(19)
(11) EP 1 793 649 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
05.11.2008 Bulletin 2008/45

(21) Application number: 05257370.6

(22) Date of filing: 30.11.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H04R 25/00(2006.01)

(54)

Hearing aid having improved RF immunity to RF electromagnetic interference produced from a wireless communications device

Hörgerät mit verbesserter Unempfindlichkeit gegen elektromagnetische Störungen erzeugt von einem drahtlosen Kommunikationsgerät

Prothèse auditive avec une immunité ameliorée contre des interferences électromagnétiques produites par un dispositif de communication sans fil


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR MK YU

(43) Date of publication of application:
06.06.2007 Bulletin 2007/23

(73) Proprietor: Research In Motion Limited
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3W8 (CA)

(72) Inventors:
  • Zhu, Lizhong
    Waterloo, Ontario N2T 2T8 (CA)
  • Mankaruse, George
    Kitchener, Ontario N2H 5G1 (CA)
  • Corrigan, Michael
    Waterloo, Ontario N2T 1S5 (CA)

(74) Representative: Hibbert, Juliet Jane Grace et al
Kilburn & Strode 20 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PJ
London WC1R 4PJ (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 500 988
DE-C1- 19 602 453
US-B1- 6 546 109
DE-A1- 19 724 491
US-A- 6 104 821
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    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.


    Claims

    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).
     


    Ansprüche

    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.
     


    Revendications

    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).
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description