EP2509340A1 - Installation de conduit auditif dotée d'un élément de filtrage - Google Patents

Installation de conduit auditif dotée d'un élément de filtrage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2509340A1
EP2509340A1 EP12160036A EP12160036A EP2509340A1 EP 2509340 A1 EP2509340 A1 EP 2509340A1 EP 12160036 A EP12160036 A EP 12160036A EP 12160036 A EP12160036 A EP 12160036A EP 2509340 A1 EP2509340 A1 EP 2509340A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter element
ear canal
insert
canal insert
inner part
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12160036A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Daniela Beck
Björn Freels
Uli Gommel
Songhua Yi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos Pte Ltd
Original Assignee
Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd filed Critical Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
Publication of EP2509340A1 publication Critical patent/EP2509340A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1058—Manufacture or assembly
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/656—Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/4957—Sound device making
    • Y10T29/49572—Hearing aid component making

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ear canal insert for a hearing aid, wherein the ear canal insert (20) comprises a filter element (23). Furthermore, the invention relates to a hearing aid with such an ear canal insert and a method for producing such an ear canal insert.
  • So-called receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids have become very popular in recent years. They usually include a behind-the-ear device unit in which a housing houses primarily the amplifier, the battery, one or more microphones and other electronic components, and an external auditory unit (ERU) external auditory unit when worn, sits in the ear canal of the user. The two units are connected by a cable.
  • the earphone unit usually has a mushroom-shaped part, hereinafter referred to as Dom, which is preferably detachable with the remaining earphone unit, e.g. via a snap or locking connection is connected.
  • the dome adapts well to the ear canal and there are no pressure points, it is usually made at least in the region of its outer circumference of a flexible silicone material.
  • the dome causes the acoustic seal of the ear canal to prevent feedback.
  • it ensures the mechanical support and fixation of the earpiece in the ear canal and the protection of the listener from contamination, e.g. through earwax.
  • the protection against contamination is mainly achieved by a grid in the sound outlet of the cathedral.
  • the grid can be covered by dirt and cerumen (ear wax), creating a smaller acoustically active surface, which causes an unwanted damping effect.
  • ear canal inserts for behind the Ear-portable (BTE or HTE) hearing aids known that do not include a listener, but in which an outgoing from the ear portable part of a hearing aid device outgoing sound tube opens. These too often have a screen or mushroom-shaped or dome-shaped part, a dome. Also, it can be provided to protect the sound outlet from contamination a grid.
  • dome which are composed of two components, an outer part and an inner part.
  • the outer part is a flexible outer region of the dome, usually made of a silicone material that can adapt its shape to the shape of the ear canal.
  • the inner part is a core of solid plastic or plastic material, for example, allows a good snap connection with the sound outlet of the listener. Through the inner part leads a sound channel that starts at the sound outlet of the listener and opens into the sound outlet of the dome or forms them.
  • the inner part In the area of the sound outlet opening of the dome, the inner part has a grid for protection against contamination of the sound channel or of the listener, in particular by cerumen.
  • the inner part with the grid is produced in one step by an injection molding process.
  • EP 1750480 A1 is a hearing aid with an auditory canal insert, a portable behind the ear housing part and the auditory canal insert with the housing part connecting the receiver tube known.
  • the transmission of mechanical vibrations between the ear canal insert and the housing part over the tube should be prevented.
  • damping elements in the region of the connection points between the ear canal insert and the listener tube or between the listener tube and the housing part provided that damp mechanical vibrations in the transition region.
  • a disadvantage of known hearing aid devices is that the dome of the auditory canal insert can so easily become so dirty that it has to be replaced.
  • the US 6,129,174 describes an auditory canal insert, comprising an acoustic connecting element, which comprises a dome-shaped part and a ring integrally formed with the dome-shaped part, by means of which the hearing unit can be connected to the acoustic connecting element by means of a snap and pivot connection. Furthermore, a filter element is formed integrally with the connecting element.
  • Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a dome for an ear canal insert, which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured and is less sensitive to dirt, especially cerumen, than previous ear canal inserts.
  • the filter element is first produced as a separate component and then connected in one piece with the rest of the hearing aid insert by means of an insert molding method.
  • the ear canal insert is formed integrally with the filter element.
  • the ear canal insert according to the invention has the advantage that you have much more freedom in the production of the filter element by the first separately manufactured filter element, which can be much better adapted to the wishes and requirements of its acoustic and dirt-repellent properties.
  • the filter element have a very fine lattice structure, so that dirt can not penetrate into the grid.
  • a desired, high acoustic transparency can be achieved in the acoustic properties.
  • the filter element initially produced separately has a (by about 40%) significantly increased acoustically effective surface compared to the previously used grid.
  • a lower attenuation is achieved, which increases the acoustic performance of a hearing aid device provided with an auditory canal insert according to the invention.
  • the auditory canal insert according to the invention can-apart from the filter element-be made entirely of a soft, flexible material, in particular a silicone material, which snugly fits against the auditory canal when worn.
  • the auditory canal insert comprises an at least substantially tubular relatively hard inner part and a relatively soft outer part, which is at least partially applied to a user's auditory wall in the worn state, wherein the filter element is first produced as a separate component and subsequently replaced by an insert. Molding process is integrally connected to the inner part.
  • the filter element is integrally formed with the inner part in the new ear canal insert. It can therefore not inadvertently detach from the inner part when wearing or removing the hearing aid from the ear canal, which increases the security of the arrangement.
  • the filter element initially produced separately allows much more freedom in determining the acoustic and mechanical filter properties of the filter element.
  • a much smaller grid structure can thus be achieved so that dirt or cerumen does not penetrate into the grid structure so easily may, as compared to the relatively large openings in a conventional filter is the case.
  • the auditory canal insert according to the invention can thus be carried much longer compared to a conventional auditory canal insert until replacement is required.
  • the filter element is made of a temperature-resistant plastic material.
  • Temperature-resistant in the context of the invention means that the plastic material used can be exposed to temperatures that occur in a conventional multi-component injection molding process, in particular when molding a silicone material.
  • the filter element is made of PEEK, PEK, LCP, PPS, PES or PSU, wherein the composition of the material used is chosen so that it is temperature resistant to at least 120 °.
  • the filter element is formed as a fabric or it comprises a fabric.
  • the filter element is formed as a grid or it comprises a grid.
  • the grid is made of a metal, a metal alloy or a ceramic, whereby a high temperature resistance is given.
  • the different embodiments allow a high variation of the acoustic or mechanical filter properties.
  • the filter element is temperature resistant up to a temperature of at least 150 ° or even up to a temperature of at least 180 °. This allows more freedom in the selection of the silicone material for the outer part or in the choice of the production process used for the ear canal insert.
  • the filter element is designed as a so-called HF4 filter.
  • the auditory canal insert according to the invention is not only, but preferably intended for use in a RIC hearing aid.
  • the ear canal insert also includes a receiver for converting an electrical signal into an acoustic output signal.
  • the handset and the inner part and thus the handset and the entire dome are releasably connectable to each other, in particular by a snap connection. If necessary, therefore, the dome can be easily replaced.
  • FIG. 1 shows in a simplified block diagram the structure of a hearing aid according to the prior art.
  • Hearing aids have in principle as essential components one or multiple input transducers, an amplifier, and an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker or handset, 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. 2 illustrated by the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid 1.
  • a hearing aid housing 2 for carrying behind the ear two microphones 3 and 4 are installed for receiving the sound from the environment.
  • a signal processing unit 5 which is also integrated into the hearing aid housing 2, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them.
  • the output signal of the signal processing unit 5 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or receiver 6, which outputs an acoustic signal.
  • the sound is transmitted via a sound tube 8, which is fixed with an auditory canal insert 9 in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the hearing aid wearer.
  • the power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 5 is effected by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 2 battery. 7
  • FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an ear canal insert, in particular a dome 10, according to the prior art.
  • the dome 10 consists essentially of two parts, a substantially tubular inner part 11 of a solid, unyielding plastic material and an integrally connected outer part 12 of a soft, flexible plastic material, in particular of silicone, together.
  • the fixed inner part 11 according to the exemplary embodiment has different diameters along its course and can be detachably connected to a receiver (not shown) via a snap connection.
  • the inner part 11 of the auditory canal insert 10 in particular in a certain area 14 annular circumferential circumferential expansion of its inner diameter.
  • the dome 10 comprises a filter element integrated into the inner part 11, in particular a cerumen protection and damping element 13.
  • the filter element 13 is formed in the dome 10 according to the prior art in that the tubular inner part 11, at its end facing the tympanic membrane in the worn state, passes from a single tube of relatively large cross section into a plurality of tubes of smaller cross section.
  • FIG. 3 consists essentially of two parts, a substantially tubular inner part 21 of a solid, unyielding plastic material and an integrally connected outer part 22 of a soft, flexible plastic material, in particular of silicone together.
  • the filter element 23 was first produced here as a separate component and then connected in one piece to the inner part 21 in an insert molding process.
  • the initially separate production of the filter element 23 is much more flexible in its design, so that it can be better adapted to certain requirements in terms of its acoustic and mechanical filter properties.
  • the material for the filter element 23 is chosen such that it is temperature-resistant to a temperature which is generated for a process step required in the manufacture of the mandrel 20.
  • the filter element is made of PEEK, PEK, LCP, PPS, PES or PSU, wherein the composition of the material used is chosen so that it is temperature resistant to at least 180 °. This can be used for the outer part of a silicone material, which is molded at a temperature of about 140 ° to the inner part.
  • FIG. 3 has a circular area in a certain area 24 encircling expansion of its inner diameter, which forms part of a snap connection, so that the dome 20 by means of a snap connection to a handset (not shown) is detachably connectable.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the necessary process steps in the manufacture of an ear canal insert according to the invention according to the invention:
  • a filter element made of a temperature-resistant material, e.g. made of PEEK, PEK, LCP, PPS, PES or PSU.
  • the inner part is produced by an insert-molding method and simultaneously connected to the filter element produced in method step S1.
  • the outer part is injection-molded onto the inner part by a multi-component injection molding method.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
EP12160036A 2011-04-04 2012-03-19 Installation de conduit auditif dotée d'un élément de filtrage Withdrawn EP2509340A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102011006720A DE102011006720A1 (de) 2011-04-04 2011-04-04 Gehörgangseinsatz mit einem Filterelement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2509340A1 true EP2509340A1 (fr) 2012-10-10

Family

ID=45841370

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12160036A Withdrawn EP2509340A1 (fr) 2011-04-04 2012-03-19 Installation de conduit auditif dotée d'un élément de filtrage

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20120250923A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2509340A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE102011006720A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220303700A1 (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-22 Bose Corporation Ear tip with wax guard

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012024428B4 (de) * 2012-12-14 2019-07-25 Mann+Hummel Gmbh Ionentauscher für einen Kühlkreislauf
US9872099B2 (en) * 2013-05-10 2018-01-16 Goertek Inc. Shutter covered on sound hole of loudspeaker module and assembling method thereof, loudspeaker module
DK2849461T3 (da) * 2013-09-16 2017-11-27 Oticon As Filterelement
US11014125B2 (en) * 2017-10-17 2021-05-25 Eargo, Inc. Hand removable, clip on wax guards
US10536764B2 (en) * 2018-01-08 2020-01-14 Bose Corporation Integrating wax guards into earphone ear tips
DE102018107195B3 (de) 2018-02-05 2019-02-14 Paul Gregor Junke Universal Silikon-Softadapter für Hörgeräte
EP3570561A1 (fr) * 2018-05-17 2019-11-20 Oticon A/s Filtre de cire pour un écouteur de prothèse auditive
KR102440468B1 (ko) * 2021-06-17 2022-09-06 부전전자 주식회사 실리콘 폼 재질의 플랜지를 구비한 이어팁

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6129174A (en) 1998-12-30 2000-10-10 Decibel Instruments, Inc. Minimal contact replaceable acoustic coupler
US20070009106A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2007-01-11 Insound Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for in situ cerumen removal from hearing devices
EP1750480A1 (fr) 2005-08-04 2007-02-07 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Prothèse auditive avec un elément d'amortissement
WO2010151492A1 (fr) * 2009-06-22 2010-12-29 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Ensemble manchon d'écouteur avec barrière d'une pièce

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7174028B1 (en) * 2000-09-07 2007-02-06 Phonak Ag Method for manufacturing hearing aids, and a hearing aid
EP1723828A2 (fr) * 2004-02-13 2006-11-22 InSound Medical, Inc. Capsule perforees pour appareil auditif
US8462973B2 (en) * 2010-05-17 2013-06-11 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Ear fitting

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6129174A (en) 1998-12-30 2000-10-10 Decibel Instruments, Inc. Minimal contact replaceable acoustic coupler
US20070009106A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2007-01-11 Insound Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for in situ cerumen removal from hearing devices
EP1750480A1 (fr) 2005-08-04 2007-02-07 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Prothèse auditive avec un elément d'amortissement
WO2010151492A1 (fr) * 2009-06-22 2010-12-29 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Ensemble manchon d'écouteur avec barrière d'une pièce

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220303700A1 (en) * 2021-03-18 2022-09-22 Bose Corporation Ear tip with wax guard
US11622214B2 (en) * 2021-03-18 2023-04-04 Bose Corporation Ear tip with wax guard

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Publication number Publication date
DE102011006720A1 (de) 2012-10-04
US20120250923A1 (en) 2012-10-04

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