EP1224839B1 - Otoplastic for behind-the-ear hearing aids - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an otoplastic for production of behind-the-ear hearing aids. Said hearing aid comprises a preferably flexible signal conductor, such as e.g. an acoustic tube (28) which can be positioned in the auditory canal, whereby the otoplastic matches the individual anatomy of the patient and its locating part is essentially in the form of a clip, which, at least partly arched, follows the outer edge (36) of the cavum conchae (22). A branch (32) which follows the edge of the cavum conchae transforms, above the antitragus(30), into a bent crosspiece (34) which traverses the cavum conchae and runs in the direction of the porus acusticus externus. The end section (40) of said crosspiece (34) lies in the upper section of the auditory canal (26) and widens to accept the signal conductor (42).

Description

The invention relates to an earmold or Otoplasty for behind-the-ear (BTE) devices in the field the acoustics. These devices are often also called referred to as BTE Secret Ears (SE). It takes place a compared to SE solutions with in clothing hidden technology with external earphones proportionate short, individually anatomically adapted sound tube Application with which the friction losses succeed especially the high-frequency sound component to reduce.

However, the sound tube must be exactly in or on Ear canal positioned, which is why a regular Earmold or an earmold is used, the individually to the human anatomy of the ear of the treating patient is adjusted. It has up different forms of otoplasty are being implemented today, some, namely the so-called "open" BTE earmolds be particularly preferred to the ear canal to be laid as little as possible by a "foreign body" or to close areas. This "open" BTE supply has the advantage that the still existing Hearing ability in its naturalness is affected as little as possible.

Known relevant earmolds are known as "SE shell shapes, SE-clasp shape or SE-claw shape "known (see Ulrich Voogdt: Otoplastik - The individual Otoplasty for hearing aid supply ..., Volume 2 of the scientific book series "Academy for Hearing Aid Acoustics", Median publishing house of Killisch-Horn GmbH, 1993). A modification of these common earmolds is the "Open" solution. However, all variants are common that the hearing technology often fails To map the correction as naturally as possible.

The object of the invention is therefore an otoplastic for "open" BTE supplies, for CI components (Cochlear implant microphone systems or CI BTE processors) or creating BTE tinnitus systems that not only through a minimalized Foreign body feeling and good comfort, but primarily characterized by the fact that the natural Sound processing in the human ear so pure can be used as much as possible to achieve the maximum of acoustic correction and naturalness of the To ensure hearing sensation.

This task is followed by an otoplastic Claim 1 solved.

With the otoplastic according to the invention according to claim 1 succeeds, to an unprecedented degree, in Keep the ear canal open at the critical points The invention is based on the consideration that the Naturalness of the hearing sensation on the one hand and the Effectiveness of auditory acoustic correction on the other hand significantly due to the anatomically predetermined, natural Resonance conditions in the ear canal, including the Auricle. With the invention Designing the earmold remains a natural response largely unaffected, even if the ear canal is very tight. The additional result Advantages that the comfort (material-free area in the area of the crus-helicis; no heat build-up) extremely good is that the otoplastic requires very little material and thus also has cosmetic advantages and that the acoustic coupling for frequency and dynamic influence can be done without complications.

Although the otoplastic according to the invention takes up less space occupies, it can stabilize the sound tube Reliably perform the function by coupling the Sound tube to the BTE device for stabilization is being used.

It turns out that the support body of the otoplastic despite the reduced contact area with the Cavum conchae is positioned so stably that the end section the otoplastic traverse according to the training in Claim 2 can wear an ear canal pin, whereby better ear canal support can.

An advantageous development is the subject of Claim 5. The clasp is similar to an "E" here a "Euro-E", which makes one suitable for certain anatomies can achieve more favorable support.

Developments of the invention are the subject of other subclaims.

Fig. 1 die Ansicht eines Ohrs von der Seite mit eingesetzter Otoplastik gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2 den Schnitt II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, Fig. 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab Darstellungen einer tatsächlich hergestellten Otoplastik der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 1, 2;

Fig. 5 die Ansicht einer in eine Ohrmuschel eingesetzten Otoplastik nach der Bauart entsprechend der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6 eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Ansicht einer Variante der Otoplastik gemäß Fig. 1 bis 5;

Fig. 7 eine der Fig. 5 ähnliche Ansicht der Otoplastik gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 eine der Fig. 6 entsprechende Ansicht einer Abwandlung der Otoplastik gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 eine Schnittansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 8.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

1 shows the view of an ear from the side with inserted otoplastic according to the first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows the section II-II in Fig. 1.

3, FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale representations of an actually manufactured otoplastic of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1, 2;

5 shows the view of an otoplastic inserted into an ear cup of the type according to the first embodiment;

6 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a variant of the otoplastic according to FIGS. 1 to 5;

7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the otoplastic according to FIG. 6;

8 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a modification of the otoplastic according to FIG. 6;

9 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 20 is one Otoplasty for a BTE device shown in the with 22 designated Cavum conchae is used. With the Reference numeral 24 denotes the crus helicis and with the reference numeral 26 the auditory canal or meatus acoustic externus.

The earmold is used to stabilize a BTE device not shown, leading sound tube 28, that opens into the ear canal. For this purpose, the Otoplasty, for example, after an impression process individually adapted to the patient's anatomy. she has essentially the shape of a clasp with two legs 32, 34. The first leg extends in an arc along the outer edge 36 of the Cavum conchae 22 up to a point above the antitragus labeled 30. From there, the earmold is angled upwards via a second crossing the Cavum conchae Leg, which in the following as truss section 34 referred to as. The truss section runs in Towards Porus acusticus externus 38 and widens there to an end section 40 which is for receiving the Signal conductor, in the case shown, a sound tube elbow 42 serves.

2, the end section 40 goes into an auditory canal pin 44 in which a bore (drawn in broken lines) 46 is formed.

It can be seen from the illustration that the otoplastic covers the auditory canal 26 only insignificantly, so that the Maintain natural ear canal / pinna resonance remains. Additional stabilization of the otoplastic 20 takes place through the sound tube 28, which with the Angle piece 42 is firmly connected.

In Figures 3 and 4, the one made of plastic represent manufactured earmold according to Figures 1 and 2 the filigree structure is clearly recognizable, but still in the cavum conchae can be fixed securely.

The cosmetic aspect of the invention Otoplasty can best be recognized from FIG. 5, in which the visible surface of the otoplastic 20 is hatched is shown. It is obvious that the Shape according to the invention is such that it the natural appearance of the pinna quasi not affected.

Of course, for the invention Otoplastics all common materials are used such as. hot and cold polymerizing PMMA or Polymerizate. Due to the small volume of the Otoplastics in particular also offer colored designs possibly with jewelry applications. But also Metals such as stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum, titanium (Injection molding or centrifugal casting) be used, it is also possible with the Electroplating to work.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a variant of the Otoplasty shown in Figures 1 to 5. to Simplifying the description are those Components that correspond to the components of the otoplastic according to FIG. 1 and 2 correspond to the same reference numerals, which are preceded by a "3".

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 the clasp of the otoplastic 320 is modified in accordance with FIG. 6, that it essentially has the shape of a "Euro-E". The the leg 332 following the edge of the cavum conchae 322 via a bend point 370 for the Truss section 334 extends and extends along the Anthelix 362 so that there is another Forms leg 364. With hatched areas indicated that the individual legs are rounded 332A merge.

As a variant of FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows that the further legs 364 to a point behind the Antitragus 330 is extended.

In Figures 8 to 9 is the modification of Otoplastic again based on representations that the Views of Figures 1 and 2 correspond to explained. you recognizes that also in this embodiment of the Truss section forming legs 334 into one End portion 340 merges with the ear canal peg 340 is connected in one piece. The ear canal cone 340 is again in the upper area of the auditory canal 326 placed without contact.

Claims (7)

1. Otoplasty for behind-the-ear (BTE) parts of hearing acoustics devices, by means of which a signal conductor, preferably a flexible one, that comes from the BTE device, preferably a sound tube (28), can be positioned in the auditory canal, where the otoplasty (20) is individually adapted to the patient's anatomy, and its part that provides the hold essentially has the shape of a clip, which follows the outer edge (36) of the cavum conchae (22) in an arc shape, at least in segments, characterized in that a shank (32) that follows the edge of the cavum conchae makes a transition, above the antitragus (30), into an angled traverse segment (34) that passes through the cavum conchae, which runs in the direction of the porus acusticus externus, and broadens to hold the signal conductor (42) at its end segment (40), which comes to rest in the upper region of the auditory canal (26).
2. Otoplasty according to claim 1, characterized in that the end segment (40) makes a transition to an auditory canal tab (44) that also comes to rest only in the upper region of the auditory canal (26).
3. Otoplasty according to claim 2, characterized in that the auditory canal tab (44) has a bore (46) to hold the signal conductor (42).
4. Otoplasty according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the auditory canal tab (44) has a diameter that makes up only a fraction of the diameter of the auditory canal (26).
5. Otoplasty according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shank (332) that follows the edge of the cavum conchae (322) runs beyond the angled location (370) for the traverse segment (334), along the anthelix (362), and forms another shank (364) there.
6. Otoplasty according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional shank is extended to a location behind the antitragus (330).
7. Otoplasty according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by use with cochlear implant microphones or CI BTE processors, with BTE tinnitus systems, such as broad-band noise systems such as maskers or soft maskers.

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