EP3068147A1 - Hearing aid with a cerumen protection device and cerumen protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid (1) comprising a hearing aid housing (2) which can be inserted into an auditory canal of a person wearing the hearing aid (1) and has a passage opening (5) to the interior (4) of the hearing aid housing (2). The hearing aid (1) further comprises a (cerumen) protection device (20) inserted or insertable into the passage opening (5), which serves to protect against dirt, in particular cerumen, entering the hearing aid housing (2). The protective device (20) comprises a filter housing (21) carrying a filter element (22). In a peripheral wall (10) of the filter housing (21), which faces the through opening (5) limiting circumferential wall (23) of the hearing aid housing (2) in the intended use, at least one breakthrough (30) is introduced here, which for the discharge and / or receiving dirt with at least one in the hearing aid housing (2) arranged cavity (12, 40) corresponds.

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid with a cerumen protection device, and to a cerumen protection device for a hearing aid. In particular, the hearing aid is a hearing aid that allows users with reduced hearing to normal auditory perception. However, in the scope of the invention are also hearing aids for normal hearing users, such. Earphones worn in the ear.

A hearing device typically comprises a housing which can be inserted at least partially into an auditory canal of a person wearing the hearing device (in short: "user"). This housing is referred to below for conceptual distinction of other housings as "hearing aid housing". If the hearing device housing is adapted to the user-specific anatomy of the ear canal, then the housing is usually referred to as "earmold".

In the hearing aid housing, at least one sound generator ("earpiece", "loudspeaker") is usually accommodated, which serves to output noises, which in the case of a hearing aid, for example with an integrated microphone, are emitted via a sound outlet channel of the hearing device housing into the auditory canal of the user.

To protect the sound generator from damage by contaminants that could enter the hearing aid housing through the sound outlet channel, a protective device is typically provided. The protective device is often designed in the form of a replaceable filter insert, which is used interchangeably in the sound outlet channel of the hearing aid housing. Due to the location of the hearing aid housing in the ear canal, the dirt to be held is largely cerumen (colloquially: "earwax") or sweat. The protective device is therefore also referred to as a cerumen protection device.

Such a protective device for a sound inlet channel of a hearing aid is for example off US 2014/0193012 A1 known. This protective device, in cooperation with a stepped design of the sound inlet channel, creates a meandering course of a sound inlet opening, which is intended to prevent dirt from penetrating into the sound inlet channel.

Out US 4,972,488 In contrast, a protective device for a sound outlet of a hearing aid is known. In the protective device according to the US 4,972,488 projections are provided in a housing interior of the protective device, on the one hand serve to modify the guided through the housing interior sound, and on the other hand act for penetrating into the housing interior dirt as capture zones.

The invention has for its object to provide a hearing aid (in particular hearing aid) with a particularly effective cerumen protection device. The invention is further based on the object of specifying a cerumen protection device for a hearing device (in particular a hearing aid device), which protects particularly effectively.

With respect to a (cerumen) protective device, the object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 7. Advantageous and in part inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are with respect to a hearing aid (in particular hearing aid) set forth in the subclaims and the description below.

The hearing aid according to the invention comprises an insertable into an auditory canal of a person (user) using the hearing aid Hearing aid housing. In particular, at least one electronic component of the hearing device is accommodated in an interior of the hearing device housing, typically a sound generator or loudspeaker (also referred to as the "earpiece" of the hearing device). The hearing aid housing has a through opening leading from the interior of the housing to the outside. The passage opening is designed in particular as a sound outlet channel, is passed through the sound of the sound generator in the ear canal of the user.

For protection, in particular of the component received in the hearing aid housing, in front of dirt penetrating into the hearing aid housing through the passage opening, a protective device can be inserted or inserted into the passage opening. The protective device is designed in particular as separate from the hearing aid housing replacement part.

The protective device comprises a filter housing, which is adapted to support the actual protective function of the protective device realizing filter element, so that the filter element in the inserted state, the passage opening blocks protective. The dirt to be held by the protective device is, in particular, cerumen. The protective device is therefore also referred to as a cerumen protection device.

The filter housing - which is, for example, annular or can-shaped (ie in the form of a hollow cylinder which is at least partially closed at both ends) - is matched with regard to its dimensioning to the passage opening in order to ensure the most accurate fit possible in the passage opening. If the protective device is intentionally inserted into the passage opening of the hearing device housing, a circumferential wall of the filter housing, which forms the outer circumference of the filter housing, and encloses a housing interior of the filter housing, faces a wall surface of the hearing device housing bounding the passage opening. The peripheral wall clothes in other words the the passage opening limiting wall surface at least predominantly and is in an expedient configuration, in particular on this wall surface. In this case, the circumferential wall of the filter housing is preferably aligned in its area extent at least approximately parallel to an axis of the passage opening (and thus to the dirt penetration direction).

According to the invention, at least one breakthrough is introduced into this peripheral wall, which corresponds to at least one cavity arranged in the hearing device housing. The cavity serves for discharging and / or for receiving dirt (in particular cerumen) which is led out of the filter housing through the opening. Preferably, a plurality of openings are introduced into the peripheral wall, wherein each breakthrough corresponds to a cavity of the hearing aid housing.

The term "corresponds" is to be understood to mean that an opening leading to the cavity in the hearing aid housing is arranged with respect to the protective device used as intended, that by means of the opening there is a fluidic connection between the interior of the filter housing and the cavity. Advantageously, this allows in the hearing aid according to the invention that cerumen or other dirt that penetrates into the filter housing, via the or each breakthrough derived laterally and transported to the cavity. As a result, the dirt is particularly effectively kept safe from the possibly in the hearing aid housing component. At the same time a clogging of the protective device is counteracted.

The hearing aid according to the invention is characterized by high protection efficiency, and thus advantageously by a particularly high robustness, a comparatively long life and a low susceptibility to repair. These advantages manifest themselves especially under external conditions, in which the user of the hearing aid sweats regularly (eg when staying in a warm-humid climate zone or during frequent exercise).

In a first embodiment it is provided that the cavity is formed by a collecting chamber, which is formed in the hearing aid housing. In this case, the cavity is an opening (otherwise open) to the opening, but otherwise closed (collecting) chamber, in which cerumen or other dirt accumulates successively. When replacing the protective device and the cleaning of the hearing aid housing, the collecting chamber can be emptied. In a preferred embodiment, the or each collecting chamber is integrally molded into a housing wall of the hearing aid housing.

In the context of the invention, either a single collecting chamber can be provided, which communicates with each of the openings. Such a collecting chamber is designed, in particular, as an annular chamber surrounding the passage opening or the protective device. However, it is within the scope of the invention also possible that a plurality of separate collecting chambers are provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the cavity is formed by a connecting channel, which starts from the wall opening delimiting the passage opening and opens to an outside of the hearing aid housing. In this case, the cerumen derived from the interior of the filter housing is transported away through the connecting channel and at least partially discharged via the outside of the hearing device housing. Preferably, for each breakthrough of the filter housing, a separate - with the respective associated breakthrough fluidly communicating - connection channel available.

Although, for reasons of simplicity, either only one or more collection chambers or only one or more Connection channels are provided in the hearing aid housing are, in principle, embodiments within the scope of the invention, in which the hearing aid housing has at least one collecting chamber and at least one connecting channel in combination.

In order to ensure a correct assignment of the or each collecting chamber or of the or each connecting channel to the or each corresponding breakthrough (ie to ensure an aligned arrangement of collecting chambers or connecting channels and the respective corresponding breakthroughs) are preferably on the protective device and the hearing aid housing corresponding Provided means that provide a certain relative position of the protective device relative to the hearing aid housing. Such (also acting as anti-rotation) means are given for example by a tongue and groove arrangement.

Preferably, the or each connecting channel, starting from the passage opening to the outside, extends obliquely toward an end of the hearing aid housing arranged as intended on the side of the audible ear. In this case, the course in particular has a curvature. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting channel widens conically from its housing-side end (at the opening of the filter housing) to its housing-outside end, so that a return of liquid substances (perspiration, cerumen) is prevented against the intended direction of flow.

An inventive (cerumen) protection device for a hearing aid according to the above description comprises a filter housing, in the peripheral wall at least one breakthrough is introduced, which corresponds to a formed in the hearing aid housing cavity when the protective device is intended to be inserted into a through hole of a hearing aid housing.

Each breakthrough is preferably introduced as a unilaterally open (ie crenellated) recess in the peripheral wall of the filter housing, which is open to a side facing away from the filter element edge of the peripheral wall. In the case of a substantially cylindrical (annular) peripheral wall, each aperture is introduced in particular into the circumferential wall as the circumferential wall of radially penetrating slot running approximately along an axial direction.

In a development of the above-mentioned invention, the filter insert comprises at least two filter elements, which are arranged sequentially in the filter housing. In particular, in each case a layer of a filter medium, preferably of a filter gauze, of a filter membrane or of a (metallic) sieve is provided as the filter element. Preferably, both or all filter elements are identical. However, combinations of different filter elements are also conceivable within the scope of the invention.

The proposed arrangement of at least two - viewed in the direction of the potential dirt entry - successively switched filter elements, a particularly effective cerumen-protection device is realized. The resulting barrier effect of such a protective device is increased especially against liquids. In addition, the sequential arrangement provides advantageous redundancy, so that it is possible to fall back on the second filter element as a barrier if the first filter element is damaged.

In an advantageous embodiment with regard to assembly safety and sealing effect, the filter housing runs conically towards its intended end facing the interior of the hearing aid housing.

The use of the cerumen protection device described above also already has an improved cerumen protection, in particular the protective devices, in which the filter housing is not provided with the breakthroughs described above for the discharge of cerumen and / or hearing aids that are not provided with corresponding cavities for receiving or discharging cerumen and other dirt. In this respect, a protective device which is provided in the manner described above with two sequentially arranged in the filter housing filter elements and - optionally - with a conically tapered filter housing on the inside, considered as an independent invention.

The embodiment according to the invention of the hearing device housing and the corresponding protective device are particularly preferably used in an in-ear hearing aid device or in a hearing device shell for an external listener of a behind-the-ear hearing aid device. Furthermore, the invention also extends, for example, to the application of the protective device in a headset worn in the ear.

FIG 1

in einer perspektivischen Querschnittsdarstellung ein gehörgangseitiges Ende eines Hörhilfegeräts mit einem eine Schallauslassöffnung umfassenden Hörgerätegehäuse, in die eine (Cerumen-)Schutzeinrichtung eingesetzt ist, wobei in das Hörgerätegehäuse eine ringförmige Hohlkammer eingeformt ist, die zur Aufnahme von Cerumen mit seitlichen Durchbrüchen in der Schutzeinrichtung korrespondiert,

FIG 2

in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung des Hörhilfegeräts gemäß FIG 1,

FIG 3

in Darstellung gemäß FIG 1 das Hörhilfegerät gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform, in der in das Hörgerätegehäuse Verbindungskanäle eingebracht sind, die zum Ableiten von Cerumen mit den seitlichen Durchbrüchen in der Schutzeinrichtung korrespondieren,

FIG 4

in einer geschnittenen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform, in der die Schutzeinrichtung zwei hintereinandergeschaltete Filterelemente umfasst, und

FIG 5

wiederum in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform, in der sich die Schutzeinrichtung zu einem Festende hin konisch verjüngt.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

FIG. 1

3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a hearing aid device comprising a sound outlet opening into which a (cerumen) protective device is inserted, an annular hollow chamber being formed in the hearing device housing which corresponds to lateral openings in the protective device for receiving cerumen;

FIG. 2

in a perspective detailed view of the protective device of the hearing aid according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

in illustration according to FIG. 1 the hearing aid according to a second embodiment, in which in the hearing aid housing connecting channels are introduced, which are for discharging cerumen with the lateral Breakthroughs in the protective device correspond,

FIG. 4

in a sectional detail representation of the protective device in a second embodiment, in which the protective device comprises two filter elements connected in series, and

FIG. 5

again in a perspective detail representation of the protective device in a further embodiment in which the protective device tapers conically towards a fixed end.

Corresponding parts are always provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a hearing aid 1, which includes a (hearing aid) housing 2, which is in an auditory canal of a person using the hearing aid 1 person (hereinafter referred to as "user") can be used. The housing 2 is in the section shown - corresponding to the ear canal - formed substantially cylindrical. A hörgangseitiges end 3 of the housing 2 is executed rounded. In an interior 4 of the housing 2 a (not shown here) sound generator is added. The sound generated with this is conducted via a sound outlet channel 5 from the interior of the housing 2 to the outside (into the auditory canal of the user).

The sound outlet channel 5 is tubular, with its diameter widening toward the end 3 in a step 6. The sound outlet channel 5 is surrounded by a housing wall 8 of the housing 2, which limits the sound outlet channel 5 with a wall surface 10. A side of the housing wall 8 or of the housing 2 facing the ear or auditory canal is designated as outer side 11.

In the housing wall 8 a the sound outlet 5 radially surrounding annular chamber 12 is formed in the vicinity of the end 3, which undercuts the wall surface 10 to the end 3 out. A short distance to the level 6 in the wall surface 10 introduced circumferential gap 13 forms the only access to the annular chamber 12th

In order to protect the sound generator from damage ("clogging") by dirt (cerumen, sweat, skin particles), which could penetrate along a dirt intrusion direction 14 (along the axis of the sound outlet channel) into the housing 2, the audible channel 5 is exchangeable (interchangeable). Cerumen-) protection device 20 used.

In the FIG. 2 Guard device 20 shown in detail comprises a filter housing 21, and a cerumen and other dirt at least largely retaining filter element 22. The filter housing 21 is formed substantially by an annular circumferential wall 23 made of plastic. The peripheral wall 23 forms approximately a hollow cylinder or a (short) tube whose first axial end (designated as front end 25) is intended to face the auditory canal, while the second axial end (designated as the front end 26) is intended to face the sound generator. A space enclosed by the peripheral wall 23 is designated as the housing interior 27 of the filter housing 21.

At the front end 26, the filter element 22 is held by the filter housing 21. For this purpose, the filter element 22 is integrated in the peripheral wall 23 in the course of the production of the protective device 20 by encapsulation, Umgießung or reshaping.

The filter element 22 is formed here in a conventional manner by an approximately circular layer of filter gauze. Alternatively, the filter element 22 is formed by a (metallic) screen or a sound-permeable membrane.

The peripheral wall 23 is penetrated by a plurality of uniformly distributed over the circumference, radial openings 30 which are introduced as open to the free end 25, approximately rectangular recesses in the peripheral wall 23. In this case, the peripheral wall 23 is only partially over its height pierced, so that the peripheral wall 23 has a fully enclosed edge 31 at the fixed end 26. This fixed-side edge 31 of the peripheral wall 23 ensures sufficient stability of the filter housing 21 for insertion and removal of the protective device 20. For insertion and removal of the protective device 20, an internal thread is also formed in the peripheral wall 23, by means of which the protective device 20 can be screwed onto a corresponding mounting tool. The height of the filter housing 21 is small compared to its diameter.
Is the protective device 20 (as in FIG. 1 shown) as intended used in the sound outlet 5 of the hearing aid housing 2, so the fixed end 26 sits on the step 6, wherein the peripheral wall 23 of the filter housing 21 fits snugly against the wall surface 10 of the housing wall 8. The peripheral wall 23 is thus aligned coaxially with the longitudinal direction of the sound outlet channel 5. Due to the snug fit the protective device 20 is held captive in the sound outlet 5. However, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention for the protective device 20 to be screwed into the sound outlet channel 5. A freiendseitiger edge of the peripheral wall 23 and the undercut portion of the inner side 10 partially overlap in the axial direction. On the other hand, the apertures 30 and the annular gap 13 partially overlap.

Due to this arrangement, dirt entering the housing interior 27 along the dirt penetration direction 14 (i.e., opposite a sound exit direction) is directed through the apertures 30 and the annular gap 13 into the annular chamber 12 and collected in this capture zone. In this case, the annular chamber 12 is a cavity corresponding to the apertures 30. If required, the annular chamber 12 is cleaned and emptied.

In FIG. 3 1, the auditory-aid portion 1 of the hearing aid 1 according to a second embodiment is shown, which substantially corresponds to the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, however, here instead the annular chamber 12 for each opening 30, a connecting channel 40 introduced into the housing wall 8. Each connecting channel 40 in turn represents a cavity which corresponds to one of the apertures 30. Each connecting channel 40 passes through the housing wall 8, starting from the wall surface 10 to the outside 11. Each connecting channel 40 initially runs almost radially away from the opening 30 and then curves in the direction of the end 3. In this case, each connecting channel 40 widens conically from the wall surface 10 to the outside 11.

FIG. 4 shows the protective device 20 in a cross-sectional view. The protective device 20 is largely analogous to the protective device according to FIG. 2 executed. In contrast, however, the protective device 20 here comprises a double filter element 22. In this case, both filter elements 22 are identical, for example, as a filter gauze executed. Both filter elements 22 are mounted approximately plane-parallel and with a small distance from each other in the region of the fixed end 25 by means of the peripheral wall 23.

FIG. 5 shows a protective device 20, in which the filter housing 21 is provided to the fixed end 26 with a chamfer 50. Due to the conical taper of the filter housing 21, the filter housing 21 is particularly well and tightly fixed in the hearing aid housing 2.

The peripheral wall 23 is in 4 and FIG. 5 each shown without openings 30. Already in this form causes the use of the protective device 20 according to 4 or 5 As a result of the double filter element 22, an improvement in the robustness of a hearing aid device 1 provided therewith. In the preferred embodiment, however, the protective device 20 is provided both with a double filter element 22 according to FIG 4 or 5 as well as with openings 30 according to 1 to 3 Mistake.

The object of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, you can Further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the claims and the above description. In particular, the basis of the 1 to 5 explained individual features within the scope of the claims can be combined with each other, without departing from the invention.

Claims (10)

Hearing aid (1) - Hearing aid housing (2), which has a through-opening (5) to the interior (4) of the hearing aid housing (2) and can be used with a person wearing the hearing device (1) in an auditory canal with a protective device (20) inserted or usable in the passage opening (5) for protection against dirt entering the hearing device housing (2), wherein the protective device (20) comprises a filter element (22) carrying a filter housing (21), wherein in a housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21) enclosing peripheral wall (23) of the filter housing (21) in the intended state of a At least one breakthrough (30) is introduced, wherein in the hearing aid housing (2) further at least one cavity (12, 40) for discharging and / or receiving dirt in the hearing aid housing (2) is arranged, wherein a leading to the cavity (12, 40) access (13) in the wall surface (10), and
wherein when used as intended protective device (20) by means of the opening (5) a fluidic connection between the housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21) and the cavity (12, 40), so that dirt through the opening (5) through from the Housing interior (27) in the cavity (12, 40) is led out. Hearing aid (1) according to claim 1,
wherein the or each cavity is formed by a collecting chamber (12) open towards the aperture (30). Hearing aid (1) according to claim 2,
wherein the collecting chamber as the through-opening (5) radially surrounding annular chamber (12) is formed. Hearing aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the or each cavity is formed by a connecting channel (40), which leads from the wall surface (10) to an outer side (11) of the hearing aid housing (2). Hearing aid (1) according to claim 4,
wherein the or each connecting channel (40) extends obliquely in the direction of an intended end of the ear (3) of the hearing aid housing (2). Hearing aid (1) according to claim 4 or 5,
wherein the or each connecting channel (40) widens conically from its inside end to its outside end. Cerumen protection device (20) for a hearing aid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6,
with a filter housing (21), in which a housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21) enclosing peripheral wall (23) at least one aperture (30) is introduced, which corresponds to the in the hearing aid housing (2) formed cavity (12, 40) , so that dirt from the housing interior (27) through the opening (30) is passed through into the cavity (12, 40) when the cerumen protection device (20) is intended in the through hole (5) of the hearing aid housing (2) inserted , Cerumen protection device (20) according to claim 7,
wherein the or each aperture (30) is introduced as a recess open on one side in the peripheral wall (23). Cerumen protection device (20) according to claim 7 or 8,
with at least two filter elements (22) which are connected in series in the groove penetration direction (14). Cerumen protection device (20) according to one of claims 7 to 9,
wherein the filter housing (21) tapers conically towards a front end (26) facing the interior (4) of the hearing aid housing (2) as intended.

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