EP2456235B1 - Hearing aid, connector, use of a connector and system for connecting a hearing aid with a cable - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hearing aid.

Hearing aids are nowadays predominantly designed as so-called BTE (behind the ear) to be worn hearing aids. In this case, a housing of the hearing aid, which has a battery and a corresponding electronic component, attached behind the ear of a patient and fixed, for example, with a headband or the like in this position behind the ear. In addition, a so-called earmold is used in the ear canal, which is connected via a cable with the hearing aid behind the ear. Since the cable extends above the ear, it is attached or connected to a substantially upwardly directed side of the housing of the hearing aid, for example via a corresponding connector. In addition, the housing of the hearing aid must have a microphone for receiving sound waves.

In this case, for the arrangement of the microphone in today's miniaturized housings of hearing aids only remains a back, that is, a page that is directed from the back of the ear to the rear. Thus, since sound waves coming from behind are heard better than sound waves coming from the front or from the side, such an arrangement of a microphone in the housing of a hearing aid leads to an unnatural hearing.

US Pat. No. 7,016,512 B1 discloses a BTE / CIC hearing aid and a modular connector system therefor with a speaker module that generates an audio signal from an electrical drive signal.

DE 10 2007 009 748 A1 discloses a hearing aid with a connecting means for releasable connection with an insertable into the ear canal earpiece.

It is an object of the invention to improve the functionality of a connector to a hearing aid.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

• ein Gehäuse, das im Gebrauch hinter dem Ohr anzubringen ist, und ein Kabel zum Verbinden des Gehäuses mit einer in den Gehörgang einzusetzenden Otoplastik, wobei das Kabel über einen Verbinder mit dem Gehäuse lösbar verbunden ist,
• wobei das Gehäuse eine beim Tragen nach vorne gerichtete Frontwand aufweist, die in Gebrauchsstellung zu einer Rückseite des Ohres hin gerichtet ist und/oder an dieser anliegt,
• wobei der Verbinder an der Frontwand positioniert ist und
• der Verbinder eine mit Kontaktkissen versehene Schaltkreistafel aufweist, die im verbundenen Zustand mit federnden Kontakten eines in dem Gehäuse angeordneten zusammenpassenden Verbinders in Kontakt treten.

According to one aspect, a hearing aid for wearing behind the ear has:

• a housing to be mounted behind the ear in use, and a cable for connecting the housing to an earmold to be inserted into the ear canal, the cable being detachably connected to the housing via a connector,
• the housing having a front wall which is directed forward when being carried, which in the position of use is directed toward and / or against a rear side of the ear,
• wherein the connector is positioned on the front wall and
• the connector comprises a padded circuit board which, in the connected condition, contacts resilient contacts of a mating connector located in the housing.

Preferably, the housing further comprises a substantially upwardly and / or forwardly directed top wall. More preferably, the top wall on an exposed in use position surface on which a microphone of the hearing aid is attached or attachable. Further preferably, the exposed in use position surface with the microphone in an acoustic connection. According to the present application, the acoustic connection feature includes in particular that an opening is arranged on the top wall, in particular on the free surface of the top wall, and the microphone is directed towards the opening in the interior of the housing. It is also possible that, starting from the top wall or the opening, a channel leads to the microphone. The channel may be a hose, a pipe, an injection molded component, etc. The channel can be flexible or rigid. Instead of the opening, the top wall or the surface of the top wall can also be tapered compared to the remaining top wall be educated. In other words, the top wall in the area of the acoustic connection or coupling can be thinner in cross-section than in the remaining area. Advantageously, therefore, the attachment or the orientation of the microphone is inconspicuous. Further advantageously, it is avoided that moisture, in particular water and / or particles, in particular dirt reach through a microphone opening in the interior of the hearing aid. It is also possible that instead of the opening or the tapered region, a region is arranged which has a plurality of small openings, so that, for example, an exchange of air is possible, but a particle exchange difficult or even prevented.

By attaching the connector to the front wall of the housing which faces the ear when the hearing aid is worn behind the ear, a microphone may face or be acoustically coupled to the top wall of the housing, or may even be attached to the top wall of the housing this is not occupied by the connector or the cable of the hearing aid. In this way, sound coming from the front can be picked up by the microphone as well or better as sound coming from the back or from the side. Accordingly, listening essentially corresponds to natural hearing.

In this case, the housing of the hearing aid is substantially arcuate, preferably to abut flat against the back of the ear. In this way, the hearing aid is comfortable to wear. Furthermore, the front wall of the housing is directed toward the back of the ear when worn or preferably flat against it. In addition, the housing preferably has a rearwardly directed rear wall, side walls and a substantially downwardly directed bottom wall.

Furthermore, as the connector terminates flush with the front wall in a substantially flush fashion, the front panel gently and smoothly abuts the back of the ear to provide the patient with a comfortable fit.

According to the invention, the connector comprises a circuit board provided with contact pads, which in the connected state with resilient contacts of a in contacting the housing with the mating connector.

The circuit board in the connector can thus simultaneously serve as a connector for contacting the resilient contacts of the mating connector so that the circuit board can perform two functions simultaneously, namely, picking up electrical or electronic components and connecting wires of the cable to corresponding contacts of a cable matching connector. Additional terminal fittings, contacts, sockets and plugs or the like are thus not required, so that the connector can be miniaturized and at the same time can perform certain electrical and electronic tasks by accommodating corresponding electrical and / or electronic components in the connector. The fact that the circuit board is mounted in the connector provides the connector with enhanced, improved functionality. For example, it is possible that in a defect of the electronics in a simple manner, the connector can be exchanged and not the hearing aid must be disassembled and laboriously repaired. Further, it is possible for a single connector type to be manufactured and this type of connector to work with a variety of different types of hearing aids because electronic tuning is enabled due to logic mounted on the circuit board.

Likewise, due to the arrangement of the circuit board in the connector, the hearing aid can be further reduced because a complex wiring in the hearing aid is not necessary.

Preferably, a seal is arranged between the housing and the connector, which is preferably made of silicone or Viton and is preferably glued to the connector. By arranging the seal, the connector is substantially completely sealed with the housing of the hearing aid, so that the penetration of sweat, dirt, water or the like into the housing of the hearing aid can be avoided.

Further preferably, the connector engages on one side, preferably on the opposite side of the cable, at least one first engagement projection occur with the housing of the hearing aid, and has on the opposite side at least a second engagement projection for engaging with a locking pin, wherein the locking pin in the housing of the hearing aid between a release position in which the at least one second engagement projection is released, and a securing position is displaceable in which the locking pin engages with the at least one second engagement projection to secure the connector to the housing of the hearing aid.

The connector can be easily connected to the housing by inserting the connector into the housing so that the first engagement projection engages the housing of the hearing aid and the connector is pivoted in this state toward the housing, so that when flush with the connector on the housing of the hearing aid, the locking pin for securing the second engagement projection of the connector can be actuated.

In this case, the locking pin is slidably mounted in the housing, so that the locking pin between a release position, in which the at least one second projection is released, and a securing position is displaceable, in which the locking pin with the at least one second engagement projection engages to the Secure connector to the housing of the hearing aid.

Preferably, the locking pin is slidably mounted in the housing such that the locking pin is manually, in particular without the need for a tool, i. merely by actuating e.g. is displaceable with a finger between the release position and the securing position.

According to the invention, the locking pin can be connected captively to the housing by a locking member which can be mounted in the housing of the hearing device. In other words, the locking pin is fixed by the locking member in the housing such that the locking pin is displaceable only between the release position and the securing position, but can not be removed from the housing, as long as the locking member is in the housing by the locking member with corresponding surfaces or stops of the locking pin engages to a emergence or falling out of the locking pin from the Prevent housing.

Preferably, the connector housing has on one side, preferably on the opposite side of the cable, at least one first engagement projection for engaging the housing of the hearing aid and has on the opposite side at least one second engagement projection for engaging a locking pin.

More preferably, the connector housing has at least two housing components that are bonded and sealed together by ultrasonic welding, and wherein an outer housing component has a curved shape, in particular a slightly curved shape, to terminate flush with the contour of a front wall of the housing of the hearing aid.

By connecting the two housing components of the connector housing together by ultrasonic welding, the bonding operation can simultaneously effect a sealing of the housing components. The provision of an additional seal, a sealant or the like is thus not necessary, so that the assembly and manufacture of the connector housing is simplified. Further, by having the outer housing component of slightly curved shape, the connector housing is flush with the contour of the front wall of the hearing aid housing to provide a uniform step and shoulder free front wall of the hearing aid housing.

Preferably, the connector is used to connect a hearing aid to a cable.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a hearing aid according to the invention with a partially inserted into the housing connector.

FIG. 2 shows the hearing aid from FIG. 1 with connector completely inserted into the housing.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the hearing aid of FIG. 1 with removed locking pin and remote locking member.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the connector with the circuit board and the seal.

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the locking pin and its interaction with the locking member.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the connector together with the hearing aid.

FIG. 7 shows a further view of the hearing aid with partially inserted into the housing connector.

As in FIG. 1 1, a hearing aid 1 according to the invention has a housing 10 for receiving a battery (not shown) for the power supply, electrical and electronic components and a microphone (also not shown). The housing 10 of the hearing aid 1 is to be worn behind the ear and is attached via a corresponding (not shown) securing means, such as a headband on the ear. In this case, a front wall 12 of the housing 10 rests against the back of the ear. On this front wall 12, a connector 40 for connecting contacts 14 of the hearing aid with a cable 30 is arranged. The cable 30 may be formed as a flexible hose. The cable 30 may also be formed substantially rigid. Advantageously, the cable can be designed such that it is a headband of the hearing aid or forms a headband of the hearing aid or is integrated in a headband of the hearing aid.

Furthermore, in FIG. 1 a substantially upwardly and / or forwardly directed top wall is shown, which preferably has a (first) top wall 13a and a second top wall (13b). A microphone (not shown) may be in acoustic communication with the top wall 13a or may be acoustically coupled to the top wall 13a. For this purpose, the top wall 13a may have an opening (not shown). The top wall 13a can be oriented substantially in the operating direction of the hearing device 1, ie when the patient is wearing the hearing device 1, essentially in the direction of the patient's gaze. In other words, the top wall 13a in the frame of reference of the patient is substantially forward and / or up, that is, sound impinging on the face of the patient also hits the top wall 13a and thereby, in particular due to the acoustic coupling from the microphone is recorded.

Furthermore, in FIG. 1 the (second) top wall 13b is shown. The microphone (not shown), in addition to or as an alternative to the top wall 13a, may be in acoustic communication with the top wall 13b or may be acoustically coupled to the top wall 13b. Consequently, the hearing aid may have one or two microphones. It is also possible that a single microphone is acoustically coupled both to the top wall 13a and to the top wall 13b. For this purpose, the top wall 13b may have an opening (not shown). The upper wall 13b may be aligned, in particular in the operating position of the hearing device 1, ie, when the patient is wearing the hearing aid 1, essentially in the direction of view of the patient. In other words, the top wall 13b in the reference system of the patient substantially forward and / or upward, that is, that sound that comes to the face of the patient also hits the top wall 13b and thereby, in particular due to the acoustic coupling, also from Microphone is recorded.

As further in FIG. 2 is shown, the connector 40 has a shape to be in the fully connected state shown in FIG FIG. 2 is shown, substantially flush with the front wall 12 of the housing 10 complete, so that the front wall 12 has a substantially smooth surface. In this way, the hearing aid is comfortable to wear.

Furthermore, the front wall 12 has a groove 16 for receiving the cable 30 in the fully connected state of the connector 40. In this way, the cable 30 does not protrude from the front wall 12, so as not to impair a comfortable wearing feeling.

As further in FIG. 1 and in particular in the detail view of FIG. 4 4, the connector 40 has a first engaging projection 42a on one side and at least one second engaging projection 42b on the opposite side, preferably the side where the cable 30 is led out. In the fully connected state of the connector 40, the locking pin 20 with the second engaging projection 42b are engaged so that the connector 40 is secured in the connected state to the housing 10 of the hearing aid 1.

As in particular in Fig. 3 is shown, the locking pin 20 is inserted into an opening 18 of the housing 10 and can be moved along its longitudinal axis. In order to prevent falling out of the locking pin 20 from the opening 18, a locking member 29 is inserted into the housing 10 and preferably secured by gluing in the housing 10.

The locking member 29 secures the locking pin 20 captive in the housing 10 by the locking member 29 either with a first stop surface 22 of the locking pin 20 engages, in particular in FIG. 5 is shown, or with an opposite second abutment surface 24 of the locking pin 20 engages when the locking pin 20 is moved to the securing position in which the locking pin 20 engages with the second engaging projection 42b. In other words, the locking pin 20 is between the in FIG. 5 shown release position in which the locking member 22 abuts against the first stop surface 22 of the locking pin, and the securing position in which the locking member 29 abuts against the second stop surface 24 of the locking pin 20, displaceable.

In order to further ensure a safe persistence of the locking pin 20 either in the release position or the securing position and to prevent loose movements in an intermediate position between these two positions, a projection 26 is further arranged on the locking pin 20, the locking pin 20 in a secure manner either in the release position or the securing position by engaging with the locking member 29 holds.

As further in FIG. 4 As shown, the connector 40 preferably includes a first housing component 42 and a second housing component 44. The first housing component 42 preferably has a slightly curved surface to terminate substantially flush with the housing 10 of the hearing aid 1 in the connected position and in a gentle manner on the back of a To lie to the ear of a patient.

In a space between the two housing components 42, 44, a circuit board 46 or board (PCB = printed circuit board) is housed. Preferably, this circuit board 46 has a thickness substantially equal to a gap between the housing components 42, 44 to be securely held in the clearance by assembling the two housing components 42, 44 together. The two housing components 42, 44 are preferably joined together by ultrasonic welding, so that with the connection of the housing components 42, 44 at the same time the connector housing is sealed at the periphery of the joint. In this way, penetration of sweat, impurities or water or the like can be securely prevented.

To further ensure a preferred seal between the connector 40 and the housing 10 of the hearing aid 1, a seal 49 is disposed on the connector 40, which may be made of Viton or silicone, for example. This seal 49 is preferably glued to the second housing component 44 to prevent loss of the seal 49.

The circuit board 46 preferably has a plurality of contact pads 48, which in the connected state of the connector 40 with the contacts 14 of the hearing aid 1, which are preferably designed as a resilient wire hanger come into contact. In this way, the circuit board 46 can perform two functions simultaneously, namely the inclusion of electrical components 47 and the contact with the contacts 14 of the hearing aid 1. In this case, individual lines 32 of the cable 30 are connected to the contact boxes 48 of the circuit board 46 to this In the connected state of the connector 40 to establish an electrical connection between the lines 32 of the cable 30 and the contacts 14 of the hearing aid 1 via the contact pad 48 of the circuit board 46.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a system for producing a Hearing instrument 1, which has the connector 40 and a housing component or a housing 10 for receiving a hearing aid 1. In other words, the in FIG. 4 shown connector 40 in conjunction with the housing 10 or a corresponding housing component for receiving the locking pin 20 and the locking member 29 supplied to a hearing aid manufacturer to equip the housing 10 with the corresponding components of the hearing aid 1 such as microphone, electrical or electronic assemblies power supply, etc. ,

By attaching the connector 40 to the front wall 12 of the housing 10, there remains a great deal of creative freedom for the placement of a microphone, particularly at a top, i. the top wall 13 a and / or the top wall 13 b of the housing 10 to allow natural hearing with the hearing aid 1. In addition, the hearing aid 1 with the front wall 12 and the connector 40 attached thereto gently and smoothly abuts the back of an ear of the patient because the connector 40 is flush with the front wall 12. Furthermore, there is no cable 30, because the cable 30 is received in the groove 16 of the front wall 12.

The hearing aid 1 may have a very small and lightweight construction, because the connector 40 may have on its circuit board 46 for contacting with the contacts 14 a plurality of electrical components 47. In this way, electrical or electronic components in the hearing aid itself can be reduced or reduced.

Further, the connector 40 can be securely contacted with the contacts 14 by engaging the connector 40 with the housing 10 via the first engaging projection 42a and engaging the second engaging projection 42b with the locking pin 20. The locking pin 20 can be moved after insertion of the connector 40 in a simple manner in the securing position by the projecting out of the housing 10 part of the locking pin 20 is pressed until the locking pin 20 terminates substantially flush with the housing wall of the housing 10.

To remove the connector 40 from the housing 10 of the hearing aid 1, the locking pin 20 can be moved from the securing position to the release position by pressing the opposite end of the locking pin 20 with a corresponding pin or special tool from the opposite side until the pin 20 is moved to the release position. Thereafter, the connector 40 can be removed from the housing 10, because in the release position of the pin 20, the second engagement projection 42 b is released.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hearing Aid

10

casing

12

front wall

13a

upper wall

13b

upper wall

14

Contact

16

groove

18

opening

20

safety pin

22

first stop surface

24

second stop surface

26

head Start

29

locking member

30

electric wire

32

management

40

Interconnects

42

first housing component

42a

first engagement projection

42b

second engagement projection

44

second housing component

46

Circuit board

47

electrical component

48

contact pads

49

poetry

Claims (6)

1. A hearing aid device (1) to wear behind the ear with:

   a housing (10), which is when in use attached behind the ear, and a cable (30) to connect the housing (10) with an earmold to be introduced into the ear canal, wherein the cable (30) is detachably connected with the housing (10) via a connector (40),

   wherein the housing (10), when being worn, comprises a forwardly directed front wall (12) which, in usage position, facing a rear side of the ear and/or laying against the rear of the ear, and

   wherein the connector (40) is positioned at the front wall (12),

   characterized in that

   the connector (40) comprises an electrical circuit board (46) provided with contact pads (48), which, in the connected state, contact with resilient contacts (14) of a matching connector arranged inside the housing (10).
2. The hearing aid device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (10) also comprises a substantially upwardly and/or forwardly facing upper wall (13a, 13b), and the upper wall (13a, 13b), in usage position, preferentially comprising a bare area, at which a microphone of the hearing aid device (1) is attached or is attachable and/or is in acoustical connection with the microphone.
3. The hearing aid device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector (40), in the connected state, is substantially flush with the front wall (12).
4. The hearing aid device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a gasket (49) is assembled between the housing (10) and the connector (40), which is preferentially manufactured from silicone or Viton and which is preferentially glued to the connector (40).
5. The hearing aid device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the connector (40) comprises at one side at least one first engaging projection (42a) to engage with the housing (10) of the hearing aid device (1) and at the opposite side at least one second engaging projection (42b) to engage with a locking pin (20), and
   wherein the locking pin (20) inside the housing (10) of the hearing aid device (1) is slidable between a release position, in which the at least one second engaging projection (42b) is released, and a locking position, in which the locking pin (20) is engaged with the at least one second engaging projection (42b) to secure the connector (40) at the housing (10) of the hearing aid device (1).
6. The hearing aid device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the locking pin (20) is captively connectable with the housing (10) through a locking member (29) mountable into the housing (10) of the hearing aid advice (1).

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