DK56794A

DK56794A - Coupling system for use when attaching a hearing aid to a person

Info

Publication number: DK56794A
Application number: DK56794A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Peter Samuelsen; Nikolai Bisgaard; Maja Nielsen; Jens Bang; Michel Diot
Original assignee: Gn Danavox As
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1994-05-18
Publication date: 1995-11-19

Description

KOBLINGSSYSTEM TIL BRUG VED FASTGØRELSE AF ET HØREAPPARATPÅ EN PERSONCLUTCH SYSTEM FOR USE IN DETERMINING A HEARING PERSON

Teknikkens standpunktThe prior art

Opfindelsen angår et koblingssystem af det i krav l's ind¬ledning angivne art.The invention relates to a coupling system of the kind specified in the preamble of claim 1.

En fremgangsmåde til fastgørelse af et høreapparat på enperson samt et høreapparat indrettet hertil er kendt fraansøgerens tidligere internationale ansøgning nr.PCT/DK92/00322. Heri er det forklaret, at et høreapparatkan udformes og fastgøres således, at øregangen ikke fuld¬stændig afspærres for omgivelserne, men således, at denakustiske tilkobling er såkaldt "open hearing" eller næsten"open hearing", også kaldet "semi-open hearing". Ifølge deninternationale ansøgning får man mulighed for at udforme ogfastgøre et høreapparat på en helt ny måde, som frembyderen række fordele, også hvad angår fastgørelsen, idet manundgår alle ulemperne, som skyldes formtilpasning, og manopnår, at tiden, fra en høreprøve foretages til et høreap¬parat kan udleveres, kan reduceres drastisk, nemlig til dentid, det tager at indstille høreapparatet til kompenseringaf hørefejlen. Det heri omtalte koblingssystem kan være ba¬seret på klæbemiddel eller andre midler eller systemer, derkan anvendes, når et emne, som f.eks. et høreapparat, skalfastgøres direkte på huden.A method of attaching a hearing aid to a person as well as a hearing aid adapted thereto is known from the applicant's previous international application no. PCT / DK92 / 00322. Herein, it is explained that a hearing aid can be designed and fastened so that the ear canal is not completely blocked off to the surroundings, but so that the acoustic connection is so-called "open hearing" or almost "open hearing", also called "semi-open hearing". . According to the international application, it is possible to design and fasten a hearing aid in a completely new way, which offers a number of advantages, also in terms of attachment, avoiding all the disadvantages caused by shape adjustment and achieving the time from a hearing test to a hearing test. ¬ device can be delivered, can be drastically reduced, namely to dent time, it takes to set the hearing aid to compensate for the hearing error. The coupling system referred to herein may be based on adhesive or other means or systems which may be used when a workpiece such as a hearing aid, must be attached directly to the skin.

De kendte koblingssystemer kan være udformet således, athøreapparatet fastgøres på huden i øregangen eller i områ¬det umiddelbart uden for øregangen under anvendelse af ethudacceptabelt klæbemiddel. Sådanne hudacceptable klæbemid¬ler kendes f.eks. fra forbindingsplastre som klæbemidlertil fastgørelse af proteser og andre hjælpemidler direktepå huden.The known coupling systems may be designed such that the atheist is attached to the skin in the ear canal or in the area immediately outside the ear canal, using ethically acceptable adhesive. Such skin-acceptable adhesives are known, for example. from dressing patches such as adhesive to the attachment of dentures and other aids directly to the skin.

Anvendelse af klæbemidler m.v. har mange fordele, idet derfås en næsten permanent fastgørelse, dvs. en fastgørelse.Use of adhesives etc. has many advantages in that it provides an almost permanent attachment, ie. an attachment.

der kræver en vis kraftindsats for at bryde fastgørelsen,dvs. for at aftage høreapparatet, på tilsvarende måde somdet er velkendt, at der er ulemper og gener forbundet medat aftage eller skifte plaster. Det er også kendt, at på¬virkningen af huden ved at skifte plaster eller ved et klæ¬bemiddel kan være større, end ved at plastret eller klæbe¬midlet bliver siddende en længere periode, selvom det afandre grunde kan være uhensigtsmæssigt at plastret ellerklæbemidlet sidder for længe, f.eks. af hygiejniske grunde,når plastret indgår i en forbinding eller lignende ved sår¬behandling m.v.requiring some force to break the attachment, ie. in order to remove the hearing aid, in a similar manner as is well known, that there are disadvantages and nuisances associated with removing or changing the patch. It is also known that the effect of the skin by changing the patch or by an adhesive may be greater than that of the patch or adhesive being left on for a long period, although for other reasons it may be inappropriate for the patch or adhesive to sit too long, e.g. for hygienic reasons when the patch forms part of a dressing or the like in wound treatment, etc.

Fordele ved opfindelsenAdvantages of the invention

Ved at udforme koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen som an¬ført i krav l's kendetegnende del får man et koblingssy¬stem, hvor der anvendes to koblingsmidler, nemlig ét ind¬rettet til at anbringes på, i eller under huden og ét an¬bragt på høreapparatet, og det er herefter veldefineredeområder på de to koblingsmidler, der sørger for selve fast¬holdelsen af høreapparatet, og dette sker på en ikke-perma-nent måde således, at brugeren nemt kan aftage og genpåsæt¬te høreapparatet på eller ud for det første koblingsmiddel.Herved fås en væsentlig forenkling i anvendelsen af høreap¬parater, der fastgøres i øregangen eller umiddelbart udenfor og er indrettet til "open hearing", og med de heraf af¬ledte fordele.By designing the coupling system according to the invention as claimed in the characterizing part of claim 1, one obtains a coupling system using two coupling means, one arranged to be applied to, in or under the skin and one arranged on the hearing aid. and it is then well-defined areas of the two coupling means that provide for the actual holding of the hearing aid, and this is done in a non-permanent manner so that the user can easily remove and reattach the hearing aid on or off the first coupling means. .This is a significant simplification in the use of hearing aids that are attached in the ear canal or immediately outside and which are arranged for "open hearing" and with the benefits derived therefrom.

Udformes koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen som angivet ikrav 2's kendetegnende del, opnår man alle fordelene vedanvendelse af klæbemidler, men høreapparatet vil kunne af¬tages efter behov, uden at klæbemidlet skal aftages fra hu¬den, men kan blive siddende en passende periode.If the coupling system according to the invention is designed as indicated in the characteristic part of claim 2, all the advantages of using adhesives are obtained, but the hearing aid can be removed as needed without the adhesive having to be removed from the skin, but can be left for a suitable period.

Koblingsmidlet ifølge opfindelsen kan være udformet som an¬ført i krav 3's kendetegnende del, nemlig således, at det første koblingsmiddel klæbes på huden på det sted, hvor hø¬reapparatet ønskes anbragt. Dette koblingsmiddel kan f.eks.være påklæbet brugerens øre i 2-20 døgn, hvorefter det af¬tages og enten genpåsættes eller udskiftes med et nyt kob¬lingsmiddel. Har huden taget skade eller er blevet på¬virket, så det generer brugeren, kan man anbringe det før¬ste koblingsmiddel et andet sted, så huden kan få lejlighedtil at regenerere.The coupling means according to the invention may be designed as defined in the characterizing part of claim 3, namely that the first coupling means is adhered to the skin at the location where the hearing aid is desired to be placed. For example, this coupling agent can be affixed to the user's ear for 2-20 days, after which it is removed and either reattached or replaced with a new coupling agent. If the skin has been damaged or has been affected so that it bothers the user, the first coupling agent can be placed somewhere else, so that the skin can have the opportunity to regenerate.

Den del af koblingssystemet, der sikrer selve den ikke-per-manente sammenkobling mellem det første koblingsmiddel ogdet andet koblingsmiddel, kan være udformet på en rækkeforskellige måder og anvende en række forskellige sammen¬koblingsmidler som nærmere angivet i krav 4-11's kendeteg¬nende dele, idet man herved får mulighed for at anvendekoblingsmidler med forskellig sammenkoblingsstyrke, for¬skellig sammenkoblingshastighed og -evne, forskellig anven¬delighed m.v.The part of the coupling system which ensures the non-permanent interconnection itself between the first coupling means and the second coupling means may be designed in a variety of ways and use a variety of coupling means as further specified in the characterizing parts of claims 4-11. , thereby enabling the use of coupling means with different coupling strength, different coupling speed and power, different applicability, etc.

Ved at udforme koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen og somangivet i krav 12's eller 13's kendetegnende del får manmulighed for at anbringe det ene koblingsmiddel permanent ieller under huden på brugeren, idet koblingsmidlet implan-teres. Dette kan være at foretrække for den faste bruger afet høreapparat. Man kan f.eks. anvende ét af koblingssyste¬merne ifølge krav 2-11 i en prøveperiode, og hvis man efterprøveperioden finder det relevant permanent at bruge høre¬apparat, får man implanteret et koblingsmiddel ifølge krav12 og 13 og undgår eventuelle problemer i forbindelse medklæbemidler og deres anvendelse.By designing the coupling system according to the invention and as set forth in the characterizing part of claim 12 or 13, it is possible to place one coupling agent permanently or under the skin of the user as the coupling agent is implanted. This may be preferable for the regular user of a hearing aid. One can, for example. use one of the coupling systems according to claims 2-11 during a trial period, and if the trial period finds it relevant to permanently use a hearing aid, a coupling agent according to claims 12 and 13 is implanted and avoids any problems related to adhesives and their use.

Koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen kan herudover være ud¬formet som anført i krav 14's kendetegnende del således, atder sker en akustisk signal lering som funktion af sam¬menkoblingen eller mangel på sammenkobling, hvilket kanvære til stor hjælp for brugeren eller en eventuel hjælper.In addition, the coupling system according to the invention can be designed as stated in the characterizing part of claim 14, so that acoustic signaling occurs as a function of the interconnection or lack of interconnection, which can be of great help to the user or possible helper.

når han skal anbringe høreapparatet i øret og være sikkerpå, at det er korrekt anbragt, både så det bliver korrektpositioneret i forhold til det første koblingsmiddel og så¬ledes, at høreapparatet vender rigtigt, dvs. med lydgengi¬veren ind mod trommehinden. Signalleringsmidlerne medvirkersåledes til at sikre, at brugeren ikke taber høreapparatetuden at bemærke det på grund af forkert eller uhen¬sigtsmæssig montage.when he is to place the hearing aid in the ear and be sure that it is properly positioned, both so that it is correctly positioned in relation to the first coupling means and so that the hearing aid is turned correctly, ie with the sound reproducer towards the eardrum. The signaling means are thus assisted in ensuring that the user does not lose sight of the hearing aid due to improper or improper installation.

Koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen kan yderligere være ud¬formet som anført i krav 15's kendetegnende del. Herved op¬når man mulighed for fuldautomatisk tænd/sluk funktion forapparatet, f.eks. således at apparatet slukkes, så snartdet ikke er korrekt monteret, f.eks. når apparatet tagesaf. Hermed vil man også kunne undvære en manuel afbryder,og man får sikkerhed for, at brugeren ikke glemmer at sluk¬ke for apparatet, når det afmonteres. Herved fås forøgetbatterilevetid.The coupling system according to the invention can further be configured as stated in the characterizing part of claim 15. This enables the fully automatic on / off function of the device, eg. so that the appliance is switched off so that the bale is not properly mounted, e.g. when the appliance is removed. This will also allow you to do without a manual switch and ensure that the user does not forget to switch off the appliance when it is removed. This provides increased battery life.

TegningenThe drawing

Opfindelsen forklares herefter nærmere under henvisning tiltegningen, idet fig. 1 viser en kendt anbringelse af et høreapparat underanvendelse af et koblingssystem, fig. 2 viser i større målestok koblingssysternet ifølgeopfindelsen og i en foretrukken udførelsesform, fig. 3-8 viser andre udførelsesformer for koblingssyste¬met ifølge opfindelsen, og fig. 9 viser en yderligere udførelsesform for koblingssy¬stemet ifølge opfindelsen under anvendelse af etimplanterbart koblingsmiddel.The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a known arrangement of a hearing aid using a coupling system; FIG. 2 shows on a larger scale the coupling system according to the invention and in a preferred embodiment; 3-8 show other embodiments of the coupling system according to the invention, and fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the coupling system according to the invention using an implantable coupling means.

Forklaring af den foretriikne udførelsesform På fig. 1 er vist et høreapparat 1, der som anvist i inter¬national ansøgning nr. PCT/DK92/00322 er fastgjort underanvendelse af klæbemiddel 2 til ørets 8 tragus 3. Høreappa¬ratet er aflangt og svagt krummet, så det udfylder en delaf øregangen 5 og er vendt således, at lydgengiveren 6 pe¬ger ind mod trommehinden, og lydoptageren 4 er vendt ud modomgivelserne. Høreapparatet er i øvrigt udformet med afrun¬dede kanter og er af en sådan form og størrelse, at det kananbringes i et øre, uden at det kræver nogen yderligere me¬kanisk tilpasning til øregangen. 7 viser overgangsområdetmellem øregangen 5 og det ydre øre 8.Explanation of the Preferred Embodiment In FIG. 1, a hearing aid 1 is shown which, as disclosed in International Application No. PCT / DK92 / 00322, is attached to the adhesive 2 of the ear 8 to the tragus 3. The hearing aid is oblong and slightly curved to fill part of the ear canal 5 and is turned so that the sound reproducer 6 points toward the eardrum and the sound recorder 4 is facing out the mod environment. The hearing aid is otherwise designed with rounded edges and is of such shape and size that it can be placed in an ear without requiring any further mechanical adjustment to the ear canal. 7 shows the transition area between the ear canal 5 and the outer ear 8.

På fig. 2 er i større målestok vist koblingssystemet ifølgeopfindelsen ifølge en foretrukken udførelsesform, hvor detførste koblingsmiddel 10 omfatter en bærer 13, der entenomfatter et klæbelag 12 eller er indrettet til at påføreset klæbelag 12 således, at det første koblingsmiddel 10 pådenne måde kan klæbes på huden på det sted i eller ved øre¬gangen, hvor et høreapparat 1 ønskes anbragt. Klæbelaget 12er for eksempel et ca. 0,5 mm tykt lag af en hydrocolloidklæber, der kan efterlades på huden i op til 20 dage ellermere på grund af klæberens absorberende evne. Vedhæftningentil huden skal være større end det omtalte ikke-permanenteindgreb mellem koblingsmidlerne, men ikke større end, atmere end de yderste hudceller rives med af, når bærerenskiftes. Bæreren 13 kan være udformet af plast, gummi oglignende bøjeligt materiale, og bæreren 13 med koblingsmid¬let 10 vil fortrinsvis være beregnet til éngangsbrug ogkasseres efter brug. Klæbelaget kan have en dækfilm, derfjernes før brug. Emnet 10 kan i øvrigt være beliggende u-middelbart under filmen eller klæbelaget, så man kan und¬være bæreren 13. Hydrocolioidklæberen kan f.eks. være afden art, der er angivet i USA patent nr. 4.367.732.In FIG. 2 is shown on a larger scale the coupling system according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment, wherein the first coupling means 10 comprises a carrier 13, which comprises either an adhesive layer 12 or adapted to be applied to an adhesive layer 12, so that the first coupling means 10 can be adhered to the skin in this manner. place in or at the ear canal where a hearing aid 1 is desired to be placed. For example, the adhesive layer 12 is a ca. 0.5 mm thick layer of a hydrocolloid adhesive that can be left on the skin for up to 20 days or more due to the absorbent ability of the adhesive. The adhesion to the skin must be greater than the aforementioned non-permanent engagement between the coupling agents, but not greater than, at least, as the outer skin cells are torn off when the carrier is changed. The carrier 13 may be formed of plastic, rubber and similar flexible material, and the carrier 13 with the coupling means 10 will preferably be for single use and discarded after use. The adhesive layer may have a cover film removed prior to use. The blank 10 may otherwise be located immediately below the film or adhesive layer, so as to avoid the carrier 13. The hydrocolloid adhesive may e.g. be of the kind disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,367,732.

På høreapparatet 1, der omfatter en lydoptager i form af enmikrofon 4 og en lydgengiver 6, er der påsat eller indbyg¬get et andet koblingsmiddel 11. Koblingsmidlet 10 og kob¬lingsmidlet 11 har i den viste foretrukne udførelsesform toflader vendende mod hinanden, nemlig fladerne 14 og 15.On the hearing aid 1, which comprises a sound recorder in the form of a microphone 4 and a sound reproducer 6, another coupling means is fitted or built-in 11. The coupling means 10 and the coupling means 11 have two faces facing each other, namely the faces, in the illustrated preferred embodiment. 14 and 15.

Koblingsmidlerne 10 og 11 kan udgøres af en permanent mag¬net og et magnetiserbart emne således, at høreapparatetfastholdes magnetisk på bæreren 13, der ved klæbning med ethudacceptabelt klæbemiddel 12 er fastgjort til øret 8. Kob¬lingsmidlet 11 på eller i høreapparatet omfatter fortrins¬vis permanentmagneten og koblingsmidlet 10 omfatter for¬trinsvis en tynd jernplade eller lignende magnetiserbartmateriale.The coupling means 10 and 11 may be constituted by a permanent magnet and a magnetizable workpiece such that the hearing aid is magnetically held on the carrier 13 which, when adhered with an acceptable adhesive 12, is attached to the ear 8. The coupling means 11 on or in the hearing aid preferably comprise the permanent magnet and coupling means 10 preferably comprise a thin iron plate or similar magnetizable material.

Forklaring af øvrige udførelsesformer I stedet for, at sammenkoblingen sker ved magnetisk til¬trækning mellem en permanent magnet og et magnetiserbartemne, f.eks. et jernemne, kan de to flader være plant sleb¬ne, så de hæfter mod hinanden ved molekular adhæsion.EXPLANATION OF OTHER EMBODIMENTS Instead of coupling by magnetic attraction between a permanent magnet and a magnetizable blank, e.g. an iron blank, the two surfaces can be flat-cut so that they adhere to each other by molecular adhesion.

Herudover kan fladerne være opbygget af kendte materialer,fortrinsvis kunststofmaterialer således, at koblingsmidler¬ne kan hæfte sammen under anvendelse af statisk elektrici¬tet, f.eks. naturligt opstående statisk elektricitet i for¬bindelse med særligt udvalgte materialer.In addition, the surfaces may be constructed of known materials, preferably plastic materials, so that the coupling means can adhere together using the static electricity, e.g. naturally arising static electricity in connection with specially selected materials.

Koblingsmidlerne 10, 11, eller i hvert fald de to mod hi¬nanden vendende flader 14, 15, kan være udformet af udvalg¬te materialer eller med belægninger af udvalgte materialersåledes, at der sker en kemisk proces ved berøring, somsikrer en ikke-permanent sammenkobling således, at delenekan adskilles og atter ikke-permanent sammenkobles ved enkemisk proces. Denne kemiske proces kan omfatte en form for klæbemiddel, der kun binder delene sammen, uden at de di¬rekte klæber sammen. Den kemiske proces/klæbemidlet kan ek¬sempelvis være af en art, der aktiveres af temperaturfor-skellen mellem de to flader, hvor det første koblingsmiddeljo har hudtemperatur og det andet koblingsmiddel sædvanlig¬vis har en lavere temperatur.The coupling means 10, 11, or at least the two faces 14, 15 facing each other, may be formed of selected materials or with coatings of selected materials such that a chemical process occurs upon contact, sometimes ensuring a non-permanent interconnection such that the divider can be separated and again non-permanently connected by enchemical process. This chemical process may include a form of adhesive that binds the parts together only without the direct adhesive sticking together. For example, the chemical process / adhesive may be of a kind activated by the temperature difference between the two surfaces where the first coupling agent has skin temperature and the second coupling agent usually has a lower temperature.

Endelig kan koblingsmidlerne 10, 11 være udformet med elleraf dele, der mekanisk griber ind i hinanden. Delene kanherudover være udformet således, at de medvirker til kor¬rekt positionering og således hjælper brugeren med at an¬bringe høreapparatet korrekt i forhold til det første kob¬lingsmiddel, samtidig med at de går i indgreb med hinanden.Disse mekaniske midler kan omfatte mindst én permanent mag¬net og mindst ét magnetiserbart emne af metal eller lignen¬de. De mekaniske midler kan omfatte anvendelse af alminde¬lig kendte burre-lås midler (Velcro-bånd), der er fastgjortpå henholdsvis det første og det andet koblingsmiddel, såman får en ikke-permanent sammenkobling.Finally, the coupling means 10, 11 may be formed with or of parts which mechanically engage one another. The parts can additionally be designed to assist in correct positioning and thus help the user to position the hearing aid correctly in relation to the first coupling means, while engaging with each other. These mechanical means may comprise at least one permanently magnetized and at least one magnetisable metal or similar item. The mechanical means may comprise the use of generally known cage locking means (Velcro tapes) which are attached to the first and second coupling means, respectively, so as to obtain a non-permanent coupling.

Fig. 3 viser en udførelsesform, hvor en skive 16 af ca. 0,5mm tyk magnetisk gummimateriale klæbes til huden 2, 7, foreksempel med en hydrocolloid klæber 12. På høreapparatet 1 monteres, for eksempel ved klæbning, en tilsvarende skive17; begge skiver 16,17 er aksialt magnetiseret, og skivernehar en diameter af størrelsesorden 10 mm.FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a disc 16 of approx. 0.5 mm thick magnetic rubber material is adhered to the skin 2, 7, for example with a hydrocolloid adhesive 12. A corresponding disc 17 is mounted on the hearing aid 1, for example by adhesive; both discs 16,17 are axially magnetized and the discs have a diameter of the order of 10 mm.

Fig. 4 viser en tynd metalfolie 19, for eksempel 0,03 mmtyk hærdet stål folie formet med styr 20 og klæbet med hy¬drocolloid klæber til huden 3, 7. På høreapparatet 1 er monteret, for eksempel ved klæbning, en permanent magnet18, for eksempel en fortinnet vacodym magnet, der er aksi¬alt magnetiseret. Delene 18, 19 har for eksempel en diame¬ter af størrelsesorden 4 mm.FIG. 4 shows a thin metal foil 19, for example 0.03 mm thick hardened steel foil formed with guide 20 and adhered with hydrocolloid adhesive to the skin 3, 7. On the hearing aid 1 is mounted, for example by adhesive, a permanent magnet18, for example a tinned vacodymium magnet that is axially magnetized. The parts 18, 19, for example, have a diameter of the order of 4 mm.

Fig. 5 viser en gummi- eller plastsugekop 21, der kan fast- gøre høreapparatet 1 på en plan plade 22 af plast, hvilkenplade 22 er klæbet til huden 3, 7 med en hydrocolloid klæ¬ber 12. Vacuum i sugekoppen fastholder høreapparatet 1, somaftages ved at forskyde det ud over pladen 22's kant.FIG. 5 shows a rubber or plastic suction cup 21 which can attach the hearing aid 1 to a flat plate 22 of plastic, which plate 22 is adhered to the skin 3, 7 with a hydrocolloid adhesive 12. Vacuum in the suction cup retains the hearing aid 1, which is removed by to displace it beyond the edge of plate 22.

Fig. 6 viser anvendelse af burre-lås midler 23, 24. Burre¬lås parten 24 er klæbet på huden 3, 7, for eksempel med enhydrocolloid klæber 12. Sædvanligvis vil den kraftigste del23 sidde på høreapparatet 1 og genbruges.FIG. 6 shows the use of clasp locking means 23, 24. The clasp locking portion 24 is adhered to the skin 3, 7, for example with unit hydrocolloid adhesive 12. Usually, the most powerful part 23 will sit on the hearing aid 1 and be reused.

Fig. 7 viser et mekanisk koblingssystem, hvor en cylin¬drisk holder 26, for eksempel af plast, og med en O-ring27, fastgøres på huden 3, 7 med en hydrocolloid klæber 12.I apparatet 1 er udformet en cylindrisk åbning 25, for ek¬sempel et bundhul. Sammenkoblingen sker ved friktion pågrund af O-ringen.FIG. 7 shows a mechanical coupling system in which a cylindrical holder 26, for example of plastic, and with an O-ring27, is fastened to the skin 3, 7 with a hydrocolloid adhesive 12. In the apparatus 1 a cylindrical opening 25 is formed, for example. ¬Example a bottom hole. The coupling occurs by friction due to the O-ring.

Fig. 8 viser en meget enkel udførelsesform, hvor apparatet1 blot har en passende udvendig overflade for ikke-perma-nent sammenkobling med en klæbesandwich 12, 28 omfattendeen hydrocolloid klæber 12 for klæbning med huden 3, 7 og enherpå fastgjort klæber eller klæbelag 28 af almindeligkendt art, for eksempel fra etiketklæbere indrettet forikke-permanent klæbning på glatte flader. Klæberne 28 ef¬terlader ingen residue på høreapparatet 1, og apparatetkan således af- og påmonteres mange gange.FIG. 8 shows a very simple embodiment, wherein the apparatus 1 merely has a suitable external surface for non-permanent engagement with an adhesive sandwich 12, 28 comprising hydrocolloid adhesive 12 for adhesion with the skin 3, 7 and then adhered adhesive or adhesive layer 28 of a generally known kind, for example, from label adhesives arranged with non-permanent adhesive on smooth surfaces. The adhesive 28 leaves no residue on the hearing aid 1, and the device can thus be removed and mounted many times.

Koblingssystemet ifølge opfindelsen kan også udgøres af enhudvenlig selvklæber, f.eks. en hydrocolloid klæber, forsy¬net med en fra huden bortvendende dækfilm, som udgør denene koblingsdel, og hvor den modsvarende anden koblingsdeler en skive af selvklæbende materiale med en i forhold tildækfilmen afstemt klæbekraft.The coupling system according to the invention may also consist of single-friendly self-adhesive, e.g. a hydrocolloid adhesive, provided with a skin-facing cover film constituting said coupling member, and wherein the corresponding second coupling member comprises a disc of self-adhesive material having an adhesive force matched to the covering film.

Yderligere kan man, som en videreudvikling af koblingssy¬stemet forklaret i forbindelse med fig. 2, fixere jernpla¬ den eller magneten ved hjælp af en mikroporøs tape af non-woven materiale med et tyndt lag polyakrylat selvklæber aftypen Micropore (reg. varemærke), Scanpore (reg. varemærke)eller lignende.Further, as a further development of the coupling system can be explained in connection with fig. 2, fix the iron plate or magnet using a non-woven microporous tape with a thin layer of polyacrylate self-adhesive type Micropore (reg. Trademark), Scanpore (reg. Trademark) or the like.

Klæbelaget 12 på fig. 3-8 er fortrinsvis en hydrocolloidklæber som foran omtalt i forbindelse med den foretrukneudførelsesform, men også andre klæbemidler beregnet forklæbning til hud vil kunne anvendes.The adhesive layer 12 of FIG. 3-8 is preferably a hydrocolloid adhesive as previously discussed in connection with the preferred embodiment, but other adhesives intended for skin adhesion may also be used.

Man kan også udforme koblingssystemet som vist på fig. 9,hvor et emne 29 implanteres, f.eks. ved at indlægges underhuden på ørets bagside. Emnet er indkapslet i titan for atkunne sidde ubegrænset tidsmæssigt og for helt at undgå ge¬ner herved. Emnet 29 kan omfatte en kraftig permanent mag¬net eller blot et magnetiserbart emne, f.eks. en lillejernplade, afhængigt af, om man ønsker magneten siddende ihøreapparatet 1 eller i det implanterede emne 29.One can also design the coupling system as shown in FIG. 9, where a blank 29 is implanted, e.g. by inserting the subcutaneous tissue on the back of the ear. The workpiece is encased in titanium in order to be able to sit indefinitely and to completely avoid any problems. The blank 29 may comprise a strong permanent magnet or simply a magnetizable blank, e.g. a small iron plate, depending on whether the magnet sits in the hearing aid 1 or in the implanted item 29.

Desuden kan koblingssystemet ifølge frembringelsen være ud¬formet således og koblet således til høreapparatet 1, atdet omfatter signalmidler, der kan generere et akustisksignal, f.eks. hvis sammenkoblingen er korrekt, eller detkan være indrettet således, at der genereres et akustisksignal, så længe sammenkoblingen ikke er korrekt. Hervedsikrer man sig også, at personer med dårlig motorik i hæn¬derne eller personer med dårligt syn ikke får vendt høreap¬paratet forkert således, at det senere falder af. Signal¬midlerne kan være anbragt i høreapparatet 1 og omfatte etelektrisk eller elektronisk kredsløb, der udsender akustis¬ke signaler via høreapparatets lydgiver. Signalmidlerne om¬fatter detektermidler, der kan detektere, om koblingsmid¬lerne 10, 11 er positioneret korrekt i forhold til hinandensåledes, at høreapparatet er korrekt positioneret.In addition, the coupling system of the invention may be so designed and coupled to the hearing aid 1 that it comprises signaling means capable of generating an acoustic signal, e.g. if the interconnection is correct or it can be arranged so that an acoustic signal is generated as long as the interconnection is not correct. This also ensures that persons with poor motor skills in their hands or persons with poor eyesight may not turn the hearing aid incorrectly so that it later falls off. The signal means may be located in the hearing aid 1 and comprise an electrical or electronic circuit which emits acoustic signals via the hearing aid's sound emitter. The signal means comprise detecting means which can detect whether the coupling means 10, 11 are positioned correctly relative to each other so that the hearing aid is correctly positioned.

Yderligere kan koblingssystemet ifølge frembringelsen være udformet og koblet således, at høreapparatet får en automa¬tisk tænd/sluk funktion. En sådan automatisk tænd/slukfunktion kan etableres med de samme midler, som styrer sig¬nalmidlerne omtalt foran. I høreapparatet kan være ind¬bygget et elektronisk detektorkredsløb, der detekterer, omdet første koblingsmiddel 10 og det andet koblingsmiddel 11er korrekt sammenkoblet. Detekteringsmidlerne kan f.eks.detektere på metalemner eller magnetemner anbragt i detførste koblingsmiddel enten som en del af koblingsmidlerneeller i form af emner, som er anbragt, udelukkende for atopnå automatiske signalfunktioner eller den automatisketænd/sluk funktion.Furthermore, the coupling system according to the invention can be designed and coupled so that the hearing aid has an automatic on / off function. Such an automatic on / off function can be established with the same means which control the signal means mentioned above. An electronic detector circuit may be incorporated into the hearing aid which detects, properly coupled, the first coupling means 10 and the second coupling means 11. The detecting means can, for example, detect on metal objects or magnetic objects placed in the first coupling means either as part of the coupling means or in the form of objects which are arranged solely for the purpose of achieving automatic signal functions or the automatic on / off function.

De i ansøgningen omtalte eksempler på koblingsmidler sanrtTfunktion heraf er kun eksempler på, hvordan et koblingsmid¬del ifølge frembringelsen og omfattende to koblingsmidlerindrettet til at gå i ikke-permanent indgreb med hinandenkan være indrettet. Det vil være klart for en fagmand påområdet, at også andre koblingsmidler end de omtalte vilkunne anvendes og vil kunne give det ønskede ikke-permanen-te koblingsindgreb mellem høreapparatet og et koblingsmid¬del, der er fastgjort på eller i brugerens øre, eksempelvisunder anvendelse af et hudacceptabelt klæbemiddel. —The examples of coupling means disclosed in the application are merely examples of how a coupling means according to the invention and comprising two coupling means arranged to engage in non-permanent engagement with one another can be arranged. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that coupling means other than those mentioned will also be used and may provide the desired non-permanent coupling engagement between the hearing aid and a coupling means attached to or in the user's ear, e.g. a skin-acceptable adhesive. -

Yderligere vil det være klart for en fagmand på området, atman efter behov vil kunne anbringe låseanordninger af for¬skellig art for sammenlåsning af de to koblingsanordninger.Ved visse anvendelser af koblingssystemet ifølge opfindel¬sen kan det være fordelagtigt at anvende en hjælpeanordningfor let påsætning af høreapparatet, især for personer, derer motorisk hæmmede, har synsproblemer m.v.Furthermore, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that, if necessary, it will be possible to place locking devices of different kinds for interlocking the two coupling devices. In some applications of the coupling system according to the invention it may be advantageous to use an auxiliary device for easy application of the hearing aid, especially for people who are motor impaired, have vision problems, etc.

Claims

A coupling system for attaching a hearing aid (1) to a person's outer ear (8) or in the ear canal (5) and extensible means adapted to position the hearing aid (1) to the skin (3, 7), characterized in that the coupling system comprises : (a) a first coupling means (10, 29) arranged to be applied to, within or under the skin (3, 7); b) a second coupling means (11) arranged for attachment or to the hearing aid (1), wherein the coupling means (10, 29, 11) include means or properties for non-permanent engagement of the coupling means.

Coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the first coupling means (10) is arranged to be attached to the skin using a skin-acceptable adhesive (12), that b) the second coupling means (11) is arranged to fasten Is mounted on or in the hearing aid (1), the coupling means (10, 11) both having an outwardly facing region (14, 15) arranged for non-permanent engagement with one another.

Coupling system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first coupling means (10) is mounted on a sole carrier (13), one side of which comprises the adhesive (12) or arranged to be applied to the adhesive (12).

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one of the coupling means (10, 11) comprises a permanent magnet (16,17,18) and the other coupling means (11, 10) comprises a magnetizable item.

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that both coupling means (10,11) comprise a permanent magnet (16,17).

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the outwardly extending areas are planar surfaces (14, 15) arranged for coupling by molecular adhesion.

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the outwardly facing surfaces are arranged for adhesion using static electricity.

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the coupling means comprise mechanical means (21,22,23,24,24,26,27) arranged to engage one another.

9. A coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the mechanical means comprise at least one permanent magnet (18) and at least one magnetizable member (19,20).

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the coupling means (10, 11) are arranged pre-coupling with the locking means (24,25).

Coupling system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one of the outwardly extending regions (14,15) comprises a non-permanent self-adhesive layer and the opposite region (15,14) comprises a relative to it. reconciliation adhesive layers.

Coupling system according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the first coupling means (29) comprises a magnetic or a magnetizable workpiece implanted in or under the skin (3, 7) and b) the second coupling means (11) a magnetic or a magnet comprises a magnetizable item placed on or in the hearing aid (1).

Coupling system according to claim 12, characterized in that the first coupling means (29) is a titanium-encapsulated blank.

Switching system according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that it further comprises signal means for generating an acoustic signal depending on the coupling or lack thereof.

Coupling system according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that it further comprises electronic contact means for the hearing aid's on / off function.