EP2302953B1 - Bone conduction hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a bone conduction hearing aid.

Bone conduction hearing aids generally comprise a vibration transducer which is pressed against the head of the user with a sufficient contact force or pressure and emits vibrations which are conducted via bone of the head as sound waves to the inner ear. Thus, they may also be e.g. be used with a closed outer ear or with outflow from the ear. In particular, the attachment can be made on a bone of the user's head, generally the mastoid located somewhat behind the ear.

The attachment of the vibratory transducer is generally carried out by glasses or a suitable other headset. The EP 1 967 893 A1 shows such a pair of hearing glasses with a Vibrationungskonduktor, wherein the attachment to ensure the contact force is carried out by the spectacle frame.

Furthermore, bone anchored hearing instruments are known in which the hearing aid is anchored in a bone, generally by a screw turned into the bone. The anchoring protrudes thus out of the bone and the scalp upwards and ensures a firm connection of the vibrating condutor. Such anchoring can only be done by surgery, but not e.g. be made by an acoustician. Furthermore, the risk of infection is relatively large.

The US Pat. No. 6,603,863 B1 shows a bone conduction hearing aid, in which in the two ears of the user earplugs are used, which hold a bracket with a vibration transducer. The vibration conductor is located on one Neck vertebrae on; the bracket is compared to the earplugs pivotable and spring-biased.

The US 2006/0056649 A1 shows a bone conduction hearing aid with a mold fitting to be inserted into the ear canal, in which a microphone is inserted. The hearing aid further has a behind-the-ear part and an electrical connection line between the latter and the mold fitting. The hearing aid is thus placed as a hook around the ear.

The US 2008/0112581 A1 shows a headphone system for playing music pieces, z. As MP3 data in which earplugs are set to music input in both outer ears and in addition the supply of low-frequency components via one or two Vibrationskonduktoren done. For this purpose, the earplugs are each connected via a hook-shaped hanging part with the BTE part. In particular, the hanging parts can be placed around the outer ear to define on each side the position of the vibration conductor behind the outer ear; Furthermore, the placement of the vibrating conductor centrally on the head is possible by the two hook-shaped hanging parts are guided by each outer ear up to the center.

The invention has for its object to provide a bone conduction hearing aid that allows a secure connection and training of the contact force of the vibration with relatively little effort.

This object is achieved by a bone conduction hearing aid according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred developments.

According to the invention, a mold fitting, in particular an earmold, is placed in the ear canal and / or the concha, wherein the mold fitting is provided for supporting the contact force of the vibration coupler, i. for forming the counterforce is used to form the contact force of the vibration on a suitable bone of the user's head. Between the Formpassstück and the Vibrationskonduktor an elastic support arm is mounted, which is adjustable to a different positions or bending positions, and on the other in each of these set bending positions then each suitable for forming an elastic bending force or restoring force.

Here, the mold fitting or earmold is open, i. formed with a continuous opening, so that the inner ear is still ventilated and, where appropriate, an outflow of secretions from the inner ear is made possible. Thus, the use of the bone conduction system according to the invention is also made possible in those diseases in which sound introduction into the ear canal is problematic or impossible, e.g. if it comes from the middle ear, otitis media.

Here, the mold fitting is advantageously pressure-free or without tension in the ear canal. The mold fitting may not only abut the wall of the ear canal, but may additionally rest against the concha, e.g. with an annular area.

According to the invention thus a surprisingly simple solution is found. By inserting a mold fitting into the ear canal, a secure attachment is already achieved, without the use of elaborate head sets or glasses and continue without a bone anchorage by screwing an anchor into a bone. It is recognized according to the invention that a mold fitting or an earmold can not only serve for safe reception, for example, of a sound tube, but is also suitable for supporting a holding arm, which is made of the concha or the outer ear, by its fit and the resulting uniform force distribution out to a bone of the user's head outside the outer ear. By using the holding arm according to the invention in this case the elastic contact force or contact force can be exerted, wherein the mold fitting serves as an abutment for intercepting the contact force.

Thus, essentially three functionally relevant parts, namely the vibration conductor, the elastic and adjustable holding arm and the mold fitting to be inserted into the auditory canal are required. In addition, an electrical unit, i. in particular a control device, user-actuated actuators e.g. for adjusting the volume as well as further an amplifier, according to different embodiments on the mold fitting, in the region of the vibration or even in an additional BTE area are arranged. The microphone may also be included in the electrical unit; However, an attachment in or on the mold fitting, in particular in the region of the continuous opening, is advantageous, so that a natural hearing sensation can be achieved.

A particular advantage of the invention is the variability of the positioning of the vibration transducer, which can be done on different bones. According to the invention, it can firstly be attached to the mastoid or behind the ear, so that the holding arm is guided, for example, from the mold fitting first to the front and above the upper ear shell edge and behind the outer ear or the auricle back to the contact point to the mastoid , Furthermore, it is also possible according to the invention for the holding arm to be guided forwardly by the mold fitting, for example for installation on the zygomatic bone or a jawbone, for example, in the area of the temporomandibular joint. The respective selection of the contact point can be made depending on the anatomy of the user and / or aesthetic considerations.

Thus, according to the invention, a slight adjustment is possible, wherein the mold fitting itself can be formed as a standardized component or by an individual impression, the z. B. can make an acoustician in a conventional manner. The holding arm is in this case either directly fixedly connected to the mold fitting or the earmold or solvable by e.g. a connector coupled, said connector is advantageously sufficiently stiff to not affect the transmission of the counterforce or the recording of the elastic support arm by a high compliance. Further adjustment is made by appropriately bending and adjusting the support arm, which may be done by the user himself or by an assistant, e.g. even the acoustician can do it.

In this case, a standardized holding arm can be used or a holding arm with a suitable length can be selected from a corresponding set of holding arms. In particular, the electrical signal transmission may be effected by the support arm itself, e.g. may be formed of a plurality of individual wires twisted together, wherein the lines may optionally be part of the wires with aufrigrillt. In particular, such a design of the support arm by twisting a plurality of individual wires allows the desired adjustability in unterschiedilche bending positions, in which, however, in each case an elasticity to form a restoring force is present. In particular, with such a holding arm, several adjustments can be made without material fatigue.

A further development according to the invention comprises the additional use of a further sound-initiating system, the direct acoustic Waves output. This further system may in particular be a hearing tube system, which is replaced by a z. B. arranged in the electrical field handset and an outgoing from the handset sound tube is formed. The sound tube is z. B. in turn passed through the earmold and placed with its free end in the ear canal, the passage through the earmold is not completely closed. Alternatively, a placement in the Concha area is possible.

As an alternative to a sound tube system, it is also possible to use an external earphone (Ex earphone), which outputs acoustic signals directly without a sound tube and is connected to the electrical area via lines.

It turns out that such a combination of a vibration system with a sound-emitting system, in particular a sound tube system, gives some further advantages. In particular, frequency ranges can be introduced differently. So sound waves of a lower frequency range, z. B. to about 1300 Hz, at least predominantly on the vibration and acoustic waves of a higher frequency range, z. B. above about 1300 Hz, at least in addition to the handset and the sound tube to be initiated. For this purpose, a crossover can be provided in the electrical area or integrated in another component.

Since the sound introduction of a vibration system for higher sounds often degrades qualitatively, according to the invention an advantageous overall effect can be achieved by the combination with a sound-emitting system, in particular sound tube system.

Fig. 1:

ein Knochenleitungshörgerät gemäß einer ersten Ausfüh- rungsform bei Anbringung am Außenohr eines Benutzers in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

eine zu Fig. 1 alternative Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung der Außenohranordnung aus Fig. 1 oder 2 gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt IV - IV durch den Haltearm in Fig. 1 und 2;

Fig. 5

ein Knochenleitungshörgerät gemäß einer weiteren Ausfüh- rungsform;

Fig. 6

ein Knochenleitungshörgerät gemäß einer weiteren Ausfüh- rungsform mit gegenüber Fig. 1 und 2 zusätzlichem Hör- schlauch; und

Fig. 7

eine Schnittdarstellung der Außenohranordnung aus Fig. 6.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of some embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a bone conduction hearing aid according to a first embodiment when mounted on the outer ear of a user in side view;

Fig. 2

one too Fig. 1 alternative embodiment;

Fig. 3

a sectional view of the outer ear assembly Fig. 1 or 2 according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4

a section IV - IV through the support arm in Fig. 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 5

a bone conduction hearing aid according to another embodiment;

Fig. 6

a bone conduction hearing aid according to another embodiment with opposite Fig. 1 and 2 additional hearing tube; and

Fig. 7

a sectional view of the outer ear assembly Fig. 6 ,

A bone conduction hearing aid 1 according to the invention is according to Fig. 1 attached to an outer ear 2 of a user. The bone conduction hearing aid 1 has as an attachment means an earmold 3, which is set in an auditory canal 4 of the user and thus rests against the auditory canal wall 4a. The earmold 3 is designed as a form fitting and can in particular be made individually for the respective user or the anatomy of his outer ear 2 and ear canal 4, for example by an impression; However, earmolds 3 can also be used as standardized components. According to the section of the Fig. 3 can the earmold 3 z. B. be in two parts. The plant of the earmold 3 on the ear canal wall 4a can be done in particular pressure-free or without direct tension. The earmold 3 Is open, ie it has a through opening 6, which thus the direct passage of sound waves from the outside into the ear canal 4 to the middle ear 5 and on to the inner ear and possibly an escape of liquids or secretions from the middle ear 5 through the ear canal 4 to the outside allows. The continuous opening 6 advantageously extends centrally and axially. For example, it can taper towards the middle ear 5 in a funnel shape.

The earmold 3 is advantageously made of a rigid material, such as a sufficiently rigid plastic or rubber material, or also of metal. Sufficiently rigid here means that the counterforce is guaranteed to support the support arm. Here, the earmold 3 may also according to Fig. 3 rest in the concha 2a of the outer ear 2, for example, with an annular region. 7

To the earmold 3, a holding arm 10 connects, which extends from the outer ear 2 out and according to the Figures 1 and 2 different courses, possibly also have different lengths. According to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 the holding arm 10 continues forward (with respect to the viewing direction of the user) forward over the tragus or incisura anterior, with a vibrating transducer 12 attached to a bone 13a of the user's head at the end of the holding arm 10. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 In particular, the zygomatic bone or a bone in the region of the jaw, for example, the temporomandibular joint anchorage, may be hereby only indicated.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 extends the support arm 10 curved, where it first, for example, again forward over the tragus or the incisura anterior and then concealed behind the upper pinna edge, ie behind the outer ear 2 extends to the rear, wherein the vibration 12 rests for example on here only indicated mastoid 13b of the head of the user.

According to the invention, a contact force or pressure of e.g. 100g exerted on the vibration conductor 12, wherein this contact force or this contact pressure is exerted on the support arm 10. According to the invention, it is recognized here that this contact pressure force can already be exerted or supported by the support of the earmold 3 in the auditory canal 4 or the opposing force exerted thereby and optionally additionally by abutment of the area 7 on the concha 2a.

According to the invention, the elastic support arm 10 can be individually adjusted by cold bending to the shape and anatomy of the human head by the user or an assistant performing the adjustment, but after this deformation in the respectively set position or shape, it is in each case elastically adjustable. The holding arm 10 can in particular according to Fig. 4 be formed by a plurality of twisted individual wires 11, wherein electrical leads 11a to the vibrating conductor 12 are twisted with, alternatively, however, in principle, however, for example, a flexible and elastic in its bending positions or a restoring force building tube used.

A control device 14 and actuatable by the user actuators 15 and an amplifier 17 may in particular according to Fig. 1, 2 be arranged in an electrical area 16 behind the outer ear 2 or the auricle or the upper auricle edge. Depending on the embodiment, they may be formed directly on the holding arm 10, or as a thickened area corresponding to conventional BTE hearing aids. Thus, this electrical area 16 is connected, for example, to the earmold 3, so that the earmold 3 is connected, on the one hand, to the electrical area 16 located behind the outer ear and, furthermore, to the holding arm 10. Here can the electrical area 16 according to Fig. 1 branch off from the support arm 10, or according to Fig. 1 be designed as a thickening in the support arm 10.

When fitting the bone conduction hearing aid 1 according to the invention, e.g. first, with the earmold 3 inserted, a bending position is selected in which the vibration conductor 12 bears against the respective bone 13a, 13b without prestressing, subsequently a further bending of the support arm 10 is set, e.g. when taken from the ear canal 4 otoplasty 3, and subsequently the earmold 3 is inserted again, so that the support arm 10 by its bias the desired contact force of e.g. 100g on the vibration conductor 12 exerts.

According to the invention can according to Fig. 3 a microphone 18 may be attached to the earmold 3, in particular in the region of its opening 6, so that it receives sound waves in the region of the ear canal 4, so that a conventional sound recording or a conventional acoustic hearing can be simulated.

According to the embodiment of the Fig. 5 the electrical area is provided as a Tell or together with the earmold 3, so that no BTE area is required.

According to the embodiment of the 6 and 7 In addition, a hearing tube system is provided. For this purpose, a receiver 20 is provided as an electroacoustic transducer in the electrical area 16 and HdO area 16, to which a sound tube 21 is connected with one end, the other end 21 b serves as a sound outlet and according to Fig. 7 through the continuous opening 6 of the earmold 3 is placed. Here, the continuous opening 6 is not completely closed by the sound tube 21, but the system remains open. Alternatively, the end 21b also before the Concha be arranged 2a and thus reach the sound through the continuous opening 6 in the middle ear 5.

In the embodiment of the 6 and 7 it is advantageous if sound waves of a lower frequency range, z. B. to about 1300 Hz, (at least predominantly) on the vibrating transducer 12 and sound waves of a higher frequency range, for. B. above about 1300 Hz, (at least in addition) via the receiver 20 and the sound tube 21 are initiated. For this purpose, a crossover may be provided, the z. B. may be integrated in the control device and / or the amplifier.

The embodiment of the 6 and 7 can be realized instead of a receiver 20 and sound tube 21 with an external handset, which is connected via an electrical line to the electrical area 16 and is either located in the region of the concha 2a and there outputs sound waves, or is placed in the ear canal 4, then the electrical line (like the one in Fig. 7 shown sound tube 21) extends through the opening 6 of the earmold 3.

The sound tube 21 and the holding arm 10 may be combined or merged in all embodiments. In the case of an external receiver, electrical lines can run in or on the holding arm 10 in accordance with this.

Claims (13)

1. Bone-conduction hearing-aid, comprising at least:

   a fastening device (3) for fastening to the head of the user, and

   a vibration-conductor (12) for placing against a bone (13a, 13b) of a user with a contact force,

   wherein the vibration-conductor (12) is connected to the fastening device (3) via a holding bracket (10),

   wherein the fastening device (3) is provided for supporting the contact force of the vibration-conductor (12),

   wherein the holding bracket (10) is capable of being set into various positions for the purpose of developing an elastic restoring force,

   characterised in that
   the fastening device is formed as a shape-fitting piece (3) for insertion into the auditory canal (4) and/or into the concha of an outer ear (2) of the user,
   the shape-fitting piece (3) comprises a continuous opening (6) for forming a free passageway in the auditory canal (4),
   the holding bracket (10) is settable into various flexural positions, and said holding bracket (10) is elastically deformable in the set flexural positions, developing a restoring force, and
   the holding bracket (10) is capable of being set in such a manner that the vibration-conductor (12) is capable of being placed against a bone (13a) of the head of the user in front and/or behind the outer ear (2), for example against the malar bone, a jawbone or the mastoid (13b).
2. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 1, characterised in that the shape-fitting piece (3) takes the form of an otoplastic (3).
3. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the shape-fitting piece (3) comprises a region for insertion into the auditory canal (4) and further comprises a region (7) for placing against the concha (2a) of the outer ear (2) of the user.
4. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shape-fitting piece (3) rests in the auditory canal (4) in pressure-free manner and without bracing.
5. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an electrics region (16) with an amplifier (17), with a control device (14) and with at least one actuator (15) for setting the bone-conduction hearing-aid (1) by the user.
6. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 5, characterised in that the electrics region (16) is formed, wholly or partly, as a BTE region for arrangement behind the outer ear (2) of the user.
7. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the electrics region (16) is formed, wholly or partly, on the shape-fitting piece (3).
8. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding bracket (10) is connected to the shape-fitting piece (3) and/or to the vibration-conductor (12) via a detachable plug connection.
9. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a microphone (18) which is fitted in or on the shape-fitting piece (3).
10. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 9, characterised in that the microphone (18) is arranged in the continuous opening (6) of the shape-fitting piece (3).
11. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holding bracket (10) is formed from several twisted single wires (11), wherein the leads (11a) are part of the wires.
12. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises, in addition to the vibration-conductor (12), a further sound-introducing system (20, 21), for example a sound-tube system (20, 21) or an external-receiver system, which comprises a sound-output region (21b), for example an end of a sound tube or an external receiver, for output of sound-waves, which is provided for arrangement in the region of the concha (2a) or in the auditory canal (3).
13. Bone-conduction hearing-aid according to Claim 12, characterised in that the further sound-introducing system (20, 21) is provided substantially for sound signals within a higher frequency range, and the vibration-conductor (12) is provided substantially for sound signals within a lower frequency range.

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