EP1183908B1 - Behind-the-ear hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating element ( 31 ) is provided on a behind-the-ear hearing id which can be operated in two different directions (K, F) and performs a different switching function in each of them.

Description

The present invention relates to a behind-the-ear hearing aid according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such hearing aids, it is customary to provide an on / off switch and, separately, another actuator, for example, to adjust the gain. This leads in particular when operating the applied hearing aid to cumbersome palpation of the respective required actuator, quite apart from the fact that for the intended actuators namig construction volumes are consumed and the provision of the mentioned organs leads to a considerable complication of the hearing with the electrical connections to be provided, thus also to an increased susceptibility to interference.

Such hearing aids are known in the art, for example from the documents EP 0 349 835 A and US 4,634,815 A ,

The present invention aims to remedy the disadvantages mentioned. For this purpose, the hearing aid according to the invention is characterized according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

Thus, according to the invention, two categories of switching functions are combined on one and the same actuating member, namely, in the mentioned positions, preferably ON / OFF switching of the hearing aid and in the second actuating direction, for example adjustment of the amplification. Thus, on the one hand, the ease of use is notably increased, it is readily possible to distinguish the two different types of actuation on a designated operating switch. Furthermore, a single operating switch provided according to the invention requires less volume and, moreover, the hearing aid as a whole becomes simpler by virtue of electrical connections to switching devices only within the scope of the invention provided an actuator must be performed.

By providing only a mechanically operable member and the susceptibility is reduced and, especially in the presence of interference, the revision much easier.

As mentioned, in one preferred embodiment, one of the positions is used as a switch-on position of the hearing aid, the other as a switch-off position, and the actuator acts as a toggle switch when actuated in the second direction. In a further preferred embodiment, the actuating member is tilt-mounted on a slide which is displaceable in a substantially linear manner and has a contact which can be brought into contact with a device-fixed switch contact by actuation in the second direction. This contact is preferably made of rubber-elastic plastic, preferably hat-shaped, as is known from computer keyboard mats or remote keyboards. More preferably, the first operating direction of the operating member is located substantially in the direction of generatrices of the device body, preferably along curvature-outer side generatrices, based on the device body deflection, and it is the second direction of actuation perpendicular to the device body wall.

Fig. 1

vereinfacht, in Längsschnitt-Darstellung, ein erfin- dungsgemässes Hinterohr-Hörgerät;

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Darstellung, das erfindungsgemässe Hörgerät;

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung, die bevorzugte Aus- bildung eines Batteriefachdeckels am erfindungsgemä- ssen Hörgerät;

Fig. 4

die Aufsicht auf den Deckel gemäss Fig. 3 mit Partien zur Links-/Rechts-Ohr-Codierung;

Fig. 5

einerseits das Grundgehäuse des erfindungsgemässen Ge- rätes, anderseits ein bevorzugt vorgesehenes bzw. vor- sehbares Zusatzmodul, in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Fig. 6

in einer vergrösserten Darstellung, die elek- trisch/akustische Wandlerbaueinheit am erfindungsgemä- ssen Hörgerät gemäss Fig. 1;

Fig. 7

vereinfacht und schematisiert, ein am erfindungsgemäs- sen Gerät erfindungsgemäss vorgesehenes Betätigungsor- gan, und

Fig. 8

schematisch, die Einheit gemäss Fig. 6 zur Erläuterung der akustischen Kopplungen.

The behind-the-ear hearing device according to the invention is subsequently explained with reference to figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the behind-the-ear hearing device today. In the figures show:

Fig. 1

simplified, in longitudinal section illustration, a rear ear hearing aid according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a perspective view, the hearing aid according to the invention;

Fig. 3

in a perspective view, the preferred embodiment of a battery compartment cover on the hearing aid according to the invention;

Fig. 4

the supervision on the cover according to Fig. 3 with games for left / right ear coding;

Fig. 5

on the one hand, the basic housing of the device according to the invention, on the other hand a preferably provided or foreseeable additional module, in a perspective representation;

Fig. 6

in an enlarged view, the electrical / acoustic transducer assembly according to the invention hearing aid according Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7

simplified and schematized, an actuator provided according to the invention in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 8

schematically, the unit according to Fig. 6 to explain the acoustic couplings.

In Fig. 1 is shown in a partially simplified longitudinal section illustration of the inventive rear ear hearing aid as a whole, what initially the individual function blocks or functional parts to be described. The hearing aid 1 comprises a horn-shaped curved, tubular base body with a center axis A, which at the thinner, bent end, as an acoustic output, a connection piece 5 for a leading into the ear coupling pipe. The connecting piece 5 is replaceable on a pipe socket 9, which sits on a base housing 3, plugged or screwed.

The inner channel 7 of the connecting piece 5 continues through the pipe socket 9 into a transmission channel 11 in the base housing 3. The transmission channel 11 in turn is coupled to an electrical / acoustic transducer assembly 15 in a compartment 13 of the base housing 3.

How out Fig. 1 can be seen, the transmission channel 11 extends along the inner curvature of the base housing 3 such that the outside curvature side, a microphone assembly 17 finds room. At the base housing 3, a lid 19 is formed in this area and locked in the areas of the culmination point of the device by means of a plug-in axis 21. As in particular in Fig. 2 can be seen, the cover 19 extends along generatrices M of the device body until, Fig. 1 , The microphone assembly 17 is accessible upon removal of the hinged lid 19 and preferably only on a Flexprint tab (not shown) electrically contacted, folded over the transmission channel 11 and is located on a sound entry slot 23rd

When the cover 19 is closed, at least two provided micronphone openings of the microphone assembly 17 are opposite to an insert 25 in a slot 23 of the cover 19. The insert 25 is acoustically "transparent" and has a plurality of passages between the environment U and a compensation volume V, the latter being left between the discrete microphone entry openings (not shown) and said insert. For this purpose, the insert 25 is preferably made of a sintered material, in particular of sintered material Polyethylene and thereby more preferably water repellent coated. It further forms a mesh fineness between 10 μm and 200 μm with an open porosity of preferably more than 70%. In addition, microphone assembly 17 and insert 25 are arranged in the slot 23 on the hearing aid 1, that they are exposed to possible hearing aid, as possible no air pressure of the environment U, by - as out Fig. 1 visible - are positioned in the region of the crest of the horn-shaped curved tubular body. In particular, in the realization of an acoustic / electrical transducer with directional characteristic with the help of the mentioned at least two spaced microphones is achieved by the proposed intermediate volume V, in the sense of a "common mode" suppression, that along the insert 25 differently coupled, same acoustic signals due the compensatory effect of the volume V tends to cancel.

In addition, the insert 25 acts as a soil protection and is easy to clean thanks to their preferably water-repellent coating.

Another advantage of the insert 25 with its large number of passages is - closely linked to the aspect of the above-mentioned "common mode" suppression - that a possible contamination affects both microphones the same and thereby no deterioration of the directivity (directional characteristic) arises is a major problem with conventional directional microphones with two or more discrete apertures.

Regarding this deposit 25 and its effects is also on the EP-A-0 847 227 the same applicant. Subsequent to the electro / acoustic transducer assembly 15 follows in the base housing 3, an electronic unit 27, then a battery compartment 29. On the outside of the device base housing, in the region between the battery compartment 29 and electronics unit 27, an actuating switch 31 is provided. In the perspective view of Fig. 2 are in particular connecting piece 5, the base housing 3, cover 19 with sound inlet slot 23 and insert 25, further the operation switch 31 clearly visible.

battery

In the battery compartment 29 inserted in the base housing 3, a cylindrical flat battery or a suitably shaped battery 33 is inserted, such that the axis of the battery cylinder, with its end faces 33 _u and 33 _o , at least substantially, coaxial with the longitudinal axis A. of the main body lies.

At the base 30 of the battery compartment 29, centered in the axis A, a first resilient contact 35 is provided, a second 37 resiliently contacts the side surface of the battery 33. The battery compartment 29 can be closed by a cover 39 which is in the closed position in relation to the axis A and which is pivotally or bayonet-mounted on the base housing 3, at 41, or on the battery compartment 29.

This transverse arrangement of the battery 33 on the hearing aid has significant advantages: The area closed by the lid 39 is relatively large, which, as will be explained later, can be used further. Further, because the battery compartment cover 39 is located at the lowest point of the device and the Deckelstossstellen to the base housing 3 are transverse to the axis A, penetration of sweat in the battery compartment is hardly critical. Furthermore, in this battery compartment design, the contacts 37 and 35 are protected within the compartment, the cover 39 carries no electrical contacts. Further, because the substantially cylindrical interior of the main body 3 is utilized, there is practically no unused, lost space.

In Fig. 3 is, in perspective, a preferred embodiment of the battery cover 39 shown formed as a hinged lid. With the Schnappscharnierteil 43 he is simply from the pivot bearing 41 according Fig. 1 unlatched or latched to it. In a preferred embodiment, it further comprises a locking lock 45, together with a resilient latch 46.

In Fig. 4 is the lid 39 according to Fig. 1 shown in external view. The locking lock 45 is externally operable only with a tool, such as a screwdriver, and has for this purpose, on a turntable 47, an engagement slot 49. The board 47, which is installed only when mounting the locking lock 45 on the hinged lid 39 is specifically colored, in two versions, eg red and blue, which this part is also used as an indication of whether the respective hearing aid is a device for left or right Ear is.

As has been mentioned, the illustrated embodiment of the battery compartment 29, in particular the fact that the flat battery cylinder is coaxial with the axis A of the hearing aid, has a further, substantial advantage. This in Fig. 1 That is, the hearing aid shown corresponds to a basic configuration.

It is often desirable to provide this basic configuration with additional options, for example with an interface unit for wireless signal transmission, a programming connector unit, a further audio input, a larger accumulator compartment, a mechanical actuator unit, etc. For this, the in Fig. 1 illustrated battery compartment, as in Fig. 5 represented, converted. The battery 33 is removed from the compartment and instead of the plug-in part 34 of a corresponding additional module 51 is inserted, electrically contacted to the battery contacts corresponding contact points 35a and 37a.

With regard to the use of such additional modules, it is quite possible to provide in compartment 29 more contacts.

The now acting as the actual battery compartment tray 29a with battery 33 is now provided on the additional module 51 and, accordingly, the lid 39, for example, removed from the base housing 3 and latched on the additional module or is engaged in a bayonet. Optionally, a plurality of such modules 51 am in Fig. 1 illustrated basic module of the hearing aid are stacked. The respective fixation of the additional modules 51 is preferably carried out with a provided on the modules 51 Einrastpartie 43a, analogous to the hinge 43 on the hinged lid 39, and analogous to the snap part 46 formed on said hinged lid 39 snap part 46a or, in the bayonet lock, by appropriate insertion and twist locking.

This makes it possible to expand the hearing aid in a very simple manner according to the wishes, battery or accumulator 33 always remain easily accessible from the outside.

Electric / acoustic transducer arrangement

In Fig. 6 is, simplified, the structure and storage of the mentioned arrangement 15 on the base housing 3 and in view according to Fig. 1 shown. The assembly 15 includes, encapsulated in a speaker housing 53, the speaker assembly (not shown) with a speaker diaphragm. By schematically drawn at 55 coupling openings the sound waves excited by the speaker diaphragm are coupled from the membrane-back space in the speaker housing 53 in the surrounding space U _{53 of} the speaker housing 53. From the membrane front space, the acoustic signals - as shown by the arrow S - to the in Fig. 1 apparent transmission channel 11 is coupled.

The speaker housing 53 is supported on all sides in resilient, preferably in rubber-elastic bearings 57, substantially free swinging. Due to the bearings 57, the relatively large space U _{53 is} defined between loudspeaker housing outer wall and an encapsulation 59, which leads to a considerable increase in the bass tones. The membrane-rear resonance space is increased by the space U ₅₃ many times. So that the space U _{53 is} acoustically fully effective, the enclosure 59 and its holder 61 are tightly connected.

Thus, the storage volume for the speaker assembly is used optimally acoustically. The encapsulation 59 furthermore preferably acts as a magnetic shielding housing and is preferably made from μ-metal for this purpose. It is cup-shaped and is formed on the holder 61, designed as a plastic carrier part, sealingly hooked. Between encapsulation 59, bracket 61 on the one hand and speaker housing 53 are mentioned resilient, preferably rubber-elastic, bearings 57 stretched.

In Fig. 8 In principle, the explained acoustic coupling is shown. The diaphragm 54 of the loudspeaker in the housing 53 defines in said housing a first space R ₁ which is coupled to the acoustic output of the hearing aid as shown at S and a second R ₂ connected via one or more openings 55 to the one between encapsulation 59 and housing 53 formed space U _{53 is} coupled.

Actuator switch 31

In Fig. 7 is a preferred embodiment of the actuating switch 31, shown in simplified and schematic. The actuation switch 31 comprises a toggle button 63 which is cantilevered on one side, at 65.

The tilting bearing 65 is formed on a carriage 67, which - as shown by the double arrow F - with respect to the base housing 3 is mounted linearly displaceable. As shown schematically schematically with the spring contact 69, with respect to the base housing 3, and the bridging contact 70 on the carriage 67, the device is switched on and off by sliding the carriage back and forth via the pushbutton 63.

In the carriage 67, a continuous groove 72 is incorporated, through which a housing-3 fixed contact pill 73 protrudes. This is covered by an arranged on the carriage 67 resilient contact portion 75, which is preferably made as a keyboard element made of rubber-elastic, at least partially electrically conductive plastic, as known, for example, remote control keyboards. With tilting operation of the Tilt switch 63 - as shown by the double arrow K - enters the contact section 75 with the contact pill 73 in contact and creates an electrical connection between these elements. Although a variety of possible electrical connections, including the switching path S _1, actuated by the carriage movement F, and the switching path S ₂ , actuated by the tilting movement K of the toggle button 63, results for the person skilled in the art, it is preferable, as in FIG Fig. 7 shown in dashed lines - the spring contact 69 connected to the device battery 33, the bridging contact 70 with the contact portion 75, and it acts so that the contact pill 73 as an electrical output of the switching device.

Thus, the operation switch 31 acts both as an on / off slide switch and additionally, in an on position, as a toggle switch, which - for example, for rapid individual gain adjustment - in steps on the electronic unit 27 in accordance Fig. 1 is acted upon.

Thus, two functions are combined with the actuation switch 31, sliding switches and toggle switches, a functional fusion which is highly advantageous in particular for the behind-the-ear device according to the invention. The difference in operation ensures that no confusion occurs, which is much more critical when providing two switches for the aforementioned two functions.

Structure of the housing 3

As can be seen in particular Fig. 5 results, the base housing 3 is formed by a curved, correspondingly shaped pipe part. In a preferred embodiment, this part 3 is formed in one piece, preferably made of plastic and is not as otherwise common in the construction of such hearing aids, along in Fig. 5 with M registered generatrices, separable in two shells. Thus, the assembly of the individual units in the basic housing 3 is given: They are simply inserted into the tube, which is much simpler than an assembly of open trays. Another advantage of a tubular, one-piece embodiment is its much greater stability over a split housing. As a result, a reduction of the housing wall thickness and thereby a reduction of the same is possible, or for a given external volume an increase in the usable internal volume.

Advantages of the overall configuration

With a view to Fig. 1 is apparent, in particular in the preferred one-part design of the base housing 3, that the individual units, in particular 11, 15, 27, 29 and / or 51, are assembled by axial, sequential insertion into the base housing 3. Shaping of the housing 3 with corresponding guides ensures a rapid, exact positioning, wherein the mutual electrical contacting between the electrically operated units solderless, done by means of resilient contacts. Thus, the units to be provided can be tested in advance and measured and without having to worry about an impairment after being assembled. This assembly can be easily automated. The overall housing with the base housing 3 and lid 19, optionally 39, is, at the joints provided with appropriate seals, easy sealable.

The preferred embodiment of the electrical / acoustic transducer assembly 15 ensures optimum magnetic shielding of the Loudspeaker and an optimal acoustic seal with respect to structure-borne noise.

Claims (5)

1. A behind-the-ear hearing device with a hook-shaped curved device body, substantially extending along a likewise curved longitudinal device axis (A), in which an acoustic/electric transducer (17), an electric/acoustic transducer (15) and an electronic unit (27) are integrated, further with a manual control member provided at the device body, characterised in that the manual control member (31) is moveable effective for electrical switching in a first actuating direction (F) into at least a first and second position, and in at least one of the positions is moveable effective for switching in a further actuating direction (K).
2. The behind-the-ear hearing device of claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the positions is the on position of the hearing device and another position is the off position, and in that the manual control member (31) acts as a toggle switch when actuated in the second direction (K).
3. The behind-the-ear hearing device of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the manual control member (31) is tiltably mounted (65) on a substantially linearly displaceable slider (67) and features a contact (75) which by actuation in the second direction (K) can be brought into contact with a switching contact (73) fixed on the hearing device.
4. The behind-the-ear hearing device of claim 3, characterised in that the contact (75) which can be brought into contact with the switching contact fixed on the hearing device is made of rubber-elastic plastic, preferably in the shape of a small hat.
5. The behind-the-ear hearing device of one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first actuating direction (F) substantially extends in the direction of surface lines (M) of the device body, preferably along surface lines with an outward curvature, the second actuating direction (K) being perpendicular to the wall of the device body.

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