External microphone array and hearing aid using it

• Main Authors: ALDAZ, GABRIEL, BERGMANN, MARTIN, PETERSEN, SVEND OSCAR, PEDERSEN, REGIN KOPP, PEDERSEN, METTE BOEL, SOMMER, PETER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 25.02.2015
• Subjects: DEAF-AID SETS; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKEACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS

An external microphone array is disclosed. The external microphone array (4) is configured to be used with a hearing aid (6, 6'). The microphone array (4) comprises a number of microphones (22) configured to detect one or more sound signals from a sound source (16, 16') and means for wirelessly sending the detected sound signal to at least one hearing aid (6, 6'). The external microphone array (4) comprises means for automatically determining the direction of the sound source either by: a) receiving a wireless signal (14') transmitted from a remote control (8) (arranged between the user 10 of the hearing aid (6, 6')); b) by receiving acoustic signals picked up by the hearing aid(s) (6, 6') and by further comparing the signals with signals received by the external microphone array (4). A hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid and a microphone array is provided. The hearing aid system may be configured to apply a head related transfer function (HRTF) to the signals received by the microphone array (4) and to provide signals to the hearing aid(s) (6, 6') in such a way that the processed signals basically appears as if they come from the direction of the sound source (16, 16').