CN103155600A

CN103155600A - Ear coupler and hearing test system

Info

Publication number: CN103155600A
Application number: CN2011800370126A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 莫腾·霍斯特
Original assignee: GN Otometrics AS
Current assignee: Natesi Medical Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-04
Filing date: 2011-06-03
Publication date: 2013-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-03
Also published as: JP2013530745A; WO2011151447A1; JP5778763B2; CN103155600B; EP2577998A1

Abstract

An ear coupler includes a dome-shape member having a wall, a flange extending from the wall and circumscribing at least a part of the member, and an opening in the wall of the member. An ear coupler includes a member having a cavity for accommodating an ear, a flange extending from the wall and circumscribing at least a part of the member, and a structure extending from the wall, the structure having an end with a port.

Description

Ear coupler and hearing test system

Technical field

The present invention relates to ear coupler and hearing test system, for example, be used for the ear coupler that uses and hearing test system together with hearing devices, and more specifically, relate to audiometrist equipment and method.

Background technology

The people may very littlely just stand hearing impairment.Hearing impairment may occur when the baby, and occurs when baby due.If enough hearing impairment do not detected early, children's language ability may adversely be affected, and may cause long term disability.Thereby testing immediately Investigation of Hearing Damage in Infants Caused after birth is the optimal time.Such earlier detection allows early treatment.Yet it may be difficult that the baby is carried out hearing test, because they can not participate in conventional hearing test, conventional hearing test needs the experimenter to provide feedback whether to indicate them hear various stimulus signals.

Use equipment and method with by making the baby stand audio stimulation and measuring subsequently different response to this stimulation, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) or otoacoustic emission response, assessed infant hearing.Some existing Acoustic acuity test devices have for the probe that inserts baby Er Nei.This equipment will need the user manually to maintain probe during use so that this equipment is stable with respect to the baby, and this may be inconvenient for the user, if especially carry out the time period that hearing test need to extend.And the probe of this equipment may be uncomfortable for baby's ear, because the use of this equipment will need probe against the inwall of contact baby duct.In addition, this equipment may be unsafe for the baby, because the far-end of probe may injure baby's duct.

Summary of the invention

The considerable advantage of ear coupler of the present invention is to facilitate hearing test in the situation that basically tested people is safe from danger.

Correspondingly, disclose a kind of ear coupler, this ear coupler comprises cheese member with wall, extends and the flange of at least a portion of external connection member from this wall, and alternatively, the opening in the wall of member.The ear coupler can comprise the structure of extending from wall, and this structure has the end with ports having.This port can be communicated with the cavity that is formed by the cheese member by the opening in wall.

Also disclose a kind of ear coupler, its middle ear coupler comprises: the member of cheese member for example, and it has be used to the cavity that holds ear; Extend the also flange of at least a portion of external connection member from wall; And the structure of extending from wall, this structure has the end with ports having.

A kind of hearing test system, the equipment that it comprises the ear coupler and is suitable for being coupled to the ear coupler are also disclosed.This equipment can comprise that sonic transducer and/or this equipment can be configured to carry out one or more in otoacoustic emission test, ABR test, sound reflecting test and Tympanometry (tympanometry test).

Other and other aspect and feature will be from the following detailed descriptions of reading embodiment and obviously, this embodiment meant for illustration and unrestricted the present invention.

Description of drawings

Accompanying drawing illustrates design and the effectiveness of embodiment, and wherein similar element refers to by common Reference numeral.These accompanying drawings needn't be drawn in proportion.How to obtain above-mentioned and other advantage and purpose in order understanding better, will to provide the description more specifically of embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.These accompanying drawings have only been described typical embodiment and therefore have not been considered to limit the scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates the perspective view according to the ear coupler of some embodiment,

Fig. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the ear coupler of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 illustrates the plane graph of the ear coupler of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 illustrates the method for the ear coupler that uses Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 illustrates the ear coupler according to other embodiment,

Fig. 6 illustrates the ear coupler according to other embodiment,

Fig. 7 illustrates the ear coupler according to other embodiment,

Fig. 8 illustrates the ear coupler according to other embodiment,

Fig. 9 illustrates the ear coupler according to other embodiment,

Figure 10 illustrates the test macro of the ear coupler that comprises as shown in fig. 1,

Figure 11 illustrates the test macro of the ear coupler that comprises as shown in Figure 5, and

Figure 12 illustrates the part of structure.

Embodiment

Danger that ear coupler of the present invention makes it possible to reduce or that not the duct of wanting tested people is not injured or damages is tested the people.

The ear coupler comprises the flange of at least a portion of member with wall and external this member.Form opening in the wall of this member, for example be used for guiding or allow test signal to enter cavity.This member or its part can be for transparent, for example in case on the people chucking lug coupler correctly.The first of this member can be more transparent than the second portion of this member.

The member of ear coupler can comprise first and be attached to the second portion of first.First can comprise the first material, and second portion can comprise the second material.The second material can be harder than the first material.For example, first can be made by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and this thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for example has in the hardness in 25Shore A to 40Shore A scope, for example the about hardness of 35Shore A.Second portion can be made by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and this thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for example has in the hardness in 40Shore A to 55Shore A scope, for example the about hardness of 45Shore A.

First can comprise the first wall part, and second portion can comprise the second wall part.The second wall part can and at least a portion of the first wall part overlapping or be clipped between at least a portion of the first wall part.First can comprise first end and the second end alternatively, and flange extends from first end, and the second end limits opening.Second portion can cover the opening at the second end place of first.

The ear coupler can comprise adhesive at the flange place.First side surface that is used for human oriented of flange can partially or even wholly be coated with adhesive.

The ear coupler can comprise the barrier flaps at least a portion that covers adhesive.

The ear coupler can comprise the one or more protruding tongue (tab) that extends from flange, for example, in order to facilitate the release of ear coupler or attached.Flange can be detachably fixed to member.

The ear coupler can comprise the structure of extending from wall, and this structure has the end with ports having, for example first end.The second end of this structure can be attached to wall or be positioned in cavity.Port can be communicated with cavity by the opening in component wall.Port can be resized and make this equipment can be via interference fit (interference fit) or interference fit and be coupled to port.This structure can extend in the cavity of member.Additionally or alternati, this structure can stretch out from wall.This structure can have tubular structure, and it has the inner surface that limits at least in part cylinder.This cylinder or this structure can have the length of 2mm at least, for example, and 3mm or the length of 4mm at least at least.The length of this cylinder or this structure is in 4 to 15mm scopes or can be preferred even in larger scope.This structure can comprise the tube element of open first end and the second end, and this open first end consists of port.The second end can be attached to wall.The second end can be for tilting, for example the second end margin can be basically extends in the second plane and makes in the central axis of tube element and the angle between the second plane in the scope of 10 ° to 80 °, such as from approximately 30 ° to the about scope of 60 °, for example approximately 45 °.Tube element can have the cross section of any expectation, such as circle, ellipse, square, rectangle, polygon or other shape, such as custom-shaped.Tube element can extend from wall, the central axis that makes tube element basically with the flange plane parallel.Can be formed on the angle to about 60 ° of scopes from 0 ° between the central axis of tube element and flange plane, such as the angle less than 45 °.

The length of this structure can be defined as along the central axis of this structure at this central axis and in the crosspoint on first plane at the first end place of this structure and the distance between this central axis and the crosspoint on second plane at the second end place of this structure.

The inner surface of this structure can limit at least in part from the cylinder of first end towards the second end.The inner surface of this structure can be suitable for the hearing test system pipes is connected to the ear coupler.This structure can be suitable for the end of pipe and this structure interference fit with the hearing test system, coupled to the ear coupler.For example, the inner surface of this structure can limit frustum of a cone at least in part, its first end place of this structure or near have the first cross-sectional diameter d ₁And the second end place of this structure or near have the second cross-sectional diameter d ₂, d wherein ₁Greater than d ₂In addition, or as an alternative, the one or more spines on inner surface or projection can be so that can engage between ear coupler and testing tube in interference fit.One or more recesses on inner surface or the slit in this structural walls can be configured to and be used for the hearing test system is engaged with test pipe end or the testing tube connector that the ear coupler is coupled.This structure that is arranged to the interference fit of testing tube can be favourable, because can use the testing tube of different size for the ear coupler, thereby makes the ear coupler can be coupled to the testing tube of different size.

This member can have domed shape.This domed shape can be defined as having the hyperbolic surface of smooth surface substantially.The tangent line of the outer surface of the wall of this cheese member can be formed on the angle to about 85 ° of scopes from 0 ° with the flange plane, such as less than the angle of 80 °, for example less than the angle of 75 °.The cheese member can provide the member mechanical stability of increase.

Below with reference to accompanying drawing, various exemplary embodiments are described.It should be noted that accompanying drawing not in proportion the element of drafting and similar structures or function represent by similar Reference numeral in whole accompanying drawing.It shall yet further be noted that accompanying drawing only is intended to the convenient embodiment of description.They are not as detailed description of the present invention or as the restriction of the scope of the invention.In addition, all aspects or the advantage shown in shown embodiment needn't have.Aspect or the advantage described in conjunction with specific embodiment are not necessarily limited to this embodiment, and can be in office what put into practice in its embodiment even without so illustrating also.

Fig. 1 illustrates the ear coupler 10 according to some embodiment.Ear coupler 10 comprises cheese member 12, flange 14 and structure 16, and this structure 16 has the end 18 with ports having 20.Cheese member 12 comprises wall 30, and flange 14 extends from wall 30.Flange 14 is outer to be connected on around member 12 and to have with adhesive 42(shown in Figure 3) surface 40.Ear coupler 10 may further include for using the barrier flaps 44(that holds adhesive 42 before ear coupler 10 with reference to figure 3, and its part that barrier flaps 44 is shown is removed from flange 14).

Fig. 2 illustrates the cross section according to the ear coupler 10 of some embodiment.As shown in the drawing, member 12 comprises first 50 and second portion 52.First 50 has the first wall part 60, and second portion 52 has the second wall part 62, the second wall parts 62 and the first wall part 60 is overlapping, thereby forms at least a portion of the wall 30 of ear coupler 10.In the embodiment shown, second portion 52 is made by the material harder than first 50.For example, in certain embodiments, first 50 can be made by the material with 35Shore A hardness (TP1), and second portion 52 can be made by the material with 45Shore A hardness (TP2).This structure is favourable, is that second portion 52 can be used as the stiffened element at least a portion of stiffener 12.In other embodiments, the first and

second parts

50,52 can be manufactured from the same material.Each in the first and

second parts

50,52 can be made by various materials, includes but not limited to the TPE(thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)), rubber or the polymer of silicon rubber or any other type.And in a further embodiment, second portion 52 can make more greatly itself and whole first 50 fully overlapping.The length L of structure 16 is about 7mm.

Second portion 52 can be wrapped by molded (overmold) together with first 50 during manufacture process.In this case, first 50 and second portion 52 merge.In other embodiments, first and

second portion

50,52 can pass through other technology, such as being attached at together via the mechanical connection of adhesive, screw, be clasped coupler or other type.

Shown in embodiment, the wall 30 of member 12 has opening 70 as shown, and opening 70 is corresponding with structure 16.Structure 16 has tubular structure, thereby is limited to the port 20 at 18 places, end of structure 16.In the embodiment shown, the port 20 at the first end place of structure 16 has circular cross section.In other embodiments, port 20 can have other shape of cross section, such as elliptical shape, square shape, rectangular shape or such as other shape of custom-shaped.Port 20 is resized and is shaped so that it allows shown in audio frequency apparatus 76(Fig. 4 of audiometrist equipment) and its coupling.

Fig. 3 illustrates the plane graph of ear coupler 10.As shown in this Fig, ear coupler 10 also comprises a plurality of protruding tongue 80 that extends from flange 14.Protruding tongue 80 allows the user by maintaining a protruding tongue 80 and flange 14 being pulled away from experimenter's skin and ear coupler 10 is separated from the experimenter.In the embodiment shown, ear coupler 10 has two protruding tongues 80.In other embodiments, ear coupler 10 can have more than two protruding tongues 80 or be less than two protruding tongue 80(namely, a protruding tongue 80).In a further embodiment, (one or more) protruding tongue 80 is optional, and ear coupler 10 does not comprise any protruding tongue 80.In this case, ear coupler 10 can be by being pulled away from flange 14 and separate from the experimenter from experimenter's skin.

In certain embodiments, whole ear coupler 10 is transparent.Alternatively, the part of ear coupler 10 can have one or more colors.For example, the part of ear coupler 10 can comprise coloured figure 81.And in other embodiments, the part of ear coupler 10 can be more transparent than another part of ear coupler 10.For example, in other embodiments, first 50 and second portion 52 can be all transparent, and wherein first 50 is more transparent than second portion 52.Transparency allows the user to see at least a portion of experimenter ear when the user is put into ear coupler 10 on the experimenter, makes the user ear coupler 10 can be placed on desired locations place with respect to experimenter ear.

As discussed, ear coupler 10 is configured to and uses together with the audio frequency apparatus of audiometrist equipment.In certain embodiments, audiometrist equipment can be configured to carry out one or more tests with test such as baby's experimenter's hearing.Can use the example of the test of audiometrist equipment execution to comprise otoacoustic emission test, ABR test, acoustic reflectivity test and Tympanometry.As shown in Figure 4, in a kind of enforcement, audiometrist equipment 76 comprises handheld unit 200, the first cable 204 and the second cable 208 with display screen 202.The first cable 204 has three electrode 206a-206c of the forehead, cheekbone and the nape that are configured to be coupled to respectively during use the experimenter.The second cable 208 have for removably being coupled to during use two corresponding ear coupler 10(show one) two transducer 210(show one).Audiometrist equipment 76 is configured to produce the one or more stimulus signals that are sent to experimenter ear via ear coupler 10.Should be used for causing neural response by (one or more) stimulus signal, this neural response is measured by electrode 206a-206c, thereby carries out the ABR test.Identical (one or more) stimulus signal or other (one or more) stimulus signal can be used for causing that another responds to be used for otoacoustic emission test, and this another response is measured by transducer 210.Display 202 is configured to show the information about hearing test, such as the parameter and the test result that are used for testing.

Fig. 4 illustrates the method according to the use ear coupler 10 of some embodiment.During use, barrier flaps 44 is removed to expose the adhesive 42 on flange 14.Ear coupler 10 is attached to experimenter's skin subsequently via adhesive 42.If the part of ear coupler 10 is transparent, the user of ear coupler 10 can observe to see by ear coupler 10 experimenter's ear, makes the user can make ear coupler 10 placed in the middle with respect to experimenter's ear.Audio frequency apparatus 76 removably is coupled to the port 20 of ear coupler 10 during use.Especially, the transducer 210 of audio frequency apparatus 76 removably is coupled to ear coupler 10 via port 20.Another transducer (not shown) that is connected to audio frequency apparatus 76 also is coupled to another ear coupler (not shown).And, be fixed to the experimenter from the electrode 206a-206c of audio frequency apparatus 76.In the embodiment shown, audio frequency apparatus 76 is for being configured to the experimenter is carried out the audiometrist equipment of otoacoustic emission test and ABR test.In certain embodiments, audio frequency apparatus 76 is configured to provide stimulus signal to cause the first response and the second response from the experimenter via cable 208, wherein the first response (using transducer 210 to measure) is used for otoacoustic emission test, and the second response (using electrode 206a-206c to measure) is used for the ABR test.In other embodiments, audio frequency apparatus 76 is configured to provide the first stimulus signal to respond to cause for first of otoacoustic emission test, and the second stimulus signal is to cause the second response for the ABR test.

And replacement uses ear coupler 10 to carry out otoacoustic emission tests and ABR test, and ear coupler 10 can be used for execution otoacoustic emission test and ABR test only one.In this case, during another in carrying out the test of otoacoustic emission test and ABR, can remove and from audio frequency apparatus 76 dismounting ear coupler 10(for example, by from transducer 210 dismounting ear couplers 10, perhaps pass through from audio frequency apparatus 76 dismounting cables 208 from the experimenter).The probe (not shown) for example can be attached to audio frequency apparatus 76(subsequently, by probe being attached to transducer 210), and probe is inserted in experimenter ear to be used for transmitting (one or more) stimulus signal that is used for carrying out another test.

As directed, ear coupler 10 is favourable, because it has got rid of the needs that during hearing test, probe inserted in experimenter's ear, it may be uncomfortable for the experimenter that probe is inserted in experimenter's ear, and/or may injure experimenter's ear.And, because ear coupler 10 can be fixed to the experimenter with himself, so the use of ear coupler 10 does not need the user manually to stablize ear coupler 10 with respect to experimenter's ear.In addition, due to the arc effect that provides in response to outside applied pressure or power by domed shape, the domed shape of member 12 makes member 12 not too easily be subject to deformation and failure (for example, comparing with the member 12 with smooth lid).In addition, in order to be coupled to audio frequency apparatus 76, provide port 20 more to have superiority than the coupling port that wall 30 places at member 12 provide via structure 16.This is because structure 16 plays the effect that adds computer hardware of the integrality that improves port 20.If equipment 10 does not comprise structure 16, transducer 210 need to directly be coupled to ear coupler 10 via the port at wall 30 places, and this has weakened wall 30.This structure also makes wall 30 be subject to bending with respect to wall 30 insertions with during removing transducer 210, and this is undesirable.In certain embodiments, opening 70 is configured to be inserted into port 20 when interior than the port 20 proper transducers 210 of ambassador, and transducer 210 will not contact the wall part that limits opening 70.This has the benefit of the structural intergrity of guaranteeing to keep the wall part that limits opening 70.

In the above-described embodiments, first 50 has domed shape, and second portion 52 is overlapping with the part of the wall of first 50.In other embodiments, first 50 can have different structures.For example, as shown in Figure 5, in other embodiments, first 50 can have with the first end 82 of the first opening 84 with the second end 86 of the second opening 88.First end 82 for example is attached to flange 14(, with its one).

It comprises structure 16 second portion 52() be configured to cover the opening 88 at the second end 86 places of first 60, thus form cheese member 12.In certain embodiments, second portion 52 can be wrapped by and be molded in first 50.Alternatively, second portion 52 can be attached to by the connector of adhesive, screw, snap-on connector or other type first 50.

In a further embodiment, second portion 52 can be configured to for example removably be coupled to the 50(of first, via clip, screw thread, the connector that is clasped, friction etc.), thus allow second portion 52 to work to be similar to dismountable lid.This structure is favourable because its allow user optionally uncap 52 directly to observe experimenter's ear and/or directly to be communicated to the experimenter.The lid 52 that this structure also allows the user to remove to have structure 16, and another lid 52 is attached to the remainder of ear coupler 10.This is favourable, because it will allow the user to change lid 52 when lid 52 is destroyed.In this case, ear coupler 10 comprises a plurality of lids 52 with same size and shape.In other embodiments, the lid 52(that dismountable structure also allows the user to change to have heteroid structure 16 for example, with having different size and/or the shape lid 52 with the structure 16 that is used for being coupled to different audio frequency apparatuses).In this case, ear coupler 10 can comprise a plurality of lids 52, it with not isostructure (for example has, size and/or shape) corresponding construction 16, wherein each structure 16 is configured to removably be coupled at one end the remainder of ear coupler 10, and is coupled to audio frequency apparatus at the other end place of structure 16.It should be noted that lid 52 can be considered to the part of ear coupler 10, perhaps be configured to be coupled to the parts that separate of ear coupler 10.

In the embodiment shown, the first and

second parts

50,52 can be manufactured from the same material.Alternatively, second portion 52 can be made by the material different from the material of first 50.For example, in certain embodiments, second portion 52 can be made by the material harder than the material of first 50.

In other embodiments, the member 12 of ear coupler 10 and flange 14 can be formed whole during manufacture process, and structure 16 is the parts that separate (Fig. 6) that are attached to the remainder of ear coupler 10.For example, structure 16 can be wrapped by on the wall 30 that is molded into member 12.Alternatively, structure 16 can be attached to member 12 by the connector of adhesive, screw, be clasped connector or other type.In the embodiment shown, member 12 and structure 16 can be manufactured from the same material.Alternatively, structure 16 can be made by the material different from the material of member 12.For example, in certain embodiments, structure 16 can be made by the material softer than member 12.

In a further embodiment, structure 16 can be configured to for example removably be coupled to member 12(, via clip, screw thread, the connector that is clasped, friction, etc.).This structure allows the user to remove structure 16 from member 12, and another structure 16 is attached to the remainder of ear coupler 10.This is favourable, because it will allow the user to change structure 16 when structure 16 is destroyed.In this case, ear coupler 10 can comprise a plurality of structures 16 with same size and shape.In other embodiments, dismountable structure also allows the user to utilize for example to have heteroid structure 16(, has the structure 16 of different size and/or shape to be used for being attached to different audio frequency apparatuses) change structure 16.In this case, ear coupler 10 can comprise (for example having not isostructure, size and/or shape) a plurality of structures 16, wherein each structure 16 is configured to removably be coupled at one end the remainder of ear coupler 10, and is coupled to audio frequency apparatus at the other end place of structure 16.

In certain embodiments, structure 16 can be by being made by the bendable material of user's bending during use.This structure allow the user optionally 3dpa equipment (namely being coupled to ear coupler 10) make audio frequency apparatus be in desired locations with respect to ear coupler 10.

In other embodiments, the wall 30 of coupler 10 and structure 16 can be formed whole during manufacture process, and flange 14 is the parts that separate (Fig. 7) that are attached to the remainder of ear coupler 10.For example, flange 14 can be wrapped by on the wall 30 that is molded into member 12.Alternatively, flange 14 can be attached to member 12 by the connector of adhesive, screw, be clasped connector or other type.In a further embodiment, the wall 30 of member 12 can comprise slit 90, and flange 14 can comprise be configured to projection 92(Fig. 8 of coordinating with slit 90), thereby make flange 14 fixing with respect to member 12.In other embodiments, slit-pop-up structure can be reversed, that is, flange 14 can have slit, and the wall 30 of member 12 can have the projection that coordinates with slit at flange 14 places.

In a further embodiment, flange 14 can be configured to for example removably be coupled to member 12(, via clip, screw thread, the connector that is clasped, friction, etc.).This structure allows the user to remove flange 14 from member 12, and another flange 14 is attached to the remainder of ear coupler 10.In certain embodiments, ear coupler 10 can comprise a plurality of flanges 14 with same size and shape.This is favourable, because it allows the user when flange 14 is destroyed, or changes flange 14 when adhesive 42 becomes non-caked.Alternatively, or additionally, ear coupler 10 can comprise have not isostructure a plurality of flanges 14 of (for example, size and/or shape), and wherein each flange 14 is configured to removably be coupled to the member 12 of ear coupler 10.This system allows user's utilization for example to have heteroid another flange 14(, has the flange 14 of different size and/or shape) replacing flange 14.

In the embodiment shown, member 12 and flange 14 can be manufactured from the same material.Alternatively, flange 14 can be made by the material different from member 12.For example, in certain embodiments, flange 14 can be made by the material than the material softer of member 12.This structure allows flange 14 to meet during use the profile of experimenter's skin.In certain embodiments, flange 14 can be made by the submissive material of easily bending or distortion when flange 14 is compressed experimenter's skin.

In a further embodiment, ear coupler 10 can be made by a kind of material, and whole ear coupler 10 can integrally be formed whole to have the entity structure.Fig. 9 illustrates another ear coupler 10 according to other embodiment.As shown in the figure, whole ear coupler 10 comprises wall 30, flange 14 and the structure 16 of the member 12 of ear coupler 10, and being formed (for example, molded) during manufacture process is whole.

Figure 10 illustrates and comprises the ear coupler system 100 with heteroid a plurality of ear couplers 10.Each in ear coupler 10 can have any in structure described herein.In the embodiment shown, ear coupler 10 has different size to be used for adapting to the ear of the different experimenters with different corresponding sizes.In other embodiments, ear coupler 10 has difformity to be used for adapting to the ear of the different experimenters with different respective shapes.Each in ear coupler 10 has structure 16, and this structure 16 has port 20, is used for removably being coupled to the connector 210 such as the audio frequency apparatus of the audiometrist equipment 76 of Fig. 4.In the figure, show an ear coupler of every kind of size.However, it should be understood that in certain embodiments, system 100 can provide different size in pairs (one of one, left ear and auris dextra) ear coupler 10(for example, a kind of a pair of ear coupler 10 of size, and another of another kind of size is to ear coupler 10).And in a further embodiment, system 100 can comprise more than two pairs of ear couplers 10.

In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, each in ear coupler 10 can have the structure shown in Fig. 5.In this case, can audio frequency apparatus removably be coupled to one selected in ear coupler 10 with identical lid 52.In the figure, show an ear coupler of every kind of size.However, it should be understood that in certain embodiments, system 100 can provide different size in pairs (one of one, left ear and auris dextra) ear coupler 10(for example, a kind of a pair of ear coupler 10 of size, and another of another kind of size is to ear coupler 10).And in a further embodiment, hearing test system 100 can comprise more than two pairs of ear couplers 10.

Figure 12 is the cross-sectional view from the part of the structure 16 of the wall extension of ear coupler.The inner surface of structural walls limits at least a portion of frustum of a cone, its first end place of the formation port 20 of structure or near have the first cross-sectional diameter d ₁And has the second cross-sectional diameter d at the second end place towards structure ₂, d wherein ₁Greater than d ₂The first cross-sectional diameter d ₁(base diameter) can be selected to the maximum typical overall diameter greater than testing tube, and the second cross-sectional diameter d ₂(top diameter) can be selected to the minimum typical outer diameters less than testing tube.For example, d ₁Can be in 6 to 10mm scope, and d ₂Can be in 2 to 8mm scope.The frustum of a cone that is formed by at least a portion of inner surface can have from 2mm to the about height of 20mm, for example, and in the scope of 4mm to 12mm.The length L of structure can be for such as for example 2mm approximately at least.

Although illustrated and described specific embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that, be not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiment, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that in the situation that can make a variety of changes and revise without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Specification and accompanying drawing correspondingly are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive the meaning.The present invention expects that intention contains alternative form, modification and the equivalent form of value that may be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention that are defined by the claims.

Claims

1. ear coupler comprises:

Member, described member have the wall of the cavity that is formed for adapting to ear;

Flange, described flange extends also at least a portion of external described member from described wall; And

From the structure that described wall extends, described structure has the end with ports having.

2. ear coupler according to claim 1, wherein said structure has the length of 2mm at least.

3. any one described ear coupler according to claim 1-2, the first of wherein said member is more transparent than the second portion of described member.

4. according to any one the described ear coupler in aforementioned claim, wherein said member comprises first and is attached to the second portion of described first.

5. ear coupler according to claim 4, wherein said first comprises the first material, and described second portion comprises second material harder than described the first material.

6. any one described ear coupler according to claim 4-5, wherein said first comprises the first wall part, and described second portion comprises the second wall part.

7. ear coupler according to claim 6, at least a portion of wherein said the second wall part and described the first wall part is overlapping.

8. any one described ear coupler according to claim 4-7, wherein said first comprises first end and the second end, described flange extends from described first end, and described the second end limits opening, and wherein said second portion covers the described opening at the described second end place of described first.

9. according to any one the described ear coupler in aforementioned claim, described ear coupler comprises adhesive at described flange place.

10. according to any one the described ear coupler in aforementioned claim, described ear coupler comprises the one or more protruding tongue that extends from described flange.

11. according to any one the described ear coupler in aforementioned claim, wherein said port is resized, and makes the equipment can be via interference fit or interference fit and be coupled to described port.

12. according to any one the described ear coupler in aforementioned claim, wherein said member has domed shape.

13. a hearing test system comprises any one the described ear coupler according to claim 1 one or more-12 and is suitable for being coupled to the equipment of described ear coupler.

14. hearing test according to claim 13 system, wherein said equipment comprises sonic transducer.

15. the described hearing test of any one according to claim 13-14 system, wherein said equipment is configured to carry out one or more in otoacoustic emission test, ABR test, sound reflecting test and Tympanometry.