EP2360948A2 - Tool for assembling and removing an earpiece of a hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The tool has first and second tool parts (13, 14) for dismounting two ear pieces from a listener, respectively. A third tool part mounts the ear pieces into the listener. Elongated base bodies are divided into body parts (10, 11) that are plugged with each other toward longitudinal axis of the base bodies. The tool parts are arranged at the body parts, where the tool is made of flexible plastic. The body parts include an aperture at front ends. The third tool part comprises a shaft whose longitudinal axis runs coaxial with the longitudinal axis of one of the body parts.

Description

The present invention relates to a tool for mounting a receiver of a hearing device in a first earpiece and in a structurally different, second earpiece and for disassembling the earpiece of the first or second earpiece. The tool has an elongated base, a first tool part for disassembling the earpiece from the first earpiece, a second tool part for disassembling the earpiece from the second earpiece, and a third tool part for mounting the earpiece in the first or second earpiece.

Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (IDO), e.g. Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC). The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid shown. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed. A signal processing unit 3, which is also integrated in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular the signal processing unit 3 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

For hearing aids with external earphones, the so-called RIC hearing aids, the earphones are each inserted into an earpiece. The ear pieces have the task to hold the listener in the ear canal and optionally seal the ear canal. Individually manufactured earmolds which are individually adapted to the shape of the auditory canal of the hearing device wearer come into question as earpieces. Alternatively, ear pieces can also be used, which are generally applicable, d. H. which are not customized and thus cheaper. The custom-made earmolds are partly filled earmolds, some so-called foil earmolds that are not or not completely filled inside.

When mounting a receiver in an ear piece there is a risk that the handset is not fixed exactly in the ear piece. In addition, there is a risk that the handset is damaged during assembly.

Typically, an external handset is mounted by clicking into a special earmold adapter, which in turn is inserted into the earmold or earmold or is part of the earmold. The disassembly is done by pushing out of the adapter from the other side with the help of a pin. The ear piece can, as mentioned, an individual adapted (earmold or earmold) or a generally usable earpiece. For the sake of simplicity, only one of the terms mentioned below will be mentioned as representative of all ear pieces.

To assemble or disassemble an external handset in an earpiece adapter, a tool has been used so far, which is elongated and has axially projecting pin-shaped projections on both end faces. These two extensions are different lengths and flexible. Its diameter is just as big as the sound outlet channel from the ear piece. The pin-like extensions serve to push a receiver out of the adapter of an earpiece from the side of the earpiece facing the eardrum. Depending on the type of earpiece (eg filled earmold or foil earmold) it is necessary to push out the earpiece of a longer or shorter stylus. Since the pin-shaped extensions of the tool must be flexible because the sound channels in the ear pieces are not always straight, the tool tip, d. H. the pin-shaped extension, be as short as possible, so that he can exercise a predetermined pressure on the listener without kinking. The tool therefore has a short pin-shaped extension for foil earmolds and a longer pin-shaped extension for filled earmolds which have a longer sound channel.

Furthermore, a groove is provided on the elongated tool transversely to the tool longitudinal direction, in which the cable extension can be pressed at the foot of the listener. Since the listener has a larger diameter than the cable, force from the tool can be exerted transversely to the tool longitudinal direction on the handset for mounting in an ear piece when the cable extension is pressed at the listener's foot in the groove of the tool.

The design of the tool causes some problems when mounting and dismounting the handset in the respective ear piece. First, there is no guidance and no sufficient support of the external listener when mounting in the respective ear piece or the earmold. In many cases, with the tool assembly of the listener in an ear piece is not possible because the tool abuts when mounting to the upper edge, ie, the out when wearing the ear piece out of the ear canal edge of the earpiece or earmold. Furthermore, no kink protection between the hose or cable and the external handset is provided during mounting. In addition, the handling of the tool is overall ergonomically poor because the mounting pressure must be below 90 ° (tilting motion).

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a tool with which an external receiver of a hearing device can be mounted more reliably in and removed from an earpiece.

• einem länglichen Grundkörper,
• einem ersten Werkzeugteil zum Demontieren des Hörers von dem ersten Ohrstück,
• einem zweiten Werkzeugteil zum Demontieren des Hörers von dem zweiten Ohrstück und
• einem dritten Werkzeugteil zum Montieren des Hörers in das erste oder zweite Ohrstück, wobei
• der längliche Grundkörper in einen ersten Teilkörper und in einen zweiten Teilkörper geteilt ist,
• die beiden Teilkörper in Richtung der Längsachse des Grundkörpers zumindest teilweise ineinander steckbar sind, und
• an einem der beiden Teilkörper zwei der drei Werkzeugteile und an dem anderen der beiden Teilkörper das verbleibende Werkzeugteil angeordnet ist.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a tool for mounting a receiver of a hearing device in a first earpiece and in a structurally different, second earpiece and for disassembling the earpiece of the first or second earpiece

• an elongated body,
• a first tool part for dismounting the earpiece from the first ear piece,
• a second tool part for dismounting the earpiece from the second ear piece and
• a third tool part for mounting the earpiece in the first or second ear piece, wherein
• the elongated base body is divided into a first part body and a second part body,
• the two body parts are at least partially plugged into each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base body, and
• two of the three tool parts are arranged on one of the two part bodies and the remaining part of the tool is arranged on the other of the two part bodies.

Advantageously, the tool combines three tool parts, which can be plugged into one another on two partial bodies are, are arranged. Thus, a hearing aid user or an acoustician only has to handle a single tool that provides him with three tool functions.

Preferably, the tool consists of a flexible plastic. This has the advantage that the tool can be manufactured as an injection molded part. Moreover, it has the advantage that due to its flexibility, the tool can adapt to an odd-numbered sound conductor in the earpiece.

The two body parts of the tool can each be elongated. This gives the overall tool a structure similar to that of a pencil, which is easy to guide in the hand.

It is also advantageous if the first part body has an opening on one of its end faces, into which the second part body can be inserted into the opening of the first part body both ahead with its one end face in the insertion direction and with its other end side. This allows each of the tool parts to be placed at the tip of the tool.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the second part body has the first tool part at its one end face and the third tool part at its other end face. Alternatively, however, the second part body may be equipped with the first and second tool part on the front side. The latter has the advantage that the tool part, which is not required for disassembling the receiver from a specific ear piece, can be inserted into the first part body forever, so that neither the mounting nor the dismantling of the receiver requires the tool to be changed over.

In a further embodiment, the first and second tool parts can each be integrally formed as a pin on an end face of one of the two part bodies. This reduces the production costs, in particular if each of the two body parts is formed in one piece.

The two mentioned pins can be different lengths and also slimmer than both partial bodies. As a result, different lengths of sound passages in the ear pieces can be taken into account. If the part bodies are less slender than the pins, they are easier to handle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the third tool part has a shaft, the longitudinal axis of which runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the respective part body, wherein the shaft is open at the end face of the part body and has a slot for guiding a cable of the listener out of the shaft. In the open end of the body part, the listener can be used during assembly, and the shaft protects the cable of the listener from a kink.

It is also particularly advantageous if the receiver is plugged into the opening of the shaft and this is held there by the shaft frictionally engaged. Thus, the listener can not slip out of the tip of the tool.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the shaft below the opening has a shoulder on which the listener is supported. This can be transferred in a straight line from the tool to the handset during assembly of the handset, the force.

FIG 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Hörgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

FIG 2

eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Werkzeug im zusammengesteckten Zustand;

FIG 3

das Werkzeug von FIG 2 im auseinandergesteckten Zustand;

FIG 4

das Werkzeug von FIG 3 mit gewendetem Teilkörper;

FIG 5

das in der Position von FIG 4 zusammengesteckte Werkzeug;

FIG 6

das Werkzeug von FIG 5 mit eingestecktem Hörer;

FIG 7

der in ein Ohrstück mit dem Werkzeug eingeführte Hörer und

FIG 8

das Ohrstück von FIG 7 mit eingestecktem Hörer.

The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a hearing aid according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

a plan view of an inventive tool in the assembled state;

FIG. 3

the tool of FIG. 2 in the unfolded state;

FIG. 4

the tool of FIG. 3 with turned part body;

FIG. 5

that in the position of FIG. 4 assembled tool;

FIG. 6

the tool of FIG. 5 with plugged in handset;

FIG. 7

the inserted into an ear piece with the tool handset and

FIG. 8

the ear piece of FIG. 7 with the handset plugged in.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

This in FIG. 2 The tool shown essentially consists of a first part body 10 and a second part body 11. Both part body 10, 11 are inserted into one another and thus give an elongated body, which has approximately the dimension of a small pencil.

The two Teilköper are preferably molded from the same plastic. They have approximately the same cross-section and at the surface grooves 12 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the body, so that an increased friction between the fingers and the tool can be achieved. On a front side of the first part body 10 is a short pin 13 which is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the tool or of the base body. The short pin 13 thus protrudes from the front side of the first part body 10 as the first tool part. The short pin 13 serves to eject a receiver from an earmold or an earpiece with a short sound passage. It is guided into the sound output of the earmold and meets the front side on one in the earmold or their adapter used handset. The handset is caught in the adapter. By pressing the handset with the help of the pin 13, the snap connection is released and the handset is pushed out of the earmold.

On its other front side of the first part of the body 10 of the tool with the second part body 11 is plugged together. At the free end side of the second part body 11, a long pin 14 is arranged. The second part body 11 extends conically to the significantly slimmer pin 14, as well as the first part of body 10 tapers conically to the short pin 13. The long pin 14 forms a second tool part for dismantling the earpiece from an ear mold or an ear piece with a longer sound passage.

In FIG. 3 the second part body 11 is staked from the first part body 10 of the tool. For this purpose, the second part of the body 11 according to arrow 15, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool, pulled out of the first part body 10. It can be seen that the second part body 11 has a mounting portion 16 serving as a plug coaxial with its longitudinal direction. This connector portion has a slightly smaller diameter or circumference than the outer diameter or outer circumference of the first part body 10. In the first part body 10, a socket is provided which in FIG. 3 is not recognizable. In this socket, the mounting portion 16 of the second body part 11 is completely received when the two part body 10 and 11 according to FIG. 2 are plugged together.

Between the socket and the mounting portion 16 is in the assembled state of the two part body 10, 11 a frictional and / or positive connection, preferably a releasable snap connection. To separate the two body parts 10 and 11 so the force of the snap connection must be overcome.

In FIG. 4 is the second Teilköper 11 turned by 180 °. Ie. the long pin 14 now no longer shows from the first part of the body 10 away, but right on him. In contrast, the mounting portion 16 of the second part body 11 now away from the first part body 10. Now, the second base body 11 is inserted according to arrow 17 in the frontal socket of the first part body 10.

In FIG. 5 the tool is shown in the newly assembled state. The tip of the second part body 11 including the long pin 14 is completely inserted into the socket of the first part body 10. Again, the connector is achieved by friction and / or positive locking. Due to the elasticity of the plastic material can easily be realized again a snap connection.

At the free end of the second part body 11, the mounting portion 16 now projects as a third tool part for mounting a receiver in an earpiece axially outward. In contrast protrudes on the first part of the body 10 of the short pin 13 as the first tool part axially outward. The tool can thus be used in this plug-in position for mounting a receiver in an earpiece or an earmold and for disassembly from an earmold with a short sound passage.

FIG. 6 shows the tool of FIG. 5 in a slightly different direction. In particular shows FIG. 6 the second part body 11 with the mounting portion 16, which serves as a mounting tool part. The mounting portion 16 has the front side, ie at its free end, a receiver 18, in which a handset 19 is inserted here. The oblong receiver 19 in the present example sits with its longitudinal direction coaxial with the tool longitudinal direction or the longitudinal direction of the second part body 11 in the receptacle 18.

The receptacle 18 is slightly smaller than the recorded part of the receiver 19, so that it sits frictionally in the receptacle 18. In addition, the receptacle 18 has a shoulder, so that the handset 19 can not be pushed deeper into the receptacle 18. It also takes care of the listener 19 almost on its entire end face supporting shoulder that an axial force of the tool evenly distributed on the front surface of the receiver 19 can be transmitted. This results in a high stability when the receiver 19 is pressed into an earpiece or an earmold.

Like also out FIG. 6 it can be seen, a cable 20 is connected to the receiver 19 with insulating tube. The cable opens into that end face of the receiver 19, which is in the receptacle 18. Therefore, the mounting portion 16, ie, the third tool part, a groove 21 is provided, in which the cable 20 is guided by the handset 19 to the outside. The groove 21 serves both to stabilize the receiver 19 and as a kink protection for the cable 20 on the receiver 19th

At the opposite end of the cable 20 to the receiver 20 is an adapter 22 for connection to a BTE hearing aid.

The receptacle 18 of the third tool part can also be designed so that it can accommodate a hose adapter, which must be plugged into an earpiece or an earmold. Instead of the cable 20, a sound tube would then run in the groove 21 of the tool. Such a hose with hose adapter would be part of a BTE hearing aid with integrated earpiece, the sound is passed over the sound tube to the ear piece.

In FIG. 7 is the portion of the second body part 11, in which the handset 19 is inserted with cable 20, shown enlarged. In addition, in the figure, an earmold 23 can be seen, whose side facing out when wearing concave (not filled earmold), resulting in this Otoplastikseite a corresponding peripheral outer or top edge 24 results. The earmold 23 is individually formed here from a transparent material. Therefore, an adapter 25 can be seen on the side facing the eardrum during wear of the earmold 23. The handset 19 is inserted into this adapter 25. This is preferably done by means of a snap connection and the handset 19 and the adapter 25 have corresponding undercuts. Since the receiver 19 is usually made of metal, the adapter 25 will usually be made of a somewhat resilient plastic material.

FIG. 8 shows the handset 19 in snapped into the earmold 23 state. Ie. the handset 19 is inserted or snapped into the adapter 25. The tool (in FIG. 8 is still the second part of the body 11 partially visible) can now be withdrawn axially from the handset 19.

To disassemble the earphone 19 from the earmold 23, the short pin 13, ie the first tool part, which is located on the other end face of the tool can be used. The short pin 13 is this in the in FIG. 8 unrecognizable sound opening of the earmold 23 pushed until it hits the receiver 19. The pin 13 has approximately the same diameter as the sound outlet nozzle 26 of the receiver 19 (see. FIG. 7 ). By pushing on the short pin 13, the receiver 19 is released from the adapter 25, so that it can be removed from the earmold 23. In the event that the earmold 23 has a longer sound passage, the tool must be repositioned, so that the long pin 14 (see. FIG. 2 ) can be pushed through the sound passage to the listener 19 and beyond. Since the sound passage through the earmold 23 is often not straight, both the short pin 13 and the long pin 14 are correspondingly flexible. Nevertheless, they must be designed so stable that they can transmit the necessary axial force.

The tool according to the invention for mounting and dismounting a receiver of a hearing device is characterized by its bipartite, wherein three tool functions can be provided by a simple changeover. Overall, therefore, there is a single tool for the three tool functions, which in itself forms a unit and is thus logistically easier to handle. The nesting also has the advantage that a tool part is less likely to get lost.

By the long guide groove 21 and the receptacle 18 also a secure hold of the listener when tilting or twisting during positioning can be ensured. In addition, the long guide groove 21, as mentioned, kink protection and protection of the hose or cable 20 against damage. In addition, by the receptacle 18, which holds the receiver 19 axially, a linear guide during mounting possible, whereby a lower force during assembly is required.

Claims (10)

Tool for mounting a receiver (19) of a hearing aid in a first earpiece (23) and in a structurally different, second earpiece and for dismantling the earpiece (19) of the first or second earpiece with - an elongated body, a first tool part (13) for dismounting the earpiece (19) from the first ear piece (23), - A second tool part (14) for dismantling the receiver (19) of the second ear piece and a third tool part (16) for mounting the receiver (19) in the first or second earpiece, characterized in that - the elongated base body is divided into a first part body (10) and a second part body (11), - The two part body (10, 11) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base body at least partially plugged into each other, wherein - On one of the two part body (10, 11) two of the three tool parts (13, 14, 16) and on the other of the two part body (10, 11), the remaining tool part is arranged. Tool according to claim 1, which consists of a flexible plastic. Tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two part bodies (10, 11) are each elongated. Tool according to claim 3, wherein the first part body (10) has an opening at one of its end faces into which the second part body (11) protrudes both with its one end side in the direction of insertion and with its other end face ahead into the opening of the first part body ( 10) can be inserted. Tool according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second part body (11) has on its one end face the first tool part (13) and on its other end side of the third tool part (16). Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second tool part (13, 14) in each case as a pin integrally formed on an end face of one of the two part body (10, 11). Tool according to claim 6, wherein the two pins are different in length and slimmer than both part bodies (10, 11). Tool according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the third tool part (16) has a shaft whose longitudinal axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the respective part body (11), and wherein the shaft is open at the end face of the part body and a slot (21 ) for leading out a cable (20) of the receiver (19) from the shaft. Tool according to claim 8, wherein in the opening (18) of the shaft of the handset (19) is plugged and held there by the shaft frictionally. The tool of claim 9, wherein the well below the opening (18) has a shoulder on which the earpiece (19) is supported.

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