EP1915032B1 - Hearing-aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a portable device part (2) at or behind an ear of a user, and an ear piece (3) partially inserted into an auditory canal. A signal processing unit (11) e.g. digital signal processor, in the part amplifies an electrical input signal and generates an electrical output signal that is converted into an acoustic output signal by a receiver (14) arranged in the ear piece. A connecting piece (4) has an electrical conductor (19) to electrically connect the unit and receiver. The piece (4) has a section of a ventilating channel for barometric pressure compensation of the receiver.

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid device which can be worn on the head of a user and has a device part which can be inserted at least partially into the auditory canal of the user and a connection piece connecting the device part to the earpiece, the hearing aid device having at least one input transducer for receiving it an input signal and conversion into an electrical input signal, a signal processing unit for processing and amplifying the electrical input signal and generating an electrical output signal, a receiver for converting the electrical output signal into an acoustic output signal and a voltage source for supplying power to the hearing aid, wherein the signal processing unit in the Device part and the listener are arranged in the earpiece and wherein the connector electrical conductors for electrically connecting the signal processing unit with the Includes handset.

From the DE 29801567 U1 is a portable behind the ear hearing aid with an insertable into the ear canal of a user earmold and the hearing aid to the earmold connecting flexible mounting bracket known in which the handset is located in the earmold and the mounting bracket electrical lines for connecting the handset with the behind the Ear-portable hearing aid includes. The mounting bracket is detachably connected by jack and jack sockets with both the behind the ear portable hearing aid and with the earmold.

Usually leads in hearing aids from the sound outlet of the listener, a sound tube to the sound outlet of the hearing aid. To protect against contamination, the sound outlet of a hearing aid is often provided with a cerumen protection device. Used as a cerumen protection device a membrane and in particular a closed, ie non-porous membrane used, so for the barometric pressure equalization venting for the trapped between the listener and the membrane volume is required. This closed-loop ventilation ensures that the static pressure on both sides of the membrane is the same and corresponds to the ambient air pressure. As a result, a distortion of the membrane is avoided with the resulting acoustic disadvantages.

The handset itself also requires a ventilation of the receiver diaphragm for barometric pressure equalization of the volume enclosed between the receiver diaphragm rear side and the receiver housing and not connected to the sound outlet opening of the receiver. For this purpose, an opening, usually in the form of a precision bore, is provided in the housing of the listener. There may also be a connecting channel connecting the volumes on both sides of the receiver diaphragm. In the simplest case, this connection channel is produced by at least one small hole in the receiver membrane. The hole in the receiver housing and the holes in the receiver membrane must be small in order to avoid acoustic feedback and not unnecessarily reduce the efficiency of the listener. They represent acoustically a low pass with a common cutoff frequency in the range of 1 Hz or an acoustic voltage divider with a strong attenuation.

If a listener has both a ventilation opening in the receiver housing and a ventilation channel between the two sides of the receiver membrane, then in principle also the barometric pressure compensation for a between the listener and an airtight membrane for cerumen protection is possible.

Hearing aid handset and in particular the ventilation holes of such handset are very vulnerable to contamination, which is why the ventilation is usually in the device interior of the hearing aid, in which a relevant handset is used, directed. The surrounding hearing aid housing protects the small one Bore from direct contact or direct connection to the ear canal in which the hearing aid in question is used. The air exchange with the outside air required for barometric pressure equalization then takes place via already existing leaks in the hearing aid housing, for example in the area of the battery compartment or operating elements.

In hearing aid devices that can be worn behind the ear and in which the earpiece is in an earpiece that can be worn in the auditory canal, either no housing surrounding the listener is present (the earphone housing forms the housing of the earpiece as it were) or the housing is very tight around the earpiece Listener. It therefore lacks a correspondingly large "pre-chamber" for the barometric pressure equalization, which accumulates the dirt, thereby preventing clogging of the small bore.

Object of the present invention is therefore to improve the ventilation of a listener for barometric pressure equalization in a hearing aid with a portable outside of the ear canal device part and a portable ear canal in the ear canal, in which the listener is located. This object is achieved by a hearing aid with the features of claim 1.

The hearing aid device according to the invention can be subdivided into at least three sections. On the one hand there is a relatively large, on or behind the ear portable device part. The device part comprises at least the signal processing unit, which is usually designed as a digital signal processor. Also advantageous are other hearing aid components, such as at least one microphone for receiving an acoustic input signal and conversion into an electrical input signal, an antenna or coil for receiving an electromagnetic input signal and conversion to an electrical input signal and a voltage source (battery or rechargeable battery) for power supply electronic Components of the hearing aid housed in the device part. Furthermore, controls (on / off switch, program switch, volume control, etc.) can be located on the housing of the device part. Furthermore, the hearing aid according to the invention comprises an ear piece protruding at least partially into the auditory canal of the user when the hearing aid is worn, in which the listener is in an acoustic output signal for converting the electrical output signal generated by the signal processing unit. The earpiece itself may have a housing adapted to the individual anatomical conditions of the user or a universally fitting housing. The ear piece can also be provided with a holding part, for example a so-called "olive", for fastening the ear piece and for sealing the auditory canal. In particular, in order to achieve a so-called "open supply" in which the user's ear canal is as far as possible not sealed by the earpiece, the earpiece can essentially consist only of the listener encased in a plastic coating.

The device part and the ear piece are connected to each other via a connecting piece, in which the electrical leads for electrical connection of the signal processing unit are guided with the listener. The connector is usually also the holding function for the behind the ear portable device part. It is for this purpose preferably elastically deformable and has a certain rigidity. Due to its holding function, it can also be called a "mounting bracket".

Theoretically, the entire housing of the hearing aid could be integrally formed. To optimize the manufacturing effort, however, it is advantageous from the three components already mentioned: device part, ear piece and connector together, which are joined together detachably or permanently. In a releasable connection are advantageous screw, clamp, snap, snap, or other compounds possible. An insoluble bond is formed, for example, by gluing together the relevant components.

The ear piece of the hearing aid according to the invention has a sound outlet opening, via which the sound generated by the listener is emitted into the auditory canal of the user. To protect against contamination, this sound outlet is advantageously provided with a cover. If a microporous membrane or a closed membrane, for example made of metal, a metal alloy or an elastic plastic used, it can be prevented in addition to the ingress of dirt and the ingress of moisture. The membrane is preferably supported on a support, e.g. a plastic ring, applied and thereby releasably connected to the ear piece. Again, a variety of different connection techniques are applicable for creating a detachable connection, e.g. Screw, clamp, snap, snap or other connections. The membrane can also be glued to the ear piece, so that a non-destructive replacement is not possible.

When using an airtight membrane and tightly fitting the earphone into the earpiece, e.g. In the case of a receiver embedded in the plastic material of the earpiece, the problem arises that a suitable ventilation for the volume enclosed between the earpiece and the cerumen protection membrane must be ensured. For this purpose, an opening could be provided in the earpiece. However, this would then have to be provided with a breathable cover to protect against dirt and moisture.

The basic idea of the invention is to effect a ventilation of the receiver and in particular of the volume enclosed between the receiver and the cerumen-protection membrane via a channel which connects the earpiece to the interior of the housing of the component. This has the advantage that the ear piece air and waterproof are formed can and the existing in the housing of the listener or in the receiver diaphragm openings for the required barometric pressure equalization are effectively protected from moisture and pollution. The housing of the device part thus acts as an accumulator for penetrating dirt, thereby preventing clogging of the pressure equalization openings of the listener.

FIG 1

ein Hörhilfegerät mit einem Geräteteil, einem Ohrstück und einem Verbindungsstück,

FIG 2

eine Verbindungseinrichtung zur lösbaren Verbindung des Verbindungsstücks mit dem Geräteteil,

FIG 3

ein Ohrstück, in dem sich ein Hörer mit einer Belüftungsöffnung befindet, und

FIG 4

ein Ohrstück, das einen Verbindungskanal zur Hinterlüftung aufweist.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1

a hearing aid device with a device part, an ear piece and a connecting piece,

FIG. 2

a connecting device for releasable connection of the connecting piece with the device part,

FIG. 3

an ear piece in which there is a receiver with a ventilation opening, and

FIG. 4

an ear piece having a connection channel for ventilation.

Externally, the hearing aid 1 is composed according to the embodiment of the three sub-areas of equipment part 2, earpiece 3 and connector 4. The device part 2 is designed to be worn behind the ear of a user and the earpiece 3 with the earpiece 14 contained therein is inserted into the ear canal of the user when worn. The earpiece 3 is dimensioned so that it does not close the auditory canal of the user. The hearing aid 1 is thus designed for "open supply" of the user. The device part 2 comprises a microphone 5, which receives an acoustic input signal via a sound channel 6 and a housing opening 7. To protect against contamination, the housing opening 7 may be provided with an air-permeable cover. The microphone 5 converts the acoustic input signal into an electrical one Input signal which is supplied via electrical lines 8 a signal processing unit 11. This is the processing and preferably frequency-dependent amplification of the electrical input signal for generating an electrical output signal which is supplied via electrical lines 19 and 22 to the handset 14. In addition to the microphone 5, the hearing aid 1 according to the embodiment comprises as an additional signal input an antenna 9, are received via the electromagnetic input signals and supplied via the electrical connection line 10 of the signal processing unit 11. An adaptation of the signal processing in the signal processing unit 11 by the user is also possible via this signal path, for example in conjunction with a remote control. To power the hearing aid 1, a battery or an accumulator 12 is used to ventilate the device part 2 whose housing comprises a housing opening 35, which is covered with an air-permeable membrane 36.

The handset 14 converts the electrical output signal supplied via the electrical conductors 19 and 22 and the electrical receiver connection contacts 16 into an acoustic output signal and outputs this via the sound outlet opening 15 of the receiver 14. To protect the handset 14 against contamination and moisture entering the earpiece 3 has a moisture and impermeable membrane 17. This is fixed in the embodiment of a membrane support 18 which is releasably inserted into the earpiece 3. This allows the membrane to be replaced with a suitable tool.

In the embodiment, the earpiece 3 is designed for an open adaptation and thus relatively small. Likewise, the ear piece could in another embodiment (not shown) at least largely close the auditory canal of the user and in particular also adapted to the individual anatomical conditions. Furthermore, the hearing aid 1 in the embodiment according to FIG FIG. 1 only a detachable connection between the connector 4 and Likewise, however, could also be provided between the device part 4 and the earpiece 3, a detachable connection. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting piece 4 is designed essentially as an elastically deformable hose with electrical conductors 19 running in the hose. The non-detachable connection between the tube and the earpiece 3 can be designed, for example, as an adhesive connection.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a possible embodiment of the connecting device 13 for releasably connecting the connector 4 with the device part 2. Since a continuous ventilation duct between the interior of the device part 2 and the interior of the earpiece is generated in the embodiment according to the invention, the connecting device 13 in addition to the electrical contacts also have a portion of said channel. The connecting device comprises a plug part 20 and a socket part 21. The plug part 20 forms one end of the connecting piece 4. This is firmly connected to the elastically deformable hose 40. In the plug 20, the two pins 23 and 24 are shed. The two contact pins 23 and 24 are connected to the electrical conductors 19, which are guided through the tube 40. For making a detachable connection of the plug 20 with the socket 21, the plug 20 includes locking lugs 27 and 28 which engage in correspondingly shaped recesses 29 and 30 of the socket 21. As a result, by exerting an external force, the plug 20 can be separated from the socket 21. Furthermore, the plug 20 has a ventilation channel 31, which continues the ventilation channel 37 formed by the hose 40. The bushing 21 also has a ventilation channel 32, so that the ventilation channel 37 continues via the ventilation channel 31 of the plug 20 and the ventilation channel 32 of the bush 21 into the interior of the housing of the device part 2. As well as the ventilation duct, the electrical conductors are also contacted via the contact pins 23 and 24 and the contact sockets 25 and 26 and contacts located therein which contact both the contact pins 23 and 24 and the electrical conductors 22. continued from the connector into the housing of the device part 2. For air-tight and watertight continuation of the ventilation channel 37 through the plug 20 and the socket 21, a sealing element 33 is still present in the embodiment.

It should be noted at this point that it is in the hearing aid 1 according to FIG. 1 just an example is. In particular, in the formation of the connection of the connecting piece 4 with the device part 2 or the earpiece 3 is a variety of possible solutions. In contrast to conventional solutions, which provide only a transition of the electrical conductors at the seams, the invention additionally ensures a continuous ventilation duct.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the earpiece 3. The entire earpiece 3 is hardly larger than the listener 14 located therein and thus ideally suited in particular for an open supply of a user. To achieve a closed supply, the earpiece 3 can also be shaped individually according to the respective ear canal of the user or connected to a universally suitable earmold, for example in the form of a so-called "olive". It is also possible that the earpiece 3 according to FIG. 3 in another, the ear canal occluding earpiece (not shown) is used.

The earpiece 3 according to FIG. 3 is firmly connected to the tube 40, eg glued. The earpiece 3 is substantially designed as a receiver 14 with a tightly fitting, tubular coating. The sound outlet 38 of the earpiece 3 is closed with an air-tight and water-impermeable, closed membrane 17. This prevents the penetration of dirt, in particular cerumen, and moisture into the receiver 14. According to the embodiment, the membrane 17 is detachably connected to the earpiece 3 by a membrane carrier 18. The detachable connection is for example designed as a clamping fit, so that the membrane 17 can be exchanged with the membrane support 18 by a suitable tool. In this case, a destruction of a membrane to be replaced is accepted.

Due to the close fitting to the receiver 14 earpiece 3 and the airtight terminal membrane 17, the volume enclosed between the receiver 14 and the membrane 17 would be enclosed airtight. However, to ensure proper operation of the entire assembly, the static pressure on both sides of the diaphragm 17 must be the same. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 Therefore, a pressure equalization takes place via the precision bore 39 in the housing of the handset 14 and the sound outlet 15 of the listener. Also internally a barometric pressure equalization between both sides of the receiver membrane is ensured, for example through small holes in the membrane. Thus arises on the sound outlet 15 of the listener, the precision bore 39, the ventilation channel 37 and the ventilation channels 31 and 32, a continuous connection of the enclosed between the handset 14 and the membrane 17 volume in the interior of the device part 2. Since the device part 2 by the air-permeable membrane 36 in turn is not sealed airtight, the barometric pressure equalization or the rear ventilation for the membrane 17 is achieved in this way.

Unlike the embodiment shown, a sound tube could also be provided between the sound outlet opening of the receiver 14 and the sound outlet opening in the earpiece 3.

Another embodiment of the rear ventilation of the membrane 17 shows FIG. 4 , In contrast to FIG. 3 the handset 14 'used has no ventilation hole in the handset housing. In order nevertheless to achieve a ventilation of the membrane 17, the ear piece 3 'on a connecting channel 34, the housing of the listener 14' passing an air-permeable channel between the front of the handset 14 'with the Sound outlet 15 'and the back of the handset 14' with the electrical handset connection contacts 16 'creates. Through this alternative embodiment, a rear ventilation of the membrane 17 is also achieved, even if a handset 14 'is used, in whose housing no ventilation hole is provided.

Claims (12)

1. Hearing aid device (1) which can be worn on the head of a user having a device element (2) which can be worn on or behind the ear of a user, an ear mould (3) which can be at least partially inserted into the auditory canal of the user and a connecting piece (4) connecting the device element (2) to the ear mould (3), with the hearing aid device (1) comprising at least one input transducer (5, 9) for picking up an input signal and converting it to an electrical input signal, a signal processing unit (11) for processing and amplifying the electrical input signal and for generating an electrical output signal, an earpiece (14) for converting the electrical output signal to an acoustic output signal as well as a voltage source (12) for supplying power to the hearing aid device (1), wherein the signal processing unit (11) is arranged in the device element (2) and the earpiece (14) is arranged in the ear mould (3) and wherein the connecting piece (4) comprises electrical conductors (19) for the electrical connection of the signal processing unit (11) to the earpiece (14), characterised in that the connecting piece (4) comprises at least one partial segment of a ventilation channel (37) for the barometric pressure equalization of the earpiece (14).
2. Hearing aid device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation channel (37, 31, 32) runs between the device element (2) and the ear mould (3) and opens out on the one hand in the housing of the device element (2) and on the other hand in the ear mould (3).
3. Hearing aid device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ear mould (3) has a sound outlet opening (38), which is covered with a water-impermeable membrane (17).
4. Hearing aid device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the membrane (17) is fastened to a membrane support (18) which can be connected to the ear mould (3) in a detachable fashion.
5. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the connecting piece (4) can be connected to the device element (2) in a detachable fashion.
6. Hearing aid device (1) according to claim 5, wherein a connecting facility (13; 20, 21) is present for the detachable electrical connection of the signal processing unit (11) to the earpiece (14) as well as for the detachable connection of at least two partial segments of the ventilation channel (31, 32, 37).
7. Hearing aid device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connecting facility (13) comprises a plug (20) and socket (21).
8. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing of the earpiece (14) has a ventilation opening (39) provided specifically for barometric pressure equalization.
9. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the geometric pressure equalization of the earpiece (14) takes place by way of the sound outlet opening (15) of the earpiece (14).
10. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the ear mould (3) comprises a connecting channel (34), which continues the ventilation channel (37) for ventilating the enclosed volume between the earpiece (14) and the membrane (17).
11. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ear mould (3) is designed for open coverage for the user.
12. Hearing aid device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hearing aid device (1) as a whole is designed to be water-tight.

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