Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to hearing aids, and more particularly, this invention relates
to hearing aids that include filters for improving RF immunity to RF electromagnetic
interference.
Background of the Invention
[0002] When some mobile wireless communications devices or other wireless communications
devices are used near some hearing aid devices, for example, a cochlear implant or
a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid having a tone hook and earmold, users often detect
a buzzing, humming or whining noise, or other unwanted audible noise such as a Global
System for Mobile communications (GSM) buzz, which can be annoying to users. Some
hearing aids are more immune than others and have appropriate filters for suppressing
this interference noise, while some phones vary in the amount of interference they
generate.
[0003] The wireless telephone industry has developed ratings for some mobile phones to assist
hearing aid users in finding a phone that is more compatible with their hearing aid.
Not all phones have been rated, however, but typically, a phone should have a rating
listed on its box or on a label on the box. These ratings are not guarantees and some
results vary depending on the type of hearing aid and user hearing loss. Some ratings
use an M-ratings scale with phones rated M3 or M4 meeting FCC requirements that are
likely to generate less interference to hearing aids than phones that are not labeled.
M4 is a higher rating. A T-ratings scale occurs with phones rated T3 or T4 meeting
FCC requirements, and likely to be useable with a hearing aid telecoil ("T-switch"
or "telephone switch") than unrated phones. T4 is the better quality. Some hearing
aid devices, however, do not include telecoils. Also, some hearing aids can be measured
for immunity to this type of interference.
[0004] US-B1-6 546 109 describes a hearing aid which is made resistant to electromagnetic interference produced
by mobile phones by using an electrically conductive foil to shield the circuitry
components and a filtering circuit composed of inductors and capacitors to shield
the circuitry components wherein ferrite beads or ferrite toroids are used as the
inductors.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] In accordance with one non-limiting example, RF filters and RF shielding techniques
can be implemented in a microphone circuit or speaker of a hearing aid. These types
of filters and shielding can also be supplied to a power supply circuit and other
circuits in a hearing aid to reduce the RF coupling from the wireless communications
device to those circuits in the hearing aid, causing an audible unwanted noise, such
as GSM buzz.
[0006] In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment, the hearing aid has improved immunity
to RF electromagnetic interference produced from wireless communications devices,
for example, cellular telephones. A microphone receives audio or acoustic signals
from the environment. Audio circuitry is connected to the microphone and amplifies
the audio signals. A speaker is connected to the audio circuitry and directs the audio
or acoustic signals into an ear of a user using the hearing aid. Audio connection
lines connect the microphone and audio circuitry and the speaker and audio circuitry.
A respective filter formed as a ferrite inductor is serially connected into each of
the audio connection lines as a solder overcoat on a signal trace wherein the filter
is operative for reducing the RF coupling from a wireless communications device.
[0007] In yet another aspect, an RF shield could surround one of at least a speaker or microphone
to aid in reducing the RF coupling from a wireless communications device. The RF shield
could be formed as a metallic housing. A hearing aid housing could support the microphone,
speaker and audio circuitry. A tone hook could be connected to the hearing aid housing
for receiving audio signals from the speaker. An earmold could be connected to the
tone hook and adapted to be inserted within the ear of a user.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a microphone bias line connects the microprocessor and microphone
for carrying microphone bias control signals between the microprocessor and the microphone.
A microphone bias filter is connected into each of the microphone bias lines for reducing
the RF coupling from a wireless communications device. A method aspect is also set
forth.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the detailed description of the invention which follows, when considered in light
of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a behind-the-ear (BET) hearing aid that includes
an earmold for ear insertion with the audio circuitry and other components, including
a filter for reducing RF electromagnetic interference produced from a wireless communications
device.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic functional components of a hearing aid that
could be adapted to incorporate a filter to decrease unwanted audible noise, such
as GSM buzz, and any electromagnetic interference produced from a wireless communications
device.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a combination microphone and filter
circuit, which could be incorporated into the microphone shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a combination speaker and filter circuit,
which could be incorporated into the speaker shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a graph showing a threshold of hearing and discomfort for a typical normal
ear.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a typical threshold of hearing and discomfort for an ear with some hearing
loss.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0016] Different embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown. Many different
forms can be set forth and described embodiments should not be construed as limited
to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to
those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime
notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.
[0017] The embodiments as described address the RF interference produced from a wireless
communications device, for example, a cellular phone to a hearing aid. This interference
can cause unwanted audible noise, such as GSM buzz, which can be annoying to users.
Currently, cell phone manufacturers are required to meet the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) requirements for hearing aid compatibility (HAC). The embodiments
as described target the hearing aid side of the problem instead of concentrating on
cell phone compatibility.
[0018] As is known to those skilled in the art, a typical hearing aid includes a microphone,
amplifier, volume control, an earphone (receiver), power source, and some type of
coupling to the ear such as an earmold. The microphone takes the incoming signal and
filters it to provide a respective frequency response. Amplifiers take the resulting
signal and make it louder. A receiver converts the signal back into an acoustical
form of the signal that the ear can hear.
[0019] A hearing aid is shown in FIG. 1 at
10 and designed and configured as a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. It should be understood
that all different types of hearing aids can be used with the RF filtering as will
be described, including hearing aids that are inserted directly into the ear canal
of a user, for example, a cochlear implant, or supported by the ears as shown in the
BTE hearing aid of FIG. 1.
[0020] The hearing aid
10 typically includes a hearing aid housing
12, having audio circuitry within the housing and indicated by a dashed line at
13, and a battery compartment
14 for holding a battery for powering the audio circuitry. An on/off switch
16 allows on/off operation to be user controlled. A volume control
18 allows user control over the amount of amplification or sound amplitude heard through
the ear. The microphone
20 and speaker
22 are shown at an end of the hearing aid. A tone hook
24 extends from the speaker
22 and includes an earmold
26 connected thereto that has a hearing insert that is adapted to be inserted within
the ear canal of a user.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a typical hearing aid
30, including the microphone
32 that receives acoustical or audio signals from the environment. The analog voltage
signals produced at the microphone by the transducer as Vin_P and Vin_N signals are
input into a low pass filter
34 and digitally converted by an analog-to-digital converter
36 after low pass filtering. After conversion, the digital signals are processed at
a digital signal processor (DSP)
38 with standard digital signal processing techniques. A microprocessor
40 is operative with the DSP
38 and the microprocessor transmits microphone bias control signals over microphone
bias lines as a microphone bias (MIC_BIAS) and supplementary microphone voltage (MIC_VSUP)
line. Signals are transferred back to the microphone in a closed loop system as illustrated
at
41 in FIG. 2. After digital signal processing at DSP
38, the digital signal is processed in a digital-to-analog filter
42 and filtered in a low pass filter
44. The voltage signals from the low pass filter
44 as Vout_P and Vout_N are transferred to the speaker
46, which could be connected to an earmold that is inserted within the ear or as part
of a cochlear implant or BTE hearing aid.
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the type of electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters that
can be used with the microphone
32 (FIG. 3) and the speaker
46 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, the microphone is formed as an overall microphone circuit
32 having an output into the low pass filter
34 as Vin_P and Vin_N, and four capacitors C1, C2, C3, C4 and two inductors L1, L2.
A first and second capacitor C1, C2 are connected parallel into the Vin_P and Vin_N
lines. Serially connected capacitors C3, C4 and inductors L1, L2 are connected in
each line. A feedback circuit from the microprocessor as a microphone bias line includes
an inductor L3, L4 and grounded capacitor C5, C6 in each line, followed by another
grounded capacitor C7, C8 in each line as it enters the microphone as illustrated.
The entire circuit as described could be enclosed with an RF shield
32a, or just the transducer area of the microphone shown by the dashed lines
32b.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a filter for the speaker illustrating the Vout_P and Vout_N audio connection
lines. Each line includes serially connected ferrite inductor elements L1, L2, L3
and L4, resistor elements R1, R2, and non-ferrite inductor elements L5, L6. Four parallel
capacitors C1, C2, C3 and C4 are connected as illustrated. The ferrite inductors L1,
L2, L3 and L4 can be formed as a ferrite bead. The non-fernte inductor L5, L6 in each
line can be formed as a 680 microhenry inductor in one non-limiting example. The resistors
R1, R2 can be 28 ohm resistors in one non-limiting example. The capacitors C2 and
C3 could be 1.5 and 0.68 microhenry capacitors in one non-limiting example.
[0024] The RF filters as described could be RF ferrite beads, serially connected inductors,
or shunt capacitors or a combination of both. In another aspect, an isolation RF shield
as a "can" could surround and isolate the microphone or speaker from radiating energy
depending on the design, whether the whole circuit as shown at
32a and
46a or the transducer at
32b and
46b in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0025] Different types, sizes and shapes of ferrite beads can be used. Typically, a ferrite
bead is formed from a material having a permeability controlled by the composition
of the different oxides, for example, a ferric oxide, sometimes with nickel and zinc
added. The ferrite beads can sometimes be formed as ferrite sleeves with two half
parts that are added onto a signal line or a solder overcoat on a signal trace. Typically,
the longer the bead, the better the RF suppression. The bead equivalent circuit can
be a series resistor and inductor.
[0026] Many of the illustrated components of FIGS. 2-4 can be formed as an integrated circuit
or contained within a housing or contained on a dielectric substrate, i.e., a circuit
board. A circuit board could refer to any dielectric substrate, PCB, ceramic substrate
or other circuit carrying structures for carrying signal circuits in electronic components.
A battery (not illustrated) could be included within any housing for the earphone.
[0027] It should be understood that the RF and EMI filters as described relative to FIGS.
2-4 can be used in many different types of hearing aids. It should be understood that
many different types of hearing aid designs can be used because of the nature of hearing
losses that occur for humans such as explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a threshold of hearing as a function of frequency for a person with
normal hearing and a threshold of discomfort as a function of frequency. Any sounds
that extend beyond the threshold are painful and sometimes harmful.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows the same two curves when a person has hearing loss, but there are many
different types of hearing loss. Typically, the threshold of hearing becomes higher
for different types of hearing loss and for a normal ear, but the threshold of discomfort
increases or is unchanged. At high intensities, the loudness at any frequency is typically
the same for those with and without hearing loss, i.e., commonly referred to as loudness
recruitment. The filters as described can be used with those type of more simple hearing
aids that provide linear amplification, with frequency-dependent gain, and those type
of hearing aids that compress the dynamic range of sound at any frequency to fit a
reduced dynamic range because of the hearing loss. Thus, complicated filters that
are used to filter a speech signal to a number of bands can include the RF and EMI
filters as described for multiband compression systems.
[0030] Different types of amplifiers can be used such as classes A, B, D, sliding class
A, class H and other digital amplifiers. Different types of compression circuits including
an output limiting compression that has a high compression knee point; a dynamic range
compression that compresses input levels into a narrow dynamic range using a low knee
point; a multi-channel compression having different compression ratios and knee points
for the frequencies between 500-2,000 Hz and high knee points and ratios of output
limiting applied for frequencies above 2,000 Hz; BILL in which low frequencies increase
at quiet intensity levels and reduce at high intensity levels; TILL that is the opposite
of BILL where high frequencies increase at low levels and reduce at high levels; and
PILL in which programmable instruments reduce either lows, highs, or both lows and
highs and are a combination of both BILL and TILL. Different types of digital processing
circuits can be used.
[0031] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of
one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing
descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention
is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.
1. A hearing aid (10) having improved immunity to RF electromagnetic interference produced
from wireless communications devices comprising:
a microphone (32) for receiving audio signals from the environment;
audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44) connected to the microphone for amplifying the
audio signals; and
a speaker (46) connected to said audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44) for directing
the audio signals into an ear of a user using the hearing aid (10); and
audio connection lines connecting the microphone and audio circuitry and the speaker
and audio circuitry;
said hearing aid characterized by:
a respective filter formed as a ferrite inductor is serially connected into each of
the audio connection lines as a solder overcoat on a signal trace wherein the filter
is operative for reducing the RF coupling from a wireless communications device.
2. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 1, and further comprising an RF shield surrounding
one of at least the speaker (46) or microphone (32) to aid in reducing the RF coupling
from a mobile wireless communications device.
3. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 2, wherein said RF shield (32a) comprises a
metallic housing.
4. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 1, and further comprising a hearing aid housing
(12) that supports said microphone (32), speaker (46) and audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44).
5. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 4, and further comprising a tone hook (24) connected
to said hearing aid housing (12) for receiving audio signals from the speaker (46),
and an earmold (26) connected to said tone hook (24) and adapted to be inserted within
the ear of a user.
6. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 1, and further comprising microphone bias lines
(41) connecting a microprocessor (40) and microphone (32) for carrying microphone
bias control signals between the microprocessor (40) and the microphone (32) and a
microphone bias filter connected into the microphone bias lines (41) for reducing
the RF coupling from a wireless communications device.
7. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 6, wherein said microphone bias filter comprises
a serial inductor or shunt capacitor.
8. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 6, wherein said microphone bias filter comprises
a ferrite bead.
9. A hearing aid (10) according to Claim 6, wherein said microphone bias filter comprises
a ground connected capacitor connected into each microphone bias line (41).
10. A method of making a hearing aid (10) having improved immunity to RF electromagnetic
interference produced from wireless communications devices, which comprises:
providing a microphone (32) for receiving audio signals from the environment, audio
circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44) connected to the microphone (32) for amplifying the
audio signals,
providing a speaker (46) connected to said audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44) for
directing the audio signals into an ear canal of a user of the hearing aid (10);
providing audio connection lines for connecting the microphone (32) and audio circuitry
(34,36,38,40,42,44) and the speaker (46) and audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44);
and
said method characterized by reducing the RF coupling from a wireless communications device by connecting a respective
filter formed as a ferrite inductor serially into each of the audio connection lines
as a solder overcoat on a signal trace.
11. A method according to Claim 10, which further comprises enclosing one of at least
the microphone (32) or speaker (46) within an RF shield for reducing the RF coupling
from a mobile wireless communications device.
12. A method according to Claim 10, which further comprises connecting a microphone bias
filter into microphone bias lines that pass microphone bias control signals between
the audio circuitry (34,36,38,40,42,44) and the microphone(32).
1. Hörgerät (10) mit einer verbesserten Immunität gegenüber einer elektromagnetischen
HF-Interferenz, die von drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtungen erzeugt wird, das aufweist:
ein Mikrofon (32) zum Empfangen von Audiosignalen von der Umgebung;
Audio-Schaltungen (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44), die mit dem Mikrofon verbunden sind, zur
Verstärkung der Audiosignale; und
einen Lautsprecher (46), der mit den Audio-Schaltungen (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) verbunden
ist, zum Leiten der Audiosignale in ein Ohr eines Benutzers, der das Hörgerät (10)
verwendet; und
Audioverbindungsleitungen, die das Mikrofon und die Audio-Schaltungen und den Lautsprecher
und die Audio-Schaltungen verbinden;
wobei das Hörgerät
gekennzeichnet ist dadurch:
dass ein jeweiliger Filter, der als ein Ferrit-Induktor ausgebildet ist, seriell verbunden
ist in jede der Audioverbindungsleitungen als ein Lötüberzug auf einer Signalleitung,
wobei der Filter betriebsfähig ist zum Reduzieren der HF-Kopplung von einer drahtlosen
Kommunikationsvorrichtung.
2. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, und weiter aufweisend ein HF-Schild, das einen aus
zumindest dem Lautsprecher (46) oder dem Mikrofon (32) umgibt, um bei der Reduzierung
der HF-Kopplung von einer drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtung zu unterstützen.
3. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei das HF-Schild (32a) ein metallisches Gehäuse
aufweist.
4. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, und weiter aufweisend ein Hörgerät-Gehäuse (12), welches
das Mikrofon (32), den Lautsprecher (46) und die Audio-Schaltungen (34, 36, 38, 40,
42, 44) unterstützt.
5. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 4, und weiter aufweisend ein Verbindungsstück (tone hook)
(24), das mit dem Hörgerät-Gehäuse (12) verbunden ist, zum Empfangen von Audiosignalen
von dem Lautsprecher (46), und ein Ohrpassstück (26), das mit dem Verbindungsstück
(24) verbunden ist und ausgebildet ist, in das Ohr eines Benutzers eingeführt zu werden.
6. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, und weiter aufweisend Mikrofon-Bias-Leitungen (41),
die einen Mikroprozessor (40) und das Mikrofon (32) verbinden, zum Übertragen von
Mikrofon-Bias-Steuersignalen zwischen dem Mikroprozessor (40) und dem Mikrofon (32),
und einen Mikrofon-Bias-Filter, der in die Mikrofon-Bias-Leitungen (41) geschaltet
ist, zum Reduzieren der HF-Kopplung von einer drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtung.
7. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Mikrofon-Bias-Filter einen seriellen Induktor
oder Parallelkondensator aufweist.
8. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Mikrofon-Bias-Filter eine Ferritperle aufweist.
9. Hörgerät (10) gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Mikrofon-Bias-Filter einen Masse-verbundenen
Kondensator aufweist, der in jede Mikrofon-Bias-Leitung (41) verbunden ist.
10. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Hörgeräts (10) mit einer verbesserten Immunität gegenüber
einer elektromagnetischen HF-Interferenz, die von drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtungen
erzeugt wird, das aufweist:
Vorsehen eines Mikrofons (32) zum Empfangen von Audiosignalen von der Umgebung, Audio-Schaltungen
(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44), die mit dem Mikrofon (32) verbunden sind, zur Verstärkung
der Audiosignale,
Vorsehen eines Lautsprechers (46), der mit den Audio-Schaltungen (34, 36, 38, 40,
42, 44) verbunden ist, zum Leiten der Audiosignale in einen Ohrkanal eines Benutzers
des Hörgeräts (10);
Vorsehen von Audioverbindungsleitungen zum Verbinden des Mikrofons (32) und der Audio-Schaltungen
(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) und des Lautsprechers (46) und der Audio-Schaltungen (34,
36, 38, 40, 42, 44); und
wobei das Verfahren
gekennzeichnet ist durch Reduzieren der HF-Kopplung von einer drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtung
durch Verbinden eines jeweiligen Filters, der als ein Ferrit-Induktor ausgebildet ist,
seriell in jede der Audioverbindungsleitungen als ein Lötüberzug auf einer Signalleitung.
11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 10, das weiter aufweist Aufnehmen einen aus zumindest dem
Mikrofon (32) oder dem Lautsprecher (46) in ein HF-Schild zum Reduzieren der HF-Kopplung
von einer drahtlosen Kommunikationsvorrichtung.
12. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 10, das weiter aufweist ein Verbinden eines Mikrofon-Bias-Filters
in Mikrofon-Bias-Leitungen, die Mikrofon-Bias-Steuersignale zwischen den Audio-Schaltungen
(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) und dem Mikrofon (32) leiten.
1. Prothèse auditive (10) ayant une immunité améliorée contre les interférences électromagnétiques
RF produites par des dispositifs de communications sans fil, comportant :
un microphone (32) destiné à recevoir des signaux audio provenant de l'environnement
;
un circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) connecté au microphone pour amplifier les
signaux audio ; et
un haut-parleur (46) connecté audit circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) pour diriger
les signaux audio dans l'oreille d'un utilisateur utilisant la prothèse auditive (10)
; et
des lignes de connexion audio connectant le microphone et le circuit audio et le haut-parleur
et le circuit audio ;
ladite prothèse auditive étant caractérisée en ce que :
un filtre respectif réalisé sous la forme d'une inductance à ferrite est connecté
en série dans chacune des lignes de connexion audio sous la forme d'une surcouche
de soudure sur une piste de signaux, le filtre ayant pour fonction de réduire le couplage
RF provenant d'un dispositif de communications sans fil.
2. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 1, et comportant en outre un blindage
RF entourant l'un d'au moins le haut-parleur (46) et le microphone (32) pour aider
à réduire le couplage RF depuis un dispositif mobile de communications sans fil.
3. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ledit blindage RF (32a)
comporte un boîtier métallique.
4. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 1, comportant en outre un boîtier (12)
de prothèse auditive qui supporte ledit microphone (32), ledit haut-parleur (46) et
ledit circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44).
5. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 4, et comportant en outre un crochet
(24) à tonalité relié audit boîtier (12) de la prothèse auditive pour recevoir des
signaux audio provenant du haut-parleur (46), et un écouteur moulé (26) relié audit
crochet à tonalité (24) et conçu pour être inséré dans l'oreille d'un utilisateur.
6. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 1, et comportant en outre des lignes
(41) de polarisation de microphone connectant un microprocesseur (40) et le microphone
(32) pour transmettre des signaux de commande de polarisation de microphone entre
le microprocesseur (40) et le microphone (32), et un filtre de polarisation de microphone
connecté dans les lignes (41) de polarisation de microphone pour réduire le couplage
RF provenant d'un dispositif de communications sans fil.
7. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit filtre de polarisation
de microphone comprend une inductance en série ou un condensateur en dérivation.
8. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit filtre de polarisation
de microphone comprend une perle de ferrite.
9. Prothèse auditive (10) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit filtre de polarisation
de microphone comporte un connecteur connecté à la masse, connecté dans chaque ligne
(41) de polarisation de microphone.
10. Procédé de réalisation d'une prothèse auditive (10) ayant une immunité améliorée contre
des interférences électromagnétiques RF produites à partir de dispositifs de communications
sans fil, qui comprend :
l'utilisation d'un microphone (32) destiné à recevoir des signaux audio provenant
de l'environnement, d'un circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) connecté au microphone
(32) pour amplifier les signaux audio,
l'utilisation d'un haut-parleur (46) connecté audit circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40,
42, 44) pour diriger les signaux audio dans le canal auditif d'un utilisateur de la
prothèse auditive (10) ;
l'utilisation de lignes de connexion audio pour connecter le microphone (32) et le
circuit audio (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) et le haut-parleur (46) et le circuit audio
(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) ; et
ledit procédé étant caractérisé par une réduction du couplage RF depuis un dispositif de communications sans fil en connectant
un filtre respectif, réalisé sous la forme d'une inductance à ferrite, en série dans
chacune des lignes de connexion audio sous la forme d'une surcouche de soudure sur
une piste de signal.
11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, qui comprend en outre le fait d'enfermer l'un d'au
moins le microphone (32) et le haut-parleur (46) dans un blindage RF afin de réduire
le couplage RF depuis un dispositif mobile de communications sans fil.
12. Procédé selon la revendication 10, qui comprend en outre la connexion d'un filtre
de polarisation de microphone dans des lignes de polarisation de microphone qui font
passer des signaux de commande de polarisation de microphone entre le circuit audio
(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) et le microphone (32).