EP3068147B1 - Hearing aid with a cerumen protection device and cerumen protection device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid with a cerumen protection device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an associated cerumen protection device. In particular, the hearing aid is a hearing aid that allows users with reduced hearing to normal auditory perception. However, in the scope of the invention are also hearing aids for normal hearing users, such. Earphones worn in the ear.

A hearing device typically comprises a housing which can be inserted at least partially into an auditory canal of a person wearing the hearing device (in short: "user"). This housing is referred to below for conceptual distinction of other housings as "hearing aid housing". If the hearing device housing is adapted to the user-specific anatomy of the ear canal, then the housing is usually referred to as "earmold".

In the hearing aid housing, at least one sound generator ("earpiece", "loudspeaker") is usually accommodated, which serves to output noises, which in the case of a hearing aid, for example with an integrated microphone, are emitted via a sound outlet channel of the hearing device housing into the auditory canal of the user.

To protect the sound generator from damage by contaminants that could enter the hearing aid housing through the sound outlet channel, a protective device is typically provided. The protective device is often designed in the form of a replaceable filter insert, which is used interchangeably in the sound outlet channel of the hearing aid housing. Due to the location of the hearing aid housing in the ear canal, the dirt to be held is largely cerumen (colloquially: "earwax") or sweat. The protective device is therefore also referred to as a cerumen protection device.

Such a protective device for a sound inlet channel of a hearing aid is for example off US 2014/0193012 A1 known. This protective device, in cooperation with a stepped design of the sound inlet channel, creates a meandering course of a sound inlet opening, which is intended to prevent dirt from penetrating into the sound inlet channel.

One out DE 10 2010 013 447 A1 Known protective device comprises a membrane carrier whose membrane is protected by a frontally closed plate from contamination. The sound is transmitted through openings in the jacket of the membrane carrier and through openings in the hearing aid housing.

Out US 4,972,488 In contrast, a protective device for a sound outlet of a hearing aid is known. In the protective device according to the US 4,972,488 projections are provided in a housing interior of the protective device, on the one hand serve to modify the guided through the housing interior sound, and on the other hand act for penetrating into the housing interior dirt as capture zones.

The invention has for its object to provide a hearing aid (in particular hearing aid) with a particularly effective cerumen protection device. The invention is further based on the object of specifying a cerumen protection device for a hearing device (in particular a hearing aid device), which protects particularly effectively.

This object is achieved with respect to a hearing aid (in particular hearing aid) according to the invention by the features of claim 1. With regard to a (Cerumen-) protection device, the object is achieved by the features of the claim 7. Advantageous and in part inventive embodiments and developments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims and the description below.

The hearing aid according to the invention comprises a hearing aid housing which can be inserted into an auditory canal of a person (user) using the hearing aid. In particular, at least one electronic component of the hearing device is accommodated in an interior of the hearing device housing, typically a sound generator or loudspeaker (also referred to as the "earpiece" of the hearing device). The hearing aid housing has a through opening leading from the interior of the housing to the outside. The passage opening is designed in particular as a sound outlet channel, is passed through the sound of the sound generator in the ear canal of the user.

For protection, in particular of the component received in the hearing aid housing, in front of dirt penetrating into the hearing aid housing through the passage opening, a protective device can be inserted or inserted into the passage opening. The protective device is designed in particular as separate from the hearing aid housing replacement part.

The protective device comprises a filter housing, which is adapted to hold a real protective function of the protective device realized filter element, so that the filter element in the inserted state, the protective opening blocking. The dirt to be held by the protective device is, in particular, cerumen. The protective device is therefore also referred to as a cerumen protection device.

The filter housing - which is annular - is matched in terms of its dimensions on the passage opening to ensure a precise fit as possible in the passage opening. If the protective device is intended in the passage opening of the hearing aid housing inserted, so is a peripheral wall of the filter housing, which forms the outer periphery of the filter housing, and encloses a housing interior of the filter housing, facing a passage opening limiting wall surface of the hearing aid housing. In other words, the peripheral wall at least predominantly lines the wall surface delimiting the passage opening and, in an expedient embodiment, lies against this wall surface in particular. In this case, the circumferential wall of the filter housing is preferably aligned in its area extent at least approximately parallel to an axis of the passage opening (and thus to the dirt penetration direction).

According to the invention, at least one breakthrough is introduced into this peripheral wall, which corresponds to at least one cavity arranged in the hearing device housing. The cavity serves for discharging and / or for receiving dirt (in particular cerumen) which is led out of the filter housing through the opening. Preferably, a plurality of openings are introduced into the peripheral wall, wherein each breakthrough corresponds to a cavity of the hearing aid housing.

The term "corresponds" is to be understood to mean that an opening leading to the cavity in the hearing aid housing is arranged with respect to the protective device used as intended, that by means of the opening there is a fluidic connection between the interior of the filter housing and the cavity. Advantageously, this allows in the hearing aid according to the invention that cerumen or other dirt that penetrates into the filter housing, via the or each breakthrough derived laterally and transported to the cavity. As a result, the dirt is particularly effectively kept safe from the possibly in the hearing aid housing component. At the same time a clogging of the protective device is counteracted.

The hearing aid according to the invention is characterized by high protection efficiency, and thus advantageously by a particularly high robustness, a comparatively long life and a low susceptibility to repair. These advantages manifest themselves particularly in external conditions in which the user of the hearing aid regularly sweats profusely (for example, when staying in a warm-moist climate zone or during frequent exercise).

In a first embodiment it is provided that the cavity is formed by a collecting chamber, which is formed in the hearing aid housing. In this case, the cavity is an opening (otherwise open) to the opening, but otherwise closed (collecting) chamber, in which cerumen or other dirt accumulates successively. When replacing the protective device and the cleaning of the hearing aid housing, the collecting chamber can be emptied. In a preferred embodiment, the or each collecting chamber is integrally molded into a housing wall of the hearing aid housing.

In the context of the invention, either a single collecting chamber can be provided, which communicates with each of the openings. Such a collecting chamber is designed, in particular, as an annular chamber surrounding the passage opening or the protective device. However, it is within the scope of the invention also possible that a plurality of separate collecting chambers are provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the cavity is formed by a connecting channel, which starts from the wall opening delimiting the passage opening and opens to an outside of the hearing aid housing. In this case, the cerumen derived from the interior of the filter housing is transported away through the connecting channel and at least partially discharged via the outside of the hearing device housing. Preferably, for each breakthrough of the filter housing a separate - with the respective associated breakthrough fluidly connected - connecting channel available.

Although preferably for the sake of simplicity, either only one or more collecting chambers or only one or more connecting channels are provided in the hearing aid housing, in principle embodiments are also within the scope of the invention, in which the hearing aid housing has at least one collecting chamber and at least one connecting channel in combination.

In order to ensure a correct assignment of the or each collecting chamber or the or each connecting channel to the or each corresponding breakthrough (ie to ensure an aligned arrangement of collecting chambers or connecting channels and the respective corresponding breakthroughs) are preferably on the protective device and the hearing aid housing corresponding Provided means that provide a certain relative position of the protective device relative to the hearing aid housing. Such (also acting as anti-rotation) means are given for example by a tongue and groove arrangement.

Preferably, the or each connecting channel, starting from the passage opening to the outside, extends obliquely toward an end of the hearing aid housing arranged as intended on the side of the audible ear. In this case, the course in particular has a curvature. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting channel widens conically from its housing-side end (at the opening of the filter housing) to its housing-outside end, so that a backflow of liquid substances (perspiration, cerumen) is prevented against the intended direction of flow.

A (cerumen) protective device according to the invention for a hearing aid according to the above description comprises an annular filter housing, in the peripheral wall of which at least one breakthrough is introduced, which is connected to one in the hearing aid housing formed cavity corresponds, if the protective device is used as intended in a through hole of a hearing aid housing.

Each breakthrough is preferably introduced as a unilaterally open (ie crenellated) recess in the peripheral wall of the filter housing, which is open to a side facing away from the filter element edge of the peripheral wall. In the case of the substantially cylindrical (annular) circumferential wall, each opening is introduced in particular into the circumferential wall as the circumferential wall penetrating radially, extending approximately along an axial direction.

In a development of the above-mentioned invention, the filter insert comprises at least two filter elements, which are arranged sequentially in the filter housing. In particular, in each case a layer of a filter medium, preferably of a filter gauze, of a filter membrane or of a (metallic) sieve is provided as the filter element. Preferably, both or all filter elements are identical. However, combinations of different filter elements are also conceivable within the scope of the invention.

The proposed arrangement of at least two - viewed in the direction of the potential dirt entry - successively switched filter elements, a particularly effective cerumen-protection device is realized. The resulting barrier effect of such a protective device is increased especially against liquids. In addition, the sequential arrangement provides advantageous redundancy, so that it is possible to fall back on the second filter element as a barrier if the first filter element is damaged.

In an advantageous embodiment with regard to assembly safety and sealing effect, the filter housing runs conically towards its intended end facing the interior of the hearing aid housing.

The embodiment according to the invention of the hearing device housing and the corresponding protective device are particularly preferably used in an in-ear hearing aid device or in a hearing device shell for an external listener of a behind-the-ear hearing aid device. Furthermore, the invention also extends, for example, to the application of the protective device in a headset worn in the ear.

FIG 1

in einer perspektivischen Querschnittsdarstellung ein gehörgangseitiges Ende eines Hörhilfegeräts mit einem eine Schallauslassöffnung umfassenden Hörgerätegehäuse, in die eine (Cerumen-)Schutzeinrichtung eingesetzt ist, wobei in das Hörgerätegehäuse eine ringförmige Hohlkammer eingeformt ist, die zur Aufnahme von Cerumen mit seitlichen Durchbrüchen in der Schutzeinrichtung korrespondiert,

FIG 2

in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung des Hörhilfegeräts gemäß FIG 1,

FIG 3

in Darstellung gemäß FIG 1 das Hörhilfegerät gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform, in der in das Hörgerätegehäuse Verbindungskanäle eingebracht sind, die zum Ableiten von Cerumen mit den seitlichen Durchbrüchen in der Schutzeinrichtung korrespondieren,

FIG 4

in einer geschnittenen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform, in der die Schutzeinrichtung zwei hintereinandergeschaltete Filterelemente umfasst, und

FIG 5

wiederum in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung die Schutzeinrichtung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform, in der sich die Schutzeinrichtung zu einem Festende hin konisch verjüngt.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

FIG. 1

3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a hearing aid device with a sound outlet opening, into which a (cerumen) protective device is inserted, an annular hollow chamber being formed in the hearing device housing, which corresponds to lateral openings in the protective device for receiving cerumen;

FIG. 2

in a perspective detailed view of the protective device of the hearing aid according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

in illustration according to FIG. 1 the hearing aid according to a second embodiment, in which in the hearing aid housing connecting channels are introduced, which correspond to the deriving cerumen with the lateral openings in the protective device,

FIG. 4

in a sectional detail representation of the protective device in a second embodiment, in which the protective device comprises two filter elements connected in series, and

FIG. 5

again in a perspective detail representation of the protective device in a further embodiment in which the protective device tapers conically towards a fixed end.

Corresponding parts are always provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a hearing aid 1, which includes a (hearing aid) housing 2, which is in an auditory canal of a person using the hearing aid 1 person (hereinafter referred to as "user") can be used. The housing 2 is in the section shown - corresponding to the ear canal - formed substantially cylindrical. A hörgangseitiges end 3 of the housing 2 is executed rounded. In an interior 4 of the housing 2 a (not shown here) sound generator is added. The sound generated with this is conducted via a sound outlet channel 5 from the interior of the housing 2 to the outside (into the auditory canal of the user).

The sound outlet channel 5 is tubular, with its diameter widening toward the end 3 in a step 6. The sound outlet channel 5 is surrounded by a housing wall 8 of the housing 2, which limits the sound outlet channel 5 with a wall surface 10. A side of the housing wall 8 or of the housing 2 facing the ear or auditory canal is designated as outer side 11.

In the housing wall 8 a the sound outlet 5 radially surrounding annular chamber 12 is formed in the vicinity of the end 3, which undercuts the wall surface 10 to the end 3 out. A circumferential gap 13 introduced into the wall surface 10 at a slight distance from the step 6 forms the only access to the annular chamber 12.

In order to protect the sound generator from damage ("clogging") by dirt (cerumen, sweat, skin particles) that could penetrate into the housing 2 along a dirt intrusion direction 14 (along the axis of the sound outlet channel), a replaceable (audible) channel is provided in the sound outlet channel 5. Cerumen-) protection device 20 used.

In the FIG. 2 Guard device 20 shown in detail comprises a filter housing 21, and a cerumen and other dirt at least largely retaining filter element 22. The filter housing 21 is formed substantially by an annular circumferential wall 23 made of plastic. The peripheral wall 23 forms approximately a hollow cylinder or a (short) tube whose first axial end (designated as front end 25) is intended to face the auditory canal, while the second axial end (designated as front end 26) is intended to face the sound generator. A space enclosed by the peripheral wall 23 is designated as the housing interior 27 of the filter housing 21.

At the front end 26, the filter element 22 is held by the filter housing 21. For this purpose, the filter element 22 is integrated in the peripheral wall 23 in the course of the production of the protective device 20 by encapsulation, Umgießung or reshaping.

The filter element 22 is formed here in a conventional manner by an approximately circular layer of filter gauze. Alternatively, the filter element 22 is formed by a (metallic) screen or a sound-permeable membrane.

The peripheral wall 23 is penetrated by a plurality of uniformly distributed over the circumference, radial openings 30 which are introduced as open to the free end 25, approximately rectangular recesses in the peripheral wall 23. In this case, the peripheral wall 23 is only partially broken over its height, so that the peripheral wall 23 at the fixed end 26 has a fully closed edge 31. This fixed-side edge 31 of the peripheral wall 23 ensures sufficient stability of the filter housing 21 for insertion and removal of the protective device 20. For insertion and removal of the protective device 20, an internal thread is also formed in the peripheral wall 23, by means of which the protective device 20 can be screwed onto a corresponding mounting tool. The height of the filter housing 21 is small compared to its diameter.

Is the protective device 20 (as in FIG. 1 shown) as intended used in the sound outlet 5 of the hearing aid housing 2, so the fixed end 26 sits on the step 6, wherein the peripheral wall 23 of the filter housing 21 fits snugly against the wall surface 10 of the housing wall 8. The peripheral wall 23 is thus aligned coaxially with the longitudinal direction of the sound outlet channel 5. Due to the snug fit the protective device 20 is held captive in the sound outlet 5. However, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention for the protective device 20 to be screwed into the sound outlet channel 5. A freiendseitiger edge of the peripheral wall 23 and the undercut portion of the inner side 10 partially overlap in the axial direction. On the other hand, the apertures 30 and the annular gap 13 partially overlap.

Due to this arrangement, dirt entering the housing interior 27 along the dirt penetration direction 14 (i.e., opposite a sound exit direction) is directed through the apertures 30 and the annular gap 13 into the annular chamber 12 and collected in this capture zone. In this case, the annular chamber 12 is a cavity corresponding to the apertures 30. If required, the annular chamber 12 is cleaned and emptied.

In FIG. 3 1, the auditory-aid portion 1 of the hearing aid 1 according to a second embodiment is shown, which substantially corresponds to the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, however, a connecting channel 40 is introduced into the housing wall 8 instead of the annular chamber 12 for each opening 30 here. Each connecting channel 40 in turn represents a cavity which corresponds to one of the apertures 30. Each connecting channel 40 passes through the housing wall 8, starting from the wall surface 10 to the outside 11. Each connecting channel 40 initially runs almost radially away from the opening 30 and then curves in the direction of the end 3. In this case, each connecting channel 40 widens conically from the wall surface 10 to the outside 11.

FIG. 4 shows the protective device 20 in a cross-sectional view. The protective device 20 is largely analogous to the protective device according to FIG. 2 executed. In contrast, however, the protective device 20 here comprises a double filter element 22. In this case, both filter elements 22 are identical, for example, as a filter gauze executed. Both filter elements 22 are mounted approximately plane-parallel and with a small distance from each other in the region of the fixed end 25 by means of the peripheral wall 23.

FIG. 5 shows a protective device 20, in which the filter housing 21 is provided to the fixed end 26 with a chamfer 50. Due to the conical taper of the filter housing 21, the filter housing 21 is particularly well and tightly fixed in the hearing aid housing 2.

The peripheral wall 23 is in 4 and FIG. 5 each shown without openings 30. Unlike in the 4 and 5 shown is the protection device 20 with both double filter element 22 according to 4 or 5 as well as with openings 30 according to 1 to 3 Mistake.

The object of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, other embodiments of the invention may be derived from the claims and the foregoing description. In particular, the basis of the 1 to 5 explained individual features within the scope of the claims can be combined with each other, without departing from the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Hearing device (1)

   - with a hearing device housing (2), which is insertable into an auditory canal of a person wearing the hearing device (1) and which has a through-opening (5) leading to the interior (4) of the hearing device housing (2), and

   - with a guard (20) which is inserted or insertable into the through-opening (5) and protects against dirt entering the hearing device housing (2),

   wherein the guard (20) comprises a filter housing (21), which carries a filter element (22), wherein at least one aperture (30) is formed in a peripheral wall (23) of the filter housing (21), which peripheral wall (23) encloses a housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21) and, in the correct insertion state, faces toward a wall surface (10) of the hearing device housing (2) delimiting the through-opening (5), wherein, furthermore, at least one hollow space (12, 40) is arranged in the hearing device housing (2), wherein an access (13) leading to the hollow space (12, 40) lies in the wall surface (10), and wherein a fluidic connection between the housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21) and the hollow space (12, 40) is present by means of the aperture (5), when the guard (20) is inserted as intended,characterized in that

   - the filter housing (21) is annular,

   - the hollow space (12, 40) is for carrying away and/or taking up dirt, and

   - the fluidic connection is such that dirt is guided through the aperture (5) out of the housing interior (27) into the hollow space (12, 40).
2. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the or each hollow space is formed by a collecting chamber (12) open toward the aperture (30).
3. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 2, wherein the collecting chamber is formed as an annular chamber (12) that radially surrounds the through-opening (5).
4. Hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each hollow space is formed by a connection channel (40) which, starting from the wall surface (10), leads to an outer face (11) of the hearing device housing (2).
5. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the or each connection channel (40) extends obliquely in the direction of an end (3) of the hearing device housing (2) arranged at the auditory canal side during the intended use.
6. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each connection channel (40), starting from its inner end, widens conically toward its outer end.
7. Wax guard (20) for a hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, with an annular filter housing (21), which carries a filter element (22) and has at least one aperture (30) formed in its peripheral wall (23) enclosing a housing interior (27) of the filter housing (21), which aperture (30) communicates with the hollow space (12, 40) formed in the hearing device housing (2), such that dirt is guided through the aperture (30) out of the housing interior (27) into the hollow space (12, 40) when the wax guard (20) is inserted as intended into the through-opening (5) of the hearing device housing (2).
8. Wax guard (20) according to Claim 7, wherein the or each aperture (30) is introduced into the peripheral wall (23) as a recess open at one end.
9. Wax guard (20) according to Claim 7 or 8, with at least two filter elements (22), which are connected in series in the direction (14) of entry of dirt.
10. Wax guard (20) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the filter housing (21) tapers conically at a front end (26) which, during the intended use, faces toward the interior (4) of the hearing device housing (2).

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