FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid, the hearing aid having
a first end and a second end. In particular, the hearing aid comprises a microphone
configured to receive sound, a processing unit configured to provide a processed audio
signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user, an output transducer for providing
an acoustic output, and an antenna and a wireless communication unit for wireless
communication.
[0002] The hearing aid may be used in a binaural hearing aid system. During operation, the
hearing aid is worn in the ear of a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hearing aids are very small and delicate devices and comprise many electronic and
metallic components contained in a housing or shell small enough to fit in the ear
canal of a human or be located behind the outer ear. The many electronic and metallic
components in combination with the small size of the hearing aid housing or shell
impose high design constraints on radio frequency antennas to be used in hearing aids
with wireless communication capabilities.
[0004] Moreover, the antenna in the hearing aid has to be designed to achieve a satisfactory
performance despite these limitations and other high design constraints imposed by
the size of the hearing aid.
[0005] Still further, in binaural hearing aid systems, the requirements to the quality of
the communication between the hearing aids in the binaural hearing aid system are
ever increasing, and include demands for low latency and low noise, increasing the
requests for effective antennas in the hearing aids.
[0006] EP2458674A2 describes an antenna system, such as a hearing aid, is provided, comprising a transceiver
for wireless data communication interconnected with an antenna for emission and reception
of an electromagnetic field, wherein the antenna comprises a first section having
a length being between at least one sixteenth wavelength and a full wavelength of
the electromagnetic field and being positioned so that current flows in the first
section in a direction substantially orthogonal to the body of a user when the antenna
system is worn in its operational position by the user, such as, for a hearing aid,
substantially in parallel with an ear to ear axis of the user. Hereby, an electromagnetic
field emitted by the antenna propagates along the surface of body with its electrical
field substantially orthogonal to the surface of the body of the user. A binaural
hearing aid system may comprise at least one such hearing aid.
SUMMARY
[0007] There is a need for improved wireless communication in hearing aids.
[0008] It is an object to provide a hearing aid with improved wireless communication capabilities,
such as improved wireless communication capabilities between two hearing aids worn
in opposite ears of the user, and/or between a hearing aid and an accessory device.
[0009] Radio connectivity between hearing aids (His) allows for advanced binaural signal
processing when the important ear-to-ear (E2E) link is ensured. Furthermore, the His
may be connected to a plethora of accessories, that can be either body-worn or placed
in the user's proximity, and hence to the internet as part of the so-called internet
of things (loT). However, it is challenging but of key importance to ensure a stable
E2E link. The 2.4 GHz ISM band is preferred due to the presence of many harmonized
standards for low-power communications, such as BLE or ZigBee, its worldwide availability
for industrial use, and the trade-off between power consumption and range that can
be achieved. The E2E link is particularly demanding in terms of requirements on the
wearable antenna design and performance. In fact, in order to achieve a good on-body
performance, the antenna needs to exhibit optimal radiation efficiency, bandwidth,
polarization, and radiation pattern, while the volume available for the design is
extremely reduced, as most times space comes at a premium in wearable devices such
as in hearing aid, in particular in ITE hearing aids. Furthermore, mass production
and industrial design needs demand the antenna to be as well low-profile, lightweight,
and inexpensive to manufacture. In particular, the antenna polarization characteristic
is an important performance parameter. More overall constrains may also be relevant.
In fact, the efficiency may be seriously jeopardized by the proximity of the antenna
to the human head, as the body tissues have very high losses around 2.4 GHz due to
the high water content. This may critically impact the overall performance given the
magnitude of the drop in efficiency and the fact that the HI radios operate in ultra-low-power
regime. Another issue threatening antenna efficiency is the little volume available
for the design, as this necessarily brings the antenna in close physical, hence, electrical
as well, proximity of other parts of the device, with a strong likelihood of coupling
to them. A large bandwidth is as well hard to achieve for an electrically small antenna
(ESA), due to its fundamental limits. The bandwidth may cover at least the whole 2.4
GHz ISM band, but a larger bandwidth would help to compensate for the detuning of
the antenna caused by the body, that varies across users.
[0010] In accordance with the present disclosure, the above-mentioned and other objects
are obtained by an in-the-ear hearing aid according to claim 1.
[0011] According to a further aspect, a binaural hearing aid system is disclosed comprising
a first and a second hearing aid as herein disclosed. Thus the first and/or second
hearing aid may be a hearing aid as disclosed above.
[0012] Thus it is an advantage that the polarization of the antenna can be formed or controlled
or directed, for example such that it is higher in an orthogonal direction or normal
to the head of the user or to the surface of the head of the user. The polarization
should be formed such that it improves the wireless communication between for example
two hearing aids arranged in both ears of the user. The correct polarization of the
antenna, e.g. a polarization which is higher in an orthogonal direction to the surface
of the head of the user, is an advantage as this is optimal to excite a strong surface
wave, i.e. electromagnetic wave, along the body, such as along the face of the user,
such as to the other ear of the user.
[0013] The wireless communication between two hearing aids is an advantage as the hearing
aids can communicate together, and such that each hearing aid does not need to be
adjusted manually, but can be adjusted automatically due to the wireless communication
with the hearing aid in the other ear. For example if the user turns his head, for
example when he is in a conversation with another person, the ear pointing away from
the sound source, e.g. the conversation partner, will receive less sound, and this
ear will thus hear less. Normally the user will then turn up the volume of this hearing
aid. However with the ear-to-ear technology the two hearing aids communicate wirelessly
with each other and can automatically turn up and down the volume when needed.
[0014] The correct or optimal polarization of the antenna provided by the polarization element
in the hearing aid(s) thus improves this wireless ear-to-ear communication between
the hearing aids.
[0015] The polarization of the antenna corresponds or defines or determines the direction
of the electric field or E-field.
[0016] The antenna is for emission and/or reception of an electromagnetic field being interconnected
with one of the one or more wireless communication units.
[0017] The antenna may be an electric antenna. The antenna may be a monopole antenna.
[0018] The antenna may be a dipole antenna. The antenna may be a resonant antenna. The antenna
may be a quarter-wave monopole antenna etc.
[0019] Thus it is an advantage that the antenna may be short, such as shorter than a loop
antenna. When the antenna is short, the antenna does not require much space in the
hearing aid and thus there are more options and flexibility with regards to the arrangement
of the antenna and the relative arrangement of first antenna and the other components.
[0020] The antenna may be configured to have a first radiation pattern.
[0021] The near field pattern for the antenna may be a TM polarized near field. The first
radiation pattern may be dominated by the E-field, so that a primary part of the overall
electromagnetic field, such as more than 75%, such as more than 80%, such as more
than 85%, such as more than 90% of the overall electromagnetic field, is contributed
by the E-field.
[0022] The antenna may be a 2.4 GHz antenna. The antenna may be configured for radiation
in a first frequency range. A second antenna may be provided, e.g. a magnetic antenna,
and the second antenna may be configured for radiation in a second frequency range.
[0023] The antenna may be configured to operate in the first frequency range, such as at
a frequency above 800 MHz, such as at a frequency above 1 GHz, such as at a frequency
of 2.4 GHz, such as at a frequency between 1.5 GHz and 3 GHz, during use. Thus, the
antenna may be configured for operation in ISM frequency band. The antenna may be
any antenna capable of operating at these frequencies, and the antenna may thus be
a resonant antenna, such as monopole antenna, such as a dipole antenna, etc. The resonant
antenna may have a length of lambda/4 or any multiple thereof, lambda being the wavelength
corresponding to the emitted electromagnetic field.
[0024] In present day communication systems, numerous different communication systems communicate
at or about 2.4 GHz, and thus there is also a significant noise in the frequency range
at or about 2.4 GHz. It is an advantage that for some applications for which the noise
may be acceptable, for example for data communication, the antenna, such as an electrical
antenna may be used. For other applications, in which a high noise level may impact
the transmission significantly, a second antenna, such as a magnetic antenna may be
used. For example, the second antenna may be used for streaming of audio.
[0025] The antenna may be configured for data communication at a first bit rate. In one
or more embodiments, a second antenna may be provided and the second antenna may be
configured for data communication at a second bit rate, the second bit rate being
larger than the first bit rate, such as by a factor 10, such as by a factor 30, a
factor 50, a factor 100, etc.
[0026] The hearing aid has the antenna at the first end of the hearing aid device. The hearing
aid may comprise a shell, such as an in-the-ear (ITE) shell. To improve the polarization
of the antenna a polarization element is provided, for example a layer of conducting
material is placed on the shell of the device. Alternatively the shell can be made
of a conducting material. It is desirable to have the outside of the shell made of
plastic as it is normally done. The inside of the shell can then be covered by the
conducting material.
[0027] This means that there will be at least some currents induced on the polarization
element, such as on the conducting material on the shell, and these currents have
a direction between the first end and the second end of the hearing aid device. This
is an improvement compared to just having the antenna by itself, because the antenna
by itself is placed in a plane, which has an orientation that means that the electric
field transmitted by the antenna for the most part will be in the skin of the user,
such as parallel to the surface of the user's head.
[0028] However, with a polarization element forming the polarization of the antenna, such
as a shell made out of conducting material, the electric field can be oriented or
directed or turned so that it becomes more orthogonal to the surface, and thus skin,
of the user's head. This is advantageous, because skin has many charges which will
attenuate the electric field if it is oscillating in the surface skin of the user
as it travels along the body and face.
[0029] The diameter at the first end of the hearing aid is typically 1 cm to 3 cm. The distance
between the first end and the second of the hearing aid is typically also 1 cm to
3 cm.
[0030] An opening for a microphone port is typically placed at the first end. An opening
for an output transducer port or receiver output port is typically placed at the second
end.
[0031] A printed circuit board may be provided in the hearing aid. The antenna may be connected
to the circuit board with a wire. The circuit board may have a matching circuit, a
balun and a radio, such as a wireless communication unit.
[0032] The polarization element, such as the conducting material, can be connected to ground
or it can be floating, i.e. not connected to ground.
[0033] The first end of the hearing aid may point towards the surroundings when the hearing
aid is arranged in the ear of the user during use.
[0034] The second end of the hearing aid may point towards the inner ear or towards the
head of the user when the hearing aid is arranged in the ear of the user during use.
[0035] The hearing aid may comprise a battery. The battery may have a first side and a second
side. The battery may be provided at the first end of the hearing aid.
[0036] The battery may be a flat battery, such as a button shaped battery. The battery may
be circular. The battery may be a disk-shaped battery.
[0037] The hearing aid may be any hearing aid, such as a hearing aid of the in-the-ear type,
such as in-the-canal type, such as completely-in-the-canal type of hearing aid, etc.,
a hearing aid of the behind-the-ear type, of the receiver-in-the-ear type of hearing
aid, etc.
[0038] One or more wireless communications unit(s) are configured for wireless data communication,
and in this respect interconnected with the antenna for emission and reception of
an electromagnetic field. Each of the one or more wireless communication units may
comprise a transmitter, a receiver, a transmitter-receiver pair, such as a transceiver,
a radio unit, etc. The one or more wireless communication units may be configured
for communication using any protocol as known for a person skilled in the art, including
Bluetooth, WLAN standards, manufacture specific protocols, such as tailored proximity
antenna protocols, such as proprietary protocols, such as low-power wireless communication
protocols, RF communication protocols, magnetic induction protocols, etc. The one
or more wireless communication units may be configured for communication using same
communication protocols, or same type of communication protocols, or the one or more
wireless communication units may be configured for communication using different communication
protocols.
[0039] The processing unit may be provided on a printed circuit board.
[0040] The printed circuit board may be is provided at the first end of the hearing aid.
Thus it is an advantage that the printed circuit board and the output transducer or
receiver are arranged in opposite ends of the hearing aid for reducing the risk of
electromagnetic interference between these two.
[0041] The hearing aid may have a hearing aid shell having a first and a second end, where
the first end of the hearing aid shell is at the first end of the hearing aid, and
where the second end of the hearing aid shell is at the second end of the hearing
aid. Thus the first end of the hearing aid shell may be provided, or arranged at,
or placed at the first end of the hearing aid. Thus the first end of the hearing aid
shell corresponds to the first end of the hearing aid. Thus the second end of the
hearing aid shell may be provided, or arranged at, or placed at the second end of
the hearing aid. Thus the second end of the hearing aid shell corresponds to the second
end of the hearing aid. All components of the hearing aid may be arranged in the hearing
aid shell.
[0042] The term sound and/or the term acoustic output may be understood to be an audio signal.
Thus the microphone may be configured to receive sound or an audio signal. The output
transducer may be configured to provide or transmit an acoustic output or a processed
audio signal, such as the processed audio signal provided by the processing unit.
The acoustic output or processed audio signal may be provided or transmitted to an
ear of the user wearing the hearing aid during use.
[0043] In some embodiments the polarization of the antenna is higher in an orthogonal direction
to a surface of the user's head than in a direction parallel to the surface of the
user's head, when the hearing aid is arranged in an ear of the user during use of
the hearing aid.
[0044] Thus it is an advantage that the polarization of the antenna is higher in an orthogonal
direction or normal to the head of the user or to the surface of the head of the user
as this improves the wireless communication between for example two hearing aids arranged
in both ears of the user. The orthogonal polarization of the antenna is an advantage
as this is optimal to excite a strong surface wave, i.e. electromagnetic wave, along
the body, such as along the face of the user, such as to the other ear of the user.
Thus the polarization of the antenna is primarily, mainly or substantially orthogonal
or normal to the surface of the user's head. The polarization of the antenna is orthogonal
to the surface of the head such as 10 degrees from orthogonal, such as 15 degrees
orthogonal, such as 20 degrees orthogonal, such as 25 degrees orthogonal, such as
30 degrees orthogonal etc.
[0045] In some embodiments the polarization element comprises an electrically conducting
material. Thus it is an advantage that the polarization element may be provided as
an electrically conducting material. The electrically conducting material may be an
electrically conducting metal, such as cobber, and/or another suitable material which
is electrically conducting and can form the polarization of the antenna. The electrically
conducting material may be in the form of a metallic sheet or surface.
[0046] The polarization elements extends from the first end to the second end of the hearing
aid.
[0047] In some embodiments the hearing aid comprises a hearing aid shell, and wherein the
microphone, the processing unit, the output transducer, the antenna, the wireless
communication unit, and the polarization element are provided in the hearing aid shell.
[0048] In some embodiments the hearing aid shell comprises an inner surface having an area,
and wherein the polarization element covers more than 50% of the area of the inner
surface of the hearing aid shell.
[0049] The polarization element, such as the conducting material, may be provided on the
inner surface of the hearing aid shell. The polarization element, such as the conducting
material may cover more than 50% of the area of the inner surface, such as more than
60%, such as more than 70%, such as more than 80%, such as more than 90%. Alternatively
the whole inner surface area of the shell, i.e. 100%, may be covered by the polarization
element.
[0050] In some embodiments a layer of the polarization element is placed on the hearing
aid shell. The polarization element may be placed on the inner surface of the hearing
aid shell. The polarization element may be placed on the outer surface of the hearing
aid shell. The polarization element may be placed in the inside of the hearing aid
shell, such as on an inside layer of the hearing aid shell.
[0051] In some embodiments the polarization element is shaped as a strip having a width
and a length, and wherein the length of the strip corresponds to a distance along
the inner surface of the hearing aid shell from the first end to the second end of
the hearing aid shell.
[0052] The strip may be arranged in a direction from the first end to the second end, such
that the length of the strip corresponds to a distance along the inner surface of
the shell. The strip may be arranged from the outermost point in the first end. The
strip may be arranged to the outermost point in the second end.
[0053] The length of the strip may be larger than the width of the strip. The ratio between
the length and the width of the strip may be 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1,
4.5:1, 5:1 etc. The length of the strip may be smaller than the width of the strip.
The ratio between the length and the width of the strip may be 1:5, 1:4.5, 1:4, 1:3.5,
1:3, 1:2.5, 1:2, 1:1.5 etc. For example the strip may be 3 cm long and 1 cm wide,
or 3 cm long and 2 cm wide, or 2 cm long and 2 cm wide, or 1 cm long and 2 wide, or
1 cm long and 3 cm wide etc.
[0054] The strip may be oblong. The strip may be rectangular, such as quadratic. The strip
may be triangular or trilateral. The strip may be pentagonal. The strip may be polygonal.
The strip may be circular. The strip may be oval.
[0055] One or more strips may be provided, such as two strips, three strips, four strips
or five strips.
[0056] In some embodiments the antenna comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein
the first end of the antenna is connected to the polarization element.
[0057] Alternatively, the antenna is not connected to the polarization element. Alternatively
and/or additionally the second end of the antenna is connected to the polarization
element. For example both the first end of the antenna and the second end of the antenna
is connected to the polarization element.
[0058] In some embodiments the first end of the hearing aid is pointing towards the surroundings
when a user is wearing the hearing aid during use, and where the second end of the
hearing aid is pointing towards the inner ear of the user during use. The first end
of the hearing aid may extend over or cover a third of the distance between an outermost
point of the first end and an outermost point of the second end. Alternatively the
first end of the hearing aid may extend over or cover a half, or a fourth, or a fifth,
or a sixth, or a seventh, or an eight, or a ninth, or a tenth of the distance between
the outermost point of the first end and the outermost point of the second end of
the hearing aid.
[0059] The second end may extend over or cover a third of the distance between the outermost
point of the second end and the outermost point of the first end.
[0060] Alternatively the second end of the hearing aid may extend over or cover a half,
or a fourth, or a fifth, or a sixth, or a seventh, or an eight, or a ninth, or a tenth
of the distance between the outermost point of the second end and the outermost point
of the first end of the hearing aid.
[0061] The antenna is arranged in the first end of the hearing aid. The antenna may be arranged
in the outer third part of the first end, or in the outer half part of the first end,
or in the outer fourth part of the first end, or in the outer fifth part of the first
end, or in the outer sixth part of the first end, or in the outer seventh part of
the first end, or in the outer eight part of the first end, or in the outer ninth
part of the first end, or in the outer tenth part of et first end etc.
[0062] An outermost point of the first end and an outermost point of the second end may
be the two points or areas in the first end and the second end, respectively, of the
hearing aid or of the hearing aid shell which have the longest distance to each other,
such as the longest distance along the inner surface of the shell or the longest direct
distance in air from point to point.
[0063] In some embodiments the hearing aid shell comprises an opening in the first end of
the hearing aid shell, and wherein the hearing aid shell comprises a cover for closing
the opening of the hearing aid shell. The cover may be a faceplate or the cover may
comprise a faceplate. The cover may comprise a battery door.
[0064] The hearing aid typically comprises a shell, such as a polymer or plastic shell,
in a shape configured to be provided in the ear, in the ear-canal or completely-in-the-canal
of the ear of a user. The shell of an in-the-ear having aid may comprise a first end
at the first end of the hearing aid and a second end at the second end of the hearing
aid. The shell may comprise a faceplate in the first end of the shell. The faceplate
is a plate or cover closing the first end of the hearing aid shell. The hearing aid
shell may be open in the first end and thus the faceplate provides a closing of the
hearing aid shell. The faceplate may comprise one or components of the hearing aid.
The faceplate may comprise a battery door. The faceplate may be detachable or removable
from the hearing aid shell, e.g. for the purpose of changing the battery and/or replacing
or repairing other components in the hearing aid shell.
[0065] In some embodiments the antenna is comprised in the cover. In some embodiments the
antenna is attached in the cover, for example attached to the faceplate.
[0066] In some embodiments the antenna has a longitudinal extension in a first direction.
[0067] In some embodiments the first direction of the longitudinal extension of the antenna
is in a plane parallel to the opening of the hearing aid shell.
[0068] The antenna may have a longitudinal extension in a first direction. Thus, the antenna
may have an overall longitudinal extension in a first direction. The direction may
indicate a line or path along which the antenna is extending. For example, the overall
length of the antenna may be larger than the overall width of the antenna indicating
a longitudinal extension in the lengthwise direction.
[0069] Thus, for example, the antenna may comprise a first antenna element extending along
a plane parallel to the faceplate and to the first end of the hearing aid. The first
antenna element may extend along a plane normal to a first axis. The first axis may
extend from the first end of the hearing aid to the second end of the hearing aid.
[0070] It is an advantage that due to the polarization element, the polarization of the
antenna can be formed to be higher in an orthogonal direction to a surface of the
user's head than in a direction parallel to the surface of the user's head, when the
hearing aid is arranged in an ear of the user during use of the hearing aid. This
improves the wireless ear-to-ear communication between the ears of the user. If no
polarization element is provided in the hearing aid, the polarization of the antenna
would be mainly in a direction parallel to the surface of the user's head, when the
direction of the longitudinal extension of the antenna is in a plane parallel to the
opening of the hearing aid shell, when the hearing aid is arranged in the ear of the
user during use, and this would not improve the wireless ear-to-ear communication
between the ears of the user.
[0071] In some embodiments the hearing aid comprises a printed circuit board, where the
printed circuit board comprises a ground plane.
[0072] The hearing aid comprises hearing aid electronic components including the processing
unit or signal processor. The hearing aid electronic components may be provided on
a printed circuit board. The one or more wireless communication units or radios may
be arranged on the printed circuit board
[0073] The printed circuit board may be arranged between the first end and the second end
of the hearing aid. The printed circuit board may be arranged in the first end of
the hearing aid. The printed circuit board may be arranged in the second end of the
hearing aid.
[0074] Typically there is no ground plane in a hearing aid, as a ground plane may be a conducting
plane of infinite area or an area which is at least five wavelengths wide and five
wavelengths long. However, a layer of the printed circuit board may work as or have
the function of a ground plane. Thus the ground plane for the antenna, such as a monopole
antenna, may be whatever structure that the ground connection from the balun is connected
to.
[0075] In some embodiments the antenna is connected to the ground plane of the circuit board.
[0076] In some embodiments the polarization element is connected to the ground plane of
the circuit board.
[0077] Thus the polarization element, for example a metallic surface of the shell, can be
connected to ground instead of just being floating, i.e. with no galvanic connection
to anything else.
[0078] As the shell is meant to fit in the ear, it has to be modelled according to each
user's unique ear canal shape. In the hearing industry, this is typically done by
taking an impression of the ear. The shell may then be built on a 3D-printed plastic
substrate to fit the custom shape of the user's ear. For providing the polarization
element in the hearing aid, the support may be realized with a Selective Heat Synthering
(SHS) process that may exhibit a dielectric constant ε
r = 2.4 and a loss tangent tan δ = 0.0012 at the frequency of interest. The polarization
element, such as conductive layers, may be implemented with a conducting metal, solid
copper. Furthermore the ground plane and/or at least a part of the antenna may be
implemented with a conducting metal, such as solid cobber.
[0079] An advantage of the hearing aid(s) as disclosed herein is that an improved wireless
ear-to-ear communication may be achieved for most head sizes, shapes and amount of
hair. Human heads and human ears vary in size and shape and also the amount of hair
varies from person to person. Hearing aids adapted for wireless communications may
be susceptible to impairments of for example the ear-to-ear communication due to e.g.
the head of the user. Radio waves from a hearing aid at one side may have to travel
through or around the head in order to reach the hearing aid at the other ear. Therefore,
the human head may be perceived as an obstacle to the ear-to-ear communication. It
is an advantage that the polarization of the antenna as provided in the hearing aid
improves the ear-to-ear communication.
[0080] In the following, various features are described primarily with reference to a hearing
aid, such as a binaural hearing aid. It is however envisaged that the disclosed features
and embodiments may be used in combination with any aspect of the invention. Further
the disclosed features and embodiments may be applied for other types of hearing devices.
[0081] The present disclosure relates to different aspects including the hearing aid described
above and in the following, and corresponding methods, devices, systems, uses and/or
product means, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described
in connection with the first mentioned aspect, and each having one or more embodiments
corresponding to the embodiments described in connection with the first mentioned
aspect and/or disclosed in the appended claims.
[0082] An in-the-ear hearing aid, the hearing aid having a first end and a second end, the
hearing aid includes: a microphone configured to receive sound; a processing unit
configured to provide a processed audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of
a user; an output transducer for providing an acoustic output, wherein the microphone
and the output transducer are coupled to the processing unit; an antenna that is closer
to the first end than to the second end of the hearing aid; a wireless communication
unit coupled to the antenna; and a polarization element configured for forming a polarization
of the antenna, where the polarization element is between the first end and the second
end of the hearing aid and extends from the first end to the second end.
[0083] Optionally, the polarization of the antenna is higher in an orthogonal direction
to a surface of a head of the user than in a direction parallel to the surface of
the head of the user, when the hearing aid is arranged in an ear of the user during
use of the hearing aid.
[0084] Optionally, the polarization element comprises an electrically conducting material.
[0085] Optionally, the hearing aid further includes a hearing aid shell, wherein the microphone,
the processing unit, the output transducer, the antenna, the wireless communication
unit, and the polarization element are in the hearing aid shell.
[0086] Optionally, the hearing aid shell comprises an inner surface having an area, and
wherein the polarization element covers more than 50% of the area of the inner surface
of the hearing aid shell.
[0087] Optionally, a layer of the polarization element is on the hearing aid shell.
[0088] Optionally, the polarization element is shaped as a strip having a width and a length,
and wherein the length of the strip corresponds to a distance along an inner surface
of the hearing aid shell from a first end of the hearing aid shell to a second end
of the hearing aid shell.
[0089] Optionally, the antenna comprises a first antenna end and a second antenna end, and
wherein the first antenna end of the antenna is connected to the polarization element.
[0090] Optionally, the first end of the hearing aid is configured to point towards a surrounding
when the user is wearing the hearing aid, and wherein the second end of the hearing
aid is configured to point towards an inner ear of the user when the user is wearing
the hearing aid, wherein the first end extends over a third of the distance between
an outermost point of the first end and an outermost point of the second end.
[0091] Optionally, the hearing aid shell comprises an opening at a first end of the hearing
aid shell, the hearing aid shell comprises a cover for closing the opening of the
hearing aid shell, and the antenna is comprised in or attached to the cover.
[0092] Optionally, the antenna has a longitudinal extension in a first direction, and wherein
the first direction of the longitudinal extension of the antenna is in a plane parallel
to the opening of the hearing aid shell.
[0093] Optionally, the hearing aid further includes a printed circuit board, wherein the
printed circuit board comprises a ground plane, and wherein the antenna and/or the
polarization element is coupled to the printed circuit board.
[0094] Optionally, the antenna is connected to the ground plane of the circuit board.
[0095] Optionally, the polarization element is connected to the ground plane of the circuit
board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0096] The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments
thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid not falling
under the scope of the appended claims.
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid.
Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid not falling
under the scope of the appended claims.
Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0097] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not
be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also
be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments.
They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as
a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment
needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described
in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment
and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not
so explicitly described.
[0098] Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.
[0099] As used herein, the term "antenna" refers to an electrical or magnetic device which
converts electric or magnetic power into radio waves. An electric antenna may comprise
an electrically conductive material connected to e.g. a wireless communications unit,
such as a radio chip, a receiver or a transmitter. A magnetic antenna, such as a magnetic
loop antenna, may comprise a coil of electrically conductive material wound around
a core of magnetic material.
[0100] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid 2 not falling
under the scope of the appended claims. The hearing aid 2 has a first end 4 and a
second end 6. The hearing aid 2 comprises a microphone 8 configured to receive sound.
The hearing aid 2 comprises a processing unit 10 configured to provide a processed
audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user. The hearing aid 2 comprises
an output transducer 12 for providing an acoustic output. The hearing aid 2 comprises
an antenna 14 and a wireless communication unit 16 for wireless communication. The
wireless communication unit 16 is coupled to the antenna 14. In some cases, the wireless
communication unit 16 is also coupled to the processing unit 10. The antenna 14 is
provided closer to the first end 4 than to the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2.
The hearing aid 2 comprises a polarization element 18 configured for forming the polarization
of the antenna 14. The polarization element 18 is provided between the first end 4
and the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2. The polarization element 18 is shown as
a block in this figure, but could also be provided as a metallic layer in the shell,
as one or more strips etc. Thus the polarization element 18 may comprise an electrically
conducting material. The polarization element 18 may extend from the first end 4 of
the hearing aid 2 and/or extend to the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2.
[0101] The polarization of the antenna may be higher in an orthogonal direction to a surface
of the user's head than in a direction parallel to the surface of the user's head,
when the hearing aid is arranged in an ear of the user during use of the hearing aid.
[0102] The hearing aid 2 may comprise a hearing aid shell, and the microphone 8, the processing
unit 10, the output transducer 12, the antenna 14, the wireless communication unit
16, and the polarization element 18 may be provided in the hearing aid shell.
[0103] The hearing aid shell may comprise an inner surface having an area, and the polarization
element 18 may covers more than 50% of the area of the inner surface of the hearing
aid shell.
[0104] A layer of the polarization element 18 may be placed on the hearing aid shell.
[0105] The polarization element 18 may be shaped as a strip having a width and a length,
and wherein the length of the strip corresponds to a distance along the inner surface
of the hearing aid shell from the first end 4 to the second end 6 of the hearing aid
shell.
[0106] The antenna may comprise a first end 14c and a second end 14d, and the first end
14c of the antenna 14 may be connected to the polarization element 18.
[0107] The first end 4 of the hearing aid 2 is pointing towards the surroundings when a
user is wearing the hearing aid 2 during use, and the second end 6 of the hearing
aid 2 is pointing towards the inner ear of the user during use.
[0108] The first end 4 of the hearing aid 2 may extend over or be defined as a third of
the distance between an outermost point of the first end 4 and an outermost point
of the second end 6.
[0109] The hearing aid shell may comprise an opening in the first end 4 of the hearing aid
shell, and the hearing aid shell may comprise a cover for closing the opening of the
hearing aid shell.
[0110] The antenna 14 may be comprised in or attached to the cover.
[0111] The antenna 14 may have a longitudinal extension in a first direction. The first
direction of the longitudinal extension of the antenna 14 may be in a plane parallel
to the opening of the hearing aid shell.
[0112] The hearing aid 2 may comprise a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board
may comprise a ground plane. The antenna 14 may be connected to the ground plane of
the printed circuit board. The polarization element 18 may be connected to the ground
plane of the printed circuit board.
[0113] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid 2. The hearing
aid 2 has a first end 4 and a second end 6. The hearing aid 2 comprises a microphone
(not shown) configured to receive sound. The hearing aid 2 comprises a printed circuit
board 20 which may comprise a processing unit (not shown) configured to provide a
processed audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user. The hearing aid
2 comprises an output transducer 12 for providing an acoustic output. The hearing
aid 2 comprises an antenna 14. The antenna 14 is provided at the first end 4 of the
hearing aid 2. A cover 28 or faceplate is provided on the opening 30 of the hearing
aid in the first end 4. The antenna 14 may be arranged in the cover 28 or faceplate.
The antenna 14 comprises a first antenna element 14a which extends in a longitudinal
direction parallel to the opening 30 and the cover 28. The antenna 14 comprises a
second antenna element 14b perpendicular to the first antenna element 14a. The hearing
aid 2 comprises a polarization element 18 configured for forming the polarization
of the antenna 14. The polarization element 18 is provided between the first end 4
and the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2. The polarization element 18 is provided
as a metallic layer in the shell 22 of the hearing aid.
[0114] A wireless communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication may be arranged
on the printed circuit board 20. A transmission line 24 is provided between the antenna
14 and the printed circuit board 20, thus the antenna is connected to the ground plane
of the printed circuit board 20 and thus grounded. The circuit board 20 is connected
26 to the output transducer 12.
[0115] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid 2 not falling
under the scope of the appended claims. The hearing aid 2 has a first end 4 and a
second end 6. The hearing aid 2 comprises a microphone (not shown) configured to receive
sound. The hearing aid 2 comprises a printed circuit board 20 which may comprise a
processing unit (not shown) configured to provide a processed audio signal for compensating
a hearing loss of a user. The hearing aid 2 comprises an output transducer 12 for
providing an acoustic output. The hearing aid 2 comprises an antenna 14. The antenna
14 is provided at the first end 4 of the hearing aid 2. The antenna 14 in fig. 3 is
provided closer to the outermost point or plane of the first end 4 than in fig. 2.
A cover 28 or faceplate is provided on the opening 30 of the hearing aid in the first
end 4. The antenna 14 may be arranged in the cover 28 or faceplate. The antenna 14
comprises a first antenna element 14a which extends in a longitudinal direction parallel
to the opening 30 and the cover 28. The hearing aid 2 comprises a polarization element
18 configured for forming the polarization of the antenna 14. The polarization element
18 is provided between the first end 4 and the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2.
The polarization element 18 is shown as a block in this figure. The polarization element
18 is connected 32 to a ground plane of the printed circuit board 20.
[0116] A wireless communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication may be arranged
on the printed circuit board 20. No transmission line is provided between the antenna
14 and the printed circuit board 20, thus the antenna is not connected to the ground
plane of the printed circuit board 20 and thus not grounded. The circuit board 20
is connected 26 to the output transducer 12.
[0117] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of an in-the-ear hearing aid 2. The hearing
aid 2 has a first end 4 and a second end 6. The hearing aid 2 comprises a microphone
(not shown) configured to receive sound. The hearing aid 2 comprises a printed circuit
board 20 which may comprise a processing unit (not shown) configured to provide a
processed audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user. The hearing aid
2 comprises an output transducer 12 for providing an acoustic output. The hearing
aid 2 comprises an antenna 14. The antenna 14 is provided at the first end 4 of the
hearing aid 2. The antenna 14 in fig. 4 is provided closer to the outermost point
or plane of the first end 4 than in fig. 2. A cover 28 or faceplate is provided on
the opening 30 of the hearing aid in the first end 4. The antenna 14 may be arranged
in the cover 28 or faceplate. The antenna 14 comprises a first antenna element 14a
which extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the opening 30 and the cover
28. The hearing aid 2 comprises a polarization element 18 configured for forming the
polarization of the antenna 14. The polarization element 18 is provided between the
first end 4 and the second end 6 of the hearing aid 2. The polarization element 18
is provided as a strip extending from the first end 4 to the second end 6. The strip
has a length and a width, where the length corresponds to a distance along the inner
surface of the hearing aid shell from the first end 4 to the second end 6. The width
of the strip is smaller than the length of the strip in this figure.
[0118] A wireless communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication may be arranged
on the printed circuit board 20. No transmission line is provided between the antenna
14 and the printed circuit board 20, thus the antenna is not connected to the ground
plane of the printed circuit board 20 and thus not grounded. The circuit board 20
is connected 26 to the output transducer 12.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0119]
- 2
- hearing aid
- 4
- first end of hearing aid
- 6
- second end of hearing aid
- 8
- microphone
- 10
- processing unit
- 12
- output transducer
- 14
- antenna
- 14a
- first antenna element
- 14b
- second antenna element
- 14c
- first end of antenna
- 14d
- second end of antenna
- 16
- wireless communication unit
- 18
- polarization element 18
- 20
- printed circuit board
- 22
- shell
- 24
- transmission line
- 26
- connection between printed circuit board and output transducer
- 28
- cover or faceplate
- 30
- opening of the hearing aid
- 32
- connection of polarization element to ground plane
1. An in-the-ear hearing aid (2), the hearing aid (2) having a first end (4) and a second
end (6), the hearing aid (2) comprising:
- a microphone (8) configured to receive sound,
- a processing unit (10) configured to provide a processed audio signal for compensating
a hearing loss of a user,
- an output transducer (12) for providing an acoustic output,
- an antenna (14) and a wireless communication unit (16) for wireless communication,
where the antenna (14) is provided closer to the first end (4) than to the second
end (6) of the hearing aid (2), and
- a polarization element (18) configured for forming the polarization of the antenna
(14), where the polarization element (18) is provided between the first end (4) and
the second end (6) of the hearing aid (2),
characterized in that the polarization element (18) extends from the first end (4) to the second end (6).
2. Hearing aid (2) according to claim 1, wherein the polarization of the antenna (14)
is higher in an orthogonal direction to a surface of the user's head than in a direction
parallel to the surface of the user's head, when the hearing aid (2) is arranged in
an ear of the user during use of the hearing aid (2).
3. Hearing aid (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polarization
element (18) comprises an electrically conducting material.
4. Hearing aid (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hearing aid
comprises a hearing aid shell, and wherein the microphone (8), the processing unit
(10), the output transducer (12), the antenna (14), the wireless communication unit
(16), and the polarization element (18) are provided in the hearing aid shell (22).
5. Hearing aid (2) according to claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the hearing aid
shell (22) has an area, and wherein the polarization element (18) covers more than
50% of the area of the inner surface of the hearing aid shell (22).
6. Hearing aid (2) according to any of claims 4 or 5, wherein a layer of the polarization
element (18) is placed on the hearing aid shell (22).
7. Hearing aid (2) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the polarization element
(18) is shaped as a strip having a width and a length, and wherein the length of the
strip corresponds to a distance along an inner surface of the hearing aid shell (22)
from a first end (4) of the hearing aid shell (22) to a second end (6) of the hearing
aid shell (22).
8. Hearing aid (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (14)
comprises a first end (14c) and a second end (14d), and wherein the first end (14c)
of the antenna (14) is connected to the polarization element (18).
9. Hearing aid (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (4)
of the hearing aid (2) is pointing towards the surroundings when a user is wearing
the hearing aid (2) during use, and wherein the second end (6) of the hearing aid
(2) is pointing towards the inner ear of the user during use.
10. Hearing aid (2) according to claims 4 to 7, wherein the hearing aid shell (22) comprises
an opening (30) in the first end of the hearing aid shell (22), and wherein the hearing
aid shell (22) comprises a cover (28) for closing the opening (30) of the hearing
aid shell (22), and wherein the antenna (24) is comprised in or attached to the cover
(28).
11. Hearing aid (2) according to claim 10, wherein the antenna (14) has a longitudinal
extension in a first direction, and wherein the first direction of the longitudinal
extension of the antenna (14) is in a plane parallel to the opening of the hearing
aid shell (22).
12. Hearing aid (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hearing aid
(2) comprises a printed circuit board (20), where the printed circuit board (20) comprises
a ground plane.
13. Hearing aid (2) according to claim 12, wherein the antenna (14) is connected to the
ground plane of the circuit board (20).
14. Hearing aid according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the polarization element (18) is
connected to the ground plane of the circuit board (20).
1. Im-Ohr-Hörgerät (2), wobei das Hörgerät (2) ein erstes Ende (4) und ein zweites Ende
(6) aufweist, wobei das Hörgerät (2) umfasst:
- ein zum Empfangen von Schall ausgelegtes Mikrofon (8),
- eine Verarbeitungseinheit (10), welche zur Bereitstellung eines verarbeiteten Audiosignals
ausgelegt ist, um einen Hörverlust eines Benutzers auszugleichen,
- einen Ausgangswandler (12) zur Bereitstellung einer Schallleistung,
- eine Antenne (14) und eine drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (16) zur drahtlosen Kommunikation,
wobei die Antenne (14) näher am ersten Ende (4) als am zweiten Ende (6) des Hörgeräts
(2) vorgesehen ist, und
- ein Polarisationselement (18), das zur Bildung der Polarisation der Antenne (14)
ausgelegt ist, wobei das Polarisationselement (18) zwischen dem ersten Ende (4) und
dem zweiten Ende (6) des Hörgeräts (2) vorgesehen ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich das Polarisationselement (18) von dem ersten Ende (4) bis zum zweiten Ende (6)
erstreckt.
2. Hörgerät (2) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Polarisation der Antenne (14) in einer orthogonalen
Richtung zu einer Oberfläche des Kopfes des Benutzers höher ist als in einer Richtung
parallel zur Oberfläche des Kopfes des Benutzers, wenn während der Benutzung des Hörgeräts
(2) das Hörgerät (2) in einem Ohr des Benutzers angeordnet ist.
3. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Polarisationselement
(18) ein elektrisch leitfähiges Material umfasst.
4. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Hörgerät eine Hörgerätschale
umfasst, und wobei das Mikrofon (8), die Verarbeitungseinheit (10), der Ausgangswandler
(12), die Antenne (14), die drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (16) und das Polarisationselement
(18) in der Hörgerätschale (22) vorgesehen sind.
5. Hörgerät (2) nach Anspruch 4, wobei eine Innenfläche der Hörgerätschale (22) eine
Fläche aufweist, und wobei das Polarisationselement (18) mehr als 50 % der Fläche
der Innenfläche der Hörgerätschale (22) deckt.
6. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 oder 5, wobei eine Schicht des Polarisationselements
(18) auf der Hörgerätschale (22) angeordnet ist.
7. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei das Polarisationselement (18)
als ein Band mit einer Breite und einer Länge gebildet ist, und wobei die Länge des
Bandes einem Abstand entlang einer Innenfläche der Hörgerätschale (22) von einem ersten
Ende (4) der Hörgerätschale (22) bis zu einem zweiten Ende (6) der Hörgerätschale
(22) entspricht.
8. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Antenne (14) ein erstes
Ende (14c) und ein zweites Ende (14d) umfasst, und wobei das erste Ende (14c) der
Antenne (14) mit dem Polarisationselement (18) verbunden ist.
9. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei das erste Ende (4) des Hörgeräts
(2) zur Umgebung zeigt, wenn ein Benutzer während der Benutzung das Hörgerät (2) trägt,
und wobei das zweite Ende (6) des Hörgeräts (2) während der Benutzung zum inneren
Ohr des Benutzers zeigt.
10. Hörgerät (2) nach Anspruch 4 bis 7, wobei die Hörgerätschale (22) eine Öffnung (30)
in dem ersten Ende der Hörgerätschale (22) umfasst, und wobei die Hörgerätschale (22)
eine Abdeckung (28) zum Schließen der Öffnung (30) der Hörgerätschale (22) umfasst,
und wobei die Antenne (24) in der Abdeckung (28) eingeschlossen ist oder an dieser
befestigt ist.
11. Hörgerät (2) nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Antenne (14) eine Längserstreckung in eine
erste Richtung aufweist, und wobei die erste Richtung der Längserstreckung der Antenne
(14) in einer zur Öffnung der Hörgerätschale (22) parallelen Ebene liegt.
12. Hörgerät (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Hörgerät (2) eine Leiterplatte
(20) umfasst, wobei die Leiterplatte (20) eine Grundplatte umfasst.
13. Hörgerät (2) nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Antenne (14) mit der Grundplatte der Leiterplatte
(20) verbunden ist.
14. Hörgerät nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei das Polarisationselement (18) mit der Grundplatte
der Leiterplatte (20) verbunden ist.
1. Prothèse auditive intra-auriculaire (2), la prothèse auditive (2) ayant une première
extrémité (4) et une deuxième extrémité (6), la prothèse auditive (2) comprenant :
- un microphone (8) configuré pour recevoir du son,
- une unité de traitement (10) configurée pour fournir un signal audio traité pour
compenser une perte auditive d'un utilisateur,
- un transducteur de sortie (12) pour fournir une sortie acoustique,
- une antenne (14) et une unité de communication sans fil (16) pour la communication
sans fil,
l'antenne (14) étant pourvue plus près de la première extrémité (4) que de la deuxième
extrémité (6) de la prothèse auditive (2), et
- un élément de polarisation (18) configuré pour former la polarisation de l'antenne
(14), l'élément de polarisation (18) étant prévu entre la première extrémité (4) et
la deuxième extrémité (6) de la prothèse auditive (2),
caractérisée en ce que l'élément de polarisation (18) s'étend depuis la première extrémité (4) à la deuxième
extrémité (6).
2. Prothèse auditive (2) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la polarisation de l'antenne
(14) est supérieure dans une direction orthogonale à la surface de la tête d'un utilisateur
que dans une direction parallèle à la surface de la tête de l'utilisateur, lorsque
la prothèse auditive (2) est disposée à l'oreille de l'utilisateur pendant l'utilisation
de la prothèse auditive (2).
3. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle l'élément de polarisation (18) comprend un matériau électriquement conducteur.
4. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la prothèse auditive comprend une coque de prothèse auditive, et dans laquelle
le microphone (8), l'unité de traitement (10), le transducteur de sortie (12), l'antenne
(14), l'unité de communication sans fil (16) et l'élément de polarisation (18) sont
prévus dans la coque de prothèse auditive (22).
5. Prothèse auditive (2) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle une surface intérieure
de la coque de prothèse auditive (22) présente une zone, et dans laquelle l'élément
de polarisation (18) couvre plus de 50% de la zone de la surface intérieure de la
coque de la prothèse auditive (22).
6. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 ou 5, dans laquelle
une couche de l'élément de polarisation (18) est placée sur la coque de la prothèse
auditive (22).
7. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, dans laquelle
l'élément de polarisation (18) a la forme d'une bande ayant une largeur et une longueur,
et dans laquelle la longueur de la bande correspond à une distance le long d'une surface
intérieure de la coque de la prothèse auditive (22) à partir d'une première extrémité
(4) de la coque de la prothèse auditive (22) à une deuxième extrémité (6) de la coque
de la prothèse auditive (22).
8. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle l'antenne (14) comprend une première extrémité (14c) et une deuxième extrémité
(14d), et dans laquelle la première extrémité (14c) de l'antenne (14) est connectée
à l'élément de polarisation (18).
9. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la première extrémité (4) de la prothèse auditive (2) pointe vers l'environnement
lorsqu'un utilisateur porte la prothèse auditive (2) pendant l'utilisation, et dans
laquelle la deuxième extrémité (6) de la prothèse auditive (2) pointe vers l'oreille
intérieur de l'utilisateur pendant l'utilisation.
10. Prothèse auditive (2) selon les revendications 4 à 7, dans laquelle la coque de la
prothèse auditive (22) comprend une ouverture (30) dans la première extrémité de la
coque de la prothèse auditive (22), et dans laquelle la coque de la prothèse auditive
(22) comprend un couvercle (28) pour fermer l'ouverture (30) de la coque de la prothèse
auditive (22), et dans laquelle l'antenne (24) est comprise dans ou fixée au couvercle
(28).
11. Prothèse auditive (2) selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle l'antenne (14) présente
une extension longitudinale dans une première direction, et dans laquelle la première
direction de l'extension longitudinale de l'antenne (14) est dans un plan parallèle
à l'ouverture de la coque de la prothèse auditive (22).
12. Prothèse auditive (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle la prothèse auditive (2) comprend une carte de circuit imprimé (20), la carte
de circuit imprimé (20) comprenant un plan de masse.
13. Prothèse auditive (2) selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle l'antenne (14) est
connectée au plan de masse de la carte de circuit imprimé (20).
14. Prothèse auditive selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans laquelle l'élément de polarisation
(18) est connecté au plan de masse de la carte de circuit imprimé (20).