External microphone array and hearing aid using it

摘要

An external microphone array is configured to be used with a hearing aid and comprises a number of microphones configured to detect one or more sound signals from a sound source and means for wirelessly sending the detected sound signal to at least one hearing aid. The external microphone array comprises means for automatically determining the direction of the sound source either by: a) receiving a wireless signal transmitted from a remote control; b) by receiving acoustic signals picked up by the hearing aid(s) and by further comparing the signals with signals received by the external microphone array. The external microphone array may e.g. take the form of a sphere, a hemi-sphere or a neckband.

主权项

1. An external microphone array configured to be used with a hearing aid, the external microphone array comprising:
a number of microphones configured to detect one or more sound signals from a sound source; and transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the detected sound signal to at least one hearing aid; and a processing unit configured to automatically determine a direction of the sound source relative to the at least one hearing aid, by:
receiving a wireless signal transmitted from a remote control arranged between the external microphone array and the at least one hearing aid, the wireless signal including a direction from the external microphone array to the remote control,determining a direction of the sound source relative to the external microphone array, anddetermining the direction of the sound source relative to the at least one hearing aid based on information about the direction of the sound source relative to the external microphone array and the wireless signal received from the remote control.