EP3422740A1 - Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive - Google Patents

Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3422740A1
EP3422740A1 EP18158291.7A EP18158291A EP3422740A1 EP 3422740 A1 EP3422740 A1 EP 3422740A1 EP 18158291 A EP18158291 A EP 18158291A EP 3422740 A1 EP3422740 A1 EP 3422740A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dome
reinforcement structure
ear
hearing aid
disclosure
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Withdrawn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
EP18158291.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mathias Rask Møller
Troels Holm Pedersen
Christina SVENSEN
Anders Hedelund Nielsen
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.)
Oticon AS
Original Assignee
Oticon AS
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 Oticon AS filed Critical Oticon AS
Priority to EP18158291.7A priority Critical patent/EP3422740A1/fr
Publication of EP3422740A1 publication Critical patent/EP3422740A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0216—BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a dome for a hearing aid. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an improved dome having a reduced risk of collapsing when being inserted into the ear canal than the prior art domes.
  • domes are normally very thin, and they are typically made from soft silicone materials. Due to the thin dome walls, these domes tend to collapse and fold, and they can presumably cause pinching or irritation in the canal. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an alternative to the prior art domes that tend to collapse in the ear canal of a user.
  • the dome is a dome configured for receiving and retaining a hearing aid receiver, said dome being adapted for insertion into an ear canal of the user and comprising:
  • the reinforcement structure reduces the risk of collapsing during insertion into the ear canal.
  • the reinforcement structure may be of any suitable geometry and size.
  • the reinforcement structure extends along at least part of the inside surface.
  • the reinforcement structure will not change the outer geometry of the dome. This may be an advantage since the outside surface of the dome should preferably be shaped to fit the ear canal.
  • the reinforcement structure extends along the surface of the inside periphery of the dome.
  • the reinforcement structure extends along the surface of the inside periphery of the dome and is an integrated portion of the wall structure of the dome.
  • At least a portion of the reinforcement structure extends along or adjacent to the end structure (the proximal end of the dome).
  • adjacent to is meant that the reinforcement structure may be provided in a (e.g. short) distance from the end structure (the proximal end of the dome like illustrated in Fig. 2E ).
  • the reinforcement structure follows the inner contour of the dome and hereby extends along the outer surface of the inside periphery of the dome.
  • the reinforcement structure is integrated into at least a part the material of the proximal end.
  • the reinforcement structure is integrated into at least a part the material of the proximal end during a moulding process.
  • the reinforcement structure is ring-shaped.
  • the geometry of the reinforcement structure matches the geometry of the dome.
  • the reinforcement structure is made from an elastic material having a hardness of shore A03 to shore A90, preferably Shore A10 to shore A30 such as shore A20 to shoere A25 (measured on the shore A hardness scale).
  • Shore A10 to shore A30 such as shore A20 to shoere A25 (measured on the shore A hardness scale).
  • the dome is made of an elastic material being silicone.
  • At least a portion of the reinforcement structure has a semi-circular cross section.
  • At least a portion of the reinforcement structure has a quadrangular cross section.
  • At least a portion of the reinforcement structure has a homogeneous cross section.
  • the manufacturing process can be eased.
  • the dome has a dome wall, wherein the total thickness of the dome wall and the reinforcement structure is larger than the thickness of the dome wall.
  • the dome has a dome wall, wherein the total thickness of the dome wall and the reinforcement structure is larger than 150% of the thickness of the dome wall.
  • the total thickness of the dome wall and reinforcement structure is larger than 175% of the thickness of the dome wall.
  • the total thickness of the dome wall and reinforcement structure is larger than 200% of the thickness of the dome wall.
  • the dome comprises a dome wall having a thickness, wherein the height of the reinforcement structure is larger than or equal to the thickness of the dome wall.
  • the height of the reinforcement structure is sufficiently large to prevent the dome from collapsing during insertion into the ear canal.
  • the dome comprises a receiving portion that comprises a number of breaking zones.
  • Hearing aid users applying domes often experience that a dome is stuck in the ear canal - in general because it has not been mounted properly, has been used for a too long period or has been demounted several times to be cleaned (not intended use).
  • these breaking zones will break when the dome is pulled off the receiver (counter-part). Accordingly, the dome cannot be remounted and needs to be replaced.
  • the receiving portion is defined by a centrally arranged soft portion.
  • the soft part facilitates inserting the counter-part into the receiving portion.
  • a stiff portion is provided at or adjacent to one or more of the breaking zones.
  • the stiff portion can enable the breaking zones to break.
  • the hearing aid is a hearing aid comprising a behind-the-ear-element and an in-the-ear-element comprising a receiver configured to be received and retained in a dome, wherein the behind-the-ear-element is connected to the in-the-ear-element by a tube, wherein said dome is a dome according to the disclosure.
  • the hearing aid is a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) style hearing aid, wherein the tube comprises a wire.
  • RITE receiver-in-the-ear
  • a hearing device may include a hearing aid that is adapted to improve or augment the hearing capability of a user by receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears.
  • the "hearing device” may further refer to a device such as an earphone or a headset adapted to receive an audio signal electronically, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signals as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears.
  • Such audible signals may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user's outer ear.
  • the hearing device is adapted to be worn in any known way. This may include i) arranging a unit of the hearing device behind the ear with a tube leading air-borne acoustic signals into the ear canal or with a receiver/ loudspeaker arranged close to or in the ear canal such as in a Behind-the-Ear type hearing aid, and/ or ii) arranging the hearing device entirely or partly in the pinna and/ or in the ear canal of the user such as in an In-the-Ear type hearing aid or In-the-Canal/ Completely-in-Canal type hearing aid.
  • a “hearing system” refers to a system comprising one or two hearing devices
  • a “binaural hearing system” refers to a system comprising two hearing devices where the devices are adapted to cooperatively provide audible signals to both of the user's ears.
  • the hearing system or binaural hearing system may further include auxiliary device(s) that communicates with at least one hearing device, the auxiliary device affecting the operation of the hearing devices and/or benefitting from the functioning of the hearing devices.
  • a wired or wireless communication link between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device is established that allows for exchanging information (e.g. control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device.
  • Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of remote controls, remote microphones, audio gateway devices, mobile phones, public-address systems, car audio systems or music players or a combination thereof.
  • the audio gateway is adapted to receive a multitude of audio signals such as from an entertainment device like a TV or a music player, a telephone apparatus like a mobile telephone or a computer, a PC.
  • the audio gateway is further adapted to select and/or combine an appropriate one of the received audio signals (or combination of signals) for transmission to the at least one hearing device.
  • the remote control is adapted to control functionality and operation of the at least one hearing devices.
  • the function of the remote control may be implemented in a SmartPhone or other electronic device, the SmartPhone/ electronic device possibly running an application that controls functionality of the at least one hearing device.
  • a hearing device in general, includes i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and/or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving an input audio signal.
  • the hearing device further includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user in dependence on the processed audio signal.
  • the input unit may include multiple input microphones, e.g. for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing.
  • Such directional microphone system is adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a multitude of acoustic sources in the user's environment.
  • the directional system is adapted to detect (such as adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This may be achieved by using conventionally known methods.
  • the signal processing unit may include amplifier that is adapted to apply a frequency dependent gain to the input audio signal.
  • the signal processing unit may further be adapted to provide other relevant functionality such as compression, noise reduction, etc.
  • Fig.1B illustrates a dome 2 according to an aspect of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a cut dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome 2 comprises a body portion having a dome wall 16 provided with an inside surface 10.
  • the dome 2 comprises a distal end 6 provided with a canal 20.
  • the dome 2 comprises a centrally arranged wall structure 22 defining a concave receiving portion 4 configured to receive at least a portion of a receiver of a hearing aid.
  • An annular recess 24 is provided in the proximal end of the receiving portion 4. The recess 24 is configured to receive a protruding portion of a receiver hereby providing a firm attachment of the receiver in the receiving portion 4.
  • the dome 2 comprises a proximal end 8, in which end 8 an opening 14 is provided.
  • a reinforcement structure 12 formed as an annular structure protruding radially is provided at proximal portion of the inside surface 10.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 has a semi-spherical cross section.
  • Fig. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a cut prior art dome 38.
  • the dome basically corresponds to the dome 2 shown in Fig. 1A , it, however, is not provided with a reinforcement structure. Accordingly, the prior art dome 38 tend to collapse when being inserted into the ear canal.
  • Fig. 1C illustrates a perspective view of another cut dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome 2 is almost identical to the one shown in Fig. 1B .
  • the dome 2 has a reinforcement structure 12 having a rectangular cross section.
  • the longitudinal axis X of the dome 2 is illustrated. It can be seen that the canal 20 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the dome 2.
  • Fig. 1D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a dome according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome comprises a dome wall 16 provided with a smooth inside surface 10 and a reinforcement structure 12 having a quadrangular cross section provided at the proximal end of the inside surface 10.
  • the height H 1 of the reinforcement structure 12 is indicated. It can be seen that the height H 1 of the reinforcement structure 12 is slightly smaller than the thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16.
  • the thickness T 1 of the dome wall 16 basically corresponds to the thickness of the reinforcement structure 12.
  • Fig. 1E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a dome according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome comprises a dome wall 16 having a smooth inside surface 10 provided with a reinforcement structure 12 having a slightly different cross section provided than the reinforcement structure 12 of the dome shown in Fig. 1D .
  • the reinforcement structure 12 is "rounded off" and is provided at the proximal end of the inside surface 10.
  • the height H 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 is smaller than the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16.
  • the thickness T 1 of the dome wall 16 is smaller than the thickness of the reinforcement structure 12.
  • Fig. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a reinforcement structure 12 according an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 has a semi-circular cross section.
  • the radius R 2 is indicated.
  • R 2 may be in the range 0.2-0.6 mm such as 0.3-0.5 mm, preferably approximately 0.4 mm.
  • Fig. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a reinforcement structure 12 according another embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 has the same proportions as the one shown in Fig. 2A , however, its radius R 1 is smaller. R 1 may be in the range 0.1-0.5 mm such as 0.2-0.4 mm, preferably approximately 0.3 mm.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 may preferably be provided as a ring-shaped structure extending along the inside surface of a dome.
  • the reinforcement structure extends through the inner surface of the dome.
  • the dome may be made in silicone having a hardness in the range shore 10-30, such as shore 15-25, preferably approximately shore 20 (measured on the shore A hardness scale).
  • Fig. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a dome according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome has a dome wall 16 having an inner surface 10.
  • a reinforcement structure 12 is provided at the proximal end of the dome.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 protrudes from the dome wall 16 and has a thickness that is slightly larger than the thickness T 1 of the dome wall 16.
  • the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16 is indicated.
  • the cross section of the reinforcement structure 12 basically corresponds to a quarter of a circle and has a height H 1 that is smaller than the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16.
  • Fig. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a dome according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome comprises a dome wall 16 provided with an inner surface 10 and a reinforcement structure 12 provided at the proximal end of the dome.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 protrudes from the dome wall 16 and has a thickness that is significantly larger than the thickness T 1 of the dome wall 16.
  • the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16 is shown.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 has a height H 3 that is larger than the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16.
  • Fig. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end portion of a dome according to a further embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the dome comprises a dome wall 16 provided with an inner surface 10 and a reinforcement structure 12 provided in a non-zero distance from the proximal end of the dome. Accordingly, the reinforcement structure 12 extends adjacent to the end structure 46.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 protrudes from the dome wall 16 and has a thickness that is smaller than the thickness T 1 of the dome wall 16.
  • the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16 is indicated.
  • the reinforcement structure 12 has a height H 2 that basically corresponds to the total thickness T 2 of the reinforcement structure 12 and the dome wall 16.
  • Fig. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a counter-part 18 inserted into a dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure
  • Fig. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the counter-part 18 being inserted into the dome 2.
  • the counter-part 18 may be the distal portion (front portion) of receiver of a hearing aid.
  • the dome 2 comprises a receiving portion 4 having a conical geometry and extending in extension of a centrally arranged canal 20.
  • a cavity 48 extends between and hereby connects the receiving portion 4 and the canal 20.
  • the cavity 48 comprises an annular groove 36 arranged adjacent to thin structure constituting the central portion of a breaking zone 30.
  • the thin structure extends between the annular groove 36 and a slit 28 provided in the dome 2.
  • the central portion of the structure forming the receiving portion 4 comprises a soft portion 40 made of a softer material than the remaining portion of the dome 2. Accordingly, the protruding portion 34 of the counter-part 18 can be received by the cavity 48 of the dome 2 upon radial compression of the soft portion 40.
  • the counter-part 18 comprises a canal 20' that is in fluid communication with the canal 20 of the dome 2.
  • the structures of the dome 2 in region adjacent to the breaking zone 30 constitute a stiff portion that is made in a material that is stiffer than the remaining portion of the dome 2. Accordingly, the breaking zone 30 will break when somebody tries to remove the counter-part 18 from the cavity 48.
  • the dome 2 will generate a "click sound" when the counter-part 18 is brought into engagement with the cavity 48.
  • the user receives a consistent "ON feedback” when the counter-part 18 is mounted in a correct manner in the cavity 48 of the dome 2.
  • the counter-part 18 will break when removed.
  • Fig. 3A and 3B can prevent that users of domes experience that a dome is stuck in the ear canal due to an incorrect mounting, usage for a too long period or when having been demounted several times to be cleaned (not intended re-use).
  • the dome 2 may have two or more, preferably three or more breaking zones 30.
  • the use of a hard part will increase the tactile feeling (click) when the user mounts the dome 2.
  • Fig. 4A illustrates a dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure being removed from a receiver 54 of a hearing aid.
  • the receiver 54 is connected to a wire 52.
  • Fig. 4B illustrates a dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure being mounted on a receiver 54 of a hearing aid corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 4A .
  • a wire 52 is attached to the receiver 54.
  • Fig. 4C illustrates a dome 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure before it is attached to the attachment portion 56 of a receiver 54 of hearing aid corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 4A .
  • a wire 52 is attached to the receiver 54 and the dome comprises a tip 44 provided with an opening (not shown).
  • Fig. 4D illustrates a hearing aid 50 corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 4A .
  • the hearing aid 50 comprises a receiver 54 having an attachment portion 56 configured to receive a dome 2 according to the disclosure.
  • a wire 52 connects the receiver 54 and the body portion of the hearing aid 50.
  • dome and the reinforcement ring of the dome could similarly be used with a classic behind the ear type hearing aid, where the receiver is arranged in the behind the ear unit, and connects with a sound tube guiding the sound from the receiver into an earpiece, where the earpiece comprises a dome constructed as described herein.

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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)
EP18158291.7A 2018-02-23 2018-02-23 Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive Withdrawn EP3422740A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18158291.7A EP3422740A1 (fr) 2018-02-23 2018-02-23 Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18158291.7A EP3422740A1 (fr) 2018-02-23 2018-02-23 Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3422740A1 true EP3422740A1 (fr) 2019-01-02

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ID=61274125

Family Applications (1)

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EP18158291.7A Withdrawn EP3422740A1 (fr) 2018-02-23 2018-02-23 Dôme renforcé pour aide auditive

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP3422740A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6258043B1 (en) * 1999-01-05 2001-07-10 Gabriel Raviv Ear probe tip
US20020006209A1 (en) * 2000-03-13 2002-01-17 Sarnoff Corporation Flexible hearing aid tip with an integral receiver
US20100166241A1 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-07-01 Sabio Guillermo L Hearing aid ear dome
US20120257774A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2012-10-11 Widex A/S Ear plug for a hearing aid and a hearing aid
US20180020302A1 (en) * 2016-07-12 2018-01-18 Oticon A/S Hearing aid

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6258043B1 (en) * 1999-01-05 2001-07-10 Gabriel Raviv Ear probe tip
US20020006209A1 (en) * 2000-03-13 2002-01-17 Sarnoff Corporation Flexible hearing aid tip with an integral receiver
US20100166241A1 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-07-01 Sabio Guillermo L Hearing aid ear dome
US20120257774A1 (en) * 2009-12-21 2012-10-11 Widex A/S Ear plug for a hearing aid and a hearing aid
US20180020302A1 (en) * 2016-07-12 2018-01-18 Oticon A/S Hearing aid

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