EP3304932B1 - Hearing aid with snap-fit connector for earpiece - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid with an ear insert which has an ear piece and a connecting part which is connected to a receiver, the ear piece and the connecting part each having a plug connector and being connected to one another by means of the plug connector, the one plug connector being designed as a socket is, which extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis and has a thickening in the radial direction, and wherein the other connector engages behind the thickening, for axially fixing the earpiece to the connecting part.

Such a hearing aid is for example in the DE 10 2010 007 610 B4 described. An embodiment is shown there, in which the receiver has a sound nozzle with a thickening which is inserted into a socket. The socket is attached to a screen and forms an ear piece with it. The socket is designed like pliers and engages behind the thickening.

From the DE 91 04 515 U1 otoplasty with a cast insert can be removed for an attachable full-module hearing aid.

The EP 1 998 593 A1 describes a hearing aid with an earpiece with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The earpiece has a sound outlet opening and a cerumen protection device. The cerumen protection device has an annular support and is arranged in the sound outlet opening.

In the DE 10 2010 013 422 A1 describes a coupling device for connecting a first fluid line to a second fluid line.

A hearing aid is understood in particular to be a device for amplifying sound. For this purpose, a hearing device has a number of microphones, suitable electronics and a receiver, i.e. a speaker. A distinction is made between different hearing aids with regard to the positioning of the listener on the one hand and the other electronics in a suitable housing on or in the ear of the user on the other.

With a so-called BTE device, i.e. a behind-the-ear device, the case is worn behind the ear. The receiver is either arranged in the housing, the sound being conducted into the auditory canal by means of a sound tube, or the receiver is designed as an external receiver, connected to the hearing aid via a cable and inserted into the auditory canal. The latter variant is also called RIC, i.e. receiver in canal.

Alternatively, the housing is not worn behind the ear but in the ear. Such a hearing aid is then referred to as an ITE device (in the ear) or a CIC device (completely in canal), depending on whether, in addition to the listener, the housing with the other components is at most partially (ITE) or completely (CIC) in the Ear canal sits.

The earpiece usually has an outer contour that serves to seal against the auditory canal. The earpiece, particularly in the case of BTE devices, is often designed as a so-called umbrella, which is also known as a dome. The screen is attached to a connector, which in turn is connected to the handset. In the case of a RIC device, the connection part is, for example, a connecting piece for the receiver, in the case of a receiver worn outside the auditory canal, the connection part is, for example, a sound tube, which may be equipped with a suitable connection part, for connection to the screen. In principle, any connection solutions that are suitable for connecting the earpiece to the handset in a RIC device are also suitable for connecting an earpiece to a sound tube in a BTE device with a handset behind the ear.

The earpiece is in contact with the ear canal and is subjected to corresponding forces, especially when inserting and removing it from the ear canal. There is a risk that the earpiece will come loose from the connector and get stuck in the ear canal. Even in the case of a connecting part with a thickening, especially when pulling out, there is no guarantee that a bushing which engages behind the thickening can be subjected to sufficient mechanical loads to prevent slipping in the longitudinal direction.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a hearing device in which an unwanted removal of the earpiece is prevented as effectively as possible. In particular, the most secure and yet simple plug-in connection between the earpiece and a connecting part of the hearing device should be specified for this purpose.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a hearing aid with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous refinements, developments and variants are the subject of the dependent claims.

The hearing aid is designed in particular as a BTE hearing aid, i.e. as a hearing aid, with a housing that is worn by the user behind the ear. Such a BTE hearing aid has a receiver for sound output, which is either housed in the housing or worn in the ear as an external receiver. The hearing aid furthermore has an ear insert which has an ear piece and a connecting part which is connected to a receiver. The earpiece and the connecting part each have a connector and are connected to one another by means of these two connectors. The two connectors together form a plug connection between the earpiece and the connecting part.

One of the two plug connectors is designed as a connecting piece which extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis and has a thickening in the radial direction, that is to say perpendicular to the axial direction. This is understood in particular to mean that the connecting piece widens on a longitudinal section is, ie has an enlarged radial extent than outside the longitudinal section. The other connector engages behind the thickening for axially fixing the earpiece to the connecting part. In this context, “reaching behind” is understood in particular to mean that the other plug connector has an extension which, when viewed in the axial direction, is positioned behind the thickening and thereby abuts the thickening when moving in the axial direction, so that it is difficult to separate the plug connection.

Furthermore, the thickening is undercut and forms a holding surface which runs into the thickening like a wedge. In addition to a first undercut, which is formed as a whole by the thickening, a second undercut is accordingly formed in the thickening itself. The first undercut is formed only with respect to the axial direction, so to speak in the shadow of the thickening. However, the second undercut engages in the thickening, so that a projection of the thickening is advantageously formed. The protrusion extends in the axial direction and covers a wedge-shaped or circumferential funnel-like cavity or engagement, which is arranged between the protrusion and the longitudinal axis. The holding surface is then a surface of the protrusion and generally points inwards, i.e. is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The engagement is tapered in the axial direction, so that it is approximately wedge-shaped in cross section parallel to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the holding surface is also wedge-like overall, i.e. in particular obliquely towards the longitudinal axis. In one variant, the holding surface is curved, but generally runs towards the longitudinal axis.

An advantage of the invention is, in particular, that the additional undercut into the thickening results in a significantly improved pull-out protection. In the connected state, the other plug connector is led over the thickening of the connecting piece, but does not only engage behind it, but rather engages in the thickening on the back like a hook, so that a securing in the radial direction is also achieved.

Preferably, at least one of the connectors is, preferably both connectors are rotationally symmetrical. The nozzle is then tubular, with a circumferential thickening in which the back, i.e. on a side facing away from the other connector, an annular engagement and an annular, in particular funnel-like holding surface are formed. The term "tube-like" in this case also includes cross-sections that differ from round cross-sections, in particular oval cross-sections. The other connector is designed as a socket and in particular like a hollow cylinder. At the other connector, an opening is then formed at the end, with an opening diameter which is smaller than an inner diameter of the socket, which initially ensures the rear grip behind the thickening. An annular elevation is formed within the socket around the opening. This has a diameter which preferably corresponds to the opening diameter, so that the elevation directly surrounds the opening. Alternatively, the diameter of the annular elevation is larger than the opening diameter and smaller than the inner diameter of the socket, generally the other connector. Instead of a rotationally symmetrical design, the survey is alternatively e.g. pin-like or tooth-like and / or the engagement is e.g. designed as a blind hole.

Basically, the socket can either be attached to the connector or the earpiece and the other connector can be attached to the other part. In the following, however, without restricting the generality, an embodiment is assumed in which the connecting piece is attached to the connecting part and the other connector is attached to the earpiece. However, the following explanations also apply mutatis mutandis to the alternative embodiment with the socket on the ear piece and the other connector on the connecting part.

The connecting part serves to connect the earpiece to the rest of the hearing aid and, above all, to connect to the handset. Accordingly, the connection part has a sound channel, via which sound is transported from the listener to the earpiece. In the case of a hearing device in which the receiver is worn in the ear, the connection part is, for example, a connection piece on the receiver. The connecting piece is, for example, an integrally formed on the listener and in one piece with it. In the case of a hearing aid in which the receiver is worn outside the auditory canal, the connection part is, for example, a sound tube or an end piece which is attached, in particular attached, to the sound tube at the end. Overall, the connecting part forms one of the plug connectors for connecting the ear piece. Together, the connection part and the ear piece form the ear insert, which in particular is worn completely in the ear.

The thickening is arched at least in sections like a ball. With such a thickening, the connection of the connectors is particularly simple. In this case, the connection piece is formed from a ball connection, in which an initially cylindrical base body is additionally encircled by a spherical shell, so that there is a thickening with a circular arc in cross section. An advantage of this configuration is an articulated connection.

The earpiece is expediently in one piece and made of an elastic material. This makes the earpiece particularly simple and, in particular, designed as an inexpensive disposable part. The elastic design of the earpiece is particularly useful if the socket is attached to the connection part, so that the earpiece then has an elastic socket which can be plugged onto the socket particularly easily, since the socket can now expand when pushed over the thickened portion and behind it Thickening automatically contracts again.

The earpiece is especially designed as an umbrella. The screen is typically roughly dome-shaped or bell-shaped and is therefore also referred to as a dome. Apart from the opening for placing on the nozzle, the first variant of the screen is continuous, that is, closed. Alternatively, the screen has a number of ventilation or pressure compensation holes. These are arranged, for example, distributed around the longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction. In general, there are a variety of design options for the screen, depending on the specific function of the screen. Alternatively, an earmold is also suitable as an earpiece instead of a screen. Such is usually custom-made and often made of an inelastic material. It is then correspondingly sensible to manufacture the connecting part from an elastic material and then in particular also to attach the connecting piece to the otoplastic, while the other plug connector is formed on the connecting part.

The other connector has a chamber in which the socket sits and which completely surrounds the thickening. This ensures a particularly secure hold. The chamber is in particular complementary to the nozzle, so that it sits in a form-fitting manner. In order to achieve a certain contact pressure on the connecting piece, the chamber is expediently designed to be complementary to the connecting piece without taking the thickening into account, so that the thickening is clamped in the chamber in the connected state. In addition, the chamber is measured in the axial direction in particular longer than the thickening, so that it is completely enclosed.

In an expedient development, a counter surface is formed in the chamber, which abuts the holding surface. An intervention in the engagement of the thickening is thus formed in a simple manner. The counter surface is in particular a surface of an elevation, which extends from the inner wall of the chamber into it.

The chamber preferably has a hollow cylindrical taper, which runs around the nozzle and on which the counter surface is in particular annular. The taper forms an end face of the chamber. The counter surface then protrudes from the end surface. For this purpose, the elevation described above is expediently formed on the end face, e.g. in the manner of a wall or a rib which extends into the interior of the chamber.

The counter surface is preferably complementary to the holding surface and in particular completely covers it. As a result, an advantageously particularly large contact area in the area of the engagement in the thickening is realized and thus a particularly good pull-out protection. In the case of the rotationally symmetrical configuration, both surfaces are then designed in a ring-shaped and funnel-like manner and are in contact with one another in the connected state of the plug connectors.

Suitably, the chamber has an opening, which is formed in particular by the taper, for inserting the connector into the chamber, the connector having a neck section which is arranged within the opening and has a diameter which is at least 10% smaller than the opening. In other words: the outside diameter of the neck section is smaller than the opening diameter of the opening. In combination with a spherically curved thickening, a slight tilting of the ear piece relative to the connecting part is then advantageously possible, so that the ear insert can be optimally adapted to the usually curved auditory canal. The thickening and the chamber form a joint, in particular a ball joint, with a range of motion which is given by the difference between the outer diameter of the neck section and the opening diameter. When the connectors are plugged together, the connector is opened through the opening of the taper into the chamber, i.e. inserted the socket. In the rotationally symmetrical configuration, the taper is hollow-cylindrical, the opening is circular and is made centrally in the end face, so that the end face itself is ring-shaped.

The holding surface is generally wedge-shaped, that is, set with respect to the longitudinal axis. The holding surface preferably forms an angle with the longitudinal axis which is less than 90 ° and greater than 30 °. This angle enables sufficient intervention. The angle is particularly preferably between 70 and 45 °. Viewed in cross section parallel to the longitudinal axis, the holding surface in a preferred variant runs straight and obliquely to the longitudinal axis at the corresponding angle. In the case of the rotationally symmetrical design, the then annular holding surface is a truncated cone surface with an opening angle which corresponds to twice the previously mentioned angle. Alternatively, the holding surface is curved.

For sound conduction through the plug connection, a first sound channel section is expediently formed in the socket in the axial direction, which opens in the axial direction into a second sound channel section of the other connector. An overall continuous sound channel is thus formed, which finally opens into a sound outlet opening of the earpiece.

In a suitable further development, a wax guard is inserted into the sound channel in order to prevent the wax from penetrating to the listener. The wax guard is advantageously in the sound channel section of the connector of the connecting part, so that the ear piece can be replaced without having to replace the wax guard at the same time. Rather, it can be replaced separately.

Fig. 1

ein BTE-Hörgerät und

Fig. 2

einen Ohreinsatz mit Anschlussteil und Ohrstück.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Each shows schematically:

Fig. 1

a BTE hearing aid and

Fig. 2

an ear insert with connector and ear piece.

In Fig. 1 A hearing device 2 is shown, which is a BTE device here. This has a housing 4 which is worn by the user behind the ear. Microphones, electronics and a battery, for example, are accommodated in the housing 4. A supply line 6 is attached to the front of the housing 4, which is guided over the ear and connects the housing 4 to an ear insert 8 which is inserted into the ear. This in Fig. 1 BTE device shown is designed as a RIC device, ie the hearing aid 2 has a receiver 10 which is inserted into the ear. In Fig. 1 the receiver 10 is thus part of the ear insert 8. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 10 is accommodated in the housing 4, in which case the feed line 6 is designed as a sound tube.

Furthermore, in Fig. 1 recognizable that the ear insert 8 has an ear piece 12, which is designed here as a screen and which, when inserted, bears against the inner wall of the ear canal and thereby seals the ear canal. For this purpose, the ear piece 12 is made of an elastic material and is dome-shaped or bell-shaped, with a curved outer surface. The ear insert 8 extends along a longitudinal axis L in an axial direction A and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is also rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

In Fig. 2 a variant of an ear insert 8 is shown in a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The ear insert 8 is formed here by the receiver 10 and the earpiece 12, which is connected to the receiver 10 via a connecting part 14. In Fig. 2 the earpiece 12 and the connecting part 14 are shown separately from each other. To connect these two parts are brought together in the axial direction A and plugged together.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting part 14 is part of the receiver 10, namely a front connector 16, by means of which the receiver 10 can be attached to the earpiece 12. The connector 16 is also a connector 18 of a connector with two connectors 18, 20. The other connector 20 is formed on the earpiece 12, here as a socket, which in turn comprises a chamber 22. In this, the connector 16 for connecting, i.e. used when assembling the connector. In an alternative, not shown, with a receiver 10 in the housing 4, the connecting part 14 is a separate adapter which is connected to the feed line 6 and then has the connector 16 at the end.

For the axial fixation of the ear piece 12, a thickening 24 is formed on the connecting piece 16, which is sectionally spherical in sections and curved outwards in the radial direction R. On the back, ie facing away from the other plug connector 20, ie facing the receiver 10 here, an engagement 26 is introduced into the thickening 24, which forms a holding surface 28 which runs into the thickening 24 in a wedge-like manner. Because of the rotationally symmetrical design shown here, the holding surface 28 is here funnel-like and designed as a truncated cone surface. The holding surface 28 itself runs straight and obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L, so that the holding surface 28 forms an angle W with the longitudinal axis L in the cross section shown. This is less than 90 °, so that the holding surface is just not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and forms a regular undercut. Rather, the holding surface 28 extends in relation to the longitudinal axis L, so that the engagement 26 is designed as an annular cavity between the holding surface 28 and the longitudinal axis L. In Fig. 2 the angle W is about 45 °. In principle, however, a curved course is also conceivable. General is an additional undercut in the radial direction R is formed by the holding surface 28.

The other connector 20 is complementary to the connector 16. On the rear side, a hollow cylindrical taper 30 is formed on the connector 20, which at the same time closes off the chamber 22 on the rear side. The taper 30 also forms an opening 32 in the chamber 22. The connector 16 can be inserted into the chamber 22 through this opening 32. When inserted, the taper 30 is initially widened by the connector 16, pushed over the thickening 24 and finally contracts behind it. In the connected state, the taper 30 is then positioned behind the thickening 24 and runs around a neck section 34, which adjoins the thickening 24 on the rear and forms part of the connecting piece 16.

A counter surface 36 is also formed on the taper 30, which faces into the chamber 22 and is designed as the surface of an elevation 38. This elevation 38 is ring-shaped here and runs around the opening 32. The counter surface 36 is complementary to the holding surface 28, so that these two surfaces abut one another in the connected state and the elevation 38 engages in the engagement 26. As a result, the earpiece 12 is particularly well secured against unwanted removal. Nevertheless, in the exemplary embodiment shown there is a certain freedom of movement in that the ear piece 12 can be tilted relative to the connecting part 14. This is achieved in that the opening 32 has an opening diameter Ö which is somewhat larger than an outer diameter A1 of the neck portion 34, namely by at least about 10%. In combination with the spherical thickening 24, a joint is then formed which enables the earpiece 12 to be tilted.

The socket 16 has an overall outer diameter A2, which is a maximum outer diameter and is defined by the thickening 24. The chamber 22 is then in particular designed such that it has an inner diameter I which is smaller than the outer diameter A2 of the Socket 16, so that it is clamped in the chamber 22. Nevertheless, tilting is still possible, especially since the ear piece 12 is preferably made of an elastic material.

To transmit sound from the receiver 10, a sound channel 40 is formed along the longitudinal axis L through the entire ear insert 8. For this purpose, each of the two plug connectors 18, 20 has a sound channel section 42, 44, namely a first sound channel section 42 and a second sound channel section 44, which together form the sound channel 40. This finally ends in a sound outlet opening 46 of the earpiece 12.

Reference symbol list

2nd

Hearing aid

4th

casing

6

Supply

8th

Ear insert

10th

Listener

12

Earpiece

14

Connector

16

Support

18, 20

Connectors

22

chamber

24th

thickening

26

Intervention

28

Holding surface

30th

rejuvenation

32

opening

34

Neck section

36

Counter surface

38

Survey

40

Sound channel

42

first sound channel section

44

second sound channel section

46

Sound outlet opening

A

axial direction

A1

Outside diameter (of the neck portion)

A2

Outside diameter (of the nozzle)

I.

Inside diameter (of the chamber)

L

Longitudinal direction

R

radial direction

W

angle

Ö

Opening diameter

Claims (10)

1. Hearing aid (2), in particular BTE hearing aid (2), with an ear insert (8) having an earpiece (12) and a connecting part (14) which is connected to a receiver (10), wherein the earpiece (12) and the connecting part (14) each have a plug connector (18, 20) and are connected to one another by means of the plug connectors (18, 20), the one plug connector (18) being designed as a nozzle (16) which extends in an axial direction (A) along a longitudinal axis (L) and which has a neck section (34) and a thickening (24) which in sections is designed arched in a ball-like manner and which connects to the neck section (34) in the axial direction (A) on a side of the neck section (34) facing the other connector (20) and extends in the radial direction (R), and wherein the other connector (20) has a chamber (22) in which the nozzle (16) sits and which completely surrounds the thickening (24) and wherein the other connector (20) engages behind the thickening (24) for axially fixing the earpiece (12) to the connecting part (14),
   characterized in
   that the thickening (24) is undercut and forms a holding surface (28) which runs in a wedge-like manner into the thickening (24) and connects a surface of the thickening (24) to a surface of the neck section (34), and that the thickening (24) forms a joint with the chamber (22).
2. Hearing aid (2) according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in
   that the earpiece (12) is made in one piece and made of an elastic material.
3. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that a counter surface (36) is formed in the chamber (22), which abuts the holding surface (28).
4. Hearing aid (2) according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in
   that the chamber (22) has a hollow cylindrical taper (30) surrounding the nozzle (16) and on which the counter surface (36) is formed.
5. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the two preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the counter surface (36) is complementary to the holding surface (28) and covers said holding surface.
6. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the chamber (22) has an opening (32) for inserting the nozzle (16) into the chamber (22), the nozzle (16) having a neck section (34) which is arranged within the opening (32) and has an at least 10 % smaller diameter than the opening (32).
7. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the holding surface (28) forms an angle (W) with the longitudinal axis (L) which is less than 90° and greater than 30°.
8. Hearing aid (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that a first sound channel section (42) is formed in the nozzle (16) in the axial direction (A), which opens in the axial direction (A) into a second sound channel section (44) of the other connector (20).
9. Hearing aid (2) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in

   - that a counter surface (36), which rests against the holding surface (28), is formed in the chamber (22)

   - that the chamber (22) has a hollow cylindrical taper (30) covering the nozzle (16) and on which the counter surface (36) is formed, wherein the taper (30) forms an end surface of the chamber (22) and the counter surface (28) projects from the end face,

   - that the counter surface (36) is complementary to the holding surface (28) and covers said holding surface,

   - that the holding surface (28) with the longitudinal axis (L) includes an angle (W) which is less than 90° and greater than 30°,

   - that in the axial direction (A) in the nozzle (16) a first sound channel section (42) is formed, which opens in the axial direction (A) into a second sound channel section (44) of the other connector (20).
10. Hearing aid (2) according to Claim 9,
    characterized in
    that the earpiece (12) is made in one piece and made of an elastic material.

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