EP2645747A1 - A member with an adhesive surface - Google Patents
A member with an adhesive surface Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2645747A1 EP2645747A1 EP12161498.6A EP12161498A EP2645747A1 EP 2645747 A1 EP2645747 A1 EP 2645747A1 EP 12161498 A EP12161498 A EP 12161498A EP 2645747 A1 EP2645747 A1 EP 2645747A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hearing aid
- sound
- hole
- adhesive surface
- sound tube
- 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.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- 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
- H04R25/30—Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2460/17—Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
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- 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
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
Abstract
Description
- A new member is provided for use in a test box for testing hearing aids.
- It is known to test hearing aid in a test box for quality control and/or for adjustment purposes.
- In the test box, the sound output of the hearing aid to be tested is connected to a test microphone in a soundproof manner using an adaptor and a coupler such as a 2cc coupler. One or more loudspeakers in the test box generate sound during the test for reception and processing by the hearing aid to be tested and the sound output by the hearing aid is guided towards test microphone in the test box. A reference microphone is positioned adjacent a microphone of the hearing aid to be tested in order to measure the actual level of the sound received by the hearing aid.
- The test box is sound proof so that sound from the surroundings is prevented from interfering with the testing of the hearing aid.
- In order to properly test a hearing aid, it is important that the sound output of the hearing aid to be tested is connected to the test microphone in a soundproof manner.
- A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid has a hearing aid housing worn behind the pinna of the user during use, and a sound tube for acoustical or electrical transmission of sound from a sound output of the hearing aid housing to an earpiece shaped for insertion into the ear canal of the user. The hearing aid housing may accommodate a receiver for outputting sound for acoustic transmission to the earpiece; or, the receiver may be accommodated in the earpiece in which case an electronic sound signal output by a processor in the hearing aid housing is transmitted electrically to the receiver in the earpiece inserted in the ear canal of the user during use.
- During test of a BTE hearing aid, an output end of the sound tube is connected to an metal guiding member (which may comprise a 2cc coupler) in the test box that guides sound generated by the hearing aid towards the test microphone. In an embodiment, the metal guiding member may be made of brass with dull chromium. The connection between the sound tube and the guiding member has to be sound proof so that sound generated by the test box does not enter the guiding member directly, and so that sound generated by the hearing aid cannot avoid entering the guiding member.
- The guiding member is provided with an metal adaptor comprising an opening substantially larger than the average output end of the sound tube in order to accommodate a wide range of output ends. The diameter of the opening of the adaptor may be twice the diameter of the average output end. In order to obtain a sound proof connection between the sound tube and the guiding member, the insertion of the output end of the sound tube with or without the earpiece as desired in the adaptor is achieved using a suitable wax, such as Blu tack, which is a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive used for attaching paper items to walls. The adhesive material is applied to the output end of the sound tube and fixed to the adaptor around the opening when the output end of the sound tube has been inserted into the opening of the adaptor. The adaptor is subsequently inserted into the guiding member in a snap fit coupling.
- In order to obtain a sound proof connection, a skilled person has to apply the suitable wax, and applying the suitable wax is tedious, labour-intensive and time-consuming. A skilled person may achieve the sound proof connection in 2 - 4 minutes.
- After interconnecting the sound tube and the adaptor, the hearing aid housing may also be attached to the adaptor using more of the suitable wax to fix the housing to the adaptor. The reference microphone is positioned adjacent the current position of the microphone of the hearing aid.
- Thus, there is a need for an improved way of interconnecting a sound output of a BTE hearing aid with a test microphone in a test box in a reproducible and repeatable manner. Further, the suitable wax is normally reused and therefore becoming contaminated by the multiple usages. This may pose a health risk to the skilled person applying the suitable wax and a health risk to the patient (or the next patient). Thus, there is also a need to provide a more sterile testing of the hearing aid. Additionally, the reuse of the suitable wax may change the transmission properties of the suitable wax. Thus, there is a further need to make testing of the hearing aid reproducible and repeatable.
- Accordingly, a member is provided with a fastener for removable fixation of a housing of a hearing aid, and a hole for removable insertion of a sound tube of the hearing aid in sealing engagement with the member. The member may replace the abovementioned adaptor in order to ensure a sound proof connection between the member and the guiding member. Using the member, interconnection of the sound tube and the member and fixation of the housing to the member may be accomplished in under a minute e.g. in the order of 30 seconds.
- The fastener may comprise mechanical fastening means for removably gripping and holding the hearing aid housing around a part of the housing, for example shaped as a fork.
- The fastener may comprise an adhesive used for forming an adhesive surface of the member, such as a planar adhesive surface, suitable for removably mounting the hearing aid housing to the adhesive surface.
- The adhesive is preferably a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the hearing aid housing is easily and safely fixed to the adhesive surface simply by pressing the housing lightly onto the adhesive surface thereby eliminating the need to non-reproducibly attaching the housing to the guiding member using blu-tack. Further, in combination with the hole for removable insertion of a sound tube in a sound proof engagement, the need for blu-tack is eliminated.
- Further, the adhesive of the adhesive surface is preferably a low-tack adhesive that allows the hearing aid housing to be easily attached to and removed from the adhesive surface without leaving marks or residue on the hearing aid housing.
- In order to protect the adhesive surface from contamination and to maintain the desired adhesive features of the adhesive surface during storage, the adhesive surface is preferably provided with a protection sheet during manufacture of the member. The protection sheet is easily removed from the adhesive surface before fixation of the hearing aid housing to the adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the protective sheet is made of paper coated with polyethylene. In another embodiment, the protective sheet is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene (PE).
- The adhesive may for example be formed by a double coated foam tape as for example manufactured by 3M.
- For a BTE hearing aid with the receiver in the earpiece, i.e. a RIE hearing aid (RIE = Receiver In the Ear), the earpiece is inserted in the hole of the member, while for a BTE hearing aid with the receiver in the hearing aid housing, the output end of the sound tube may have a connector mating the earpiece so that the earpiece is removably fastened to the sound tube, and the connector may be inserted in the hole of the member for testing of the hearing aid without the earpiece. In both cases, an output end of the sound tube is said to be inserted into the hole of the member for sound proof interconnection of the sound tube with the member.
- The output end of the sound tube, e.g. a connector for an earpiece, or the earpiece itself, may be made of a flexible and resilient material, such as silicone, etc, so that an outer circumference of the output end of the sound tube is automatically fitted to the shape of the hole, during insertion of the output end of the sound tube into the hole, whereby the output end is connected to the member in a sound proof way in a simple and easy operation.
- A part of the member accommodating the hole may be made of a flexible and resilient material, such as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone, rubber, etc, so that the hole is flexible and may expand and automatically fit to the output end of the sound tube when the sound tube is inserted in the hole, whereby the output end is connected to the member in a sound proof way in a simple and easy operation without the need for applying suitable wax, such as Blu Tack, for provision of a sound proof interconnection.
- The part of the member made by a flexible and resilient material may be surrounded and held by a part of the member made of a hard material, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate Acrylonite Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS), nylon, Polyamide (PA), etc.
- For example, a hard part of the member may be made of ABS while the flexible and the resilient part of the member may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
- A part of the member or all parts of the member may be made by injection moulding.
- The two parts of the member, i.e. the hard part and the flexible and resilient part, may be fixed to each other by injection moulding one part onto the other part; or the two parts of the member may be fixed to each other by gluing, ultrasound welding, bonding, etc.
- For example, the flexible and resilient material may be injection moulded onto the hard material.
- At least a part of an outer surface of the member is constituted by an adhesive surface, for example a part of the member made of a hard material may have the adhesive surface while a part of the member made of a flexible and resilient material and containing the hole has a non-adhesive surface.
- The member may be a planar member with a maximum height that is less than half its maximum width, e.g. shaped like a disc, a plate, etc.
- The member may have a substantially circular circumference.
- In the test box, sound output from the output end of the sound tube has to be guided to the test microphone without disturbances from other sounds, such as the sound generated by the loudspeaker(s) in the test chamber or sounds from the surroundings of the test chamber. Therefore, a guiding member is provided in the test box, typically a tubular guiding member with a circular cross-section, positioned so that the test microphone is located and enclosed at one end of the guiding member, while the member is mounted to the other end of the guiding member in a sound proof way.
- The member may have a central protrusion comprising the hole, wherein the central protrusion is configured for insertion into a tubular member in a sound proof way for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube inside the tubular member towards the test microphone.
- The central protrusion may have a circumferential ridge protruding from the surface abutting a surface of the guiding member when the member is mounted to the guiding member, whereby the member and the guiding member are interconnected with a press fit.
- The member has a central depression comprising the hole whereby the plane of the central depression may be different from the plane of the member containing the fastener whereby mutually non-interfering mounting is facilitated of the hearing aid housing to the fastener and the output end of the sound tube in the hole of the member.
- Part of the central depression may be made of the hard material.
- Preferably, the central depression is non-adhesive.
- The central depression may define an inner circumference of the adhesive surface.
- The inner circumference may be substantially circular.
- Below, the new member will be described in more detail with reference to the examples illustrated in the drawings, wherein
- Fig. 1
- is a perspective view of a prior art BTE hearing aid with an earpiece, and the sound tube,
- Fig. 2
- is a schematic view of internal components of at test box,
- Fig. 3
- is a schematic view of internal components of at test box seen from another angle,
- Fig. 4
- shows various views of a new member, and
- Fig. 5
- is a photo of utilisation of a new member in a test box.
- Fig. 6
- shows an embodiment of the new member containing the protective sheet.
- Fig. 7
- shows an embodiment in which multiple parts of the new member are shown individually and in combination.
- Fig. 8
- shows an embodiment where the fastener is embodied as a clamp.
- Fig. 9
- shows an embodiment, wherein the new member encloses the guiding member (comprising a 2cc coupler).
- Fig. 10
- shows an embodiment of the guiding
member 52 infigures 2 and3 together with the new member offigure 4 . - The new member will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various examples are shown.
- The accompanying drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details which are essential to the understanding of the invention, while other details have been left out.
- The invention may be embodied in different forms not shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
- Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
-
Fig. 1 shows in perspective aBTE hearing aid 110 of the well-known type wherein sound signals propagate as acoustic signals from a receiver positioned in ahearing aid housing 112 worn behind the ear and through asound tube 114 into the ear canal. Such aBTE hearing aid 110 is for example disclosed inEP 1 448 014 - The
hearing aid housing 112 contains a battery, a microphone, a processor, and a receiver (not shown) for generating sound that is input into thesound tube 114. - In order to position the
sound tube 114 securely and comfortably in the ear canal, anearpiece 116 is attached to thesound tube 114 for insertion into the ear canal of the user. - The
sound tube 114 has a pre-formed shape for conducting sound from thehearing aid housing 112 to the ear canal (not shown).The pre-formed shape of thesound tube 114 includes afirst bend 118 extending from the case over the top of the ear of the user and asecond bend 120 extending from an outside of the ear into an ear canal of the user when thehearing aid 110 is worn by the user. - The
earpiece 116 is configured to fit within the ear canal and, preferably, allows sounds outside and within the ear to pass through the ear canal around the earpiece. - A first end of the
sound tube 114 is attached to afirst connector 122 for coupling of thesound tube 114 to theBTE housing 112 containing the electronics of thehearing aid 110, and a second end of thesound tube 114 is attached to asecond connector 124 for coupling of thesound tube 114 to theearpiece 116. Thesound tube 114 is flexible so that thesound tube 114 is allowed to bend and provide the required arcuate propagation path of the sound from the receiver output. - The
second connector 124 comprises a plug to be connected with theearpiece 116 for attachment of thesound tube 114 to the earpiece. - Further, the
hearing aid 110 has an arcuate, preferably resilient,fibre 126 with one end that is connected to thesecond connector 124. Thefibre 126 is adapted for abutting a surface of the outer ear when theearpiece 116 has been inserted in the ear canal thereby providing retention of theearpiece 116 in the ear canal of the user. - From different viewing angles,
Figs. 2 and3 show internal parts mounted in a test box for quality control and/or for adjustment of hearing aids. The walls of the test box have been left out so that the internal parts are visible. - The
test box 50 comprises a test microphone (not visible) positioned below a guidingmember 52 possibly comprising a 2cc coupler, for reception and recording sound output by thehearing aid 110 to be tested. - The
member 10 is positioned at the upper end of the guidingmember 52 and, except for thehole 14, closes the upper end of the guidingmember 52 in a soundproof manner by insertion of aprotrusion 24 inside the guidingmember 52. - The
hearing aid housing 112 is positioned on a planaradhesive surface 16 of themember 10 and thesecond connector 124 of thesound tube 114 is inserted into thehole 14 of themember 10 in a soundproof way and thereby sound output by thehearing aid 110 is transmitted without disturbances to the test microphone of the test box. - The adhesive is a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the
hearing aid housing 112 is easily and safely fixed to theadhesive surface 16 simply by pressing thehousing 112 lightly onto theadhesive surface 16. - Further, the adhesive of the adhesive surface is preferably a low-tack adhesive that allows the
hearing aid housing 112 to be easily attached to and removed from theadhesive surface 16 without leaving marks or residue on thehearing aid housing 112. - In order to protect the
adhesive surface 16 from contamination and to maintain the desired adhesive features of theadhesive surface 16 during storage, theadhesive surface 16 is preferably provided with a protection sheet during manufacture of the member. The protection sheet is easily removed from theadhesive surface 16 before fixation of thehearing aid housing 112 to theadhesive surface 16. - The adhesive may for example be formed by a double coated foam tape as for example manufactured by 3M.
- When the test has been finished, the
second connector 124 is easily retracted from thehole 14, and thehearing aid housing 112 is easily removed from theadhesive surface 16. Themember 10 may be re-used for testing of another hearing aid; or, themember 10 may be discarded after use. - A
front loudspeaker 54 and arear loudspeaker 56 are positioned in the test box to generate sound during the test for reception and processing by thehearing aid 110 to be tested and the sound output by thehearing aid 110 is guided towards the test microphone. A reference microphone (not visible) is positioned at the end of aflexible hose 58 containing electrical wires for transmission of electrical signals from the reference microphone, so that the reference microphone can be positioned adjacent a microphone of thehearing aid 110 to be tested in order to measure the actual level of the sound received by thehearing aid 110. - The
test box 50 is sound proof so that sound from the surroundings is prevented from interfering with the testing of thehearing aid 110. - Thus, the
member 10 facilitates easy and convenient soundproof interconnection of a sound output of aBTE hearing aid 110 with a guiding member for guiding sound output by the hearing aid to the test microphone in thetest box 50 and simultaneous fixation of thehearing aid housing 112 in an appropriate position in thetest box 50 with relation to loudspeakers and the reference microphone in the test box thereby facilitating repeatable measurements. -
Figure 5 shows a photograph of a test box containing a guidingmember 52, ahearing aid housing 112 andsound tube 114, a new member having anadhesive surface 16, and aloudspeaker 54. -
Fig. 4 shows themember 10 in more detail in various side and elevational views and in perspective and cross-section, i.e.Fig. 4(a) is a bottom view of themember 10,Fig. 4(b) is a top view of the member,Fig. 4(c) is a side view of the member,Fig. 4(d) shows a bottom view of themember 10 in perspective, andFig. 4(e) shows thepart 22 made of flexible material in cross-section.Figure 6 shows an image of themember 10 comprising aprotective sheet 18 removably positioned on an adhesive surface to be removed before fixation of thehousing 112 to themember 10. - The illustrated
member 10 has the shape of a circular disc with protrusions and depressions and anouter circumference 20. Thehole 14 of themember 10 is formed centrally in themember 10, and apart 22 of themember 10 accommodating thehole 14 is made of a flexible, resilient thermoplastic elastomer, so that the circumference of thehole 14 is flexible and may expand and automatically fit to thesecond connector 124 of thesound tube 114 when thesound tube 114 is inserted in thehole 14, whereby the output end of thesound tube 114 is connected to themember 10 in a sound proof way and in a simple and easy operation without the need for applying further material, such as Blu Tack, for provision of a sound proof interconnection. - The
central part 22 of the member made by a flexible and resilient thermoplastic elastomer is surrounded and held by a part of the member made of the hard material ABS. - The
member 10 is made by injection moulding. - The two parts of the
member 10 are fixed to each other by injection moulding one part onto the other part. - The
member 10 has acentral protrusion 24 comprising thehole 14, wherein thecentral protrusion 24 is configured for insertion into a guidingmember 52 in a sound proof way for conduction of sound emitted from thesound tube 114 inside thetubular member 52 towards the test microphone. - The
central protrusion 24 may have acircumferential ridge 34 protruding from thecircumferential surface 36 abutting a surface of the guidingmember 52 when themember 10 is mounted to the guidingmember 52, whereby themember 10 and the guidingmember 52 are interconnected with a press fit (snap fit). In an embodiment, the guidingmember 52 may have a groove matching theridge 34 of themember 10 such that when thecentral protrusion 24 is inserted into the guidingmember 52, theridge 34 of thecentral protrusion 24 and the groove of the guidingmember 52 may act as a tongue and groove. In an embodiment, the guiding member comprises a groove in which an O-ring may be contained such that when thecentral protrusion 24 is inserted into the guidingmember 52, theridge 34 of thecentral protrusion 24 and O-ring in the groove of the guidingmember 52 may interconnect in a sound proof manner. - The
member 10 has acentral depression 26 comprising thehole 14 whereby the surface of the part of the member comprising thehole 14 is separated from the surface of theadhesive surface 16 whereby mutually non-interfering mounting is facilitated of thehearing aid housing 112 to themember 10 and thesecond connector 124 of thesound tube 114 in thehole 14 of themember 10. - Part of the
central depression 26 surrounding the flexible material with thehole 14 is made of the hard material ABS. The surface of thecentral depression 22 is non-adhesive. - In
figure 4(b) , thecentral depression 26 defines anouter circumference 32 of the non-adhesive flexible andresilient surface 22.Reference 12 infigure 4 (b) may be a fastener such as anadhesive surface 16. -
Figure 4(c) shows the hard material such as ABS inreference 99. - In
figure 4(e) , the insertedsecond connector 124 of thesound tube 114 is inserted such that it is flush with anend 98 of themember 10 facing the microphone positioned in the guidingmember 52. Thereby is achieved a reproducible distance between the inserted second connector and the microphone positioned in the guidingmember 52. -
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of themember 10 containing aprotective sheet 18. The hard material part is shown asreference 99. The outer circumference of the member is referenced 20. The flexible material part isreference 22. The protrusion of the member isreference 24, and the central depression of the member is referenced 26. -
Figure 7 shows parts of themember 10 individually and in combination in perspective.Figure 7 (a) shows aprotective sheet 18.Figure 7 (b) shows a doublecoated foam tape 97 providing at one side anadhesive surface 16 and at another side, opposite to theadhesive surface 16, a second adhesive surface for fixing the doublecoated foam tape 97 to asurface 716 of thehard material part 99 of themember 10.Figure 7 (c) shows ahard material part 99 of themember 10, aflexible material part 22 of themember 10 and ahole 14. Theholes 96 placed in a concentric circle in thehard material part 99 of themember 10 are in an embodiment provided to prevent suction in thehard material part 99.Figure 7 (d) shows an embodiment of themember 10 comprising theprotective sheet 18, the doublecoated foam tape 97, thehard material part 99, theflexible material part 22, and thehole 14. -
Figure 8 shows themember 10 in more detail in various side and perspective views in an embodiment wherein the fastener comprises mechanical fastening means for removably gripping and holding the hearing aid housing around a part of the housing. In this embodiment, the fastener is embodied as aclamp 12. Infigure 8 , 52 represents the guiding member, 112 the hearing aid housing and 116 the earpiece inserted into thehole 14 in a soundproof manner. -
Figure 9 shows an embodiment, wherein themember 10 encloses the guidingmember 52 in various side and perspective and cross-sectional views. In this embodiment, the guidingmember 52 is inserted into themember 10 which thereby encloses the guidingmember 52 in a sound proof manner when aearpiece 116 of a hearing aid is inserted into thehole 14 of themember 10. In this embodiment, 112 represents the housing, 114 represents the sound tube, 116 represents the earpiece, 99 represents the hard material part of themember member member 52. - The
member 10 comprises acircumferential protrusion 924 made of the same material as thehard material part 99. The guidingmember 52 is inserted into themember 10. In an embodiment, the guidingmember 52 comprises agroove 934 in which an O-ring may be contained. Thereby, an inner surface of thecircumferential protrusion 924 and the guidingmember 52 may interconnect in a sound proof manner via the O-ring, when themember 10 encloses the guidingmember 52. - In an embodiment, the
protrusion 924 may comprise acircumferential ridge 934 corresponding to the O-ring above. Thecircumferential ridge 934 may protrude from the inner surface of thecircumferential protrusion 924. In this embodiment, the guidingmember 52 comprises a groove matching the ridge of theprotrusion 924 such that when themember 10 encloses the guidingmember 52, theridge 934 of the outercircumferential protrusion 924 and the groove of the guidingmember 52 may act as a tongue and groove. -
Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the guidingmember 52 offigures 2 and3 together with the new member offigure 4 in cross-sectional view. - 14 represents the hole in the
new member member test microphone housing 1005 containing thetest microphone microphone 80 to the test box, the connection between which is accommodated by aconnector housing 1005 containing thetest microphone 80 and the test box, 1001 represents a coupler between the twocubic centimetre volume 81 and thetest microphone microphone 80 to thehousing 1005 such as e.g. tape and/or glue and/or a clamp. 934 represents the sound proof interconnection between themember 10 and the 2cc coupler part of guidingmember 52. - In an embodiment, the O-
ring 1004 may be substituted by a ridge in thehousing 1005 matching a groove in the test box in a tongue and groove manner such as to ensure a sound proof connection between thehousing 1005 and the test box. - Embodiments and aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following items:
- 1. A member (10) with a fastener (12) for removable fixation of a housing (112) of a hearing aid (110), and a hole (14) for removable insertion of a sound tube (114) of the hearing aid (110) in sound proof engagement with the member (10).
- 2. A member (10) according to
item 1, wherein the fastener (12) comprises an adhesive. - 3. A member (10) according to item 2, wherein the fastener (12) comprises a planar adhesive surface (16).
- 4. A member (10) according to item 3, with a protection sheet (18) removably positioned on the adhesive surface (16) to be removed before fixation of the housing (112).
- 5. A member (10) according to any of the previous items, wherein at least a part of the member (10) accommodating the hole (14) is made of a resilient material so that the hole (14) is flexible and may expand and adapt to the sound tube (114) when the sound tube (114) is inserted in the hole (14).
- 6. A member (10) according to item 5, wherein the resilient material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone, and rubber.
- 7. A member (10) according to item 5 or 6, wherein a part of the member (10) defining an outer circumference (20) of the member (10) is made of a hard material, and wherein the part (22) of the member made of resilient material is fixed to the hard material.
- 8. A member (10) according to item 7, wherein the part of the member (10) made of a hard material encloses the part (22) of the member made of resilient material.
- 9. A member (10) according to
item 7 or 8, wherein the adhesive surface (16) is contained on a surface of the member (10) made of hard material. - 10. A member (10) according to any of items 7 - 9, wherein the hard material is selected from the group consisting of ABS, PC/ABS, nylon, and PA.
- 11. A member (10) according to
item 10, wherein the hard material is ABS and the resilient material is a thermoplastic elastomer. - 12. A member (10) according to any of the previous items, wherein at least a part of the member (10) is made by injection moulding.
- 13. A member (10) according to
item 12, wherein the resilient material is fixed to the hard material by injection moulding the resilient material onto the hard material. - 14. A member (10) according to any of the previous items, wherein the member (10) is a planar member (10) with a maximum height that is less than half its maximum width.
- 15. A member (10) according to
item 14, wherein the member (10) is substantially circular. - 16. A member (10) according to any of the previous items, having a central protrusion (24) comprising the hole (14), and wherein the central protrusion (24) is configured for insertion into a tubular member for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube (114) inside the tubular member.
- 17. A member (10) according to any of the previous items, having a central depression (26) comprising the hole (14).
- 18. A member (10) according to item 17 as dependent on item 5, wherein part (28) of the central depression is made of the hard material.
- 19. A member (10) according to
item 17 or 18, wherein the central depression (26) is non-adhesive. - 20. A member (10) according to any of items 17 - 19, wherein the central depression (26) defines an inner circumference (30) of the adhesive surface (16).
- 21. A member (10) according to any of items 17 - 19, wherein the central depression defines an outer circumference (32) of a non-adhesive surface (16).
- 22. A member (10) according to
item
Claims (15)
- A member (10) with a fastener (12) for removable fixation of a housing (112) of a hearing aid (110), and a hole (14) for removable insertion of a sound tube (114) of the hearing aid (110) in sound proof engagement with the member (10).
- A member (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fastener (12) comprises an adhesive.
- A member (10) according to claim 2, wherein the fastener (12) comprises a planar adhesive surface (16).
- A member (10) according to claim 3, with a protection sheet (18) removably positioned on the adhesive surface (16) to be removed before fixation of the housing (112).
- A member (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least a part of the member (10) accommodating the hole (14) is made of a resilient material so that the hole (14) is flexible and may expand and adapt to the sound tube (114) when the sound tube (114) is inserted in the hole (14).
- A member (10) according to claim 5, wherein a part of the member (10) defining an outer circumference (20) of the member (10) is made of a hard material, and wherein the part (22) of the member made of resilient material is fixed to the hard material.
- A member (10) according to claim 6, wherein the part of the member (10) made of a hard material encloses the part (22) of the member made of resilient material.
- A member (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the adhesive surface (16) is contained on a surface of the member (10) made of hard material.
- A member (10) according to any of claims 6 - 8, wherein the resilient material is fixed to the hard material by injection moulding the resilient material onto the hard material.
- A member (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the member (10) is substantially circular.
- A member (10) according to any of the previous claims, having a central protrusion (24) comprising the hole (14), and wherein the central protrusion (24) is configured for insertion into a tubular member for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube (114) inside the tubular member.
- A member (10) according to any of the previous claims, having a central depression (26) comprising the hole (14).
- A member (10) according to claim 12 as dependent on claim 5, wherein part (28) of the central depression is made of the hard material.
- A member (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the central depression (26) is non-adhesive.
- A member (10) according to any of claims 12 - 14, wherein the central depression (26) defines an inner circumference (30) of the adhesive surface (16).
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12161498.6A EP2645747B1 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2012-03-27 | A member with an adhesive surface |
US13/439,798 US9426583B2 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2012-04-04 | Member with an adhesive surface |
CN201310102519.6A CN103369448B (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2013-03-27 | There is the component of tacky surfaces |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12161498.6A EP2645747B1 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2012-03-27 | A member with an adhesive surface |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2645747A1 true EP2645747A1 (en) | 2013-10-02 |
EP2645747B1 EP2645747B1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
Family
ID=45888072
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12161498.6A Active EP2645747B1 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2012-03-27 | A member with an adhesive surface |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2645747B1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1448014A1 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2004-08-18 | GN ReSound A/S | A retaining member for an earpiece |
US20080304674A1 (en) * | 2007-06-05 | 2008-12-11 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Hearing device test adapter |
US20090190786A1 (en) * | 2007-12-14 | 2009-07-30 | Edward Miskiel | Audiometric Devices |
US20090316921A1 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2009-12-24 | Audiology Innovations Pty Ltd | Apparatus and Method for Connecting a Hearing Aid to Hearing Aid Test Equipment |
-
2012
- 2012-03-27 EP EP12161498.6A patent/EP2645747B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1448014A1 (en) | 2003-02-14 | 2004-08-18 | GN ReSound A/S | A retaining member for an earpiece |
US20090316921A1 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2009-12-24 | Audiology Innovations Pty Ltd | Apparatus and Method for Connecting a Hearing Aid to Hearing Aid Test Equipment |
US20080304674A1 (en) * | 2007-06-05 | 2008-12-11 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Hearing device test adapter |
US20090190786A1 (en) * | 2007-12-14 | 2009-07-30 | Edward Miskiel | Audiometric Devices |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2645747B1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
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