de 1050 à 1200 Hz,
- dans un dispositif selon l'alinéa qui précède le pré­cédent, les gammes de fréquences graves choisies pour les sons de compensation S₁ et S₂ sont respectivement de 800 à 1200 Hz et de 1250 à 1900 Hz.In advantageous embodiments, use is also made of one and / or the other of the following arrangements:
the number n of the high frequency signal slices x i which are taken from the electrical signals to be processed is equal to two, the first slice being between 1500 and 3500 Hz and the second between 5000 and 7000 Hz,
- in a device according to the preceding paragraph, the ranges of low frequencies chosen for the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂ are respectively from 800 to 1000 Hz and from 1050 to 1200 Hz,
- in a device according to the paragraph preceding the previous one, the low frequency ranges chosen for the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂ are respectively from 800 to 1200 Hz and from 1250 to 1900 Hz.

L'invention comprend, mises à part ces disposi­tions principales, certaines autres dispositions qui s'utilisent de préférence en même temps et dont il sera plus explicitement question ci-après.The invention includes, apart from these main provisions, certain other provisions which are preferably used at the same time and which will be more explicitly discussed below.

Dans ce qui suit, l'on va décrire des modes de réalisation préférés de l'invention en se référant au dessin ci-annexé d'une manière bien entendu non limita­tive.

  • La figure 1, de ce dessin, est un schéma d'un dispositif de prothèse auditive établi selon l'inven­tion.
  • La figure 2 est un triple sonagramme permettant de comprendre l'intérêt de l'invention.
In what follows, we will describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in a manner of course not limiting.
  • Figure 1 of this drawing is a diagram of a hearing aid device established according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a triple sonogram for understanding the interest of the invention.

Le dispositif considéré comprend, d'une façon connue en soi :
- un microphone 1 propre à transformer chacun des si­gnaux acoustiques A qu'il reçoit en un signal électri­que E dont les amplitudes et fréquences sont propor­tionnelles à celles dudit signal A,
- un filtre passe-bande 2 laissant passer toute la por­tion So dudit signal E dont la fréquence est comprise entre une première fréquence très basse Fo min de l'ordre de 60 Hz et une seconde fréquence Fo max qui dépend du degré de surdité à traiter et qui est généralement comprise entre 500 et 1200 Hz, étant par exemple de 800 Hz,
- n voies électriques Vi montées en parallèle sur le filtre 2 et propres à élaborer chacune un signal élec­trique de compensation Si, le nombre n étant un entier compris entre 1 et 3 et l'indice i, un entier compris entre 1 et n, limites incluses,
- un additionneur 3 propre à faire la somme S des si­gnaux So et Si,
- et un haut-parleur 4 propre à transformer le signal électrique S en un signal acoustique B qui est exploi­té de toute façon désirable et en particulier appliqué à l'oreille d'un sourd.The device considered comprises, in a manner known per se:
a microphone 1 suitable for transforming each of the acoustic signals A which it receives into an electrical signal E whose amplitudes and frequencies are proportional to those of said signal A,
a bandpass filter 2 allowing the entire portion S o of said signal E to pass, the frequency of which is between a first very low frequency F o min of the order of 60 Hz and a second frequency F o max which depends on the degree of deafness to be treated and which is generally between 500 and 1200 Hz, being for example 800 Hz,
- n electrical channels V i mounted in parallel on the filter 2 and capable of each producing an electrical compensation signal S i , the number n being an integer between 1 and 3 and the index i , an integer between 1 and n , limits included,
- an adder 3 suitable for summing S of the signals S o and S i ,
- and a loudspeaker 4 capable of transforming the signal electric S into an acoustic signal B which is exploited in any desirable way and in particular applied to the deaf ear.

D'une façon encore connue en soi, les voies Vi comprennent chacune :
- un filtre passe-bande 5i propre à prélever, dans le signal électrique E, une tranche xi du spectre aigu inaudible aux sourds, l'ensemble de ces tranches xi comprenant les portions, de la parole, les plus utiles à l'intelligibilité de cette parole,
- et des moyens pour élaborer des signaux de compensa­tion Si à partir de ces tranches xi, signaux compris respectivement dans des gammes distinctes de fré­quences basses correspondant à des sons audibles par le sourd.In a manner still known per se, the channels V i each comprise:
a band-pass filter 5 i suitable for taking, from the electrical signal E, a slice x i of the acute spectrum inaudible to the deaf, all of these slices x i comprising the portions, of speech, most useful for l intelligibility of this word,
- And means for developing compensation signals S i from these slices x i , signals included respectively in distinct ranges of low frequencies corresponding to sounds audible by the deaf.

C'est plus particulièrement à ces derniers moyens d'élaboration que se rapporte l'invention.It is more particularly to these latter means of preparation that the invention relates.

Lesdits moyens comprennent essentiellement, pour chaque voie Vi :
- un multiplicateur 6i propre à multiplier la tranche xi par elle-même ou par un signal épuré xʹi obtenu à par­tir de xi par égalisation d'amplitude, ce qui donne un signal-produit Xi,
- et un filtre passe-bande 7i traversé par la seule por­tion, du signal-produit Xi, qui est comprise entre deux fréquences basses Fi min et Fi max.Said means essentially comprise, for each channel V i :
- a multiplier 6 i suitable for multiplying the slice x i by itself or by a refined signal xʹ i obtained from x i by amplitude equalization, which gives a product signal X i ,
- And a bandpass filter 7 i crossed by the single portion, of the product signal X i , which is between two low frequencies F i min and F i max .

Chacune de ces fréquences basses est à la fois supérieure à Fo max et comprise dans la gamme des fré­quences audibles par le sourd à traiter.Each of these low frequencies is both greater than F o max and included in the range of frequencies audible by the deaf person to be processed.

De plus, de préférence, on choisit chaque fois Fi max < F(i+1) min.In addition, preferably, each time F i max < F (i + 1) min is chosen.

Ce sont les sorties des filtres 7i qui cons­tituent les signaux de compensation Si désirés.These are the outputs of the filters 7 i which constitute the desired compensation signals S i .

L'égalisation d'amplitude signalée ci-dessus consiste à rendre égaux à 1 les coefficients a, b, aʹ et bʹ des formules (1) et (2) ci-dessus.The amplitude equalization indicated above consists in making the coefficients a, b, aʹ and bʹ of formulas (1) and (2) above equal to 1.

Elle est obtenue en faisant traverser par les tranches de signal xi à épurer des amplificateurs à gain contrôlé (ACG) 8i.It is obtained by causing signal slices x i to be purged to control gain gain amplifiers (ACG) 8 i .

Avant d'être additionnés au signal So dans l'ad­ditionneur 3, les signaux de compensation Si peuvent être amplifiés de façon à tenir compte du fait que la gamme de fréquences basses qui définit la bande du fil­trage de chacun d'eux s'étend sur seulement une petite portion de l'ensemble du spectre acoustique : c'est ainsi que l'étendue de ladite gamme est par exemple de l'ordre de 200 à 500 Hz alors que le spectre acoustique considéré est de l'ordre de 8000 Hz.Before being added to the signal S o in the adder 3, the compensation signals S i can be amplified so as to take into account the fact that the low frequency range which defines the filter band of each of them s' extends over only a small portion of the entire acoustic spectrum: this is how the range of said range is for example of the order of 200 to 500 Hz while the acoustic spectrum considered is of the order of 8000 Hz.

Les signaux de compensation Si élaborés par la multiplication et le filtrage ci-dessus mentionnés ne peuvent être que des harmoniques des signaux xi qui leur ont donné naissance.The compensation signals S i produced by the above-mentioned multiplication and filtering can only be harmonics of the signals x i which gave them birth.

Ils sont donc synchronisés temporellement avec ces derniers et varient rigoureusement comme eux, et en même temps que ceux-ci.They are therefore synchronized temporally with the latter and vary rigorously like them, and at the same time as these.

On observe donc ici une transposition immédiate, en temps réel, des sons à rendre intelligibles, ce qui présente un avantage important sur les appareils de pro­thèse auditive pour lesquels le traitement des sons acoustiques reçus conduit à l'émission différée d'autres sons élaborés à partir d'au moins une composante desdits sons reçus.We therefore observe here an immediate transposition, in real time, of the sounds to be made intelligible, which presents an important advantage over hearing aid devices for which the processing of the acoustic sounds received leads to the deferred emission of other sounds developed at from at least one component of said received sounds.

Sur la figure 1 on a supposé que le nombre n des voies Vi était égal à deux.In FIG. 1, it has been assumed that the number n of the channels V i is equal to two.

Les fréquences élevées de prélèvement des deux tranches x₁ et x₂ sont alors avantageusement comprises, respectivement, dans la gamme 1500 Hz (f1 min) à 3500 Hz (f1 max) et dans la gamme 5000 Hz (f2 min) à 7000 Hz (f2 max).The high sampling frequencies of the two sections x₁ and x₂ are then advantageously included, respectively, in the range 1500 Hz (f 1 min ) to 3500 Hz (f 1 max ) and in the range 5000 Hz (f 2 min ) to 7000 Hz (f 2 max ).

Quant aux sons de compensation S₁ et S₂, ils sont par exemple compris respectivement dans la gamme 800 Hz (F1 min) à 1000 Hz (F1 max) et dans la gamme 1050 Hz (F2 min) à 1200 Hz (F2 max), ce qui correspond à une surdité profonde pour laquelle le sourd n'est apte à percevoir que les sons dont la fréquence est inférieure à 1200 Hz.As for the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂, they are for example included respectively in the range 800 Hz (F 1 min ) to 1000 Hz (F 1 max ) and in the range 1050 Hz (F 2 min ) to 1200 Hz (F 2 max ), which corresponds to a deep deafness for which the deaf is able to perceive only the sounds whose frequency is lower than 1200 Hz.

Selon une variante, applicable à une surdité sévère, mais moins profonde que la précédente, les sons de compensation S₁ et S₂ sons respectivement compris dans la gamme 800-1200 Hz et dans la gamme 1250-1900 Hz.According to a variant, applicable to severe deafness, but less deep than the previous one, the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂ sounds respectively included in the range 800-1200 Hz and in the range 1250-1900 Hz.

C'est à cette dernière variante que correspon­dent les trois sonagrammes comparés de la figure 2.It is to this latter variant that the three compared sonograms of FIG. 2 correspond.

Pour chacun de ces graphiques, la fréquence est portée en ordonnées et on a porté en abcisses le temps correspondant à l'émission de la phrase "des unités des sons".For each of these graphs, the frequency is plotted on the ordinate and the time corresponding to the emission of the sentence "of the units of sounds" has been plotted on the abscissa.

Le sonagramme ª du haut de la figure 2 corres­pond à une audition normale.The sonogram ª at the top of figure 2 corresponds to normal hearing.

Le sonagramme b du milieu correspond à ce qui est entendu par un sourd profond non équipé de prothèse, c'est-à-dire à la portion, du message acoustique consi­déré, qui est filtrée supérieurement à 800 Hz.The middle sonogram b corresponds to what is heard by a deaf person not equipped with a prosthesis, that is to say to the portion, of the acoustic message considered, which is filtered above 800 Hz.

Enfin le sonagramme c du bas correspond à ce qu'entend un patient affecté d'une surdité sévère équipé d'une prothèse conforme à l'invention.Finally, the lower sonogram c corresponds to what a patient affected by severe deafness means equipped with a prosthesis according to the invention.

Les rayures verticales représentent les transi­toires des composantes laryngées des sons, ou "timbres" de ces sons.The vertical stripes represent the transients of the laryngeal components of sounds, or "timbres" of these sounds.

On voit que l'invention permet d'incorporer aux sons graves reconstitués artificiellement et percepti­bles par le sourd, non seulement les "sifflements" ou composantes aiguës de la parole (correspondant en par­ticulier aux sons en "z" ou en "s"), mais aussi les timbres des voyelles.We see that the invention makes it possible to incorporate into the artificially reconstituted bass sounds perceptible by the deaf, not only the "whistles" or acute components of the speech (corresponding in particular to the sounds in "z" or in "s"), but also the timbres of the vowels.

En suite de quoi, et quel que soit le mode de réalisation envisagé, on obtient un dispositif de pro­thèse auditive dont la constitution, le fonctionnement et les avantages (en particulier celui de conférer auto­matiquement et instantanément aux sons artificiels gra­ves reconstitués les caractéristiques temporelles ou "timbres" des sons naturels à percevoir) résultent suf­fisamment de ce qui précède.Following this, and whatever the embodiment envisaged, a hearing aid device is obtained, the constitution, the functioning of which and the advantages (in particular that of conferring automatically and instantaneously on the reconstructed grave artificial sounds the temporal characteristics or "timbres" of the natural sounds to be perceived) result sufficiently from the above.

Comme il va de soi, et comme il résulte d'ail­leurs déjà ce de qui précède, l'invention ne se limite nullement à ceux de ses modes d'application et de réali­sation qui ont été plus spécialement envisagés ; elle en embrasse, au contraire, toutes les variantes, notamment celles où les dispositifs de prothèse auditive considé­rés seraient agencés de façon à faire correspondre à chaque son traité un signal encore perceptible par le sourd à assister, mais pas obligatoirement acoustique, en particulier un signal impulsionnel applicable audit sourd de toute manière désirable perceptible par lui, cette application étant par exemple effectuée électri­quement sur son nerf auditif, ou encore mécaniquement sur sa peau à l'aide d'un vibrateur approprié.As is obvious, and as already follows from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more especially envisaged; on the contrary, it embraces all variants, in particular those in which the hearing aid devices considered would be arranged so as to correspond to each sound processed a signal still perceptible by the deaf to assist, but not necessarily acoustic, in particular a signal impulse applicable to said deaf person in any desirable manner perceptible to him, this application being for example carried out electrically on his auditory nerve, or even mechanically on his skin using an appropriate vibrator.

Claims (4)

1. Dispositif de prothèse auditive comprenant des moyens transducteurs (1) pour transformer les si­gnaux acoustiques à traiter (A) en des signaux élec­triques (E), des moyens (5i) pour prélever au moins une tranche particulière xi d'ordre i, de chacun de ces si­gnaux électriques, comprise dans une gamme prédéterminée de fréquences élevées, c'est-à-dire correspondant à des sons aigus, fréquences comprises entre entre fi min et fi max, i étant un entier compris entre 1 et 3 et crois­sant dans le même sens que les fréquences à partir de cha­cune de ces tranches xi un signal de compensation Si compris dans une gamme de fréquences basses, c'est-à-­dire correspondant à des sons graves, fréquences compri­ses entre Fi min et Fi max, les gammes basses corres­pondant aux différents sons de compensation Si étant distinctes les unes des autres, des moyens (3) pour additionner les différents signaux de compensation Si ainsi élaborés et des moyens de transduction (4) pour transformer le signal-somme ainsi obtenu en un signal (B) applicable au sourd à traiter de façon à être per­ceptible par lui, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour élaborer chaque signal de compensation Si comprennent des moyens (6i) pour multiplier la tranche de signal xi correspondante par un signal xʹi qui est ou bien iden­tique à cette tranche de signal xi ou bien déduit de cette dernière par égalisation d'amplitude, de façon à former un signal-produit Xi, et des moyens pour préle­ver, dans ce signal-produit Xi, à l'aide d'un filtre passe-bande (7i), la portion dudit signal-produit dont la fréquence basse est comprise dans la gamme de fré­quences Fi min à Fi max, portion qui constitue le signal de compensation Si désiré.1. Hearing aid device comprising transducer means (1) for transforming the acoustic signals to be processed (A) into electrical signals (E), means (5 i ) for taking at least one particular section x i of order i , of each of these electrical signals, included in a predetermined range of high frequencies, that is to say corresponding to treble sounds, frequencies between between f i min and f i max , i being an integer between 1 and 3 and increasing in the same direction as the frequencies from each of these slots x i a compensation signal S i included in a range of low frequencies, that is to say corresponding to low tones, frequencies between F i min and F i max , the low ranges corresponding to the different compensation sounds S i being distinct from each other, means (3) for adding the different compensation signals S i thus produced and transduction means (4) for transform the signal -sum thus obtained in a signal (B) applicable to the deaf to be treated so as to be perceptible by him, characterized in that the means for developing each compensation signal S i comprise means (6 i ) for multiplying the signal slice x i corresponding by a signal xʹ i which is either identical to this segment of signal x i or else deduced therefrom by amplitude equalization, so as to form a product signal X i , and means for taking, from this product signal X i , using a band-pass filter (7 i ), the portion of said product signal whose low frequency is included in the frequency range F i min to F i max , portion which constitutes the desired compensation signal S i . 2. Dispositif de prothèse auditive selon la re­vendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le nombre des tran­ches de signal xi à fréquence élevée qui sont prélevées dans les signaux électriques à traiter est égal à deux, la première tranche étant comprise entre 1500 et 3500 Hz et la seconde, entre 5000 et 7000 Hz.2. Hearing aid device according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of signal slices x i at high frequency which are taken from the electrical signals to be processed is equal to two, the first slice being between 1500 and 3500 Hz and the second, between 5000 and 7000 Hz. 3. Dispositif de prothèse auditive selon la re­vendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les gammes de fré­quences graves choisies pour les sons de compensation S₁ et S₂ sont respectivement de 800 à 1000 Hz et de 1050 à 1200 Hz.3. Hearing aid device according to claim 2, characterized in that the low frequency ranges chosen for the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂ are respectively from 800 to 1000 Hz and from 1050 to 1200 Hz. 4. Dispositif de prothèse auditive selon la re­vendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les gammes de fré­quences graves choisies pour les sons de compensation S₁ et S₂ sont respectivement de 800 à 1200 Hz et de 1250 à 1900 Hz.4. Hearing aid device according to claim 2, characterized in that the low frequency ranges chosen for the compensation sounds S₁ and S₂ are respectively from 800 to 1200 Hz and from 1250 to 1900 Hz.
EP87401130A 1986-05-23 1987-05-20 Hearing aid devices Expired - Lifetime EP0246970B1 (en)

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AT87401130T ATE59260T1 (en) 1986-05-23 1987-05-20 LISTENING AID ARRANGEMENTS.

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FR8607408A FR2598909B1 (en) 1986-05-23 1986-05-23 IMPROVEMENTS ON HEARING AID DEVICES
FR8607408 1986-05-23

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DK1885156T3 (en) * 2006-08-04 2013-07-29 Siemens Audiologische Technik Hearing aid with an audio signal generator
WO2012076044A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Widex A/S Hearing aid and a method of improved audio reproduction
CN103765779B (en) * 2011-07-14 2017-02-15 索诺瓦公司 Method for extending a frequency range of an input signal of a hearing device as well as a hearing device
WO2013067261A1 (en) * 2011-11-04 2013-05-10 Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh Transpositional acoustic frequency range in eas patients
EP3128765A1 (en) * 2015-08-07 2017-02-08 Tain-Tzu Chang Method of processing sound track
KR102494080B1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2023-02-01 삼성전자 주식회사 Electronic device and method for correcting sound signal thereof
TWI662544B (en) * 2018-05-28 2019-06-11 塞席爾商元鼎音訊股份有限公司 Method for detecting ambient noise to change the playing voice frequency and sound playing device thereof
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EP0246970B1 (en) 1990-12-19
ATE59260T1 (en) 1991-01-15
US4843623A (en) 1989-06-27
FR2598909B1 (en) 1988-08-26
DE3766755D1 (en) 1991-01-31

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