EP0159571B1 - Gehörgangseitiges Hörgeräte-Otoplastik-Endstück und Hörgeräte-Otoplastik - Google Patents

Gehörgangseitiges Hörgeräte-Otoplastik-Endstück und Hörgeräte-Otoplastik Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0159571B1
EP0159571B1 EP85103722A EP85103722A EP0159571B1 EP 0159571 B1 EP0159571 B1 EP 0159571B1 EP 85103722 A EP85103722 A EP 85103722A EP 85103722 A EP85103722 A EP 85103722A EP 0159571 B1 EP0159571 B1 EP 0159571B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
end piece
otoplastic
remaining
loudspeaker
ear
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP85103722A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0159571A1 (de
Inventor
Ludwig M. Dipl.-Ing. Moser
Anton Dipl.-Chem. Kammermeier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westra Electronic GmbH
Original Assignee
Westra Electronic GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westra Electronic GmbH filed Critical Westra Electronic GmbH
Publication of EP0159571A1 publication Critical patent/EP0159571A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0159571B1 publication Critical patent/EP0159571B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/77—Design aspects, e.g. CAD, of hearing aid tips, moulds or housings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing aid otoplastic end piece on the auditory canal side according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the features of the preamble of claim 1 are known from FR-A-20 50 740, which relates to a noise protection plug constructed with a built-in filter, which is to be inserted into the outer auditory canal and has a sound opening at its inner ear end.
  • the slightly concavely curved inner ear-side end face of the known noise protection plug, which runs between the outer circumference and the sound opening, is designed as a funnel in the form of a tube which widens conically from the sound opening to the edge projecting on the outer circumference toward the inner ear.
  • the earmold of a hearing aid is usually cast from plastic after an impression of the ear and has an outer section that sits in the pinna and an adjoining section that projects into the ear canal and is referred to as the ear canal olive, the latter extending over approximately a third of the length of the ear canal stretched into the ear canal.
  • the ear canal olive of the earmold protruding into the ear canal is provided with a sound channel and serves to introduce the amplified sound generated by the hearing aid into the ear canal while at the same time closing the ear canal to the outside.
  • the sound channel formed in the otoplastic is connected to the speaker capsule in the hearing aid by means of a small plastic tube inserted into this sound channel, in order to transmit the sound generated by the hearing aid from the speaker capsule through the plastic tube into the sound channel of the otoplastic and to enter the ear canal in this way.
  • this tube which runs like a bracket between the hearing aid and the otoplastic, serves to mechanically hold the hearing aid behind the ear.
  • One of the problems that arise with hearing aids is the blockage of the outlet opening of the sound channel formed in the otoplastic with ear wax.
  • the ear wax has an extraordinary creeping ability and therefore easily reaches and into the mouth opening of the sound channel, which is located approximately in the middle, via the dome-like convexly curved end face of the earmold end piece. This can lead relatively quickly to blockage of the sound channel of the otoplastic, which is relatively thin with a usual diameter in the range of 2 mm.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of solving the problem of clogging of the sound opening of the earmold end piece by ear wax.
  • the inventive construction of the end piece can effectively prevent clogging of the sound opening with ear wax.
  • the effect is achieved that the ear wax coils like a chip lifted off with a hollow knife on the sharp edge surrounding the sound opening instead of crawling around this edge, as is the case with the conventional, convexly curved end sections of conventional earmolds.
  • the otoplastic end piece according to the invention can be formed in one piece with the rest of the otoplastic (claim 2) or, alternatively, can be designed as an independent component to be attached to the other otoplastic (claim 3).
  • the latter possibility on the one hand, allows the end piece to be made from a different material than the rest of the otoplastic, and on the other hand offers the possibility of cheap mass production of the otoplastic end pieces, which are then used in the production of the individual otoplastics according to the patient's usual ear impression.
  • this can be made circular or preferably already in oval shape and, after connection to the other earmold individually made according to the ear impression, can be adapted to this other earmold by material removal in accordance with the outer contours of the ear canal olive.
  • a quasi-one-piece connection of a prefabricated end piece according to the invention with a remaining otoplastic to be cast according to the ear impression can be achieved, for example, in that the end piece is provided on its side facing the other otoplastic with a toothed profile to which the remaining otoplastic is cast and in this way a positive connection with the end piece is created (claim 4).
  • Another possibility of connecting a prefabricated end piece according to the invention to the rest of the otoplastic is to design the end piece with a snap-lock-like positive-locking profile, with which it can be plugged onto a corresponding counter profile of the other otoplastic (claim 5).
  • This form-fitting profile can of course be an inner profile interacting with an outer profile of the other otoplastic or an outer profile of the end piece interacting with an inner profile of the other otoplastic.
  • Such a design is particularly suitable when the end piece is made of a relatively soft material. The end piece can then, for example for cleaning purposes, also be easily removed from the rest of the otoplastic and put back on or, if necessary, exchanged for a new end piece.
  • a threaded connection is readily applicable when using hard plastics.
  • the end piece is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fine thread can be used.
  • an adhesive connection for attaching the end piece according to the invention can also be chosen (the rest of the otoplastic) (claim 7), it being possible, of course, to prepare the two adhesive surfaces with a view to achieving good adhesion.
  • Suitable materials for the end piece according to the invention are polytetrafluoroethylene (claim 9) or a soft plastic material such as silicone rubber (claim 10).
  • polytetrafluoroethylene is advantageous in the case of a threaded connection, and in addition this material is completely insensitive to ear wax.
  • soft plastic is more suitable for a snap connection, so that the end piece can then be regarded as a wearing part and can be replaced if necessary.
  • the contamination problem caused by ear wax can also be solved in this case.
  • One such problem is the connection wiring of the speaker capsule.
  • the practical impossibility of carrying out soldering work on the connecting wires of the loudspeaker capsule in the plastic earmold does not allow the connecting wires between the loudspeaker capsule and the hearing aid to be replaced as a result of the mechanical stress.
  • an otoplastic end piece according to the invention designed as a separate component, also allows a problem to be solved here.
  • the end piece which is designed as an independent component, can be designed as a cover for a loudspeaker chamber formed in the ear canal olive (claim 8), and if this cover is made removable in accordance with the options already mentioned, this loudspeaker chamber and consequently a loudspeaker capsule accommodated in it are easily accessible at all times.
  • the loudspeaker connection cable which connects the loudspeaker capsule to the hearing aid, does not need to be firmly soldered to the loudspeaker capsule, but it can be, for example, a printed type Circuits made of a flexible carrier tape and applied conductor tracks are used, which protrudes into the loudspeaker chamber, and the speaker capsule can be provided with contact surfaces which are only pressed mechanically onto the corresponding conductor tracks of the flat conductor.
  • the otoplastic end piece designed as a lid can be used, which is connected to the rest of the otoplastic by means of a threaded connection and, when screwed on, presses the loudspeaker capsule with its contact surfaces against the conduction band.
  • connection of connecting wires to the speaker capsule is possible without further ado, the speaker capsule being able to be removed from the speaker chamber if necessary after removing the cover, the soldered connecting wires inserted through a passage opening of the ear canal olive being simply retightened until the connection points are exposed.
  • the installation of the loudspeaker capsule into the ear canal olive of the earmold made possible by the invention is very simple in terms of production technology, since the loudspeaker capsule is only inserted into the finished olive. In this way, acoustic testing of different loudspeaker capsules is easily possible.
  • the end piece 1 shows in longitudinal section the end piece area 1 of the ear canal olive 2 of an otoplastic 3.
  • the end piece 1 which is formed in one piece with the other otoplastic, has relatively sharp edges projecting on its outer circumference 11 and on the circumference of the sound opening 41 of the sound channel 4 of the otoplastic in the direction of the inner ear 12 and 13.
  • the end face region 15 running between these edges 12 and 13 and pointing in the direction of the inner ear is concavely curved and forms an acute angle with the outer circumference 11 and with the inner wall 42 of the sound channel 4.
  • Fig. 2 shows, again in longitudinal section, an end piece 1 designed as an independent component, which is to be attached to the rest of the earmold.
  • the end face of this end piece facing the inner ear is in turn characterized by relatively sharp edges 12 and 13 protruding on the outer circumference 11 and on the inner circumference of the sound opening 41 and a concavely curved end face region 15 running between them.
  • the end piece 1 On its other side facing the rest of the otoplastic (not shown), the end piece 1 is designed with a snap-lock-like positive-locking profile 16, which is used to attach the end piece to the rest of the otoplastic, which is designed with a corresponding counter-profile into which the positive-locking profile 16 of the end piece 1 snaps into place.
  • the form-fitting profile 16 of the end piece 1 is shown as an inner profile which interacts with an outer profile of the rest of the otoplastic. Of course, this profile arrangement can also be used in reverse.
  • Fig. 3 shows, also in longitudinal section, the ear canal olive part of an otoplastic with a lid-like end piece 1 and a loudspeaker capsule 5 built into a loudspeaker chamber 21 of the olive 2.
  • end piece 1 is preferably made of tetrafluoroethylene and has at its end facing the loudspeaker chamber an externally threaded ring extension 18 which fits into a corresponding internal thread of the olive 2 is screwed in.
  • the loudspeaker capsule 5 is loosely inserted into the phonetic s p recherhunt 21, in which it is held by means of serving as a cover of the speaker chamber end piece. 1
  • a flexible flat cable 6 in the form of a plastic strip with conductor tracks attached to it serves as the electrical lead to the loudspeaker capsule 5.
  • the loudspeaker-side line end is fixed in the loudspeaker chamber 21.
  • the loudspeaker capsule is provided with corresponding contact surfaces 51, with which it, when inserted into the loudspeaker chamber 21, bears against the associated conductor tracks of the flat cable.
  • the necessary contact pressure is generated by the end piece 1 serving as the cover of the loudspeaker chamber, which, when screwed onto the olive 2, presses the loudspeaker capsule into the loudspeaker chamber and against the conductor surfaces of the conductor end of the flat cable 6 fixed in the loudspeaker chamber.
  • the end piece 1 can therefore easily be unscrewed at any time for service purposes, so that the loudspeaker capsule can also be freely removed and, if necessary, exchanged.
  • the flat cable can also be easily replaced if necessary.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
EP85103722A 1984-04-06 1985-03-28 Gehörgangseitiges Hörgeräte-Otoplastik-Endstück und Hörgeräte-Otoplastik Expired EP0159571B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3413067 1984-04-06
DE3413067A DE3413067C1 (de) 1984-04-06 1984-04-06 Gehoergangseitiges Hoergeraete-Otoplastik-Endstueck und Hoergeraete-Otoplastik

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0159571A1 EP0159571A1 (de) 1985-10-30
EP0159571B1 true EP0159571B1 (de) 1989-02-01

Family

ID=6232908

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85103722A Expired EP0159571B1 (de) 1984-04-06 1985-03-28 Gehörgangseitiges Hörgeräte-Otoplastik-Endstück und Hörgeräte-Otoplastik

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4679650A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
EP (1) EP0159571B1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
JP (1) JPS61501674A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (1) DE3413067C1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
WO (1) WO1985004779A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3736591A1 (de) * 1987-04-13 1988-11-03 Beltone Electronics Corp Hoergeraet mit ohrschmalzschutz

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5002151A (en) * 1986-12-05 1991-03-26 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Ear piece having disposable, compressible polymeric foam sleeve
US4880076A (en) 1986-12-05 1989-11-14 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Hearing aid ear piece having disposable compressible polymeric foam sleeve
US4870689A (en) * 1987-04-13 1989-09-26 Beltone Electronics Corporation Ear wax barrier for a hearing aid
DE8713369U1 (de) * 1987-10-05 1989-02-09 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Öffnungen an Hörgeräten oder Ohrpaßstücken für Hörgeräte
US4800982A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-01-31 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Cleanable in-the-ear electroacoustic transducer
US4867267A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-09-19 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Hearing aid transducer
NL8802355A (nl) * 1988-09-26 1990-04-17 Philips Nv In-het-oor hoorapparaat.
DE9113936U1 (de) * 1991-11-08 1992-03-12 W.L. Gore & Associates Gmbh, 85640 Putzbrunn Kappe zum Verschließen von Öffnungen an Ohrpaßstücken
WO1993012626A1 (en) * 1991-12-09 1993-06-24 Oliveira Robert J Cerumen filter for hearing aids
US7050876B1 (en) 2000-10-06 2006-05-23 Phonak Ltd. Manufacturing methods and systems for rapid production of hearing-aid shells
DE102005009377B3 (de) * 2005-03-01 2006-09-07 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Im-Ohr-Hörgerät mit abnehmbarem Lautsprecher
DE102006014023B4 (de) * 2006-03-27 2009-12-10 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hörvorrichtung mit einer offenporigen Cerumenschutzeinrichtung
US9578430B2 (en) 2014-04-10 2017-02-21 Gn Hearing A/S Hearing aid
US9386383B2 (en) 2014-04-10 2016-07-05 Gn Resound A/S Hearing aid receiver and a hearing aid comprising such a receiver
US9392385B2 (en) 2014-04-10 2016-07-12 Gn Resound A/S Hearing aid
DK201470199A1 (en) * 2014-04-10 2015-10-26 Gn Resound As A hearing aid with replacable receiver
JP1541645S (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) * 2015-08-07 2017-01-10

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US1830198A (en) * 1930-08-21 1931-11-03 French Electric Company Inc Ear receiver nipple
US2188591A (en) * 1938-04-16 1940-01-30 Thomas J Carlson Audiphone earpiece
US2430229A (en) * 1943-10-23 1947-11-04 Zenith Radio Corp Hearing aid earpiece
US3169600A (en) * 1964-01-31 1965-02-16 James E Thomas Sound head set
DE1274657B (de) * 1966-02-25 1968-08-08 Bosch Elektronik Photokino Im Ohr zu tragendes elektronisches Schwerhoerigengeraet
DE1270616B (de) * 1966-08-27 1968-06-20 Photokino G M B H Im Ohr zu tragendes elektronisches Schwerhoerigengeraet
FR2050740A5 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) * 1969-06-23 1971-04-02 Branch Jack
CH528198A (de) * 1971-12-30 1972-09-15 Elektroakustik Ag F Hörgerät
US3890474A (en) * 1972-05-17 1975-06-17 Raymond C Glicksberg Sound amplitude limiters
CH638070A5 (en) * 1978-12-18 1983-08-31 Phonak Ag In-ear hearing aid for persons hard of hearing
US4532649A (en) * 1983-07-03 1985-07-30 Gaspare Bellafiore Hearing aid

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3736591A1 (de) * 1987-04-13 1988-11-03 Beltone Electronics Corp Hoergeraet mit ohrschmalzschutz

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4679650A (en) 1987-07-14
DE3413067C1 (de) 1989-06-08
JPS61501674A (ja) 1986-08-07
EP0159571A1 (de) 1985-10-30
JPH0414920B2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1992-03-16
WO1985004779A1 (en) 1985-10-24

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